Full-Time Mandatory Laptop Program

Overview

All Full-time MBA students are required to have an approved laptop as part of the MBA program.  This is the first year students have been allowed to choose between different purchasing options to provided a laptop. Individual laptops must also be configured with the necessary software to meet the minimum faculty and program requirements. This configuration is provided by the Graduate Business IT support group. There is a Technology Orientation to inform individuals about the varied computing resources available to them and how to utilize these resources. Finally, student need to be familiar with the Technology support structure in place at the W. P. Carey School of Business, what should be expected and how to contact the support group. This page has provide the general information with links to further details..

Laptop Purchase Options

All Full-time MBA students must have a laptop that meets the following minimum criteria:

1. Current hardware capable of providing the necessary computing power for the demands of completing the MBA program
2. A comprehensive warranty that will cover laptop repair or replacement for any damage or failure including at fault cause
3. The laptop manufacturer has authorized repair locations in the metro-Phoenix area that can provide warranty service

Students have three options for providing a laptop that meets the minimum criteria. These three purchasing options allow an individual to determine the best personal technology arrangement. The three purchasing options can be summarized in situational descriptions:

• Option A
• I need to purchase a new laptop. My time is valuable and I don't want to research about computers. Tell me what the best laptop is and sell it to me at the best price.
• 
  Option B
  
• I need to purchase a new laptop. I want a particular brand of laptop or a laptop with a specific configuration. I will research about computers and purchase a laptop that meets the minimum criteria.
• 
  Option C
• I already own a recently purchased laptop. I may need to buy additional warranty coverage to meet the minimum criteria.

Important Configuration Dates

To allow time for Graduate Business IT Support to configure individual laptops, the different purchasing options have staged arrival dates.

• Option C
• Laptops must arrive before July1. From July 1 to July 19, all Option C laptops will be configured. After individual configuration is complete, a students can either stop by and pickup their laptop, arrange to have their laptop return shipped or have their laptop stored until orientation.
• 
  Option B
  
• Laptops must arrive before July20. From July 20 to July 31, all Option B laptops will be configured. After individual configuration is complete, a students can either stop by and pickup their laptop, arrange to have their laptop return shipped or have their laptop stored until orientation.
• 
  Option A
• Laptops must arrive before August 1. From August 1 to August 7, all Option A laptops will be configured. After individual configuration is complete, a students can either stop by and pickup their laptop or have their laptop stored until orientation.

Each laptop will not require the full configuration time window to be setup. When an individual laptop is finished with the configuration process, the student will be notified. Laptops will be processed on a first come first served basis. For example, an Option C laptop which arrives on July 1 could be configured and ready to return by July 4. An overview of the configuration dates is available on the on purchase flowchart.

Laptop Warranty

The W. P. Carey MBA Program requires that a student provide additional laptop repair coverage beyond a manufacturer's basic warranty. A basic warranty provides failed part replacement but does not cover damage caused by accident, abuse, neglect or misuse. Students are required to purchase new, upgrade or supplement their laptop warranty coverage to a comprehensive level. Comprehensive coverage will either repair or replace hardware damage for whatever reason.

Comprehensive warranty coverage provides a seamless process in case something happens to a student laptop. A Comprehensive warranty provides a student three critical elements

1. A hardware investment safety net
2. A proxy resolution through GBIT which allows the student to focus on education
3. A clear and timely resolution path

Damage outside a basic hardware warranty will happen.

• A laptop may be accidentally pushed off a desk when positioning a book for better reading
• A spill may happen while working on a project late at night
• Heavy books can transfer weight and crack a laptop display while in a quality laptop backpack

The horror stories go on and on.

Whenever a student laptop is broken, GBIT acts as a representative for the student to resolve damage. Student data is moved to a loaner laptop while GBIT works with the laptop manufacturer, authorized repair center or warranty provider for resolution. GBIT will arrange onsite repairs or box and ship to a depot service center or inventory and transition to a replacement laptop. GBIT works to the terms of the warranty and to the satisfaction of the student.

Hardware repairs need to be resolved quickly to reduce the impact on the student and to manage resource inventories. A laptop warranty cannot delay resolution because of encumbering steps. Home owners or renters insurance does not qualify to Complete Care coverage for two reasons: first, there is no option for repair only replacement; second, the resolution timeframe and reimbursement process take too long.

HP provides HP Total Care with Accidental Damage protection. Lenovo provides ThinkPlus and Lenovo Care Services. Dell provides Complete Care warranty. These all meet the MBA Program warranty requirement. For warranties that cannot be upgraded or enhanced, GBIT recommends the company Safeware. A student can purchase a 3 year policy with $2,000 coverage and a $100 deductible for $200 to $300. Coverage can be purchased online at http://www.safeware.com. Coverage documentation, contact information and a policy number should be emailed to WPC.GBIT@ASU.EDU

Delivery Location and Confirmation

When transporting a laptop or having a laptop shipped to the W. P. Carey School of Business, please use the following delivery address:

C/O Dwain Wiltbank
300 E. Lemon St.
BA 209 - Graduate Suite
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 965-1111

When a shipment arrives at the School of Business, Graduate Business IT Support will inventory all packages and send an e-mail to the purchaser with a summary.  We will scan the packing invoice and attached this electronic document with the e-mail. Students need to respond to the inventory e-mail and confirm the hardware received is the intended order. Boxes will be stored in a locked closet until the student picks up their equipment.

Laptop Configuration

Student laptops are configured with specific software inline with ASU classroom installations and with what faculty expect.. The laptop configuration provides a uniform platform between program coordinators, faculty and students. ASU and the W. P. Carey School of Business provide the necessary software licenses. Graduate Business IT Support will apply a configuration with Windows Vista Business and Office 2007 including network printer configuration, ASU network connectivity and critical utility software onto student laptops. Although students can choose either a Windows or a Mac laptop, every computer must be able to access Windows to utilize certain software.  There are individual pages with technical information for the PC Configuration and Mac Configuration.

Technology Orientation

To help students understand their laptop configuration and the computing resource available, Graduate Business IT Support has designed a Technology Orientation. Students have two options for the orientation;

1. Follow self-paced instructions online to learn about computing resources and verify correct account and laptop operation.
   or
   
2. Schedule an appointment with a Graduate Business IT Support staff member for an assisted review of online documentation and verify correct account and laptop operation.

Whether self-paced or assisted, the orientation material covered is identical.  The assisted sessions allows a student to ask questions regarding individual circumstances and needs.

Support

Graduate Business IT Support provides comprehensive on-site support for students. Students can receive assistance with virus removal, spyware protection, software installation, hardware operation, technology integration and usage.  Students can also receive a loaner laptop if their laptop breaks. The Student Help Desk is located in the W. P. Carey Graduate Suite.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are numerous individual questions that are more specific than appropriate for this page. Additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)can be read online.