What is the role of IT Purchasing?
Who is eligible for discounted pricing?
What can I buy?
How do I make a purchase?
Where are you located?
When are you open?
Can I lease?
What kind of discount do I get?
Can I purchase second hand computers?
Do you offer a finance or loan scheme?
Should I buy a Macintosh or an IBM Compatible? What's the difference?

What is the role of IT Purchasing?
IT Purchasing is part of the UTS Information Technology Division. We provide centralised procurement of IT equipment for the university community. In addition we have negotiated for students and staff to purchase equipment directly from our preferred suppliers at discounted prices. Our preferred PC suppliers can be found here.

Who is eligible for discounted pricing?
If you are a current student or staff member of UTS, then you are eligible to purchase equipment at discounted pricing. Current UTS Graduate Connections (formerly the Alumni Association) members can purchase discounted hardware, apple and educational versions of software products. Present a current student, staff or Graduate Connections ID when placing your order. Part-time staff members can present a recent pay slip.

What can I buy?
Our preferred PC suppliers can be found here. These vendors sell a wide range of computers, printers and other peripherals, software and hardware upgrades.

How do I make a purchase?
Go to each suppliers page for details on how to purchase from that supplier. Most suppliers accept different credit cards, and allow you to purchase online or via the phone.

Where are you located?
We are on Level 10, Building 1, Room 1010, on the Broadway Campus, near the Resource Centre.

When are you open?
The showcase is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Can I lease?
Some suppliers do offer leasing - please check supplier web sites for more information.

What kind of discount do I get?
The amount of discount you receive varies from each supplier, and from product to product.

Can I purchase second hand computers?
No. Only new hardware and software is available.

Do you offer a finance or loan scheme?
Go to each suppliers page for details on what finance options may be available.

Should I buy a Macintosh or an IBM Compatible? What's the difference?
Macintosh computers are made be Apple Computers. They come with MacOS (OS stands for Operating System) pre-installed. They only run programs written for Macintosh computers. When buying software or peripherals, (such as a printer or scanner) for a Macintosh computer, it is important to buy products that are Macintosh compatible. For more information, see Apple's web site.

IBM compatible computers are made by many thousands of different manufacturers. They generally come with Microsoft Windows pre-installed. They only run programs written for Microsoft Windows.

Neither type of computer is better than the other. The best way to decide which to buy is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have experience using either type of computer? Although both types of computer are similar, there are differences, and you may not wish to learn to use a new type of system.
• What type of computer is most widely used in your department, or in the industry you hope to enter? Talk to lecturers, students that have graduated from your course, or people working in the kind of job you would like to have. Most industries tend to favour one type of computer over the other.
• It's also important to check with your course advisers at UTS to get an idea about any special course requirements that could affect your decision to go with Mac or PC.