been blending leasing and buying with tech plans which include 1:1 =
programs for about 9 years. On the desktop side, a 3 year lease makes =
sense. With Mac, it's doesn't make sense to do a lease for more than 3 =
years. The tech refreshes so quickly. Also, desktops still have a =
little residual value after 3 years so take advantage of it.
On the laptop side, the 2 year lease model makes a TON of sense. Your =
payments are a little higher (but a lot less than you'd think). The =
residual value of a 2 year old laptop is really high and a lease gives =
most of that value back to you. Also, the repair ratio of a 2 year old =
machine versus a 3 year old machine is staggering. The manufacturer's =
know this and so you save a ton on warranty of you only get 2 year =
coverage. Once you calculate the cost to internally support a 2 year =
laptop versus 3 year laptop, it's a very powerful argument to consider a =
2 versus 4 year lease.
However, I digress. You asked about leasing in general and only about =
desktops. The incremental savings with desktops is lower but, as you've =
seen, it's compelling. Leasing can be a real beast. Here are questions =
to ask your potential leasing agents:
1. What are my total costs (origination fee, shipping to and from =
school, and end of lease costs)
2. What are the end of lease processes? What are my duties?
3. Please provide 3 EDUCATION references of schools that have FINISHED a =
lease and STILL chose to stay with you. (You'd be amazed how many =
people this weeds out!)
I've been through a few rough leases and have a few bruises to prove it! =
:-) However, I'm still a fan of the leasing model and have found a =
leasing partner with whom I feel very comfortable. Good luck with your =
tech planning process. If you haven't done so already, take a look at =
the School Computing Wiki for help. =
http://schoolcomputing.wikia.com/wiki/School_Computing_Home_Page
Take care,
Alex
Alex Inman
Director of Technology
Whitfield School
St. Louis, MO
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators on behalf of zachary =
hayden
Sent: Wed 7/16/2008 12:57 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Feedback on computer Leasing (faculty, students or both?)
=20
Our small school (50 students) is in the midst of developing a =
long-range
technology plan. In recent discussions with Apple (we are a 98% Mac =
school)
the idea of leasing has been suggested. We currently own all of our =
faculty
computers (about 27 iMacs 5's of varying vintage) and 10 lab iMacs. =
Students
generally bring their own laptops, but are not required too.
Budget-wise replacing the 37 desktop machines incrementally over 4 years =
is
almost the same as the 3 year lease agreement Apple would offer. It =
seems
that the benefits of the Apple service agreement and more uniform =
hardware
and software might outweigh the positives of ownership.
How has the leasing program worked out for others?
Have there been divergent outcomes for faculty computer leasing versus
extending it to a program that covers students with laptops?
Any feedback would be appreciated,
Regards,
Zack Hayden
--=20
Zachary Hayden
Dean of Faculty
Oxford Academy
1393 Boston Post RD.
Westbrook Ct, 06498
deanoffaculty@oxfordacademy.net
860-399-6247
=20
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