ACT Education breaks seven-year Lenovo spree in device refresh

The ACT has ended its seven-year run of supplying Lenovo Chromebooks to public schools, opting instead for devices from ASUS in its latest refresh.

The territory’s Education Directorate has used Lenovo’s devices via the reseller Datacom since 2018, most recently signing a three-year contract with the partner worth $23 million in 2022.

Ahead of the Datacom contract’s expiry in June 2025, the directorate contracted ASUS partner ASI Solutions to deliver 3300 Chromebooks to ACT public high schools by the end of April.

Although the directorate said the contract, currently valued at $2.2 million, formed part of its triannual device procurement, the deal notably carries a three-year support and service agreement expiring in April 2028.

“The Directorate has had a relationship with Datacom through open procurements over the last seven years. In recent years, these were for the supply of Lenovo Chromebooks. These procurements were via Datacom as a reseller, not directly through Lenovo,” an ACT Education Directorate spokesperson said.

“For the order to be delivered during term two, 2025, the Directorate decided to pursue a market process to ensure we were receiving value for money amid changing economic conditions.”

The directorate added that it used the Digital Transformation Agency’s hardware marketplace panel for the procurement.

“Of the respondents, ASI’s offer featuring ASUS Chromebooks provided the best value for money for that particular order, at that point in time,” the spokesperson added.

“The Directorate will continue in its technology procurement processes to seek value for money for equipment that is fit for purpose.”