Where should I buy it from?
PCs are available from a wide range of sources, from the retail stores to the "classifieds" section of a newspaper. Prince George’s Community College has partnered with Dell and IBM to offer special discounts for students, staff, faculty, and alumni on computer systems and accessories/optional equipments. For more information on the Prince George’s Community College PC Purchase Program, log onto http://www.pgcc.edu/PCPurchase/
Who is Eligible?
All students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Prince George’s Community College (and their families) are eligible to participate in this program.
When Does Program Start?
The PC Purchase Program begins on August 11, 2003.
How Long Does Program Run?
There are no plans to discontinue the program at any pre-determined time. It will run continuously. You can purchase your PC at any time.
Finding out more
This guide is provided as an initial introduction to the complex and daunting procedure of buying a PC. Before deciding which PC you're going to buy, make sure you're basing your decision on sound advice.
Prices
PC prices fluctuate monthly, and there's never really a good time to buy a PC - what you buy today will be cheaper in a few months time. Browse through a number of sources to obtain a rough price for the PC you're interested in - computing magazines are usually the best source for getting an average price for new PCs. Don't forget though, higher specification = higher purchase price.
Is Financing Available?
Dell and IBM offer financing options on their website. Annual Percentage Rates (APR) can vary between 13.99% and 23.99% depending on your credit rating. No financing options are available from Prince George’s Community College. You also, of course, have the option of financing through a local bank. You will be expected to pay for your purchase via credit card on the Dell and IBM website, although other payment options are available. Some credit cards offer lower interest rates than Dell financing and may offer a better financing choice.
What are the Shipping Costs?
Actual shipping costs will be calculated at check-out time on the Dell or IBM website. For planning purposes, shipping of desktop systems (including monitor) will be about $ 95; shipping costs on laptop systems will be about $ 35.
Watch for Dell and IBM Special Offers, they will offer "Free Shipping" promotions occasionally.
Does Dell or IBM Charge Sales Tax?
Yes. Dell and IBM have offices in all 50 states. They are required, by law, to charge you the 5% Maryland Sales Tax on your total order, including shipping.
Prince George’s Community College "Disclaimer"
While Prince George’s Community College has done the due diligence required in order to offer this program to you, the College is in no way responsible for the operation of the PC system or software that you select and purchase through this program. There are no "guarantees of fitness" expressed or implied by Prince George’s Community College, and your only recourse in the case of faulty equipment is through Dell and IBM Computer Corporation. We have selected Dell and IBM for this program based upon their industry reputation for quality, performance, service, and technical support to be a reliable supplier.
Prince George’s Community College does not have the manpower to provide you with technical support. Dell and IBM, however, have provided us with a special "Technical Support" phone number (posted on our Dell Premier or IBM Direct Website) to answer any technical questions that you might have. You can also consult with Dell or IBM Technical Support prior to your purchase