Ace Tech Store officially opens with new name in new location

The Ace Tech Store – San Antonio College's one-stop shop for student, faculty, and staff technology needs – officially celebrates its new name, new location and recently expanded services with games, prizes and tax-free shopping during its grand "reopening.”

Now located on the second floor of the Moody Learning Center, the Ace Tech Store offers students, faculty, and staff academic discounts on computer purchases from Apple, Dell and Hewlett Packard, along with a full range of Apple and third-party accessories. Ace Tech also offers in-store computer repair, including virus removal, hard drive and RAM upgrades, and free diagnostics. Turnaround time is typically three days or less.

Apple has recently authorized the Ace Tech Store to offer repair service to the general public as well as the academic community. A new program at the store called "Appy Hour" will also provide free weekly workshops on technology.

"It's open to anybody who walks in the store," Venkat said.

Formerly known as the "SAC Tech Store," the store's name has been changed to Ace Tech Store to reflect that it is open to students, faculty, and alumni from all five schools in the Alamo College District, not just San Antonio College. And "Ace," for the uninitiated, is the name of SAC's armadillo mascot.

This is the technology store's third home since it opened on campus in August 2016.

"We're in a great location," said store manager Ana Ortega. "The Moody Learning Center is one of the busiest buildings on campus. We're trying to be more accessible to the students."

One side of the new Ace Tech Store looks like a traditional Apple retail outlet, with laptop and desk top computers on display and walls filled with chargers, cables, and other accessories for purchase. The other side of Ace Tech is the home of the computer repair operation and an equipment loan service where students, faculty and staff can borrow computers while theirs are in the shop.

"We will also provide some discipline-specific loaner equipment, like stenographic machines for court reporting students," Venkat said.

In addition to providing general assistance on computer purchases, Ace Tech Store specialists can also guide buyers with specialized academic requirements.

"We know the type of computers are used in different disciplines at Alamo Colleges," Venkat said. "And therefore, we tailor our computer specifications for what they need. If it is a CIS or Computer Information Systems student, we will know what specs they use so they can right-size the computer when they shop with us."

The Ace Tech Store at MLC 207 is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow @acetechstore on Facebook and Instagram.

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