The University issued laptops with WiMAX technology Thursday
MARQUETTE -- It's no doubt that NMU's technology program gets lots of attention, it's what brought President Obama to the campus in February. And Thursday and Friday, over 3,000 new laptops will be handed out to students in an effort to keep everyone better connected.
"I don't have to be at Northern to do my school work because I have my laptop with me whenever I need it," says NMU junior Jessica Nelson.
Each computer is on the school's WiMAX network, so students can have Internet access anywhere they go, both on and off campus.
"I was thinking of spending $1,200 on a new Mac and now I don't have to, so it's great. I'm really excited that money can go to other things I really need," says Andy Frakes, an incoming freshman.
The new laptops are included in tuition for all registered, full-time students, and they can keep them throughout their time at Northern. In the past, NMU replaced lap tops every two years. But this school year, they'll move to a three-year replacement cycle so they can purchase higher tech models.
"We're trying to get what the students need to do their course work, and still you're always looking at the dollar amount, and to get those two to mesh, sometimes, it's really hard," says Scott Krah of NMU Technologies.
Students who didn't have a chance to pick up or return their laptops Thursday can do so Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Superior Dome.
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