Who Needs a Laptop?

All full-time entering undergraduate day students (both freshman and transfers) are required to have a laptop computer as a condition of enrollment in the College.  For additional information regarding this requirement, the laptop or other IT related questions please contact Information Technologies at 508.929.8856.

WSC's Recommended Laptop

Worcester State College is excited to continue its partnership with Dell Computers. As a member of the Worcester State community, you can take advantage of the College’s ACCESS (Accessible College Computing and Enhanced Student Services) program and purchase a new Dell laptop at a significantly discounted price.

• The cost for the Worcester State College Dell laptop, including the Worcester State College software package and the three-year complete coverage plan with Computrace, starts at only $999. 

• The Worcester State College software package and the four-year complete coverage plan with Computrace is $1,099. 

Generally the cost of the laptop is factored into first year awards (freshman/transfer).  Please contact Financial Aid directly (508.929.8056) for additional information. Warranty hardware and software support is available via the WSC Helpdesk or from Dell directly.  The IT Help Desk/Laptop Repair Depot is located on the third floor of the Learning Resource Center (LRC310).

The WSC recommended model meets stringent requirements for:  

1) Durability:  It is important that your laptops are resilient to everyday wear and tear.  This should include the casing and the internal housing for each part.  Retail models typically are not designed with this specific detail in mind.

2) Supportability:  Will course software run on your laptop?  Will you be able to get on-campus support?  Can the laptop access printing and other network resources?  WSC is an authorized on-site Dell service provider and service is provided for supported units at no charge, regardless of the problem. This means that you don't have to call the vendor, simply bring the unit to the on-campus Laptop Repair Depot/Help Desk for all your support needs.

3) Price:  Each year, Worcester State College aggressively negotiates the best price possible for a high quality laptop.   While you will find  'less expensive' laptops in retail stores, they cannot meet our recommendations for durability, supportability and value.  Additionally, these retail laptops do not include the same parts warranty or Worcester State College's preinstalled software, which would add up to $800 to the discounted model.

4) Sustainability:  Just as price is important, so too is the assurance that what you are purchasing will last, whether through the typical 4-year college experience or beyond to graduate school.   We are confident that the unit we have made available meets or exceeds these objectives. 

About Microsoft Vista and Other Operating Systems

For additional information, click on one of the links below, or contact the Information Technologies' Help Desk (508.929.8856)

Placing My Order

Students/Faculty/Staff: click here to view the Laptop(s) Specs and order online (online purchasing is strongly recommended!):

To order by telephone:   Click Here for Phone Ordering.  When ordering by telephone, please make sure that you reference the appropriate Product # in order to purchase the correct laptop. {Note:  If you will be utilizing Dell's Financing options you will need to order via phone.}

Please take the time to review your payment options which are outlined below. Also review the extra options available you may wish to consider when making your purchase.

Ordering, Payment, and Finance Options

In order to avoid ordering errors, you strongly are encouraged to order online!

Dell offers a number of payment options: credit card, check, and Dell financing. 

• If you are paying by credit card, you may order online or by telephone.  We strongly encourage you to order online to avoid any ordering errors - you MUST use the Member ID/Product # to get the correct unit!

• When ordering by telephone, please make sure that you reference the Member ID/Product # in order to purchase the correct laptop.

• If you are paying by check, you may order by telephone only.

• Please note that most financial aid awards do not become available until after the beginning of the semester, usually in October.  If you anticipate using some of your financial aid to purchase your laptop, then you may want to finance your purchase through Dell until you receive your award.

• Purchases made through Dell financing must be made by telephone.

Options to Consider

• Warranty and Damage Protection
  The standard Dell configuration comes with a three-year complete care package.  This package offers 24 hour maintenance, accidental damage protection and Computrace (lojack for computers).  It is highly recommend that you extend the complete care package (default on supported laptop models is 3 years) to four years.  Highly Recommended!

• Hard Drives
  The standard Dell configuration should meet the needs of most users.  If you anticipate downloading and/or storing many large files, then a bigger hard drive may be appropriate.  Dell offers hard drive upgrades in a range of sizes (120gb,160gb).  Keep in mind you should always backup important files to another, alternate location.

• External Hard Drive
  Keep in mind you should always backup files to another, alternate location. Additionally depending on your major/minor you may have requirements that depend on an external hard drive.  The laptop site has pricing on external hard drives utilizing USB2.0 and Firewire from both Dell and GovConnection.  Highly Recommended!

• Memory
  Up to a certain point, additional memory will not yield greater speed.  The standard 2gb of RAM should be adequate for all of our users.  Note:  Adding additional memory can decrease the amount of time that you can operate your laptop on battery.

   

• RJ45 Network Cable
  A RJ45 network cable can be used to physically connect your laptop to the WSC network.  While your laptop will be able to connect to the campus network using wireless technology, many users prefer the higher connection speed offered by wired connection.  Dormitory residents in particular should purchase a RJ45 network cable to enjoy the highest network performance possible (available in the bookstore). A 25' non-retractable RJ45 cable is included with the supported model.

• Carrying Case
  It is important to protect your laptop investment, and there are a number of laptop backpack options to fit your individual needs and preferences. 

• Extra Battery
  Generally, battery charges last several hours.  An additional battery or upgrade to 9 cell will ensure that you always have power throughout the entire day. {Note:  all batteries come with a ONE (1) year warranty- may want to delay purchasing a 2nd one right away}

• Printer
  While you can print to any of the centrally located student printers on campus, many students find that an inexpensive printer offers greater flexibility for printing off campus or after hours.  When purchasing a printer, make sure that you also order a printer cable!  You may want to consider sharing a printer with your roommate.  Please note that like many colleges, Worcester State College offers fee-based printing. Black and white is $0.10/page and color is $1.00/page - students receive $20.00 printing credit per academic year on their WSC OneCard ID.

• Surge Protector
  A surge protector will protect your notebook against power-spikes while plugged into a wall outlet, which could harm the computer.  Highly Recommended!

• Locking Cable
  A locking cable enables you to lock your notebook to a desk or any other fixed location.  Keep in mind that habits like leaving your dorm room unlocked/open, and storing your laptop in a high-visibility location are cautioned.