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Laptop Kiosk Service FAQs

  • WHEN WAS THE SELF-SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM STARTED?

    Starting September 16, 2022, current UCSC students with CruzIDs may borrow Dell Windows laptops or power banks from the Self-Service laptop kiosks at both the Science & Engineering Library and the McHenry Library. 

    • Devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be borrowed for 24 hours at a time. 
    • One device and/or one power bank per person may be checked out.

    WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS? 

    • Availability: Each kiosk more than doubles the number of devices available for checkout at both libraries, providing greater accessibility and availability.
    • Flexibility: The same SaaS applications and software available through your CruzID will be available through these portable devices! Students can work from anywhere.
    • Security: When a device is returned, the student's personal information and activity are automatically erased.
    • Convenience: The checkout/return process is easy, and students can keep the device for 24 hours.
    • It’s FREE for the first 24 hours: The laptops are free to use for the first 24 hours, after which students will be charged a usage fee at the rate of $5/day. Daily usage fees are capped at $70.
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    WHERE ARE THE SELF-SERVICE LAPTOP KIOSKS LOCATED?

    • Science & Engineering Library: Second (entry level) floor, across from the front entrance, next to the back wall.
    • McHenry Library: Second (entry level) floor, next to the main entrance

    WHO CAN ACCESS DEVICES THROUGH THE KIOSKS?

    • Current and active UCSC students with CruzIDs can use these kiosks to borrow a power bank or a laptop.

    WHAT ARE THE LAPTOP DEVICE SPECS?

    Each kiosk offers 24 laptops with the following specifications: 

    • Dell Latitude 7420 Windows laptops
      • Processor:11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1145G7, vPro® (8 MB cache, 4 cores, 8 threads, 2.60 GHz to 4.40 GHz Turbo)
      • Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (Windows 11 Pro license included)
      • Graphics Card: Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics for i5-1145G7 vPro Processor with 8GB Memory for Laptop
      • Display:Laptop 14.0" FHD(1920x1080) Anti-glare, Non-Touch, WVA, 250 nits, HD RGB Cam,Mic, WLAN Only, CF
      • Memory: 8 GB, DDR4, integrated
      • Hard Drive: 256 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD, Class 35
      • Keyboard: Single Point keyboard English US with backlit
      • Ports:
        1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
        2 Thunderbolt 4 ports with DisplayPort Alt Mode/USB4/Power Delivery
        1 Universal audio port
        1 HDMI 2.0 port

    WHAT ARE THE POWER BANK DEVICE SPECS?

    • Each kiosk has 12 Charging devices
      • Each kiosk offers twelve (12)power banks to supplement your personal computing devices power-supply if your device ran out of power. Thesepower banks can be loaned out for a period of 24 hours at a time. 
      • There is one 110V standard power outlet and two USB-A outlets on everypower bank so users can charge their cell phones, tablets and the majority of 13, 14 and 15 inch laptops at the same time. 

    WHAT IS THE LOAN PERIOD?

    • The free loan period for all devices (laptops and power banks) is 24 hours and $5/day after that.
    • At the end of 24 hours, students can check in the device laptop and choose to check-out another laptop if it is available and no one is waiting in line for it. This must be done in person. Failure to return the equipment device on time will result in a daily usage fee of $5/day.

    HOW IS THE LOAN ENFORCED?

    • The device check-out period is 24 hours in duration for free and$5/day after that.
    • Failing to return a laptop or power bank within the initial 24 hours duration will result in ITS billing my UCSC student account for usage fees at the rate of $5/day with a cap of $70.00 for 14 days.
    • Failing to return a laptop past 15 days, or laptops reported lost/stolen will incur an equipment replacement fee of $1070 per laptop.
    • Damaged laptop will incur a fee of $30.
    • ITS reserves the right to deny checkout privileges based on past abuses.

    HOW DO I PAY USAGE FEES?

    • Usage fees or fees for damaged, lost or stolen laptops will appear on your student payment account, and will need to be paid by the due date shown for that particular fee or transaction.

    HOW CAN I AVOID USAGE FEES?

    • To avoid usage fees, make sure to check in the laptop or power bank within the first 24 hours. If you need the device for longer, simply check out a new one each day and ensure it is returned within each 24-hour period.

    WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO CHECK OUT A DEVICE?

    Before you begin, you will need:

    • A valid Badge or your CruzID and Gold password.
    • Visit a kiosk in the McHenry or Science & Engineering library.
    • Using the touchscreen, please select your desired device type from the available options.
    • Press the Checkout button.
    • The laptop checkout terms will be displayed on the kiosk screen. Please read, review, and agree to the terms. You will receive a link to the agreement via email along with your checkout receipt should you wish to review it later. You may also read the full terms and conditions.
    • When prompted, swipe your Badge or enter your CruzID directly by following the instructions on the screen.
    • After your credentials are authenticated, collect your selected laptop as it is ejected from the kiosk.
    • Return the laptop or power bank to the same kiosk within 24 hours to avoid fees.

    HOW SHOULD I USE THE LAPTOP DEVICE?

    • All data, documents and session history will be erased from the device by design when you return the device to the kiosk, restart the device or plug the device into a power bank and shut the lid. As such, we strongly advise you to store all your data, documents and anything else you create in the cloud. Do not store any data or documents on the device’s hard-drive.
    • You should be able to access the same student software/applications that you usually use by connecting to the internet and logging into these apps. There are no classroom, or program specific desktop apps loaded on the laptop.
    • Please take note of the library hours and factor this into your reservation if you plan to take the laptop off site.

    HOW SHOULD I USE THE POWER BANK BRICK?

    • The power bank bricks dispensed by the kiosks are heavy duty “portable” power bank that can power cell phones, tablets, most 13, 14 and 15 inch laptops or any other device that uses standard 110V outlet and USB charging. 
    • You can check-out one power bank brick at a time, to power your BYOD (laptop or other computing devices) that has run out of power. Note that you cannot check-out both a laptop and a power bank brick at the same time. 
    • You can checkout the charger brick for up to 24 hours, and return it to the same kiosk and port before the 24 hours are complete. 
    • If you need a power bank brick for additional time, you can check out a new power bank brick as long as it is available. 

    CAN I TAKE THE LAPTOP OR POWER BANK BRICK OFF CAMPUS?

    • Yes, you can take the device off-campus. However, you must return it within the initial 24-hour period to avoid a usage fee of $5 per day. 

    HOW DO I RETURN THE LAPTOP DEVICE OR POWER BANK BRICK? 

    Before you begin, you will need the laptop or charger brick that you checked out previously. 

    • Return the device to the same kiosk and library that you checked the device out from.
    • Locate the correct slot for your laptop model (labeled on the right hand side of the kiosk) and gently insert it until it slides all the way in. You may use any open slot for that model.

    HOW SHOULD I REPORT A BROKEN DEVICE?

    • If you are returning a device within 10 minutes of check-out because it is broken, please indicate the problem using the touch screen. Otherwise, select ‘No Problem’. The kiosk will display a return receipt for your laptop. A copy of the receipt will be emailed to you as well. Select the Thank You button on the kiosk touchscreen to complete check in.
    • If you are returning a device past 10 minutes of check-out because it got broken while being checked-out, please indicate the problem using the touch screen. Otherwise, select ‘No Problem’. The kiosk will display a return receipt for your laptop. A copy of the receipt will be emailed to you as well. Select the Thank You button on the kiosk touchscreen to complete check in.
    • Please report the broken device, or any any hardware or software problems and damage to ITS through one of the following channels: 

    HOW SHOULD I REPORT A LOST OR STOLEN DEVICE? 

    If your device is lost or stolen, please call campus police immediately to report the issue (831) 459-2231. Also notify ITS regarding lost, or stolen devices through one of the following channels: 

    PRINTING YOUR WORK

    • Printing will be available through ITS managed printers through the WEPA cloud service. More information here: https://www.wepanow.com/campus-cloud-printing-technology.php
    • You can choose to use the “Print-to-PDF” function and email the work as a PDF or download your work to a flash-drive and print on any available printers.

    SECURITY

    • Please do not leave the equipment unattended. You are responsible for the equipment checked out to you. Neither ITS nor the Library are responsible for loss while equipment is checked out to you.
    • Personal software may not be loaded onto the laptop. No user files will be retained on the hard disk.

    HOW CAN I REQUEST ASSISTANCE?

    • If you have visual disabilities or other accessibility needs while using the kiosk, you can ask the ITS or library staff at the front desk for assistance.
    • For technical questions about the operation of the library laptops, please contact ITS through one of the following channels: 
    • Any hardware or software problems or damage to a device, please report to ITS through the following channels: