SocSci Help Pages

The process of purchasing a new computer should start with Social Sciences Computing Services (SSCS). The SSCS personnel will assist you with the technical details of the computer you are going to buy. Please read the following to prepare for your contact with SSCS.

A request for a new computer should include a funding source. SSCS cannot purchase a computer without a funding source. Typically, new computers are purchased with funds from your department or research account.

Alternatively, full-time, tenured or tenure-track UCI faculty, who are active in research may be eligible to receive a computer via the campus Faculty Desktop Computing Initative (FDCI). Professors who have received FDCI funding within the last three years are not eligible. For more information about FDCI please contact your respective Department Manager.

To purchase a new computer for which you have funding, please email SSCS sscs@uci.edu with as much detail as you can about your computer needs. If you don't know exactly what you need, we can help you determine your needs. Some things to think about and include with your request are:

• Operating System: do you want Mac, Windows, or Linux?
• Do you have minimum specifications in mind?
• Do you have a budget you would like to stay under for this purchase?
• Are there any accessories that you need, such as external monitor(s), docking station or USB hub, external drive for backups, etc?
• What software do you plan to use on this computer?

If you do not have funding and you want the school to fund the purchase you can still submit a request. In this case, your request will be forwarded to the assistant dean for consideration.

After receiving your request, a SSCS technician will contact you to go over the specifications of the requested computer. At that time we will assist you with any questions pertaining to configuring the system hardware or other technical details. SSCS will then initiate the purchase for you with the school's Business Office.

Please note: SSCS does not do the actual purchasing, so if you have questions about the status of your order after it has been ordered, please contact the Business Office directly.

When the computer arrives, SSCS will install the standard software package (list of standard software) on the computer and ask you for additional setup preferences. When the computer is ready, arrangements will be made with you for delivery of the system to your office.