<p>I will purchase a laptop for college, and know that universities offer deals on laptops. I was accepted into Maryland but have not confirmed my enrollment yet, I will do so within a couple of weeks. I was wondering when I will be offered these deals, and if possible look at them right now. Also, are the deals worth it or is it the same as getting it from a store? Thanks.</p>
<p>On our campus tour they mentioned that they do have a computer purchase program that includes full IT support. I just found a page that has some info on it.</p>
<p>[ACT</a> - Academic Computers for Terps](<a href=“http://www.act.umd.edu/]ACT”>http://www.act.umd.edu/)</p>
<p>Our experience with this has been good. We purchased a Dell laptop for DS through this program before his freshman year. In the summer before his junior year, he had problems with the motherboard and keyboard. Dell sent a technician to our house to replace them at no charge.</p>
<p>Some departments have departmental laptop awards. I know freshmen who enter as physics majors and receive a merit scholarship also eligible for a free laptop.</p>
<p>^ I believe that is females only, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Took a quick look at their deals and not impressed. In looking at apple’s, they don’t offer the same configuration as in the stores so you’re comparing (here’s the pun) apples to oranges. The system in the store may have, for example, a 250gb hard drive while the one they offer is 500gb and comes with 4 yrs of apple care protection. But you don’t have the choice to just get a regular configuration laptop without certain bells and whistles. So you may get more but it will cost you more than what you might have spent at the store if you wouldn’t have gotten the extras.</p>