Supported by a partnership between the UNT Library and the UNT Student Computer Labs, the Spark offers 3 loan terms (semester, 2 week, 24hr) for laptops to support student computing needs. More detail on the loan program is available here
Currently enrolled (in the active semester) UNT students, whom are in good standing with UNT and the Library are eligible to check out a laptop from the Spark
The Spark Technology Service Desk on the first floor of Willis Library. Turn to the right after entering the front doors and you will see The Spark desk along the north wall of the building.
In order to check out laptop you must have a valid (swipe-able) UNT ID card and go to the Spark service desk.
Laptops are on loan, which means financial and physical responsibility for the items is transferred to the individual who checks out the laptop, therefore at check out individual's are required to review and sign the loan agreement stating that you understand you are taking responsibility for state resources.
You are. It is the individual who borrowed the laptops responsibility to take care including properly securing the laptop. In the event something happens to the laptop while on loan, you are responsible for reporting it to The Spark, and in the case of stolen then also to the police. In the event any Spark equipment is part of a police report, the case number and information should be submitted to The Spark
We make every effort to minimize the checkout time for each laptop, however after signing the loan agreement each user must take a few steps to technically set up the laptop through a guided self service while in the building. This step will make sure the laptop gets logged in with your UNT EUID and password and creates a local account. In addition a team member will be available to assist or answer questions.
Only pre-approved applications will be available for installation on the 2 week and semester laptops. 24hr Laptops are locked and cannot have applications installed. To see options available, you will need to use Software Center and Self Service:
To launch Software Center on your computer:
Click the magnifying glass icon. Write software in the search field
The search results will be displayed
Click Software Center
Review/Install desired available software
Please note depending on your internet connection, sometimes the installation fails. Retry after you are confident you have a strong internet connection
To launch Self Service on your computer:
Click the magnifying glass icon. Write self-service in the search field
The search results will be displayed
Click Self Service
Review/Install desired available software
Note that a number of specialized applications have been made available through MyLab as well as myuntlab.cloud.com For a video to explain MyLab and the Cetrix Client go here.
Don’t see the app you were looking for? You can submit a request through this form
Be advised: If you open Software Center, but do not see any applications, the system may need to be on the network for a little while to insure the system loads. Once it has successfully the first time it should be rare to have this issues again (unless you have a slow network connection that may cause dropped packets). If there are no apps displaying in software center first try:
1. Open Software Center
2. Go to "Options" on the left hand side of the screen
3. Click "Computer Maintenance"
4. Click "Synch Policy"
5. Go to "Device Compliance" on the left hand side of the screen
6. Click "Check Compliance"
You may have to complete this process several times..
Due to setting up a laptop for you, the first login must be on UNT's wired network and will be done at checkout which may take 5-20 minutes
Then it will be have your name from your EUID and password
When needing to access the UNT vpn use: vpn2.unt.edu or vpn.unt.edu either should work
For Dell: CIscoAnyConnect 
For Mac: VPN (on the top right corner menu bar) 
Batteries slowly lose the ability to hold a 100% charge. So it is possible that if you are taking an online class that requires a laptop to be at 100% charge, you will need to leave the laptop plugged into the wall to meet the requirement.
No, at least not as the only place. We highly recommend you save your data to an external drive and or a cloud solutions such as your one drive.
If you need to use a MAC but were assigned a DELL, note that you can use the virtual machine provided through mylab.unt.edu and select Guacamole (the Apple/MAC option)
After all lottery laptops have been assigned, if there are laptops available or if laptops become available during the current semester, we will contact individuals from the traditional waitlist. To get on the waitlist you must come in to The Spark Service Desk and swipe your ID. IF a laptop becomes available at some point during the current semester individuals will be contacted with a deadline for being able to pick up.
Yes! Make sure you turn in your laptop on time. These are shared resources for all 42K+ students at UNT and we do not have enough laptops for everyone. So returning the unit is critical to helping out other students whom need access. For fines policy information please go here. Fine rate information is available here.
Due to Adobe Creative Cloud licensing, you will have to use a personal subscription and you can get a discounted rate here: Student Discounted License
You can contact The Spark on chat or thespark@unt.edu or 940-369-5259
