A compiled list of FAQs.
Hardware (9)
No, the Computer Store is not an authorized service center. Your first course of action should be to check your warranty and contact the manufacturer; they can provide you with support options.
Possibly, but most likely not. While having a 64bit version installed on your computer definitely has several advantages (more RAM, better performance), you may not be able to use specific software programs in your area of interest. Beware of legacy (old versions) of programs. Software creators have had to develop fixes along the way to increase compatibility to what it is today. If you aren’t sure if a program you are purchasing is compatible just look on the box or item description. Most current programs are compatible with both 32bit and 64bit. If you are having network connectivity problems, immediately contact the ITS Helpdesk.
We suggest getting a lock for a laptop, a USB flash drive for data transfer, and a network cable to connect in the dorms. Anything else will depend on your needs. We provide an array of accessories that you may purchase to fit any need!
It depends. The University provides each student with up to 110 pages of free printing in the student computer labs each semester. If you plan to print a very large volume of pages and/or if you have special printing needs such as photo quality, you may want to consider purchasing your own printer. More information about printing in the student computer labs is available via the Classroom and Lab Computing (CLC) website.
Definitely not! Penn State’s Computer Store is a service of the University and our main goal is to assist you in finding the system that best fits your budget and needs. We encourage you to compare our service and price with other retailers.
Laptops offer much greater portability; desktops typically offer a lower price point and higher performance. If you need help with your decision or have questions, stop by our HUB ShowRoom, call us at 800-251-9281, or send us an email.
A number of colleges have supplied us with computing recommendations for their individual colleges/majors. Check your college's website for more information.
Our recommendations are based on the purchase of a NEW computer. We have minimum recommendations which are grouped by laptop and desktop and the number of years that we expect the system to remain viable.
Check your local yellow pages for personal computer repair resources. For computers that are under warranty, please refer to your individual warranty plan for information on getting your computer fixed.
Several groups on campus can provide excellent computer support to staff and students. Residential Computing (ResCom) is a group that can help Residence Hall students with a variety of support needs. The ITS Help Desks, located in 6 Willard Bldg and 204 Wagner Bldg, can assist faculty, staff and students with many computer related issues.
Software (4)
No, the Computer Store is not authorized to perform service work. A variety of help resources are available through the Information Technology Services (ITS) Consulting Services Information web site . If you are living in a residence hall you can also contact Housing’s Residential Computing (Rescom) program. Otherwise check with your local campus help desk for assistance.
Yes. A variety of software programs, including Symantec AntiVirus, Eudora, StarOffice, Netscape, FireFox, Mozilla, and Opera are available in download form from the ITS download site https://downloads.its.psu.edu/.
Every system includes the operating system – either Windows or Mac OS. Microsoft Office is NOT included in the base price of any system. You can, however, purchase it through the Computer Store at a substantial discount as noted above.
The answer can vary considerably depending on your interests, classes, and your major; however, almost every student on campus will need Microsoft Office. You may also want to consider Adobe Creative Suite for web, design, and graphics. These programs and many others are available at a substantial discount through Penn State’s Computer Store.
Licensing (9)
All the details of the Departmental Microsoft Campus Agreement can be found at http://computerstore.psu.edu/licensing/microsoft-campus-agreement-faqs.
Further questions can be directed to Sue Gavazzi.
No. Licenses run for one year according to contract renewal date (not your purchase date) and cannot be prorated.
Annual maintenance renewals (or lack thereof) are established by the vendor. For some products, annual maintenance is required to continue legal use of the software. In addition, some products expire on a set date each year and will require a new license code.
The decision to establish a license with a particular vendor is determined based on customer demand and/or vendor pricing. If there is a program that you think the Computer Store should consider as a University license, please fill out our contact form.
Most licensed software products are special order items that are created and packaged in-house on an as-needed basis. Most orders will be available for delivery within 48 business hours.
Licenses sold through the Computer Store are not centrally funded; they are purchased with money from the Computer Store's budget. We are a cost recovery service and base our prices on the price we negotiate with the vendor. Although the software is not free, our prices are often as much as 80% below retail.
You must purchase a license for each machine; however, you can purchase one copy of media and install it on any number of licensed machines. For example if you have 10 machines you would only need to purchase 10 licenses and one copy of the media.
You will need to purchase one license per computer unless the item description on the Web indicates that it is a "departmental license".
Eligibility is listed on the product description.
General (18)
Penn State's Computer Store strives to offer the Penn State community the lowest prices for Academic purchases. Penn State's Computer Store is not responsible for typographical errors on items published on the Computer Store website.
If you're having trouble logging to our site, please reference this page for helpful hints and troubleshooting.
If you don't see see it, ask! If we can get the item at an academic discount we'll add it to our inventory. You can email your enquiry to requests@computerstore.psu.edu
As a cost recovery service, we pass on savings we receive directly to our customers. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer grants an academic discount for their product.
As a cost-recovery service of Penn State, the Computer Store cannot offer financing; however, Apple and Dell offer their own financing options; check their websites for details.
As an incoming student you must have a Penn State Access Account and be scheduled for classes to buy from the Store.
As a cost-recovery service of Penn State, the Computer Store receives academic pricing from our vendors and we pass these savings on to the Penn State community.
We carry a selection of specially-priced laptops from partners Apple and Dell. In addition, each of these vendors has a Penn State-only vendor web site. that also provides discounts to members of the Penn State community.
Visit the RESCOM website, located at http://www.rescom.psu.edu/, for directions on Internet connections, as well as, e-mail set up, bandwidth information, and the RESCOM FAQ.
The information you provide to us will remain confidential and will only be used for shipping and billing purposes. Penn State's Computer Store uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption. You can tell when you're in a secure environment by the following signs: the URL to the left of the colon changes from "http" to "https" to indicate that you are using SSL. Most browsers also display a lock or key icon to indicate secure sessions.
Campus mail is an excellent service, and we can't imagine Penn State without it; however, it does not provide tracking information, delivery confirmation or package insurance. In addition, many of our products exceed the package size limitations.
It provides great services, including tracking numbers on shipments.
Ground Service provides email confirmation and on-line tracking information in addition to fast, dependable delivery - typically 1-2 days for packages shipped within Pennsylvania.
In-stock items will ship within 1-3 business days. If you have a question regarding the status of your order, please have your Order Confirmation number ready and call us at 814-865-2100 or 800-251-9281 during regular business hours (see above).
Note: Due to licensing and vendor restrictions, items CANNOT be shipped outside of the continental U.S.
Personal Orders - We offer FREE Ground shipping on personal orders*! All personal orders will be shipped by Ground Service* unless another shipping method is requested. Ground Service orders within Pennsylvania typically arrive within 1-2 business days of shipment, but cannot be guaranteed.
*Standard Ground not available to Alaska and Hawaii - please contact us for shipping options and costs.
Departmental Orders - Penn State departmental orders will be shipped at no charge by Ground Service.
Subject to Pennsylvania State Sales Tax (6%) - Personal purchase orders shipped within the state of Pennsylvania.
Tax Exempt - Penn State departmental orders (orders paid for with departmental funds) and personal purchase orders that are shipped outside Pennsylvania.
When placing your order on-line, you can pay with MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express or Visa (including Penn State Purchasing Cards). If you purchase an item in person at our HUB showroom you can also pay with cash, check (made out to Penn State) or LionCash. Sorry, Penn State's bursar office does not allow Computer Store purchases to be paid using student accounts.
Penn State departments can also order items via the Penn State Purchasing Ebuy web site (http://www.ebuy.psu.edu). If you need assistance with the Ebuy site please contact Penn State Purchasing at 814-865-7562.
After completing your online checkout, an Order Confirmation number will be generated and a copy of your order will be sent to you by email. A payment receipt will be enclosed in your shipment along with the merchandise. Please keep this payment receipt for reference in case of exchange or refund. The order confirmation that is provided online at the time of your order does not serve as your official receipt. The official receipt is the payment receipt that is mailed to you with the merchandise.
Penn State students, faculty, staff and departments have the following purchasing options:
- Online - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- In person at our store in the HUB, first floor - Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. except holidays. This is for in-stock items only, all out of stock items must be ordered via the web.
- All departmental licensing orders must be placed via the web, these items are not available for purchase at the HUB showroom.
Only current Penn State students, faculty and staff are eligible to purchase from the Computer Store. Please see our eligibility page for further details.
Penn State's Computer Store is located at University Park campus in the HUB, next to the Penn State ID+ office.
Store hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (except holidays).
New Student (1)
Only current Penn State students, faculty and staff are eligible to purchase from the Computer Store. Please see our eligibility page for further details.
