Welcome incoming students!

If you're looking for information about buying a new computer or just want to get information about hardware and software in general, this is a great place to start. Following are some of the questions that we are asked most frequently.

1: What computer system configuration do you recommend?
2: What software programs should I buy?
3: What software programs are included on the systems?
4: Do I have to buy my computer from you?
5: Do I get a discount if I buy my computer from your store?
6: Do you install the software I purchase from your store?
7: What computer specification does my specific college recommend?
8: Do you offer payment plans?
9: Are Apple/Dell/Lenovo the only computer brands your store sells?
10: If something happens to my computer can I bring it back to the store for repairs?
11: Does the University offer free software? If so, what can I get?
12: Is one brand better than another, or do you recommend one brand over another?
13: Would you recommend a laptop or a desktop?
14: What computer accessories should I have?
15: Are the residence halls wireless? Where can I use wireless on campus?
16: Can I use X software with my iPod?
17: Should I buy a printer for my residence hall room? What are your recommendations?
18: Do you sell iPods?
19: Can I pay with my student bursar account?
20. Who can help me set up my Internet connection in my dorm room?
21. When may I start ordering from the Computer Store?
22. How do you determine which software and hardware get a discount?
23. Can you get products not currently listed on your Web site?

 

1: What computer system configuration do you recommend?
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. Visit our system recommendations.

2: What software programs should I buy?
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 3 (CS3) for Web, design, and graphics. These programs and many others are available at a substantial discount through Penn State’s Computer Store.

3: What software programs are included on the systems?
Every system includes the operating system – either Windows Vista or Mac OS X. 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.

4: Do I have to buy my computer from you?
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.

5: Do I get a discount if I buy my computer from your store?
Yes, 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, Dell, and Lenovo. In addition, each of these vendors has a Penn State Web site that also provides discounts to members of the Penn State community.

6: Do you install the software I purchase from your store?
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.

7: What computer specification does my specific college/major recommend?
A number of colleges have supplied us with computing recommendations for their individual colleges/majors. Visit our College Computing recommendations page to see if your college/major is listed.  If your college/major is not listed please contact your Academic Advisor or check your college's web site for system information.

8: Do you offer payment plans?
The Computer Store does not offer financing; however, Apple, Dell, and Lenovo all offer their own financing options – check their Web sites for details.

9: Are Apple/Dell/Lenovo the only computer brands your store sells?
We have chosen these three vendors as partners based on overall customer demand.

10: If something happens to my computer can I bring it back to the store for repairs?
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.

11: Does the University offer free software? If so, what can I get?
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/.

12: Is one brand better than another, or do you recommend one brand over another?
No. Each of our three computer partners offer excellent products. When making your decision about which brand to choose you should compare things such as warranty, price, features, and size. We have a variety of laptops on display in our showroom so you can stop by for a “test drive” before you buy. Our consultants would be happy to discuss features and benefits of each system.

13: Would you recommend a laptop or a desktop?
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 either our Willard or HUB ShowRooms, call us at 800-251-9281, or send us an email.

14: What computer accessories should I have?
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!

15: Are the residence halls wireless? Where can I use wireless on campus?
Over the past year, Housing and Food Services has made wireless access available in many University Park residence hall commons areas --lounges and lobby areas--to provide residence hall students with additional study places (two other Campus locations, Beaver and Mont Alto, provide wireless access in their residence halls lobby/lounge areas). The residence hall rooms themselves do not have wireless and student-installed wireless networks are prohibited. See http://www.rescom.psu.edu/pages/wireless.htm for complete information.

Wireless is also available in a growing number of public outdoor spaces and in buildings on campus and in town. Wireless "signal" decals have been posted in various areas to indicate Penn State Wireless coverage: on campus, in a specific building, or in a surrounding area. Posting of this sign is optional and not all locations with Penn State Wireless will have this sign. Wireless users should check online at http://wireless.psu.edu/ to find a convenient wireless location.

In order to use campus wireless networks, students must have a laptop with an 802.11 compatible wireless network card. Cards can be purchased at the Penn State Computer Store in Willard Building. Wireless users must also download and configure Penn State's Virtual Private Network (VPN), which is used to connect securely to the Penn State network. The staff at the ResCom helpdesk in each residence area is available to help students install their wireless network cards and configure their laptops for use with Penn State's wireless networks. Learn more about Penn State wireless at http://wireless.psu.edu/.

16: Can I use X software with my iPod?
The iPod is a closed format and does not allow sharing between devices and software. You can only use iTunes with an iPod.

17: Should I buy a printer for my residence hall room? What are your recommendations?
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) Web site.

18: Do you sell iPods?
Yes, we carry the full line of iPods and accessories.

19: What payment methods do you accept?
The Penn State Computer Store takes cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and LionCash from students. Sorry, Penn State’s bursar office does not allow Computer Store purchases to be paid using student accounts.

20: Who can help me set up my residence hall internet connection?
Visit the RESCOM site, 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.

21:When can I start ordering from the Computer Store?
As an incoming student you must have a Penn State Access Account and be scheduled for classes to buy from the Store.

22: How do you determine which software and hardware get a discount?
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.

23: Can you get products not currently listed on your Web site?
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. For products requests email requests@computerstore.psu.edu for Licensing requests email PSULSS@psu.edu.