By Fred Morris

This summer, OIT’s Academic Computers for Terps (ACT) program completed a successful first year of operation, during which it saved the university community more than $1.8 million over and above regular educational discounts! The ACT program’s second year brings updated systems and continued lower prices, offering even better value in your computer purchase.

ACT offers University of Maryland, College Park faculty, staff, and students, high-end Apple and Dell systems at prices that are lower than even standard educational discounts. Along with exceptional pricing, all ACT units are protected by a full four-year warranty serviced by the OIT Help Desk. If your machine ever needs warranty repair, just drop it by the warranty desk (in room 1400 of the Computer and Space Sciences Building) and OIT will handle everything from there. Additionally, if your repair requires the machine be left overnight, you’ll get a loaner laptop computer to use free of charge. It’s the best deal with the best coverage around. Visit www.act.umd.edu for all the details and to see Apple’s latest iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro models, as well as Dell’s newly released Latitude D630, all available and ready for use on campus.

OIT has also added an ACT program storefront location, the Terrapin Technology Store. The store is located on the ground floor of the Stamp Student Union near the Food Court. The Terrapin Technology Store is a great way for customers to get hands-on demos of many of the specially priced systems ACT offers and to purchase their new computers, software, and accessories. Check our location regularly as new items, such as Apple’s iLife ’08, iWork ’08, and Mac OS X Leopard plus a selection of Dell printers, are being added all at special discount prices. For more information about the store, visit www.oit.umd.edu/techstore or call 301.314.7000.