Frequently Asked Questions
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Do any academic programs/majors require a specific Miami Notebook model?
Some academic programs/majors recommend or require a specific platform (Windows or Mac) or specific advanced features (for instance, a faster video card with more video RAM for graphics-intensive applications) in order to meet academic program needs. Please visit the Academic Program Recommendations page for details.
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I understand the Farmer School of Business recommendation for an Dell, but I still prefer a Mac. Can I purchase a Mac through the Miami Notebook program?
Yes, the choice is yours. Miami simply wants to be sure that you take the academic recommendation into account before purchasing, but you can certainly purchase any Miami Notebook model you like — the choice is yours.
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Are printers or other peripherals available?
Inkjet printers, iPods, iPads and additional accessories are available for purchase when you order your Miami Notebook. View the Optional Peripherals for a list of the most popular packages. Additional items are available in the store.
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What is the 2011 Apple Back to School Promotion?
When you buy a new qualifying Mac with Apple education pricing* from June 16, 2011, through September 20, 2011, you’ll get a $100 Back to School Card to use on the Mac App Store, the App Store, the iTunes Store, and the iBookstore.
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Can I use an iPad or netbook instead of a laptop?
These devices are great accessories for your Miami Notebook and provide a new kind of mobility. A laptop is still necessary to succeed and perform many essential computing tasks that these other devices do not yet provide -- especially for creative output such as writing papers, creating presentations or videos, or performing data analysis. We anticipate that laptops will become increasingly "local-mobile", allowing you to move around in the comfort of your home while NetBooks, iPads, and E-readers become used for distance travel and consuming Internet media. The University Bookstore sells some of these complimentary devices; look in the Optional Peripherals section for details.
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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 your desk in your residence hall room, use a laptop lock to secure it to your desk and lock your residence hall door when you leave your room
We strongly encourage parents speak with their 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.
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Am I required to purchase a Miami Notebook?
Miami strongly recommends that all incoming first year students who plan to purchase a computer take advantage of the Miami Notebook offering. The Miami Notebooks are robust, competitively priced systems with pre-installed software and ongoing support services that enhance their usability (see Notebook Models, Software and Services for details). However, you are not required to purchase a Miami Notebook.
If you elect not purchase a Miami Notebook, Miami strongly recommends you bring a personal computer that meets or exceeds the guidelines outlined in Miami's
recommendations for student computer systems. If you have already selected your major, please check the Academic Program Recommendations to see if your major is listed as one that provides specific computer guidance.
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I see Windows notebooks offered by Dell and other vendors for less money - why does Miami offer these particular Dell models?
Miami has selected models from Dell's professional line in order to pre-install Miami-specific software, that are time tested to handle the wear and tear of student life, and that provide the consistent, reliable performance that students need.
Many of us receive booklets in the mail or inserts in the newspaper showing computers that are priced at under $800. Comparisons are complex, so please take the following into account when comparing the Miami Notebook to other models:
- Compare identical configurations. A team of faculty, staff, and students have worked to evaluate the specific configurations we expect to be required to provide the best computing experience possible for 3-4 years. Small differences, such as the amount of memory, size and speed of the hard drive, type of video card, and the version of the operating system can quickly add up. To comparison shop, we recommend taking the spec sheet with you and matching specifications component by component.
- Serviceability. Miami notebooks are fully serviceable on campus during the school year and by the manufacturer when away from campus. We select models that can handle the wear and tear of student life -- but accidents happen, computer viruses find you, or software runs amuck. Help is never far away.
- Beware the bait. Many retailers offer a cheap model to get you in the door. By the time you purchase, you have paid far more than the advertised price.
- Compare warranties. Lower-priced computers often come "standard" with a one year warranty. Purchasing an extended warranty will add several hundred dollars to the price tag
- Beware retailer warranties. Many retailers try to sell you an extended warranty that brings you back to them for service. Compare these warranties to the ones that Dell and Apple offer - backed by the manufacturer and available anywhere in the country.
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Am I at a disadvantage if I don't purchase
a Miami Notebook?
The Miami Notebook program includes ongoing support services, access to a loaner computer, and pre-installed software catered to Miami's environment. Many of the pre-installed software applications are available to all Miami students via the Miami software download page (www.muohio.edu/software). However, students with non-Miami Notebook computers may find that some desired software and services are not available or require an additional fee. A few examples:
- Miami's Support Desk provides on-campus repair services and loaner laptops for students who purchase laptops through the Miami Notebook program. Effective March 1, 2008, students entering Miami who purchase outside the Miami Notebook program need to obtain hardware repair services via their vendor, as the cost of providing such services is covered by the Miami Notebook program and cannot encompass those who do not participate.
- Miami Notebooks are preconfigured to connect to Miami's network and come preloaded with applications used to perform coursework. Many of these applications are available for individual download from http://software.muohio.edu/ .
- Miami Notebooks come equiped with specialized software that provides software and system updates for university applications and configurations -- preventing problems before you encounter them.
- Some repair services are fee-based. Miami Notebook participants are offered discounts on those services. View the full menu of repair services for details.
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Is the Miami Notebook program restricted
to first year undergraduates?
Absolutely not. Any currently enrolled student, undergraduate or graduate, is eligible to purchase a Miami Notebook. In fact, we strongly encourage all students who are thinking of purchasing a new computer to take advantage of the Miami Notebook because of the quality of the machines offered and the higher level of service available on campus.
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Will Miami Notebooks work on the Miami University Hamilton and Miami University Middletown campuses?
Miami Notebooks will easily connect to the Miami network on the Hamilton and Middletown campuses as well as the Oxford campus. However, some Miami Notebook services may not be as readily available to Miami University Hamilton and Miami University Middletown campus students. For instance, on-campus hardware repair and the associated "loaner laptops" are available only on the Oxford campus. (The hardware repair and loaner laptops are partially funded through the student technology fee; the Hamilton and Middletown campuses elected not to provide on-campus hardware repair and loaner laptops in order to keep the student technology fee at a lower level.)
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Does all the software I'll need as a Miami student come already installed on the Miami Notebooks?
Your Miami Notebook will come with all the software you need to connect to Miami's wired and wireless networks pre-installed. Please see the Software page on this web site for details. Microsoft Office is not included. Miami strongly recommends that all students have Microsoft Office and
has negotiated an agreement with Microsoft that allows students to purchase it at a substantial discount. However, students are not eligible to obtain Microsoft Office under Miami's agreement until officially enrolled in classes. For first year students, this typically occurs at Summer Orientation. Details about how to purchase Microsoft Office through Miami's Microsoft agreement will be shared with first year students at Summer Orientation.
Your academic program may require additional software.
Miami's recently approved technology fee specifically targeted funds to acquire software that students need in their classes and, in most cases, these will be acquired for them by the university and installed using Altiris or physical distribution. When the class is over, the Miami-provided specialized software will be removed, so that it can be used by students the next term. Additionally, specialized software is provided in departmental/divisional computer labs and is often made available for purchase at an academic discount (or even lower) price through the University Bookstore.
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Is an iPod or special software required for Fine Arts majors?
You can get the best information on what your Fine Arts major requires by speaking with someone in the department of your major. Contact information can be found on the Fine Arts web site.
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Can my roommate and I share a laptop?
A few years ago, sharing a computer with a roommate might have been practical. Just like a TV or fridge, generally the computer stayed in the room. Now, that probably just won't work. With the mobility afforded by wireless notebooks and the fact that computing is so much a part of daily activity, you and your roommate will likely need to use a computer at the same time far too often to share.
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Can my roommate and I share a printer?
Given the relatively low cost of a basic color inkjet printer, the small initial savings is probably not worth the logistical difficulties of sharing a printer. Most users find it extremely difficult to configure a printer for sharing on an enterprise network like that available in the residence halls.
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What do I do if my Miami Notebook needs repair while I'm on campus?
Simply visit IT Help online at http://ithelp.muohio.edu/ or give the IT Services Support Desk a call at (513) 529-7900. They will help you verify the problem and make repair arrangements.
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What if repairs are necessary when I'm away for breaks?
While Miami is making all the arrangements with Dell and Apple, you own the laptop and Dell and Apple will honor your warranty anywhere in the U.S. If you are away from campus, you can contact Dell or Apple to receive warranty service.
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Are there any financing options available to assist
with the purchase of a Miami
Notebook?
First Miami Student & Alumni Federal Credit Union offers services to all of its members including computer loans. Membership is available to incoming students as well as currently enrolled students. For information about membership and services, please visit the First Miami web site. Additionally, you may pay by credit card (online or in the University Bookstore) or by cash or check (in the University Bookstore). Miami Notebook purchases cannot be placed on your Bursar account.
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Are there any financial aid
options available to assist
with the purchase of a Miami
Notebook?
Miami's Student Financial Aid web site has details on that question. Please review their FAQ: Can I receive financial aid for a computer purchase?
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Can Miami faculty and staff purchase a Miami Notebook?
The Miami Notebook 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. For example, the Miami Notebooks purchased by students will be managed by software that enables the delivery of operating system patches and, in some circumstances, software pertinent to a course. Faculty and staff are welcome to purchase a Miami Notebook for their personal use with the understanding that not all the services advertised as part of the Miami Notebook program will be provided.
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