Delivery problems haven't been the largest difficulty with Ohio University's GoMobile laptop program; it's been convincing people of the bargain on quality computers.
The hardest thing throughout this whole process has been making people aware of the bargain
Sean O'Malley, communications manager for Computer Network Services, said.
Through July, more than 1,000 people had bought laptops offered by Lenovo and Apple, O'Malley said.
Students, faculty and staff could start ordering May 19. People originally had to wait as many as 25 business days for ThinkPads to arrive because of production issues.
These are brand new machines custom (specified) for our university O'Malley said. There were bugs in the manufacturing process as far as I know.
Lenovo lists a 10-day wait for the arrival of the computers, but they're showing up faster, O'Malley said.
Lenovo ThinkPads range from $1,074 to $1,369, depending on the quality of the machine ' roughly a 40 percent discount. Prices for Apple MacBooks are from $1,232 to $2,576, only about a 5 percent discount. The more expensive MacBook Pros are sold at 10 to 14 percent less than commercial value.
We actually had that discussion when we were creating the program ' whether or not to offer a computer on (a $400) price level O'Malley said. We figured so many people would be drawn to that computer just because it was $400. Then six months later
they'll have performance problems; it won't be fast enough or durable enough. Then it's not fun.
Laptop sales are handled directly through Lenovo and Apple, and OU does not receive any money.
We want to make sure we keep pace with the way students use computers
O'Malley said. You can benefit the university in other ways than just making money.
Marjorie Dewert, academic technology director and director of the Center for Innovation in Technology for Learning, agrees.
The more technology we can get in the hands of people
the better
she said. This program is creating a bridge between academics and technology.
Dewert, who previously worked at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, referred to UNC's decision to require all students to have laptops. She said the faculty didn't know how to adapt their teaching styles or curriculum.
It's an educational thing for our teachers as well
Dewert said. We're all old fogies and didn't grow up with this technology. The students are really going to be the leaders of this effort.
O'Malley, who said he is pleased with the results so far, expects orders to increase with students being back on campus.
OU selected Apple and Lenovo as its vendors in early May and has a three-year agreement with an option to renew the contract for as many as eight years.
We're looking long-term
both in the products offered and the companies themselves
O'Malley said. We aren't looking to chuck the vendor each year for the sake of variety.
