By Stephen Strobbe
Reporter

As an increasing number of students enter college with their own computers, they have found a growing need for technology supplies.

The Baylor University Bookstore seeks to meet that demand by offering computer software, hardware and various other technological accessories.

The bookstore is located right across from Penland Residence Hall on Fifth Street. Walking in, visitors are immediately met with shirts and coffee mugs, books and binders, proudly radiating Baylor’s green and gold.

But going just a bit farther back toward the middle of the store, students will find a full-fledged technology section complete with working computer displays and a helpful and knowledgeable staff.

“I would say my experiences there have been great. Particularly when buying software. It’s just a really quick process,” said Cleveland senior Cody Strickland. “Service-wise it’s just really great.”

One of the biggest draws the bookstore has for students is the opportunity to save huge amounts of money on both computer software and hardware.

Adobe’s Creative Suite products are typically about 80 percent cheaper than retail price and copies of software like Microsoft’s Office and Windows 7 operating system are available for $15.

Only Baylor faculty, staff and students are eligible for the discounts.

“There is a limit on each of these. It’s one per student ID per version. Once you get Office 2010, that’s it until the next version of Office comes out,” said Rick Busby, trade department manager for the bookstore.

The bookstore is also an authorized seller of Apple computers, which means prices are usually at a fairly significant discount from a standard computer retailer.

“Typically our Apple computers are $100 to $150 less on average off the retail price,” Busby said. “Plus we usually have some other deals going. Like currently, if you buy a current Apple model computer, then you get an HP wireless printer for a penny.”

Strickland said the deals the bookstore offers are helpful to penny-pinching college students.

“I think it’s great that they offer students a discount for that. Because, you know, we’re in college. We don’t have that much money,” Strickland said.

The bookstore will be open all summer and students simply need to bring their Baylor ID number along with a picture ID to the store to be eligible for the discounts. This allows students who are on campus for summer orientation to purchase a computer before the fall semester starts.

“Say the student comes in [to the store] in June for orientation. [He or she] buys an iMac and a printer. You know, big bulky. And they flew down here for orientation. They’re obviously not going to be able to take it back on their flight so we will ship it to their home address,” said assistant store manager Richard Schlieffer. “There will be a small charge, but we will ship it to them.”

Services like the shipping option exhibit how the bookstore has evolved to meet the needs of students by opening its doors to technological necessities as they become available – quite often with a price tag that makes both students and parents happy.

“We can basically take care of all their technology needs at the bookstore,” Busby said. “And save mom and dad some money.”