Students always ask us the same question:
"Why do you sell the Latitude? I can get an Inspiron with the same specs for $599 online?"
The answer is that there is a lot more to a laptop than just the processor speed and the amount of memory.
Why Latitudes?
The Latitude series is Dell's business-class product line that offers better performance and stability than the consumer-class Inspiron series that you see advertised on TV and in magazines. The Latitude line can be imaged (set up with a pre-installed set of Bucknell configured software) and its drivers and hardware will be available throughout the time that you own the laptop.
Click here for Dell's complete page on the advantages of the Latitude line!
Inspirons cannot be imaged and the drivers and hardware may change 3 times in the course of a single year. You'll really come to appreciate this level of stability over the next 4 years if you need to have your computer reimaged, your keyboard replaced, or your wireless card reinstalled.
Because Latitudes can be imaged, we can support them better - we can restore the Bucknell-configured software quickly. We cannot do this with an Inspiron or with a non Bison Laptop program machine. Students will need to reinstall all software themselves.
Bison laptop Latitudes include options that are not even available on Inspirons or other machines. Try to find hard drive data recovery services, complete care warranties, and extended battery warranties on other laptops for $1175! These are items that directly affect students every day at Bucknell.
Warranty upgrades
We also sell our laptops with a full 3 year Complete Care/Accidental Damage policy because we see dozens of laptops every year that have suffered spills, drops, and bangs - without Accidental Damage, your only recourse is a new laptop or expensive repairs. Most laptops sold for under $1000 include a poor warranty such as a 90-day or 1 year warranty where you actually have to mail the laptop to the manufacturer for repair. Typically, repairs to our laptops are performed at our Technology Desk within one business day.
Hardware upgrades - automatically included in every Bison laptop
Wireless: We sell them with Intel's top of the line 5300 wireless card for maximum coverage and expandability.
Display/screen: We have upgraded the display to an LED WXGA+ screen that is optimized for higher resolution at 1440 x 900 and that will save power (and extend battery life)
DVD-RW: We have included a DVD burner
RAM: We have put 2gb of RAM on one DIMM - this allows you to easily upgrade the memory in the future without wasting a stick of RAM.
Processor: The Latitudes come with a Core 2 Duo 2.4 ghz processor
Video/graphics card: 256mb dedicated nVidia 160m graphics card
Hard drive: 160 gb 7200rpm hard drive with Free Fall Sensor
Keyboard: Backlit keyboard so you can work in the dark or in low light
Webcam: Integrated webcam for on-line video chats
SD card slot: Integrated card slot - take your card out of your camera and insert it directly in to your computer
Bonus options
Free shipping!
Vista Business Edition!
Extended battery warranty - Normal battery warranties are for 1 year. Bison Laptops come with a 3 year battery warranty!
How does all of this affect the price?
Businesses choose the Latitudes for durability and because they can be well-supported. It costs a little more, but there is a trade-off - in the long run, they will save time and money.
We have configured the Latitudes with the software, hardware, and warranty that will last you throughout your four years at Bucknell, and we'll support it with spare parts, on-site technicians, loaner laptops, and expedited service. We'll save you time and money while you're at Bucknell - and that is the intent of the Bison Laptop program!
For more information on the pricing involved, please email bisonlaptop@bucknell.edu and we'd be happy to go into as much detail as you would like!
