Technology Lending

The SCS Help Desk offers technology lending to SCS account-holders, including:

• Loaner laptops (during repair, or for general limited-term use)
• Video adapters (for connecting to VGA or HDMI projectors)
• USB Optical drives for PC and Mac
• Installation discs for select software
• Conference phones

Conference phones and all other smaller items can be loaned out for a maximum of three business days. All equipment loan reservations can be submitted via our Help Desk Technology Reservation Request page.

Loaner laptops require agreement to the following terms:

Laptop Loan Policy

Updated 12/16/20

The School of Computer Science Computing Facilities Help Desk currently loans laptops to SCS Faculty and Staff who have an active SCS account. The laptop loaner program is intended for job related academic and business use only. 

Requirements

The laptop loaner program is intended for job related academic and business use by SCS Faculty and Staff who have an active SCS account. These laptops are NOT to be used by children or other family members. In order to borrow a laptop a valid active Oracle string must be provided.

Models include Apple MacBook Pro, Dell Latitude, and Lenovo ThinkPad.

Please note that loaner laptops do not come with CD/DVD drives. MacBook laptops come with a multi-adapter for display, network and USB ports. All laptops are equipped with wireless network connections.

Installed Software

macOS Laptops

• macOS Mojave
• Antivirus
• SCS Self Service App (JAMF)
• Microsoft Office 365
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Mozilla Firefox
• Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Windows Laptops

• Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise x64
• Antivirus
• Microsoft Office 365
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Mozilla Firefox
• Cisco AnyConnect VPN

Lending Policy

• Priority will be given to:
  1. People whose assigned SCS laptop is being repaired (top priority)
  2. People who reserved a laptop in advance.
• Laptops are available for periods of one day to a maximum of two weeks (14 consecutive days). They must be returned on time in order to maintain acceptable inventory levels.
• You MUST provide a valid active Oracle string to borrow a laptop and any adapters.
  1. There is no fee to borrow the laptop for a scheduled period of time.
  2. Repairs necessary after you return the laptop will be charged to the Oracle string you provided. You will be notified if this is necessary.
  3. Your Oracle string will be charged the full purchase price of the laptop if you fail to return it.
  4. Please return the laptop on the agreed upon date. Failure to do so will result in the loss of privilege to borrow laptops in the future; the full purchase price of the laptop will be charged to your Oracle string on the 3rd day beyond the original agreed upon return date.
  5. If your Oracle string has been charged the full cost of the laptop you now own the laptop you borrowed and do not need to return it to the Help Desk.
• Be sure to backup any personal data from the laptop - all data will be erased immediately upon the return of the laptop. SCS Computing Facilities is NOT responsible for any data left on the device.
• This service is like a library program where laptops are available for checkout only if they are in inventory. Laptops requested at the last minute (walk-ins) will only be given out based on availability.
• Immediately notify the SCS Help Desk at (412) 268-4231 regarding ANY problems with the laptop.

Notices

1. You will receive a reminder the day of the agreed upon due date by emailing your SCS email addresses through a notification system (no-reply@cheqroom.com).
2. A final reminder will be sent to you and your business manager the day after the agreed upon due date as a reminder you will incur the cost of the laptop if you do not return it within 24 hours.
3. If you do not return the borrowed laptop (including adapters) before the 3rd day beyond the original agreed upon return date you and your business manager will receive an email confirming your Oracle string was charge the purchase price of the laptop.

Lending Process

• Reserve a laptop at least 1 business day in advance. (Reminder we cannot guarantee availability for last minute requests)
• The SCS Help Desk will usually confirm availability of a laptop for your request immediately but may take up to an hour.
• Laptops can only be picked up and dropped off at the SCS Helpdesk. We are located in the Gates/Hillman building, room 4201. We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
  1. Please pick up the laptop on the day of your original request. If you don't pick it up we will hold it through the second day of your original reservation but will cancel the full reservation on the third day.
  2. The person picking up the laptop must have a CMU ID card in order to borrow a laptop.
  3. The person using the laptop must log in to the system while it is on the CMU network so the system can create a local administrator account. The Helpdesk staff can assist you with this process when the laptop is picked up.
• Return the laptop on the agreed upon date. See above for more details on late returns.
• Be sure to backup any personal data from the laptop before returning it. All data will be erased by an SCS technician promptly upon the return.

Identity Verification

When coming to the SCS Help Desk to pick up a loaner laptop:

1. Provide the Help Desk staff your Andrew ID
2. Present your CMU photo ID
3. Provide the dates that you will need the laptop (from the day you will pick up the laptop to the day you will return it, two week maximum).
4. The type of laptop that you prefer (Mac or Windows).