🚀 go-pugleaf

Armand-

All I can share is some "anecdotal" analysis.

We leased some laptop computers a few years ago. The lease arrangement
was desirable for us since our funding was through a 3-year grant. We
needed the computers right away, but the funding wasn't sufficient the
first year to pay for them. We used a 3-year lease with an option to buy
at the end for $1 each. Our additional cost for the lease was the 7%
interest, or about $400. Our comptroller said we got a REALLY good deal!
Other lease arrangements I've investigated were not nearly so good. Its
kind of like leasing a car--there are bad leases and not-so-bad leases
(personally, I've never seen what I would consider to be a good car
lease!)

The two possible advantages I see for leasing computers are:
(1) you get the equipment right away, but pay for it over time
(2) at the end of the lease you can have the option of returning the
computers, which is usually the least expensive way to go. This may
enable you to lease new equipment every few years for not much more than
you'd pay to buy it. If you buy it outright, however, you have to come
up with a large lump sum every few years.

Good luck with your inquiry!

Phil
--
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 Phil Hibbard, Ed.D.                      University of Northern Iowa
 Educational Technology Specialist         Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0301
 ITS - Training                                 OFFICE  (319)273-7197
 phil.hibbard@uni.edu                               FAX (319)273-2917
                        http://www.uni.edu/its/ts
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