- Based on your Google activity
- Governmental procurement rules: The University is required to use the Centre d'acquisitions gouvernementales (CAG) for its computer purchases. This is in compliance with Quebec's Act Respecting Contracting by Public Bodies.
- Annual selection of models: Through the CAG contract, McGill's IT Services selects standard computer models annually to meet the needs of staff. While alternative platforms like Apple are available with special justification, Windows-based machines are primarily procured through this system.
- Part of a broader initiative: This update is part of McGill's effort to "optimize resources and modernize services in line with Horizon McGill," as stated in an August 2025 IT services update. The change is intended to streamline the acquisition process for university-owned equipment.
- McGill made the independent decision to switch: This is incorrect. The university is a public body in Quebec and is legally required to follow the province's procurement laws. The decision to switch from Dell to HP was not made by McGill, but mandated by the province's Centre d'acquisitions gouvernementales (CAG), which awarded a contract to HP for standard PC equipment.
- The switch was due to dissatisfaction with Dell: There is no evidence suggesting McGill was dissatisfied with Dell. The change was a procedural and contractual matter dictated by the provincial government, not an institutional choice based on performance or preference.
- This affects all computer purchases: The new HP contract applies specifically to standard Windows PCs purchased for faculty and staff. Purchases of other computer types, such as Apple computers or specialized equipment, can still be made. However, they must be justified under McGill's "Interim Compliance Attestation" process if they are off-contract.
- Provincial procurement rules drove the change: The switch took effect on June 15, 2025, as a result of a new province-wide contract from the CAG. McGill's procurement FAQ page explicitly states that the university must comply with the provincial mandate.
- It is part of a larger administrative optimization: An August 2025 IT services update clarifies that the move is part of the "Horizon McGill" initiative. The goal is to optimize resources and modernize services, which, in this case, means following the province's centralized procurement agreement.
- McGill IT selects the specific models: While the brand is chosen by the province, McGill's IT Services is responsible for selecting specific HP models under the CAG contract that best meet the needs of university staff.
- Dell's CFO resigned, but not because of McGill's switch: A separate news story from September 2025 details the resignation of Dell CFO Yvonne McGill. This is unrelated to the university's computer change, other than the unfortunate coincidence of the names. The departure was part of a larger set of internal shake-ups at Dell.
Turn on your Visual Search History?
Google uses its visual recognition technologies to process the images you use to search, like when you search with Google Lens. If you turn on your Visual Search History, Google will save these images from eligible Google services to your Web & App Activity when you’re signed in to your Google Account. You can learn more about this setting and which Google services save images to it at g.co/Search/VisualSearchHistory.
How visual search history is used
Your Visual Search History may be used to improve your experience on Google services, like letting you revisit your past visual searches. It may be used to develop and improve Google’s visual recognition and search technologies, as well as the Google services that use them.
When visual search history is off
If you turn this setting off, any previous Visual Search History may still be kept and used to improve Google’s visual recognition and search technologies, unless you delete it from your Web & App Activity.
Visual Search History doesn’t affect images saved by other settings, like Gemini Apps Activity.
How to manage your Visual Search History
You can view, delete, or manage your Visual Search History at activity.google.com. To download your Visual Search History, visit takeout.google.com. Images will be deleted in accordance with your Web & App Activity auto-delete settings, although some types of images may be deleted sooner.
Google uses and saves data in accordance with Google Privacy Policy.