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Carolina Computing Initiative (CCI) – Departmental FAQ

General

You can add additional memory if the computer is upgradeable; and you can purchase extended warranty. However, at this time no other hardware specs can be changed on standard CCI models. Lenovo is working toward an on-line configurator that will allow customers to customize a computer configuration.
Please visit our Preloaded Software page for a list of software that comes on CCI model computers.
We understand that customers have individual needs and in some cases prefer the freedom to choose their brand or model of computer. The Carolina Computing Initiative was created with the primary goal of providing high value computing options to students, staff and faculty. This includes warranty options that extend throughout the life-cycle of the computer, efficient and effective on-campus service, software that targets UNC users and durable, business ready computers at the lowest price possible.

When CCI was formed the committee that governed its inception made a decision based on industry trends. They decided that a single vendor would allow for a lower cost product due to better volume discounts. Limiting the number of brands and models also lends to more efficient service and support. We believe this decision still offers the highest value to our customers.

The process of choosing a vendor is not taken lightly. When the CCI contract is out for bid, a committee is formed composed of University representatives and also includes a consultant from a higher education management consulting company. The committee is tasked with reviewing bids submitted by participating vendors to select one that is most capable of meeting the needs of the CCI program and its customers.

For those customers that are in need of more choice, UNC-GA has created the Combined Purchasing Initiative. The Combined Purchasing Initiative (CPI) expands on the availability of computer options but reduces the overall discount when compared to CCI. Lenovo also offers custom configurations outside of the CCI selection at a discounted price.

Purchasing

CCI-model computers will be customizable directly from ePro! This capability is to address those instances where the standard configurations cannot meet the operational needs of the customer.

With the newly available Configure-To-Order option, you will be able to select different processors, add additional memory, select alternate hard drive sizes, different display options, and other hardware customizations, for all CCI model ThinkPads and all without a price quote from Lenovo or the need to create a Purchase Requisition.

To take advantage of these customization options, select the “Customize Your Computer” button next to the CCI ThinkPad model you are interested in, selecting your preferred hardware specifications and warranty options for your purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: Customizing a CCI model beyond the standard configuration may result in a longer lead-time for delivery and will ship with Windows 10 Home Edition, not the CCI standard software load.

CCI standard models will still ship with the CCI software load installed and from Lenovo’s Whitsett, NC facility.

UNC Purchasing Services and ITS recommend that you purchase your computer through the CCI contract whenever possible. The CCI contract and selection of computers offer several benefits to UNC Chapel Hill customers. Some of these benefits include:

  • CCI offers a consistently high discount level
    • CCI Lenovo Think brand model computers are always 55% off and are often more than 60% off the retail price
  • All CCI computers can be repaired on campus by the Computer Repair Center
  • Generally repair of CCI computers is the fastest available (less than 2 business day)
  • CCI computers come with a software load that is tailor made for the UNC Chapel Hill computing environment. Decisions pertaining to what goes into the software load are made by a committee composed of representatives from different schools and departments at UNC Chapel Hill. See this link for a list of included software.

In addition, the University, faculty and students receive other benefits from purchases made through the CCI Lenovo contract. Some of the benefits include:

  • Funding for Instructional Innovation Grants for UNC’s Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)
  • Access to the research being conducted at Lenovo’s Innovation Centers Worldwide
  • Donated laptops in support of the Carolina Covenant program
  • A pool of laptops that students may borrow while their CCI laptops are being repaired
  • Lenovo continues to offer multiple paid internship opportunities to UNC Students
  • Lenovo will dedicate one spot in their LASR program to a UNC graduate
For a departmental purchase, your CCI computers can be purchased through Connect Carolina. For Faculty and staff personal purchases please visit the Tech Shop at Student Stores.
If you have an immediate need, please contact the Tech Shop at UNC Student Stores. If the product is in stock you may purchase using a P-Card; however if using grant funds the order must be placed through Connect Carolina. Note: There is a small convenience/stocking fee charged for CCI models purchased through the Student Stores.
Yes, departments can purchase Apple products with a CCI discount. Please visit our Apple Purchases page for more information.
ePro orders over $5000 will need to go through the Connect Carolina Purchase Requisition. Lenovo’s target delivery for CCI product is 5 days from receipt of order; and non-CCI product is 10 days from receipt of order. For large orders over $5000 CCI would like as much advance notice as possible so that stock is made available locally.
Yes, as a retired faculty or staff member you can purchase one CCI computer per year through the UNC Student Stores.

Warranty, Insurance and Repair

Your CCI computer warranty covers such things as faulty parts and workmanship.For more information please visit our Insurance and Warranty page.
Note: Laptop batteries come with a one-year warranty.
A broken laptop screen, spill damage and any other damage considered to be a result of misuse, rather than the result of faulty parts or workmanship are not covered by your warranty. In addition, the warranty does not cover forgotten hard drive passwords and power-on passwords. These passwords, set at your discretion, cannot be recovered if forgotten.
Lenovo Accidental Damage Protection is a service that provides repair or replacement (if needed) for damage resulting from drops and spills. Please visit Lenovo’s webpage on Accidental Damage Protection.
Risk Management Services

Campus departments have the option to insure individual pieces of University-owned computer or other business equipment with all-risk insurance. Having the option to selectively decide what to insure allows campus departments to pay a premium for only those items. Coverage for these items is handled by the Carolina Self Insurance Fund, an internal insurance fund that provides a convenient and cost-effective alternative to purchasing all-risk insurance from an outside source.

Safeware

Safeware is one of the most recognized providers of comprehensive insurance policies and extended service plans for computers and has provided laptop insurance for students with CCI laptops since 2000.

Safeware’s insurance programs provide coverage for Accidental Damage, Screen Breaks, Liquid Damage (including Submersion) and Power Surges. Safeware insurance policies also cover perils that cannot be addressed by extended warranties or service contracts. These perils include: Theft, Robbery, Burglary, Vandalism, Fire, Flood, Lightning, Wind, Hail and more.

Contact Safeware for additional information and a quote for coverage.

When on campus repair is needed, faculty and staff may submit a service request at https://help.unc.edu/or call 962-HELP for assistance. A technician will come out to your on-campus location to diagnose and repair your computer.When away from campus, if your computer will not work, for whatever reason: Call 919-962-HELP. Our service desk will assist you in diagnosing the issue and determine if it needs to be sent in for repairs.
If it is determined that your computer needs a hardware repair then you have two choices.

1. Contact Lenovo to find an authorized Lenovo service provider in your area. Lenovo can be contacted at their hardware support number (1-800-426-7378) or their website (http://www.lenovo.com).

Contact Apple to find an authorized Apple service provider in your area. Apple can be contacted that their hardware support number (1-800-692-7753) or their website (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1434).

2. You can bring your computer to the ITS Service Desk. For hours and location see this link.

3. You can mail or ship your computer to:
ITS Service Desk
ATTN: DROP OFF
203 South Rd.
Undergraduate Library, Room 22
CB# 3460
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

If we are going to ship the computer back to you, a personal check made out to ITS must be included. Please leave the note section blank so we can add your ticket number to the check.
Shipping fees:
Within NC – $25
Outside of NC – $30

Please include your name and PID in the package. Also include a description of the issues you are having. It would be a good idea to backup your data in case a hard drive replacement or reimage needs to be done. If you approve of hard drive replacement or re-image, please put that in the description of issues as well your preferred operating system (Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10).

We highly recommend that you insure your laptop during shipping. Your insurance and accidental damage coverage do not cover the laptop while during shipping.