Frequently-Asked
Questions
Our Mobile
Computing Program
Why a laptop?
Why standardize?
Why is your offer a great deal?
Am I required to buy the Rensselaer laptop?
Can I bring my own?
Can I upgrade the Rensselaer laptop?
Can I also bring my desktop computer?
Can I keep the laptop computer over the summer?
I'm a transfer student. Do I need a laptop
computer?
I am an undergraduate, but not an incoming freshman.
Can I get a laptop computer?
I am a graduate student. Can I get a laptop computer?
My lease is up? What are my options?
Ordering a Laptop
When will the details about the Rensselaer
laptop be announced?
What are the payment options?
I missed the deadline for ordering
a laptop computer!!
When will I receive my laptop computer?
I just received my laptop and it doesn't power up?
Using My Laptop
Where can I use my laptop on campus?
Is there a network connection in my residence
hall room?
Can I use it off campus?
How do I print? Do I need to buy a printer?
How do I get my laptop computer repaired?
What is the warranty?
What is PC (ThinkPad) Protection?
What about insurance?
Where do I get help?
What is Bluetooth?
Can I buy the media for Microsoft Office?
I've graduated. What do I need to
know about my laptop and software?
Why a laptop?
The power of mobile computing allows students to have "anywhere/anytime"
access to their computer software and the Internet using the thousands
of laptop connections available in public places across campus.
Almost every class has a computer element and nearly all courses
use electronic information. There are more than 30 laptop classrooms
on campus with both power and network connections. Wireless access
is available in a continually growing number of locations across
the core campus as well as in common areas of the residence halls.
Laptop computers are specifically used in Math, Computer Science,
Physics, Introduction to Engineering Analysis, and Freshmen Studies
in which you would bring your laptop to class. Additional laptop
courses are added each semester.
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Why standardize?
We can provide the best support (both formal and informal) for a
standard laptop computer. The Help Desk in the VCC is well equipped
to handle questions and problems with the Rensselaer laptop. You
will also find an extensive peer-to-peer support group.The model
we have chosen is tested for compatibility with the Rensselaer network
and comes loaded with the software you will need. On-campus repair
is also available for the standard model.
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Why is your offer a great deal?
We work very hard with the computer vendor, Lenovo, and leading software companies to be
able to offer you a very powerful state-of-the-art laptop computer
loaded with software at an excellent price.
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Am I required to buy the Rensselaer laptop?
Can I bring my own?
We strongly recommend the Rensselaer laptop package. If you do choose
to bring your own, be sure that it meets the minimum specifications. You will also be responsible for purchasing
the software, making sure that you can connect to the Rensselaer
network, and coordinating with the manufacturer for warranty support.
We will also not be able to provide support for other laptops.
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Can I upgrade the Rensselaer laptop?
We are only able to offer the Rensselaer laptop at this price because
we purchase them in volume. Therefore, it is not possible to upgrade
the laptop you order as part of this program. However, once you
receive your laptop in the fall, you can upgrade or purchase accessories.
Check out the Campus
Computer Store in the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC).
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Can I also bring my desktop computer?
Yes, you can also bring your desktop computer. If you want to have
two network connections in your residence hall room, you can purchase
a mini-hub. However, it would be a good idea to check out the space
available in your residence hall room.
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Can I keep the laptop computer over the
summer?
Yes.
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I'm a transfer student. Do I need a laptop
computer?
All incoming undergraduate students are required to have a laptop
computer.
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I am an undergraduate, but not an incoming
freshman. Can I get a laptop computer? I am a graduate student.
Can I get a laptop computer?
Yes. All matriculated students at Rensselaer are entitled to
purchase one Rensselaer Laptop Computer Package per year.
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My lease is up? What are my options?
Two-year leases that began in Fall 2006 are up at the end of the Spring 2008 semester. The laptop is now yours and you are responsible for insurance. Third-year
students are also eligible to start another two-year lease for a
new laptop, or purchase one.
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When will the details about the Rensselaer
laptop be announced?
The Rensselaer laptop package is announced in June for the coming
year. Rensselaer, in
partnership with Lenovo, brings you the latest technology
at the best value.
Incoming freshmen will be sent forms for choosing their payment
option in late June. At that time, other students will be able to
download details (and the form for purchasing a laptop package)
from this web site.
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What are the payment options?
Payment options will be mailed to incoming freshmen in June.
Each year, every matriculated student can purchase a laptop package.
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I missed the deadline for ordering
a laptop computer!!
Please return the form as quickly as you can. We will do our
best to accommodate you.
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When will I receive my laptop computer?
Laptops will be distributed during
the week before classes begin to incoming freshmen and most other
students.
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I just received my laptop and it doesn't power up?
Any new laptop that does not power up correctly will be replaced with an identical new model under the following conditions:
- The laptop is physically returned to Rensselaer Computer Repair within 5 days of the owner having received the laptop.
- The failure can be duplicated by the repair technician.
- The failure is not caused by accidental physical damage. In these cases, the laptop will be repair under the warranty and ThinkPad protection agreement.
- The failure is not software related. In these cases, the software failure will be fixed by re-imaging the laptop.
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Where can I use my laptop on campus?
There are thousands of laptop jacks (and power connections) in public
areas including Folsom Library, the Voorhees Computing Center, the
Student Union, and other study spaces around campus. You can also
connect your laptop computer to the network in the more than 20
classrooms around the campus wired for laptops which are available
for public use when classes are not scheduled. Wireless
connections are also available across campus. .
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Is there a network connection in my residence
hall room?
Every room in the residence halls has a network connection for each
student.
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Can I use it off campus?
If you are off campus, you will be able to connect your laptop to
the campus network using the VPN (Virtual Private Network) which provides a secure connection between an off-site user and the RPI campus network, allowing remote users access to secured campus resources.
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How do I print? Do I need to buy a printer?
Once connected to the network, you can access the public printers
located in every computer classroom and public computing lab, public
areas, and several residence halls.
You can connect your own printer to the laptop computer, but we
recommend waiting until you are on campus to decide if you want
to purchase one. Several models are available through the Campus
Computer Store.
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How do I get my laptop computer repaired?
Warranty services are available through Rensselaer Computing
Repair (RCR) located on the lower level of the Voorhees Computing
Center. If you participate in the Mobile Computing Program, a limited
number of "loaner" laptops may be available on a "first
come, first serve" basis in the unlikely instance that your
computer may need extensive repairs.
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What is the warranty?
The Fall 2008 laptop computer comes with a four-year manufacturer's warranty.
The battery has a one-year warranty. In previous years, the computer came with a three-year warranty.
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What is PC (ThinkPad) Protection?
ThinkPad Protection, covering accidental damage, supplements the
manufacturer's warranty. It protects against many types of damage
including electrical surges, drops or falls, liquid spills and LCD
damage caused by a drop or fall. It does not cover intentional damage, damage due to misuse, damage due to fire or theft replacement.
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What about insurance?
Haylor, Freyer and Coon Collegiate Student insurance offers a policy
with a low deductible which covers computers and other electronic
equipment. Go to www.haylor.com/student and select Personal Property Protection for more information and
an on-line enrollment form.
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Where do I get help?
When you first pick up your laptop computer, we will help you get
it set up and configured for use with the Rensselaer network. Help
is available at the Help Desk in the VCC every day but Saturday,
including weekends. There is extensive on-line help available.
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What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range (about 30 feet)
radio technology
making it possible to transmit signals over short distances between
telephones, computers and other devices. Using Bluetooth, various
types of digital devices can be connected without cables.
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Can I buy the media for Microsoft
Office?
As a participant in the Mobile Computing Program, you are entitled
to purchase the media for Microsoft Office Pro 2007 for $15 at the Campus Computer Store. Bring a copy of your laptop status page from
SIS to prove that you are participating in the Mobile Computing
Program.
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