Rensselaer Mobile Computing Program - FAQ

Mobile Computing Program

Program Overview

Acquiring Your Laptop

Program Support

FAQ

Laptop Specs

Using Your Laptop

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?
I have a T61 laptop. Where I can find more information about it?
How can I learn more about the IBM-Lenovo alliance?

Ordering a Laptop

When will the details about the Rensselaer laptop be announced?
What are the payment options?
I missed the deadline for ordering my laptop!! What can I do?
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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Can I keep the laptop computer over the summer?
Yes.

I'm a transfer student. Do I need a laptop computer?
All incoming undergraduate students are required to have 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?
Yes. All matriculated students at Rensselaer are entitled to purchase one Rensselaer Laptop Computer Package per year.

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.

I have a T61 laptop. Where I can find even more information about it?
For an in-depth review of the ThinkPad laptops, including your T61, you can check out Lenovo's ThinkPad 2007 Best Engineered Design Tour, which is presented in PDF format.

How can I learn more about the alliance between IBM and Lenovo?
When IBM and Lenovo first announced the alliance between their two companies back in 2004, customers natually had questions as to what sort of effect it would have on the PC marketplace around the world. In response, Lenovo assembled an informational website to provide users with more information about this important alliance.

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.

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.

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.

When will I receive my laptop computer?
Laptops will be distributed during the week before classes begin to incoming freshmen and most other students.

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.

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. .

Is there a network connection in my residence hall room?
Every room in the residence halls has a network connection for each student.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Division of the Chief Information Officer
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180-3590

Still have questions? Please contact us!

RPI HOME | RPINFO | DotCIO HOME | ARC HOME