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Macbook Pro on DSA

I know there's been a couple of threads like this before, but am unsure on the whole Macbook via DSA scenario.

Basically, I'm doing Advertising, and the course is very graphics based. We all use Mac's in seminars, and my lecturer mentioned that I should be entitled to a Macbook through DSA.

I'm not trying to 'blag' a Macbook or anything... if they were to send me a Windows based laptop I'd be happy with that. If I wasn't entitled to anything, it wouldn't bother me, but the fact we specifically use Mac's within the course, and the fact my lecturer said I should be entitled to one via DSA... am wondering whether the option to get a Macbook is there?
(edited 12 years ago)

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Reply 1
Your lecturer doesn't know what they are talking about but you can make up the value of a Macbook and get one instead if you are allocated a Windows machine.
As a general rule they keep you on whatever operating system you use on your course. Do you have proof that it's the OS you use at uni?

If you get a windows laptop recommended then they'll let you top up as long as it matches (or exceeds) your original specification.
Reply 3
Yeah, it's all we use within the Media Department; OS X.

btw, since I'e changed degree and am not in the Media Department (transferred from Computing), and my equipment needs have changed slightly, do I need to reapply for DSA? I would have thought telling them I've changed degree would be enough, but my Inclusion Officer at university says I have to reapply?
Reply 4
Original post by C4OShea
You get a free laptop because you are disabled?


DSA is to cover additional costs a student might face as a result of their disability. This can include a computer whenever appropriate. Usually desktops are now recommend but, when there is an adequate reason for needing one, a laptop is recommended.

Yes, most students do chose to buy a laptop or desktop, but it is very rarely essential that they own their own. For a student who requires constant access to a computer, or requires specialist software as a result of their disability, it is an essential requirement.

The old saying is that, if you want "free stuff", then be prepared to take the medical conditions or disabilities too.
Original post by henrysickle
Yeah, it's all we use within the Media Department; OS X.

btw, since I'e changed degree and am not in the Media Department (transferred from Computing), and my equipment needs have changed slightly, do I need to reapply for DSA? I would have thought telling them I've changed degree would be enough, but my Inclusion Officer at university says I have to reapply?


You should be able to have it a top-up/change of needs assessment at your university. Usually quite a quick mini interview to see if anything is different :smile:
Original post by C4OShea
I have flat feet, asthma, big head, spots, one leg shorter than the other, nearly died from fluid on the brain when i was 10, have a heart murmur, a scar on my nose from when i was bit by a dog as a child.

Where do i sign up? Damn it, I graduated in 2008. What a disgraceful miss-allocation of tax payers money.


Laptops are only given to those who can't afford them themselves and who cannot physically write notes or essays for whatever reason - I am entitled to one (but haven't taken up on the offer) for dyspraxia, my friend gets one for Raynauds and Scleroderma.

At the end of the day they'd be spending money whatever - either the student gets given a uni funded laptop which he or she will basically pay back in the future through taxation (at a higher level than they'd probably pay if they hadn't attended uni), or they rely on a uni computer - which costs tax payer money to run, maintain, update etc. So it's not really costing any more money either way.

Very rarely as well, do students get given "good" laptops. They're given on laon usually, and are only to be used for educational purposes - I refused one partly as I was told there'd be a block on recreational use of the net, itunes, PC games etc.
Reply 7
Original post by C4OShea
I have flat feet, asthma, big head, spots, one leg shorter than the other, nearly died from fluid on the brain when i was 10, have a heart murmur, a scar on my nose from when i was bit by a dog as a child.

Where do i sign up? Damn it, I graduated in 2008. What a disgraceful miss-allocation of tax payers money.


Well, I think schizophrenia, deafness, blindness, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, dyslexia and severe mobility problems are a bit more serious than a cosmetic scar, an event that happeneed a number of years ago (which, presumably, has had no effect on you) and a big head.

Let me make it clear that the student isn't marched to the nearest computer store and asked to chose whichever laptop they like. They will receive a laptop whose specification is sufficient for their needs, often relatively basic computers. It is very rare that a student will be able to justify having a Macbook, let alone a Macbook Pro.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. However, I find it rather upsetting and disappointing that you find DSA a "disgraceful misallocation of tax payers money" when there are many thousands of students up and down the country who rely on support funded through DSA and, without it, would be unable to complete their degree or, at the very least, be at a major disadvantage through no fault of their own. Let us not forget, as has been touched upon already, that these students are, by and large, doing something useful and constructive with their lives and will bring benefits to society and the economy in the near future.

Without this support disabled students will often be left to significant, for those with moderate or severe needs or those on a low income the cost can be prohibitive. Not providing students this support would also be contrary to all current legal legislation.

So I fail to see how providing a disabled student the equipment and support necessary for them to complete their degree is a disgusting misallocation of taxpayers money.


Can I respectfully ask that you take such opinions elsewhere from now on as posts like that drag threads off topic.

Any further posts not on topic will be removed.


Thank you.

Original post by daisydaffodil
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Very rarely as well, do students get given "good" laptops. They're given on laon usually, and are only to be used for educational purposes - I refused one partly as I was told there'd be a block on recreational use of the net, itunes, PC games etc.


Without meaning to enrage those who disagree with DSA, but it isn't means tested (you get whatever support you need irrespective of your income - this includes computers and equipment) and it's not on loan, it is for the student to keep (providing they complete the course, otherwise the funding body is entitled to ask for it back).

Some universities do lend laptops to students, including those with disabilities, but when computers are obtained through DSA they are for the students to keep (and recreational use is not restricted).

You are correct that the laptops/desktops don't tend to be high value.
Reply 8
Original post by C4OShea
I have flat feet, asthma, big head, spots, one leg shorter than the other, nearly died from fluid on the brain when i was 10, have a heart murmur, a scar on my nose from when i was bit by a dog as a child.

Where do i sign up? Damn it, I graduated in 2008. What a disgraceful miss-allocation of tax payers money.


Calm down dear and read your Daily Mail.
Reply 9
You can have my manic depression- has nearly ruined my life and killed me and is the reason I'm a 26 year old student and not an 18 year old one! That said, *******s to Macbooks. Shiny and pretty but you can't play with them enough. I need a laptop that can run Monkey Island. OH GRANT IT TO ME, DSA, as that's what they do, grant wishes, and not give you things you actually need, based on an experienced assessor's recommendations. Hang on...
Original post by C4OShea
I have flat feet, asthma, big head, spots, one leg shorter than the other, nearly died from fluid on the brain when i was 10, have a heart murmur, a scar on my nose from when i was bit by a dog as a child.

Where do i sign up? Damn it, I graduated in 2008. What a disgraceful miss-allocation of tax payers money.


How dare you accuse DSA of being a misallocation of money. Those with medical conditions and disabilities face serious issues with university and that money allows them to function as 'normal' students. I personally receive DSA and I wouldn't be able to study without it.
Original post by henrysickle
I know there's been a couple of threads like this before, but am unsure on the whole Macbook via DSA scenario.

Basically, I'm doing Advertising, and the course is very graphics based. We all use Mac's in seminars, and my lecturer mentioned that I should be entitled to a Macbook through DSA.

I'm not trying to 'blag' a Macbook or anything... if they were to send me a Windows based laptop I'd be happy with that. If I wasn't entitled to anything, it wouldn't bother me, but the fact we specifically use Mac's within the course, and the fact my lecturer said I should be entitled to one via DSA... am wondering whether the option to get a Macbook is there?


If your course requires you to use a Mac and you're deemed as needing a laptop, likeliness is that you will get a Mac. I was given a Mac because the course I was doing at the time required you to use Final Cut Pro, which apparently only works on Macs :smile:
Original post by C4OShea
Did you return the Mac at the end of your course?


I haven't finished my course and I'm not obliged to return it anyway :nah:
Original post by C4OShea

Original post by C4OShea
But how is your condition MY problem? Why should my taxes, our taxes, fund you? Why are you so special? Because you have a disability you have automatic entitlement to study aids i.e. Macbook Pro's etc. Disgusting. I stand by my belief passionately, as I am sure you do yours.


Okay, let's say you have a disability and are struggling to cope. You'd feel happy that the Goverment/university gives you nothing in the form of help? I'm sure you'd be complaining then, wouldn't you?

I'm not disabled or anything, but I can at least empathise with those that do need the DSA, as university's f***ing expensive, especially if you're from a low income family like I am.

I know you take the view of "It's not me, it's none of my business", but think about what would happen if you suddenly were in that person's shoes...
Original post by C4OShea

Original post by C4OShea
I'm from a low income family, but i went in 2005 when uni fees were much cheaper than now (although technically now free at the point of consumption unlike my day).

I had to work work work through university, nothing was handed to me on a plate. It makes my skin crawl that people get hand outs (FYI i did not take a student loan)

Each to there own. Disgusting, a Macbook Pro? Jog on, i could only dream of having that when i was at uni.




You kind of said it there... it was cheaper for you. £1175 if I'm right? A part time job covers that, easily, if you're earning up to the £5k-ish pre-tax threshold. I guess that can cover rent if you can find a cheap enough place - I don't know how much it cost back then. Free if you're living at home.

Rent is costing me just over £3500 per year. Tuition fees cost me £3375. Maximum pre-tax threshold is £7475 per year... leaving me with nearly £1000 per year to live on... that's under £3 a day if I earn the full £7475. I'd work to support myself a bit more, but that's if there's a job for me. There are jobs, don't get me wrong, but VERY few, compared to the number of students. Also, the maintenance lean and grant covers the rent enough to live on in the second and third term, but I'm up **** creek this term as nearly all of the money I got from the government is going on rent (halls), and my overdraft and small amount of savings to last me to January.

Meh, I'm not going to say any more.

Edit: nothing was handed to you on a plate because you chose not to take it.
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 15
Original post by Omar.Ebrahim
You kind of said it there... it was cheaper for you. £1175 if I'm right? A part time job covers that, easily, if you're earning up to the £5k-ish pre-tax threshold. I guess that can cover rent if you can find a cheap enough place - I don't know how much it cost back then. Free if you're living at home.

Rent is costing me just over £3500 per year. Tuition fees cost me £3375. Maximum pre-tax threshold is £7475 per year... leaving me with nearly £1000 per year to live on... that's under £3 a day if I earn the full £7475. I'd work to support myself a bit more, but that's if there's a job for me. There are jobs, don't get me wrong, but VERY few, compared to the number of students.

Meh, I'm not going to say any more.


Isn't tuition free at the point of consumption now? you would pay after you graduate. Don't forget I would be against this DSA concept when i was at uni too, perhaps you should be too, it there was no DSA, perhaps tuition fees wouldn't be so high now?
Original post by C4OShea

Original post by C4OShea
Isn't tuition free at the point of consumption now? you would pay after you graduate. Don't forget I would be against this DSA concept when i was at uni too, perhaps you should be too, it there was no DSA, perhaps tuition fees wouldn't be so high now?


You're right, it is free. Argh my mistake, but my point still stands that just having a part time job alone nowadays isn't enough. I don't see my tuition fee money, as yeah, that's paid to the uni, I pay it back after.

The tuition fees wouldn't be so high if that £9.42bn wasn't spent on Iraq.
Original post by C4OShea
That's another issue, i would would drastically cut the defence budget anyway having a minimal armed forces. What are you talking about, the point of the new system was to make university more accessible - which it is whilst you are studying- you just pay bucket more back after you graduate.

Being disabled is not my fault, it is the disabled students'. I am so sick of this dependent / culture of entitlement stand on your own (metaphorical) two feet.

Just look at the smug attitude of someone who posted saying they don't have to return the MacBook Pro then adding a smiley face. Disgusting


I'm sorry I offend you so much :smile:
Original post by River85
Well, I think schizophrenia, deafness, blindness, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, dyslexia and severe mobility problems are a bit more serious than a cosmetic scar, an event that happeneed a number of years ago (which, presumably, has had no effect on you) and a big head.

Let me make it clear that the student isn't marched to the nearest computer store and asked to chose whichever laptop they like. They will receive a laptop whose specification is sufficient for their needs, often relatively basic computers. It is very rare that a student will be able to justify having a Macbook, let alone a Macbook Pro.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. However, I find it rather upsetting and disappointing that you find DSA a "disgraceful misallocation of tax payers money" when there are many thousands of students up and down the country who rely on support funded through DSA and, without it, would be unable to complete their degree or, at the very least, be at a major disadvantage through no fault of their own. Let us not forget, as has been touched upon already, that these students are, by and large, doing something useful and constructive with their lives and will bring benefits to society and the economy in the near future.

Without this support disabled students will often be left to significant, for those with moderate or severe needs or those on a low income the cost can be prohibitive. Not providing students this support would also be contrary to all current legal legislation.

So I fail to see how providing a disabled student the equipment and support necessary for them to complete their degree is a disgusting misallocation of taxpayers money.


Can I respectfully ask that you take such opinions elsewhere from now on as posts like that drag threads off topic.

Any further posts not on topic will be removed.


Thank you.



Without meaning to enrage those who disagree with DSA, but it isn't means tested (you get whatever support you need irrespective of your income - this includes computers and equipment) and it's not on loan, it is for the student to keep (providing they complete the course, otherwise the funding body is entitled to ask for it back).

Some universities do lend laptops to students, including those with disabilities, but when computers are obtained through DSA they are for the students to keep (and recreational use is not restricted).

You are correct that the laptops/desktops don't tend to be high value.


I had to unlock the games on mine because they are disabled by default on vista business. Minesweeeper ftw
Original post by C4OShea

Original post by C4OShea
Being disabled is not my fault, it is the disabled students'. I am so sick of this dependent / culture of entitlement stand on your own (metaphorical) two feet.


I'm able bodied, but even I'm disgusted by that...

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