eStout Laptop Program

Fall and Spring Semesters

Eligible eStout students entering Stout during either the Fall semester or Spring semester will receive information via e-mail about laptop pickup dates and times. This email will be sent to their UW-Stout email account. Students will receive a laptop and accessories. Undergraduate degree-seeking students new to eStout Program will also receive a backpack.

WinTerm and Summer

Eligible eStout students entering Stout during WinTerm or Summer Term will receive information via e-mail about laptop pickup dates and times. This email will be sent to their UW-Stout email account. Students will receive a laptop and accessories. Undergraduate degree-seeking students new to eStout Program will also receive a backpack.

The Student Laptop Computer Agreement and Receipt of Acknowledgement

Eligible students will be required to sign the Student Laptop Computer Agreement prior to or at time of laptop pick up. Students are emailed a copy of their signed "eStout Student Laptop Computer Agreement" and "Receipt Acknowledgement".  Copies are emailed to the student's UW-Stout email account.

The "eStout Student Laptop Computer Agreement" defines the responsibilities of the student participating in the eStout program and the obligations of the university. The "Receipt Acknowledgement" identifies the laptop and accessories that have been assigned.

Student ID Required

A UW-Stout Student ID (either your StoutOne Card or temporary ID) is required for all laptop deployments. A laptop will not be issued without a university-issued ID card.

What is laptop exchange?

eStout laptops are on a two-year replacement cycle. Laptop exchange is the process during which two-year-old eStout laptops are exchanged for newer laptops. In the fall of each year, laptops that are two years old must be returned in working order. When a student has a two-year-old laptop replaced with a newer laptop computer, it is called laptop "exchange".

For example, students having laptop computers with a “Laptop Return Year: 2024” sticker will turn in their current laptop and accessories in the fall of 2024 and receive a newer laptop computer.

Some students may receive a one-year-old laptop computer; one-year-old laptops are in excellent condition and have the same operating system, software, and support. Students who do not need to exchange are those graduating in Summer or Fall semesters of the current calendar year.

Please remember:

• A UW-Stout ID is required to participate in the Laptop Exchange event.
• All required accessories must be returned with the laptop at the time of exchange to avoid billing; late returns of accessories will not be accepted.
• It is the student's responsibility to exchange their laptop computer in person.
• Data back-up is the student's responsibility and must be done prior to exchanging.
• eStout laptops are not available for purchase.

When do I exchange my laptop?

• To determine when a laptop needs to be exchanged, the white UW-Stout tag on the bottom of the laptop states the Exchange Year. Please do not remove this tag.
• The university will notify eStout students via e-mail when and where to exchange their assigned laptop and what accessories must be returned.
• Students who are due to participate in the Laptop Exchange in the fall will be emailed information, including Laptop Exchange dates, during the summer. Students who will not be on campus during the Fall Laptop Exchange Event should exchange at the Technology Help Desk prior to their departure. 

Student Teaching, Co-Op Students, and Study Abroad Students

Students departing for student teaching, a co-op, or study abroad in the summer or fall must make sure that their assigned laptop is not scheduled to be exchanged during the time they will be away from campus.

When should I return my laptop?

The laptop computer and accessories must be returned when a student does not maintain continuous enrollment of qualifying undergraduate credits at UW-Stout, withdraws, is dismissed from the University, or upon any other notification to turn in the laptop. In the summer, a student may retain their laptop if they are enrolled for qualifying UW-Stout undergraduate credits for the fall term.

Where do I return it?

The laptop computer and accessories must be returned to the Technology Help Desk (109 Sorensen Hall) or another location designated by the University. If the student is not on campus, it is still their responsibility to return the laptop computer and accessories to the Technology Help Desk.

Technology Help Desk (UW-Stout)
121 10th Ave.
109 Sorensen Hall
Menomonie, WI 54751

Please note: Any damages incurred during shipping are the responsibility of the sender. The eStout program requires that you insure the laptop for $1,000 when shipping it to UW-Stout.  Please include your name and student ID number in the shipping box when returning the laptop.

Loaner Laptops

While your assigned laptop is being repaired, you may receive a loaner laptop to use. Loaners are subject to inspection and any damage incurred to the laptop during the period of the loan may be the responsibility of the student. If accessories are missing when the loaner laptop is returned to the university, the student will be charged for full replacement cost of each missing accessory.

Damage Costs

If a laptop computer is found to be damaged during inspection and needs to be repaired by a University authorized repair technician, the University may charge the student a $50 fee per incident of damage. These amounts will be added to the student's University account.

Technology Help Desk

The Technology Help Desk provides support for eStout laptops and software. Help is available via email, phone, walk-up service desk in 109 Sorensen Hall, self-service ticket and the Technology Help Desk website. This service is only available to UW-Stout faculty, staff and students.

Assessment and Repair

For assessment and/or repair of your laptop, please take it to the walk-up Technology Help Desk located at 109 Sorensen Hall.

Back up your data regularly. Be sure to back up your files up before taking your laptop in for repair.

Backpacks

Stout-provided Case Logic backpacks have a 25 year limited warranty that can be exercised through Case Logic.

Report Theft

Need to report a theft (or suspected theft)? See our Report Theft Instructions.

• A student ID is required. No other form of identification will be accepted. If you do not have a student ID card, please contact the Campus Card office.
• You yourself must be present to sign for and receive an eStout laptop. Laptops cannot be shipped.
• If your registration changes prior to laptop deployment, your eligibility may be affected. If your schedule changes before traveling to UW-Stout, please email Krista Raleigh to verify your continued eligibility.

The University does not purchase software licenses for every program on each laptop. Instead UW-Stout purchases what is called concurrent licensing, which means the University purchases a certain number of licenses and a license is only in use while a student is actively using the software. For example, if the University purchased 250 licenses of Minitab, a maximum of 250 student users could use the software at the same time. All applications are provided to all students to aid with the management of the program and to give every undergraduate access to all technology tools.

The laptop platform (Apple or HP) is determined by the faculty leadership of each major with input from their industry council to best prepare students for the workplace. The eStout program administers that academic decision and therefor does not allow students to choose their own platform. There are no exceptions.

Although on average Apples do cost more than most Windows-based laptops, unlike in a retail environment, the disparity in cost to UW-Stout is typically not significant. One year the cost of the Apple laptops was actually slightly less than the new business-class HPs. The operational overhead to administer nominally different rates would increase the cost of the program to students.

Students were the driving force in the creation of the eStout program and they continue to participate in surveys and focus groups. The data gathered guides changes to the program. The Laptop Transfer Program was actually a result of student input. Much of the technical support for the eStout program is performed by students employed by the Technology Help Desk.

“Mixed-major” students can choose between Apple or HP. Apple platform is encouraged because they can be loaded with both OSX and Windows.

No. Laptops are not available for sale.

No. Laptops are not available for purchase and must be returned by the last day of the last enrolled semester.

An eStout student officially graduating may have an opportunity to graduate with a two-year-old laptop at no additional cost upon graduation; this is called the Laptop Transfer Program. Students participating in the eStout program with a minimum of 32 qualifying credits and who are officially graduating from UW-Stout may be eligible to participate in the program. The University transfers ownership of the laptop to the graduate. 

The Technology Help Desk does not support laptops after transfer/graduation. Upon graduating, the University transfers ownership of the laptop to the graduate. Some laptops have warranty remaining and support services may be available from the manufacturer.

No, you are not required to pick up a UW-Stout student laptop. If you are registered for eStout credits, the per-credit fee will be assessed. Opting not to pick up the laptop will not result in removal of the per-credit fee. This policy is similar to the textbook policy.

Some students may receive a one-year-old laptop. This is not a new practice; Stout strives to use existing inventory in order to be fiscally and environmentally responsible. Year-old laptops are in excellent condition and priority is given to students graduating in the next 9-16 months to minimize the inconvenience of swapping for the transfer program and ensuring they have ample access to support resources prior to participating in the Laptop Transfer Program.