“While students at the University are not required to bring a computer to campus, nearly all choose to bring their own computer, tablet, phone, gaming system or other internet-ready device,” reads the University admissions website. When incoming freshmen and returning students come back to campus in the fall, many of them will be purchasing a new computer or device for schoolwork and personal use.

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While the former campus bookstore, now known as Falcon Outfitters, has a reputation among students for being overpriced, its technology section Ziggabyte is surprisingly competitive with the market values for computers and devices.

This becomes clear when comparing numbers. At Ziggabyte a 13 inch Macbook Air costs $849.00. Meanwhile, according Apple’s own online store, that same laptop with equivalent options costs $849.00, and that’s with the higher education discount. Without the higher education discount, that price jumps up by $50 at Apple, where the discount is automatic at Ziggabyte.

For Windows-based computers, much the same can be said. Prices for a Dell XPS 13 with an upgraded 256GB SSD were the same from Dell and Ziggabyte at $999.99.

Even with tablet computers such as iPads, the same pattern holds true. The price for a 128gb iPad mini 4 is $379.00 at both Ziggabyte and Apple’s Higher Education price. Without Apple’s higher education discount, Apple’s online store price jumps to $399.

In comparison, the Owens Community College bookstore and the Cincinnati State bookstore websites list the same model of iPad mini 4 for $399.00, and that same model of Macbook Air for $999.00 — both at MSRP without the higher education discount.

“We don’t play the whole ‘You’re saving 50-100 dollars game,’ we just straight up give you the price,” Ziggabyte technology and service center manager Mike Weatherford said, explaining Ziggabyte’s pricing model.

One caveat to this low price is that Ziggabyte shoppers must be affiliated with the University, such as being a University student, professor or faculty member, to be able to purchase these items from Ziggabyte, according to Weatherford.

While ordering from the manufacturer allows for more customization, Zigabyte too can special order items within two to four business days according to Weatherford.

Weatherford also notes that Ziggabyte will recycle old machines in conjunction with ITS, and that Ziggabyte can repair some broken devices.

It’s important for students to shop around and evaluate their options before making big ticket purchases, especially for an item as vital to students as a computer. With that said, a visit to Ziggabyte might help some students find the best value.