[Acocoops] Rollover offering for 2024

[Sean Speers]

Hello,

Feedback and thoughts as requested:


  *
When reviewing product selection, does budget play a factor?  I touched base with Camille, who mentioned that approved budget lines aren't formalized until late March/early April. This might be important to consider as fiscal restraints will be very heavy this fiscal year (therefore, it might not model the previous year's budget) and impact product selection.

  *
Can you shed any light on the criteria you used to select these products? Was a rubric used?  I'm trying to understand why these were selected over others.

  *
For the iPad Pro offering,  I can say that it isn't a very good laptop replacement.  It also requires expensive add-ins (Pencil $159 and Magic Keyboard $369) to function as a laptop.  I suspect most faculty will want to use it as a companion device for their existing laptop (and cause barriers to returning the older laptop to ACO)

  *
Apple will very likely be refreshing the MacBook Air and iPad line (likely a completely redesigned iPad Pro, and much more expensive with an OLED display) this spring with the updated M3 chips, so the timing of purchase should be factored in.

  *
The Logitech MK295 device lacks Bluetooth connectivity.  This means the Nano USB receiver must be used, and our hub monitors only have 4 available USB ports, which can quickly be used up by other devices (webcam, printers, headset, phone chargers, scanners, etc.).


--
Sean Speers
Information Technology Specialist
Arts Computing Office
https://uwaterloo.ca/arts-computing/


________________________________
From: Acostaff <acostaff-bounces at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca> on behalf of Spencer Chen <acocoop1 at uwaterloo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 3:09 PM
To: Jameson Schildroth <jschildroth at uwaterloo.ca>; acostaff at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca <acostaff at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca>; acocoops at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca <acocoops at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca>
Subject: RE: Rollover offering for 2024


Dear Jameson



The list looks great! I like how we’re offering tablet options. One main concern that I have are the sizes. Our old laptop sleeves won’t be able to accommodate the 15-inch length. Would we have to preorder more of the Kensington cases?



Spencer



From: Acocoops <acocoops-bounces at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca> On Behalf Of Jameson Schildroth
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:44 PM
To: acostaff at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca; acocoops at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca
Subject: [Acocoops] Rollover offering for 2024



Hello Everyone,



We are starting to get information on what models will be offered for the 2024 rollover and are seeking your feedback on what we should offer. We are thinking about dropping the 13” models in favour of just offering the 15” models as they seemed to be more popular.



Please see attached PDF and provide any feedback or thoughts.



Thanks,



Jameson Schildroth

Information Technology Specialist

Arts Computing Office

University of Waterloo

PAS 2081D

Office: 519-888-4567  x41275

[university-of-waterloo-logo-esig]

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