Online@VCU connects students to computer products, services

Books for fall semester at VCU: $332. Room and board for two semesters: $412. One semester riding GRTC: $50. Having a store on campus to buy discounted computer equipment: priceless.

Online@VCU offers a variety of products and services at an affordable cost to members of the VCU community and is located in the University Student Commons on the Academic Campus.

“We have hardware and software. We provide our own Internet service and also make repairs to computers,” online@VCU manager Allan Brooks said.

But the question still remains: How cheap is online@VCU in comparison to major electronic chains such as Best Buy and Circuit City?

“What makes online@VCU so special is that we have discounts that can save you up to $300 to $400,” said online@VCU salesperson Jawed Sabbah.

Members of the VCU community, including its students, faculty, staff and departments can receive discounted prices on computer hardware, software and Internet service as well as computer repairs and upgrades at online@VCU. The store also sells both Dell and Apple computers.

Even though the store’s technology service center is factory-authorized to perform work on Dell and Apple computers, it also works on other makes and models. Students receive an educational discount rate of $35 per hour for computer upgrades and repairs.

“It’s cheaper to come here than (to go to another computer store),” Brooks said.

The store also sells items such as laptop carriers, Web page design programs, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Pagemaker.

Students have found online@VCU a useful and informative tool. Even if it does not have what students need, its employees may be of some assistance.

“I went in there and they didn’t have the cord I needed for my laptop,” said sophomore Walt Goree. “But they told me where I could find it and how much I should pay for it.”

Goree is not the only one who praises the store’s credibility. Other students agree the store provides assistance for computer problems that may come up.

“They were really helpful,” said Kenya Johnston, a senior at VCU. “When I went in they didn’t have the cord that I needed, but they told me when to come back and they would have it.”

Online@VCU also provides its own Internet service.

“You save a lot of money when you shop here,” Sabbah said. “Where else can you find Internet access for only $9.75 (per month)?”

The store offers a variety of Internet service plans and packages that include additional options and technical support seven days a week.

“You could say that the store was very cost-efficient to my student budget,” Johnston said.