<p>School offers a few laptops...
1. Should one buy the offered laptops or buy a different one
2. Is the so called security lock and on site technicians worth the extra money</p>
<p>EFlo, I can tell you what others have told us. Parents of current and prior UNC students say that the on site technicians are well worth it. One daughter had her laptop dropped and broken--she was given one to use while hers was repaired. Another spilled a coffee in his and again was given a loaner until his was fixed or replaced.</p>
<p>My son considered buying elsewhere as he wanted different features and thought he could get more for his money. We talked him into ordering through Carolina after speaking with numerous people. I don't know anything about the security lock--I didn't ask about that and if it is an extra, don't think son purchased that.</p>
<p>Security lock is a good thing.</p>
<p>CCI program has been very successful. We too had our doubts and S wanted to do his own thing. He got the upgraded unit that was offered his year because it had the cd burner etc not on the basic. He has been very pleased with it. </p>
<p>I mentioned on another thread that they used to offer peripherals like docking station, wireless mouse/keyboard, flat screen monitors at fairly attractive prices as well. I haven't looked at the CCI website in quite a while but when you consider that they come preloaded with all the software you'll need including Office plus the warranty and loaner laptops. It really is a good value plus far less hassle than having to haul printers, monitors, and other things when you can just pick them up at CTOPS. If you go to an early CTOPS you can pick up laptop only and defer picking up the other peripherals until move in which is what we did being OOS.</p>