University computers and laptop borrowing

Please note: All opening hours are subject to change.

Term-time

Term-time teaching spaces

During term time, you can also use computers in teaching spaces when they are not being used for lectures or other scheduled activities.

Holiday periods

Use the University’s live PC availability map to see how many computers are currently free in each open access area. This can help you choose the best location before travelling across campus.

The map shows current availability and may change as computers are used or become free.

Check live PC availability

Most University computers on campus use Windows 11. Sign in with your University account to access your files, software and other University services.

Sign in

1. Enter your University email address and password.
2. Complete Microsoft MFA if prompted.

Keep your authentication device, such as your mobile phone, with you when using a University computer.

Access your files

Open File Explorer from the taskbar to access files stored in:

• Microsoft OneDrive
• Your personal N Drive
• Your course K Drive

Remember to save your work regularly, preferably to OneDrive.

Check your N Drive storage

Your N Drive provides 20GB of personal storage.

To check how much space you have available:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select This PC.
3. Find your N Drive under Network locations.
4. Select the drive, then select More options (…).
5. Select Properties.

Your used and available storage will be shown under the General tab.

Open applications

University computers include commonly used applications. You can access additional course software through AppsAnywhere.

Using AppsAnywhere

Sign out

When you have finished:

1. Save your work and close any open applications.
2. Open the Start menu.
3. Select your account icon.
4. Select Sign out.

Always sign out before leaving the computer so that nobody else can access your account or files.

University Macs are available in some locations on campus. Sign in with your University account to access your files and the applications installed on that computer.

Sign in

1. Enter your University username and password.
2. Make sure your username is entered in lowercase with no spaces.
3. Select Log in.

Access your files

Open Finder, then select your University username from the sidebar to access your personal N Drive.

Remember to save your work regularly, preferably to OneDrive.

Check your N Drive storage

Your N Drive provides 20GB of personal storage. Running out of space while using a Mac could affect your files, so check your available storage regularly.

To check how much space you have available:

1. Open Finder.
2. Select your N Drive from the sidebar.
3. Open the File menu, then select Get Info. You can also press Command + I.
4. Wait for the storage information to appear.

The window will show how much storage you are currently using.

Open applications

Applications are installed directly on each Mac, so the software available may vary depending on the computer you are using.

To find an application:

1. Open Finder.
2. Select Applications from the sidebar.

You can also open the Go menu from the Finder menu bar, then select Applications.

Sign out

When you have finished:

1. Save your work and close any open applications.
2. Open the Apple menu.
3. Select Log Out.
4. Confirm that you want to log out if prompted.

Always sign out before leaving the computer so that nobody else can access your account or files.

You can borrow a University laptop with Microsoft Office software, internet browser and printer access installed, for up to 12 hours. The short-term laptops are in secure laptop lockers across campus.

Notes:

• When borrowing a laptop, please don't take it away from the building you picked it up in.
• You should also make sure to save all your work to your  OneDrive – don't save any work to the laptop's hard drive

When you are ready to borrow a laptop, use your University card at the locker to release an available device and its power supply.

1. To remove a laptop from a locker, place your University card against the card reader on the locker.
2. A locker door will open and you can take the laptop and a power supply.

When you have finished using the laptop, return it to the same set of lockers, reconnect it to the charging cable and make sure it is stored correctly.

1. Once you've finished with the laptop, turn it off and return to the same set of lockers.
2. Swipe your University card over the card reader and put the laptop and power unit back in the locker it came from.
3. Make sure the laptop is not upside-down and the power cable inside the locker is plugged in to the laptop.

To be eligible to borrow one of the University-owned laptops from the lockers provided in Open Access Areas, you must adhere to the following terms and conditions:

• You must be a registered student at the University of Portsmouth.
• You must use your own University student card to borrow a laptop. Laptops cannot be issued against any other forms of identification, e.g. bank card or driving license.
• When returning the laptop, you should ensure it is inserted in the correct way so the system recognises it has been returned. An audible ‘beep’ can be heard when it is inserted the correct way.
• No laptop should be borrowed for more than 12 hours at a time.
• You must ensure you exercise all duty of care to prevent loss or damage during the period of your loan. Do not leave laptops unattended.
• You accept full responsibility for any loss or damage to the equipment caused by your negligence or improper use. Improper use includes not using the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's and/or the University's instructions, using the equipment for a purpose other than intended or allowing the equipment out of the your control and custody and failing to protect it from loss or damage.
• The laptop should not be removed from the building it is borrowed from.
• If a device is damaged during your loan period, you should report it to a member of IT staff.
• If you are unable to return a laptop to the lockers due to reasons beyond your control, you should return it to a member of IT or Library staff.
• In the event of loss due to theft, you must report the missing items as soon as possible to the IT Service Desk.

• Failure to return a laptop exceeding the loan time will result in the Police being contacted and the device being reported stolen, after reasonable attempts to contact you to try and recover the device.
• Repeatedly borrowing laptops longer than the loan period will result in access to all loan lockers being removed.
• Do not save any work to the laptop's hard drive. Save all work to either a USB pen/flash drive, or to your OneDrive.
• If you borrow the supplied charging cable, you must return this along with the laptop.
• You must adhere to the University's regulations regarding computer use. Which can be found on the University’s website.
• In the event of a problem with the equipment during your loan period, please contact the IT Staff on the IT Help Desk in the area making it clear that the equipment is a loan item. Do NOT attempt to fix – hardware problems yourself as this could invalidate the warranty and leave you liable for damage/replacement costs.
• All equipment remains the property of The University of Portsmouth and The University of Portsmouth reserves the right to invoice you a "replacement fee" of £750 should the laptop be damaged or not returned within 7 days of the agreed loan period. Please note the replacement fee for Future Technology Centre Laptops is £1500.
• You cannot install software on the laptops.
• There is a limit of one laptop per student.