Two Changes to Technology Renewal Program: Move to laptops and one device per person

07/21/20

To provide better flexibility for our employees the college is moving to a laptop as the primary device for faculty and staff going forward.  With this change we will also be discontinuing the centralized funding of more than one computer per individual.

Move to a laptop as the primary device

IT will start the transition to laptop computers as the primary device for faculty and staff this summer.

•  IT will provide a basic docking station, keyboard and mouse as part of the switch from a desktop to a laptop.  The basic dock can be used to connect to one display.  Windows users will keep their existing desktop monitor, Macintosh users will be provided a new monitor.
   
• Individual departments are responsible for budgeting for and funding a second external display and advanced docking station (required when connecting 2 or more external displays), if desired by the user and approved by the department.  (Budget estimates: Dock $200, Display $200)
  
• Timing – some staff who currently have a desktop as their primary machine will be migrated to a laptop this summer.  The remaining staff and faculty will be moved to laptops when their machine is up for renewal over the next 3 years.

Windows users

•  The default laptop will be a new Dell Latitude 5300 2-in-1 that features a new high-quality touch-screen display and can convert into a tablet. 

Macintosh users

• The default laptop will continue to be a 13” MacBook Pro. 
  
• Macintosh users are encouraged to consider switching to the new Dell laptop as a possible option, given its advanced touch-screen and tablet capabilities and at a lower cost. In many cases the new Windows laptop will provide equal or better performance for most uses.

Discontinuance of centralized funding for more than one primary computer per person

With the move to laptops as the primary device for faculty and staff, the college will no longer centrally fund more than one primary computing device per employee. 

Information Technology will work with the department to coordinate the identification and removal of any non-primary computers issued to staff and faculty when it is due for renewal (this will not include any devices identified as computer lab or general use computers).

If a college employee requires an additional device, it will be the responsibility of the employee’s department to budget for the additional machine(s) in the fiscal year the machine is to be replaced.  Any additional machines added in this fashion will still have a 4-year lifespan, and the department will be responsible for budgeting for its replacement every 4 years, if it is desired that the employee continue to have more than one device. (Budget estimates: Dell desktop $900, laptop $1200; Apple desktop $1600, laptop $1300).

If you have any questions, please contact the Information Technology Service Desk at (607)274-1000, via email at servicedesk@ithaca.edu or by Live Chat.  

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