Will printers or other peripherals be available?

Inkjet printers and additional recommended accessories will be available for purchase when you order your NEOUCOM Laptop. In fact, you may wish to simply select the "NEOUCOM Laptop Complete" add-on package which includes all the items NEOUCOM recommends to accompany your NEOUCOM Laptop: a multi-function inkjet printer, speakers, surge protector, a printer cable, a combination laptop lock, and a padded laptop bag.

What about theft?

Mobility comes with the inherent danger of theft or loss. A few simple precautions can greatly reduce the chances of theft: 

• treat your laptop like your wallet or purse and keep it close by you at all times when you are carrying it around campus
• when your laptop is on a desk in the library or lecture hall room, use a laptop lock to secure it to the desk when you leave the room

We strongly recommend parents talk with your insurance agent about options for enhancing coverage of your student's laptop under your homeowners or other personal property policy. You can often significantly reduce the deductible for a small additional yearly fee.

Computrace, a commercial anti-theft product, is available as an upgrade option for the Dell NEOUCOM Laptops. If your NEOUCOM Laptop is stolen, Computrace will locate it and return it safely to you. With Computrace's recovery guarantee, if your laptop is not recovered within 60 days, Computrace will pay you up to $1000.

Am I required to purchase a NEOUCOM Laptop?

NEOUCOM strongly recommends that all incoming first year students take advantage of the NEOUCOM Laptop offering. The NEOUCOM Laptops are robust, competitively priced systems with pre-installed software and ongoing support services that enhance their usability (see Laptop Models, Software and Services for details). However, you are not required to purchase your laptop through NEOUCOM. 

If you elect not purchase a NEOUCOM Laptop, NEOUCOM strongly recommends you bring a personal computer that meets or exceeds the guidelines outlined in Laptop Models.

How do I purchase the NEOUCOM Laptop online?

I see Dell Inspiron Notebooks offered for less money - why does NEOUCOM offer the Dell Latitude?

The Dell Inspiron is a good notebook, but it is considered a 'home' model.  In Dell's words:

"While Inspiron notebooks offer great performance at an aggressive price, users who require a fast notebook that emphasizes networkability, total cost of ownership, long-term stability and rock-solid performance should look to the Latitude family of business-class notebooks."

NEOUCOM believes that the Latitude and Precision lines are a better fit for the higher education environment.

I see Windows notebooks offered by other vendors for less money - why does NEOUCOM offer the Dell Latitude?

Many of us receive booklets in the mail or inserts in the newspaper showing computers that are priced at under $1,000. Comparisons are complex, so please take the following into account when comparing the NEOUCOM Laptop to other vendor models:

• Many vendors offer a cheap model to get you in the door.  By the time you purchase, you have paid far more than the advertised price.
• Many vendors try to sell you an extended warranty that brings you back to them for service.  Compare these warranties to the ones that Dell offers - backed by the manufacturer and available anywhere in the country.
• Many vendors skimp on the configurations --- if you compare the NEOUCOM Laptop models to other vendor models, make sure that you match every hardware component to make sure that you are getting the same graphics interface, the same hard drive, the same memory provided in the same number of memory slots (so that it is more easily upgraded, if needed, in the future), the same high quality display, etc.
• Many vendors provide scaled down operating system and productivity software.  The NEOUCOM Laptops come pre-loaded with Windows XP, Microsoft Office Professional, Symantec Anti-Virus 10.0, and much more!  Compare these software titles to the ones that are loaded on other vendor models.

To comparison shop, we recommend taking the spec sheet with you and matching specifications component by component.

Am I at a disadvantage if I don't purchase a NEOUCOM Laptop?

The NEOUCOM Laptop offering includes pre-installed software and ongoing support services. Many of the pre-installed software applications are available to all NEOUCOM students via the NEOUCOM software download page. However, students with non- NEOUCOM Laptop computers may find that some desired software and services are not available or require an additional fee. A few examples:

• Students with NEOUCOM Laptops will have Microsoft Office Professional pre-installed and automatically have access to automatic updates; students who do not have a NEOUCOM Laptop may purchase Microsoft Office Professional in the bookstore at educational prices (fee to be determined; range will be approximately $70-$75).
• Virus and spyware removal services are provided to NEOUCOM Laptop owners at no charge (the virus and spyware protection software pre-installed on NEOUCOM Laptops will likely make this a very rare occurrence). Virus and spyware removal services are available for personally-owned non-NEOUCOM Laptop computers for a fee of $100/incident.
• NEOUCOM’s Help Desk can provide loaner laptops for the repair period only to those with NEOUCOM Laptops.

Is the NEOUCOM Laptop program restricted to first year undergraduates?

Absolutely not. Any currently enrolled student is eligible to purchase a NEOUCOM Laptop. In fact, we strongly encourage all students who are thinking of purchasing a new computer to take advantage of the NEOUCOM Laptop because of the quality of the machines offered and the higher level of service available on campus.

Does all the software I'll need as a NEOUCOM student come already installed on the NEOUCOM Laptops?

Your NEOUCOM Laptop will come with all the software you need to connect and print to NEOUCOM's wireless networks pre-installed. Please see the Software page on this web site for details.

NEOUCOM strongly recommends that all students have Microsoft Office Professional, which is pre-installed on the NEOUCOM Laptops.  NEOUCOM has negotiated an agreement with Microsoft that allows students to purchase it for a fraction of the retail cost. However, students are not eligible to obtain Microsoft Office under NEOUCOM's agreement until officially enrolled in classes.

Some courses may require additional software.

What do I do if my NEOUCOM Laptop needs repair while I'm on campus?

Simply give the IT Help Desk a call at (330) 325-6911. They will help you verify the problem and set up an appointment to bring your laptop to the Help Desk for repair services.

What if repairs are necessary when I'm away for breaks?

Although NEOUCOM takes care of the purchasing arrangements with Dell, you own the laptop and Dell will honor your warranty anywhere in the U.S. If you are away from campus, you can contact Dell to receive warranty service.

Are there any financing or financial aid options available to assist with the purchase of a NEOUCOM Laptop?

Financial Aid assistance is available for your NEOUCOM Laptop purchase.  The NEOUCOM Laptop may be purchased by credit card, check, or on your student account.  Cancelled orders are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.  The NEOUCOM Laptop will be shipped or available for pick up when full payment is received for the laptop amount.

Can NEOUCOM faculty and staff purchase a NEOUCOM Laptop?

The NEOUCOM Laptop is geared to students and many of the built-in services are designed to meet student needs. At this time, there are no plans to offer these targeted services to faculty and staff. Faculty and staff are welcome to purchase a NEOUCOM Laptop for their personal use with the understanding that not all the services advertised as part of the NEOUCOM Laptop program will be provided.

Have a question not answered here? Please ask us at help@neoucom.edu.