Statement of Purpose

  • The purpose of this document is to define the processes and standards around the computer refresh program for Academic Affairs.
  • This program is managed by IT Support Services and covers all tenure-track faculty and full-time faculty on multi-year contracts, as well as full-time staff.
  • Lecturers on one-year contracts and part-time adjunct faculty and other part-time employees will be provided with a best available computer. 

Program Details

  • Due to the need for mobile computing and working and teaching remotely, the computer refresh program will only include laptops.
    • Included with each laptop is one monitor and a wireless keyboard and mouse. Additional monitors are the responsibility of the department.
  • When an individual receives their new computer, the old computer must be returned to be repurposed. Many of these computers go to part-time employees who are not eligible for the refresh program and others go to departments to help improve the overall quality of computers used for research or by students in these areas. 
  • The typical refresh cycle is four years.
  • Most users will receive the standard models, while users in video and graphic-intensive departments will get the higher-end models. 
  • We typically replace a Mac for a Mac and a Dell for a Dell. New faculty may request either, and other faculty may request a change at the time of their refresh.
  • Per our minimum security standard, all computers must be enrolled in one of the two university computer management systems.
    • Those are SCCM for Windows computers and JAMF for Macs.

Computer Models

  • The computers that have been chosen for the refresh program should meet the needs of the majority of users.
  • These computers are all part of the UNC System Computer Purchasing Initiative (CPI), which includes extra discounts and higher-level service agreements that can be found on computers outside of CPI.
  • Any computer that is not part of CPI will need approval from ITS and the department.

Standard Windows Laptop

Dell Precision 3480 

  • 14" Screen
  • i5 Processor
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 SSD
  • Integrated webcam w/ microphone
  • 4-year warranty including accidental damage

High-level Windows Laptop

Dell Precision 3580

  • 15.6" Screen
  • i7 Processor
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 512 SSD
  • Integrated webcam w/ microphone
  • 4-year warranty including accidental damage

Tablet/2-in-1 Laptop

Dell Latitude 9420 2-in-1

  • 14" Touch Screen
  • i5 Processor
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
  • Integrated webcam w/ microphone
  • 4-year warranty including accidental damage

Standard Apple Laptop

MacBook M3 Air 13" or 15"

  • Apple M2 Processor
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
  • Integrated webcam w/ microphone
  • 4-year AppleCare Warranty

Mid-level Apple Laptop (for faculty who need the extra graphic capabilities of the pro)

MacBook Pro 14" 

  • M3 Pro Processor
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD

High-End Apple Laptop (due to the high cost of these computers, they are only for faculty and staff who need the highest level of graphic and/or video processing)

MacBook Pro 16"

  • M3 Pro Processor
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 1 TB SSD

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