Did you know that staff and students at the University of Brighton can buy Apple computers at reduced ‘educational’ prices from Apple Store HE? But wait, ... before making any purchases, do read through the advice given below:

All current Apple desktop and laptop computers bought under the Apple HE agreement are now provided with a 3 year limited parts and labour warranty at no additional cost. Keep this in mind when you make your order. Apple will still try and convince you that you want to give them more money to extend the standard one year warranty. You only need to do this if you want extended telephone support, which is not included in the HE 3 year warranty.

Here's how you go about ordering your Apple:

To access Apple Store HE over the internet, you must be using a computer on the University of Brighton network.

1. Connect to http://apple.procureweb.ac.uk
2. Select access to the store for individuals
3. Select South East as your region and then Brighton University
4. Click continue and then select and 'configure' your Apple, but watch out for the following:

If you are buying a desktop computer, make sure you buy the keyboard you want and need. The 'Apple Keyboard' that is selected by default does not have a numeric keypad. It's compact and looks good if want a minimalist, no-clutter desk. However a keyboard with a numeric keypad won't cost you any more, but will be much more useful, particularly if you have to do a lot of typing, have large fingers, or want to do any financial work with your Mac.

As mentioned above, you don't need to purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan unless you want to extend telephone support from 90 days to three years. You already have 3 years limited parts and labour warranty under the Apple HE agreement.

After your order
You should find that Apple keep you well informed about delivery times and that your new Apple arrives promptly and without too much wasteful packaging. Setting up your new Apple couldn't be any easier,  just pull it out of the box, plug it in and watch in admiration as it sets itself up and finds and connects itself to any available networks. It will even take your photo (with your permission) to use for a login icon.

Just two gripes :
Remember the 3 year warranty that comes free with HE purchases? We know about it, the web site tells us all about it, but noone seems to have told the telephone support staff at Apple. You have to do a bit of extra work after your purchase to make sure you do really get 3 years extended warranty. To find out, you can check online by going to https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do 

You will be asked to enter the serial number of your computer ... but please don't try tipping your computer up-side-down to find it ... There's no need to injure yourself or damage your stylish new techno-toy, the Mac will tell you itself. Just

1. go to the Apple Menu and choose About this Mac
2. Double-click the version text, for example "Version 10.4".

Your computer's serial number will appear where the version text had been. Once you have entered your serial number and country into the 'GetWarranty' page, you should find out how long your warranty is expected to last. If this is less than three years, contact Apple and find out why.

Software: The latest version of Office for the Mac is Office 2008. Students can obtain a copy of this for £35.33 from Software for Students or from RM's the Basement. Staff can buy a copy for £7.50 from the Computer Store, under the work at home rights of our campus agreement. But Office 2008 isn’t anywhere near as easy to use as Office 2007 on Windows computers and it looks very different, so there is quite a big learning curve if you are moving between the two different systems. Of course this isn't Apple's problem and there are several other non Microsoft products you can use for word processing, including Star Office, Open Office Writer and iWorks 09. 

For more advice on purchasing a computer, contact our Computer Store. The Store has a small range of Apple and Windows PCs that you can try out before you make your purchase.

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