Order a Departmental Computer and Peripherals

Employees work with their department to get funding and approval for a device to perform University work. This page describes the steps to purchase a computer using U Market after being approved by your department.

Faculty and staff in units supported by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and Health Sciences Technology (HST) should order computers through the University of Minnesota Bookstores via U Market.

There are a few roles involved in this process:

  • Shopper: All employees can purchase products and be U Market shoppers
  • EFS Requisition Preparer or U Market-Only Requisition Preparer: The person that reviews and finalizes the order or places orders on behalf of another person
    • Note: If you don’t know who your Requisition Preparer is, contact your finance support team or leader

Information you need before shopping:

  • EFS ChartField String(s) to be charged for the order
  • Justification (who, what, where, when, why information)
  • Shipping location: A campus address or your desired Bookstores pick-up location
    • Note: Items can be shipped to University addresses outside of the Twin Cities campus, but items purchased cannot be shipped to personal addresses
  • Name of your Requisition Preparer. You will assign your cart to them so that they can complete your order.

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Select a Product and Manage Your Cart

When you need a new computer or accessories, follow the steps below to find the product(s) and add them to your cart.

Choosing a Computer

  1. Navigate and log in to U Market
  2. Select Shop Now from the navigation bar
    • U Market will open in a new tab
  3. Log in with your internet ID
  4. Find the category Electronic Components, A/V, Computer Equipment, Software & Supplies
  5. Choose Dell at U of MN Bookstore or Apple at U of MN Bookstore. A pop-up will appear.
  6. Select PunchOutPunchOut will open in a new tab or window.
    • Note: Pop-ups must be enabled
  7. Select the Apple icon or the Dell icon to start shopping items on the Bookstore PunchOut 
    • Items recommended for University use will be visible in the left list navigation titled Departmental Purchases
  8. Select an item to review its specifications

Modifying a computer’s specifications

Recommended device specifications are selected by default. If you require additional memory or storage, use the dropdown menus to select different options.

Note: Changes from the default configuration will change the item price and result in longer fulfillment times.

Adding Apple computers to your cart

  1. Select the Apple computer you wish to purchase
    • Note: University standards are reflected as default. Changes from the default configuration will change the item price and result in longer fulfillment times
  2. Select AppleCare for Enterprise to take advantage of the University’s Enterprise protection contract
  3. Select the Apple support organization for the device 
  4. Read and accept the Technology Purchasing Terms by checking the box
    • Terms will open in a new tab
  5. Select Add to cart

Adding Dell computers to the cart

  1. Select the Dell computer you wish to purchase
    • Note: University standards are reflected as default. Changes from the default configuration will change the item price and result in longer time to fulfillment
  2. Read and accept the Technology Purchasing Terms by checking the box
    • Terms will open in a new tab
  3. Select Add to cart

Adding accessories to the cart

You can add accessories to your order from the Technology menu as individual items or as Product Add-ons when choosing a computer.

  1. To choose an accessory, select the associated checkbox on product add ons 
  2. Select Add to cart

Removing an item from the cart

  1. Select the cart icon in the upper-right corner of the window
  2. Locate the item you would like to remove
  3. In the Quantity column, select the remove button under the item to remove it

Need a Product that’s Not Available in the Bookstore PunchOut?

Non-stock items are computers or accessories that are not in the PunchOut catalog.

Items not found on the Bookstore PunchOut catalog can be requested by emailing [email protected].

Check Out and Assign the Cart to a Requisition Preparer

When you are ready to move forward with your purchase, you will assign your cart to your department’s Requisition Preparer. If you don’t know who your unit’s Requisition Preparer is, reach out to your finance support team or leader.

  1. Select the Cart icon in the upper-right corner of the window
  2. Review your order for accuracy
  3. Select Checkout via U Market
  4. Choose Proceed to Checkout in the top-right corner
  5. Follow the Shopping in U Market Job aid starting at step 6 to select codes, add justification, address, and ChartField String information, and assign the cart to a Requisition Preparer
  6. Shopper actions are now complete. The cart will be processed by the Requisition Preparer and they will reach out if they have questions 

Placing an order for someone else

If you are placing an order on behalf of someone else, follow these steps to ensure the computer is configured for the right person and the order is shipped to them:

  1. Select the edit pencil icon to the right of General at the top of the cart
  2. Select the search icon in the Prepared for field
  3. Enter the recipient’s email address or internet ID
  4. Select Search
  5. Select the plus sign to the far right of the recipient’s name to add them
  6. Select the Save button on the bottom-right corner of the window to save the changes

Select a Product and Manage Your Cart as a Requisition Preparer

Accessing U Market through MyU as a Requisition Preparer

If you are a Requisition Preparer, you can access U Market through MyU.

  1. Log in to MyU
  2. Expand the Key Links menu and select PeopleSoft from the dropdown
  3. Select EFS/Finance
  4. Select eProcurement
  5. Select U Market to find products 
  6. Select Dell at UMN Bookstores or Apple at UMN Bookstores

Adding Apple computers to your cart

  1. Select the Apple computer you wish to purchase
    • Note: University standards are reflected as default. Changes from the default configuration will change the item price and result in longer fulfillment times
  2. Select AppleCare for Enterprise to take advantage of the University’s Enterprise protection contract
  3. Select the Apple support organization for the device 
  4. Read and accept the Technology Purchasing Terms by checking the box
    • Terms will open in a new tab
  5. Select Add to cart

Adding Dell computers to the cart

  1. Select the Dell computer you wish to purchase
    • Note: University standards are reflected as default. Changes from the default configuration will change the item price and result in longer time to fulfillment.
  2. Read and accept the Technology Purchasing Terms by checking the box
    • Terms will open in a new tab
  3. Select Add to cart

Adding accessories to the cart

You can add accessories to your order from the Technology menu as individual items or as Product Add-ons when choosing a computer.

  1. To choose an accessory, select the associated checkbox on product add ons

Removing an item from the cart

  1. Select the cart icon in the upper-right corner of the window
  2. Locate the item you would like to remove
  3. In the Quantity column, select the remove button under the item to remove it

Creating a requisition order

Once a cart has been assigned to you as an EFS Requisition Preparer, you will create a transaction in the financial system (EFS) and submit it for processing. 

Some orders don’t require additional approvals; others require financial approvals to be applied before the order can be sent to the Bookstore fully approved and ready for fulfillment.

Check Your Order Status

Flow chart of the order check process. Alternative text is listed after image.
Image Alternative Text: 

[Image ID: Flow diagram describing the 6 steps in purchasing a Departmental Computer. The steps are:

  1. Cart Submitted by Shopper
  2. Order Approved by Unit’s Approvers
  3. PO Created by Requisition Preparer
  4. Hardware Acquired by Bookstore
  5. Hardware Configured by OIT
  6. Order Shipped through U Market. /.End ID]

Phase 1: Order Submission (Steps 1-3)

Phase 2: Procurement and Configuration (Steps 4-5)

  • Contact the Bookstore at [email protected] or 612-625-6000 to find out if the order has shipped.

Phase 3: Shipping (Step 6)

  • Once an order is shipped, call U Market Customer Support at [email protected] or call 612-624-4878 to check the shipping status.

Receive Your Product

Delivery of your device

U Market Services will deliver to the address on the order. If your unit is an OIT- or HST-supported unit, your device will be configured prior to shipping.

Note: If someone is not available to receive the order, delivery will be attempted again on the next business day.

Find Resources or Request Additional Assistance

Visit the New University-Owned Computer Support Resources page for self-help resources to set up new devices.

Learn more about computer purchasing quality guidelines to understand the total cost of ownership for University devices.

If you have device-related questions, contact the Bookstore at [email protected].

If you need additional assistance, complete the Device Support Form.

If you believe you require exceptions to the standard central device management of your new computer complete the Device Management Exception Request form.

Recycling old equipment

Review the Schedule a Recycling Pick-up with OIT guide to recycle old equipment.