Employee Computer Purchases
When considering a computer purchase for work or personal use, you have several decisions to make: PC or Mac? Basic or advanced? Which vendor? How to pay? Use this page to help make those decisions.
Partner Vendors
UNLV has agreements with the vendors below that allow purchasers to get special UNLV pricing. Note: UNLV technicians support Dell and Apple hardware. They cannot repair HP computers.
Dell
Create your own account for Dell and use it to log in when purchasing, checking order status, or simply browsing. Already have an account?
Apple
Start here, select University of Nevada, Las Vegas as the school, and then start shopping. Creating your own Apple account for the on-line Apple Store makes purchasing and order tracking easier.
HP
Hewlett Packard offers discounts to UNLV for business purchases and personal purchases. However, HP is not a supported hardware vendor at UNLV. This means technicians cannot conduct hardware repairs for HP computers. If a department or college chooses to purchase HP for business computers, UNLV technicians can only install basic software. If the computer breaks, the department or college is responsible for contacting HP for repairs.
Recommended computer specifications
This specification table (PDF) provides a range of options, from minimum to recommended, for you to consider regarding processors, RAM, storage, video memory, monitors, warranty, wireless capability and operating systems.
One important selection is the Windows operating system. You must select and purchase an operating system when buying a new computer. OIT is unable to install Windows at no cost without an existing operating systems due to our licensing agreements with Microsoft. However, updates, upgrades and changes to Windows are done at no cost. If you do not order an operating system, you will have to purchase one separately which could at least double the cost you would have incurred otherwise.
Looking for Software?
Search OIT's database to access free or discounted software
A computer can be purchased by UNLV in two ways:
RX purchase:
- Configure your computer online and get an electronic copy of the quote or web proposal.
- Please contact your department administrative staff so that they may complete your purchase using MUNIS. For issues entering your requisition, please contact your designated buyer in Purchasing.
P-card purchase
Be sure your p-card limit will permit the cost of the computer you have selected.
- Configure your computer online.
- Purchase the computer online using your p-card. Print and keep the purchase confirmation and have it ready for when Property Control contacts you.
- Enter your name in the shipping instructions so that UNLV can determine where the computer should go once it is delivered.
- Respond to property control's request for purchase information in order for them to tag it.
Keep track of your purchase
Track your computer's delivery through the vendor from which you purchased it, using your Purchase Order (PO) number or from the web proposal number.
Once your computer arrives on campus:
- Property Control tags it as property of UNLV
- Receiving delivers the computer to Campus Computing Services
- OIT Technicians install the software and make an appointment with you to set it up
If you are purchasing the computer for personal use:
Our partner vendors provide discounts for personal purchases as well. Use these links to take advantage of educational pricing.
Right away, without a loan:
- Purchase it online, keep your purchase confirmation.
- Have all personal purchases delivered to your home.
Using the UNLV Employee Computer Loan Program:
- Apply for an interest-free loan (after at least 12 months of employment) through the Cashiering Office. You may be placed on a waiting list.
- Once approved for the loan, supply the quote or web proposal to Cashiering.
- Cashiering writes the check to you and the vendor you chose to purchase the computer from.
- Purchase the computer.
