Loaner laptop setup

[mlfixer]

I'm setting up couple loaner laptops for my customers. I wanted to install MS Office 2010 on each unit but then realized someone could pull the keys and activate it on their own computer. I plan on re-imaging the units after they're returned so maybe there is away to install a Trial version of office? of course I want this all to be legal, whether I purchase copies for each unit or use a trial version it has to be legit.

If that is not possible, how about Kingsoft's Office? I do not like any other MS alternatives except for that one. A bit confused about the WPS vs Kingsoft free version and their licensing scheme. Do I go with the Business Edition or the Free Edition again knowing it will be wiped every time a laptop is returned to me.

thanks,

 

[CLC]

I would actually stay away from loner laptops, I've had a bad experience myself. If you must do it I would go with open office, I know you said you don't like any other ms alternatives but it is compatible with office documents most of the time and no licensing issues.

 

[mlfixer]

I will be the only one doing it in my area and it will be the selling point for using my services vs the other guy. I will take credit card/check holds and the laptops have persistence technology in the BIOS for tracking/recovery.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I would personally use kingston office. If the client is only using it for browsing, and won't be saving any / much data to it, then you could utilise deep freeze. So each time the laptop is rebooted, its back to normal. No need to continually reimage it.

 

[mlfixer]

Can you specify not to restore the laptop after each reboot? instead maybe define how many reboots will cause it to be restored? Another word I'd want to keep it as is for 5 reboots, after the 5th one it gets restored to original condition. I'm thinking a refresh after each reboot maybe going a bit too far, in case customer forgets. I can always instruct them to save stuff onto a thumbdrive I guess.

Anyhow I looked on their website and did not see the above question addressed anywhere.

thanks!

 

[nlinecomputers]

What's the purpose in providing a loaner? Laptops get to beat up for that IMO. You'll have lots of arguments about damage etc if you ask me.

 

[CLC]

What's the purpose in providing a loaner? Laptops get to beat up for that IMO. You'll have lots of arguments about damage etc if you ask me.

Not if you wrap them in NERF

 

[mlfixer]

It is an added value for my customers. I don't do onsite service that is why I offer it.

I picked up a bunch of off-lease Lenovos really cheap so I will not cry if they get any damage.

 

[CLC]

There is nothing wrong with having a niche, it's good to stand out from the crowd. If you are willing to deal with any issues it may cause I say it's a great idea and you will get some extra business especially from those that just can't be without their laptops for a day.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I would install Office 2010 or 2013 and be done with it. If someone steals the code that is someone ripping off Microsoft not you. Not your problem. Make images of the machine before they go out the door and restore the image when it returns.

 

[mr m]

Can you specify not to restore the laptop after each reboot?

thanks!

I haven't used their appl but it appears that you can disable Deep Freeze.

http://support.faronics.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/9/0/how-do-i-enable-or-disable-deep-freeze

 

[gikstar]

Are you saying that you will advertise that you have loaner computers or that you will loan out a laptop to your client while you work on their laptop?
Both ways can be beneficial to you.
I recently purchased 7 Dell Latitude E5420 laptops with the i5-2520M & backlit keyboard which I'm setting up as loaners and for sale, but they are for our trusted business clients, not just anyone who wants to use our services. We're pretty much a managed IT services business.

We will install our copy of Microsoft Office 2013 on the laptop before it leaves our hands as a loaner and then remove it and install LibreOffice or their copy of MS Office that they purchase from us, upon purchase of the computer.

 

[AndyM]

You could of course put a copy of MS Office 365 Home & Business on it. Advantage is that they can't lift the key, and you can see exactly what machines it's been activated on.

I did hear a long time ago that the license terms for Office did not allow installing it on loan machines. I never checked it out, but if you are doing this, then I would read the T&C's very carefully.

Andy

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We've occasionally provided loaners to really good clients, we just install THEIR license of Office on it. When they're done, we put the virgin OS image back on...sans Office. Until next deployment.

Easily done with biz clients. If it's for rez clients....dunno, as I'd assume many residential users don't have retail or volume licenses of Office....so the above method would be difficult. Andy's idea sounds good...fire up one of your O365 allowed installs. They can't pirate that key.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Office 365 is a good idea with that and you even have some hardware tracking that can be used from that or if one gets away you just deactivate it.

 

[numnutz]

I used to offer loaner laptops 4 years or so ago for a short time. Windows 7 OS and Office 2010 Starter
worked out OK. Issue I had a couple times was the user was in no rush to come pickup there repair while using our loaner.

 

[gikstar]

I used to offer loaner laptops 4 years or so ago for a short time. Windows 7 OS and Office 2010 Starter
worked out OK. Issue I had a couple times was the user was in no rush to come pickup there repair while using our loaner.

That's when you have a contract that allows you to charge weekly for the loaner

 

[sapphirescales]

I used to offer loaner laptops 4 years or so ago for a short time. Windows 7 OS and Office 2010 Starter
worked out OK. Issue I had a couple times was the user was in no rush to come pickup there repair while using our loaner.

LOL. That's what happens when you offer "free" loaners. You don't have to charge a lot. $45/week is enough to kick people in the butt and get the computer back to you ASAP. In our experience, no one wants to have to pay the $45 twice so they're VERY eager to pick their old computer up.

 

[Markverhyden]

LOL. That's what happens when you offer "free" loaners. You don't have to charge a lot. $45/week is enough to kick people in the butt and get the computer back to you ASAP. In our experience, no one wants to have to pay the $45 twice so they're VERY eager to pick their old computer up.

It's a very big violation of M$'s EULA to rent or lease M$ apps. YeOldeStonecat's comment is the solution. The other option is to install a trial version of Office. Good for 30 days.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Office.com would work if you are concerned about licensing. Just put an icon on the desktop.