2025 Bulk Computer Purchase
For the 2025 Bulk Buy we’ve priced three computer models, two All-in-One desktops and a Latitude laptop.
We recommend doing an inventory of your current computers to see what age they are and if over 5 years old, or turning 5 this year, they’d be eligible for replacement as they will be out of warranty. An easy way to check the age of your computer is to look for the Dell Service Tag which which is a 7 character alphanumeric code. On many All-in-One computers it will be on the back, left side on a white sticker with black writing or black sticker with white writing. If you don’t find the Service Tag on the back, it’s likely on the bottom of the front bezel, so if you don’t see it on the back, look under the front edge. I recommend using a mirror or the camera on your cell phone to assist rather than turning the computers on their side. Service Tags are located on the bottom of Laptops and on the top, front edge of tower computers. Visit https://www.dell.com/support and enter the seven character Service Tag to see when the warranty expires.
We have one model of desktop computer on this year’s order form, a Dell OptiPlex 7420 All-in-One (AiO), but there are two configuration options. The basic configuration has a non-touch monitor and a fixed stand for $962 while the alternate configuration has a touchscreen and adjustable stand for $1172. Both computers are comparable to previous years and include built-in wireless networking, webcam and mic, and a 23.8-inch screen. This year’s All-in-One computers have a larger hard drive, 512GB vs 256GB. Both AiO configurations saw a price increase from 2024 with the non-touch going up $103.90 while the touchscreen went up $144 from last year.
We have one laptop model this year, a traditional, non-touch Latitude 3550 priced at $689.76 with a 5 year warranty. That is a $122.87 price drop from 2024 and restores the 5 year warranty where last year’s model shipped with a 3 year warranty. The Latitude 3550 keeps the 15.6″ screen which we offered last year, the backlit keyboard, 3 USB 3.0 ports and 1 USB C port along with ethernet, HDMI out, and headphone jacks and includes a webcam with mic.
Neither of the All-in-One models or the laptop include a CD/DVD drive. If you need a drive, we recommend buying a 3rd party external drive. If your library has a need for a DVD drive to go with one or more computers, we will work with you to find a suitable option and purchase it on your behalf or provide links if you prefer to purchase it yourself from Amazon or another retailer you do business with.
We recommend Chromebox devices as PowerPAC and LibData reservation stations. We’re offing two Acer models this year. The Chromebox is model CXI5-CM4G and has a Chrome OS update lifespan of June 2032. The Chromebook is also an Acer, model CB315-5H with an OS lifespan to June 2033. The Chromebox is $307.47 which is an increase of $17.70 from 2024. The Chromebook is $385.20, an increase of $39.24 from last year. There is an additional charge for the Chrome OS licensing. Unlike Dell computers, we will order Chrome devices at any time so while they’re on the order form they are ordered separately from the Dell equipment. We’re offing the Chromebox devices because they’re much more cost effective in PowerPAC and LibData reservation situations where they have less usage. They’re easy to configure to only access the catalog or LibData Control Center and they do not require a license for Public Web Browser, which is used on Windows computers for the same job. As a reminder, we no longer roll down existing computer equipment to become PowerPAC or LibData reservation computers and recommend the Chrome devices.
All of the computers will come with Microsoft Windows 11 operating system. If you’re replacing computers, licenses for software such as Microsoft Office and Deep Freeze (for public Internet stations) can be transferred to the new equipment if compatible. If you’re adding to your count of computers, new licenses may need to be purchased. Software licensing costs will be billed separately from the computer equipment but they are listed on the order form. New licenses for Faronics Deep Freeze security software have an approximate price of $54 per computer. Pricing for Faronics Deep Freeze will be published once the total number of public computers being ordered is finalized.
If you are replacing circulation or tech services computers that currently have an Ithaca iTherm 610 or 280 receipt printer, you’ll need to replace the printer. If you need a replacement receipt printer, please email the CNS department or make a note on the order form. We’ll also be canvasing for receipt printer information when we ask for details about the roles your new computers will have. The current receipt printer we’re purchasing is a Star Micronics TSP 143IIIU with a retail price of approximately $200.00.
The full configurations for all of the computer systems can be found below and on the order form. If you have any questions on what is included with each computer, please let the CNS Department know before submitting your order.
Please fill out your order form and sign it. You can return it via the delivery, by mail, or digitally by scanning it and sending it through email. If you send a hard copy, please mark it to the attention of the Eric in the CNS Department.
Notes about the Order Form
Microsoft Office:
Support for Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 will end in October 2025. The software will still work correctly, but no additional updates will be provided. Office 2021 support will end in October 2026. Currently, TechSoup.org is offering Microsoft Office 2024 for $40 per computer. Office 2024 includes Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and support runs until October 2029. Microsoft has removed Publisher and has set and end of life date for October 2026. Office 2024 purchased through TechSoup.org is only available for Computer Labs, which would be your public computers.
We currently recommend FreeOffice as an alternative to Microsoft Office.
When we begin staging your new computers we’ll reach out so that you can provide us with license keys and install information.
Faronics Deep Freeze:
If you are purchasing staff computers, please leave this line on the order form blank. If the Windows computers will be used for public Internet access they need to have the Faronics security software package installed. If you are replacing public Internet computers that have Windows 8.1 or later, the computer should have Deep Freeze installed. As with Office, the Deep Freeze license can be moved to the new computer. PowerPAC computers with Windows 8.1 or newer, or are being replaced by a Chrome device, no longer need Deep Freeze security. There is a $54 (estimated) charge for EACH public Internet computer needing a new license of Faronics Deep Freeze. The bill for Faronics will be separate from the bill for the computers.
Symantec:
Symantec Endpoint is no longer being installed on new Windows computers. If you have existing Windows computers with Symantec installed you should uninstall it.
Printers:
We did not include printers on the order form but do have recommendations for both Black and White only and Color printers.
Ithaca iTherm 610 and 280 receipt printers are no longer compatible with the new computers. If you’re replacing circulation or tech services computers that currently have an Ithaca printer, that will need to be replaced. The current receipt printer model we’re recommending is a Star Micronics TSP 143IIIU for approximately $200.00.
If you would like to purchase a new network printer, or need to replace an older receipt printer, please contact the CNS Department.
Deadlines:
The pricing on the order form is current as of 4/3/2025. We anticipate that the pricing may change this month due to tariffs going into effect. Please use these numbers for now and we can adjust your order later if price increases create the need to downsize your order.
We will take orders until Friday, April 25, 2025 3:00PM. We’ll release the order to Dell on that Friday. If you do not submit an order by then, we will assume that your library is not interested in participating in the 2025 Bulk Buy. It also means that, unless there is an emergency where a circulation computer needs to be replaced, all other orders for computers will be on hold until further notice.
Payments will be submitted as payable to FLLS. We’ll contact each library individually with the final amount due and payment instructions. In previous years we required payment to be submitted prior to the Dell order being placed, that is no longer required.
We will provide each library with a total cost for the computer(s) as soon as the order form is received. Please, DO NOT send a check prior to receiving a final order total and payment instructions. We no longer require that payment is submitted prior to the order being released to Dell. However, we would like to receive payment by the time the invoice arrives from Dell, which usually coincides with delivery of the equipment.
Orders for Chrome devices will be placed separately as they aren’t Dell equipment. You’ll receive a separate email with the total for your Chrome equipment and licensing.
Final Thoughts:
If you have any questions on the computers or the software, please email or call.
One of the main goals behind doing a bulk purchase is to streamline the ordering, staging, and delivery process. We pick computer configurations that we feel meet the needs for both staff and public use while balancing price with technology that should last at least five years in operation. If you have specific requirements for a computer, and don’t feel that these options fit, we would need to handle that on an individual basis. If you need something specific, it would also mean we would order your computer separately from the Bulk Buy computers and, in fairness to the participating libraries, wait until after that purchase is complete.
Again, please contact the CNS Department if you have any questions. It’s easier to answer them now than after you submit your form. Also, please, DO NOT submit payment until you are contacted with a final price and billing information.
Computer Configurations:
OptiPlex 7420 All-in-One
Note: Both 7420 computers contain the same hardware with the exception of the touchscreen. Pricing on the order form reflects the price difference.
| OptiPlex 7420 All-In-One Desktop | Intel Core i5-14500 (4.6 GHz) |
| Operating System: | Windows® 11 Professional (64-bit) |
| Memory: | 16GB 2×8 DDR5 |
| Video Cards: | Intel Integrated Graphics |
| Keyboard: | Dell KB216 Wired Multi-Media |
| Mouse: | Dell MS116 |
| Hard Drive: | 512GB Solid State |
| Removable Media Options: | None |
| Audio Solutions: | Integrated |
| Speakers: | Integrated internal |
| Monitor: | 23.8″ non-touch or touch widescreen w/ Camera |
| Network Solution: | Realtek 802.11ax Wireless w/ Bluetooth |
| Hardware Support Services: | 5 Year Warranty |
Latitude 3540 Laptop
| Latitude 3550 | Intel Core i5-1335U 4.6GHz |
| Operating System: | Windows® 11 Professional 64-bit |
| Memory: | 8GB, DDR4 |
| Video Cards: | Integrated |
| Keyboard: | Built-in, Backlit |
| Mouse: | None |
| Hard Drive: | 256GB Solid State Drive |
| Removable Media Options: | None |
| Audio Solutions: | Integrated |
| Speakers: | Internal |
| Monitor: | 15.6″ 1920×1080 non-touch, FHD Camera |
| Network Solution: | Intel Wi-FI AX211 802.11ax w/ Bluetooth |
| Hardware Support Services: | 5 Year Basic Hardware Warranty |
| Battery | 3 Cell 54 WHR |
| Webcam | Webcam & Noise Cancelling Digital Array Mic |
| Ports | 3x USB-3, 1x USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI, Headphone |
| Bluetooth | Yes |