EIU Media Relations

Computer Discounts Offered to EIU Students, Employees

As wireless Internet access becomes more available at Eastern Illinois University and more tasks rely on online access, demand for laptop computers is increasing by leaps and bounds.

To help ease individuals’ financial burden, EIU is harnessing the buying power of its students, faculty and staff to offer discounted computer prices.

“It is clear that our students are becoming more mobile and they want their Internet access to be readily available for checking e-mail, sharing documents with others, listening to music, downloading files, accessing Web pages and more,” said Michael Hoadley, EIU assistant vice president for academic affairs for technology.

Agreements with Apple, Dell and Gateway allow EIU students and employees to purchase computers at discounted rates.

Although the program offers desktop systems, it has been dubbed the Laptop Referral Purchase Program because its focus is on portable laptop computers.

“A very appealing attribute of buying a laptop is that each student’s computer can be configured to take advantage of the 300 new wireless access points that will be available at Eastern this fall,” Hoadley said.

Users with wireless-capable laptops will be able to log on to the network and move from building to building without access interruption, Hoadley said.

Pre-configured systems are offered based on minimum recommendations of EIU’s Information Technology Services. In most cases, buyers can upgrade those specifications.

In addition to being up to par technologically, the systems include three or four years of warranty protection.

“We’re trying to give them a computer that’s going to be good through their four years of college,” said program coordinator Mitch Coe of the EIU Union Bookstore.

The program, which was shaped by a 20-member campus-wide committee, received a good response when it was introduced to prospective students during an open house in April, Coe said.

In related news, EIU now offers a repair service on campus for students’ personal computers through Advanced Microelectronics Inc. The company is authorized to complete warranty services at no cost, with a fee charged for repairs not covered by warranty.

For more information on the Laptop Referral Purchase Program, visit www.eiubookstore.com or http://cats.eiu.edu/laptop, or call 581-5821 or (800) 242-0757.