Student laptop initiative launched

Details

Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 00:00

Written by Chris van der Westhuyzen

The University of Cape Town is taking part in the national Student Laptop Initiative. This aims to provide quality laptops at discount prices to students and staff members of participating universities.

Deals were negotiated with laptop vendors Pinnacle and Acer by the Association of South African University Directors of Information Technology and the Purchasing Consortium, on behalf of South African higher education institutions. 

Steffne Hughes, ICTS Team Leader for Training and Communications, said that both hardware vendors were properly vetted during the tender process to ensure that only quality computer equipment was made available. 

The range of laptops was designed to accommodate various user needs. “We selected a variety of laptops so that more people can make use of the initiative. The models that are available for purchase range from the more affordable entry-level netbooks to the more advanced machines, which are also more expensive”, said Hughes.

All laptops come with Windows 7 Professional and Microsoft Office 2010 pre-installed. According to Hughes, this will amount to an even bigger saving, as the software is valued at approximately R3 500. 

Each deal offered through the Student Laptop Initiative is also  packaged differently with regard to after-sale service, warranties and delivery details. Learners are therefore advised to evaluate each deal before making a purchase. 

UCT has stated that transactions relating to the purchasing of laptops are entirely between the computer supplier and the end-user. UCT also states that it will not be held responsible for anything that might go wrong during the procurement process. The deal additionally allows for the purchase of two laptops per year.

For more information, visit icts.uct.ac.za – Student Laptop Initiative – or dial 086 172 4005.The full range of laptops can be viewed at studentlaptop.co.za (for Lenovo products), or aceredu.co.za (for the Acer range).