Requesting a Macbook

If you’re new to MVNU or have personal experience with Apple MacBooks and would like to have an Apple instead of an HP or Lenovo (Windows) this article has been written to help you understand the process.

A Windows Laptop

When shopping for a Windows laptop, we look for the following:

• Specific hardware specifications that will work with a majority of software across campus.

• A body that can withstand the rigors of 10 years of use

• A warranty that covers any hardware replacements (except for Accidental damage)

With that understood our current standard model is the:

HP ProBook 455 G10 15.6” Laptop

• Ryzen 7 - 7730U

• 16GB RAM

• 512GB SSD

• 15.6” 1080p display

• This model, including the warranty, comes out to about $1000 per device.

Comparing to a Macbook

An attempt to compare apples-to-apples is difficult since a Mac requires fewer resources to accomplish the same tasks. They have their own designed processor which is more efficient and can run Apple-specific software at a much faster rate while consuming much less power. As such, a reasonable comparison would be:

Comparable Apple MacBook Air 13”

• M2 Processor

• 8GB RAM

• 256GB SSD

• 13.6” Retina Display

• This model, including the warranty, comes out to about $1050 per device.*

Alternatively, you can consider the following additions/changes:

MacBook Airs

MacBook Pros

Conclusion

ITS can provide you with access to an Apple Computer if your department covers the remaining cost above the standardized $1000 per machine/warranty. Because they aren’t standard issue, we don’t tend to keep them in stock and would therefore need to custom order one. The lead times can vary depending on popularity, but once received ITS would still need a few days with it, in order to add it to our campus domain. If you are interested in purchasing a Mac instead of an HP or Lenovo, please provide the following:

An email with the following information:

• Name of the person who needs the Mac

• Details of the type of Mac (specifications / color / etc)

• Name of Budget Owner to approve department charge (for anything over the initial $1000)

• Account number of department account to charge

The appropriate person in ITS will custom-build a quote and send it through to reflect the current costs (in case they change) as well as to get official approval from the budget manager.

There is a list of standard accessories that come with either set of laptops and that information can be found at the following article: Standard Accessories for Laptops - Knowledge Base - Confluence (atlassian.net)