Personally Owned Device Standards
Rationale
At this time Laptops are the top choice over Netbooks or Tablet computers for grade 6 to 12. An adequate laptop can be purchased for $350 and can run all web sites on a large enough screen.
A Tablet computer may be adequate for students in 5th grade or lower or as a second device (check with the teachers). These are great choices for ebook readers, long battery life, durability and weight. Both iPads and Google Nexus 7 are rated high by Consumers magazine.
The following laptop standards are recommended.
- Rugged design
- 13 - 15 inch LCD with 1 gig video ram so unit could be plugged into a monitor and keyboard at home. Larger LCD not recommended as they use too much power and are heavy.
- Dual core possessor. 1gig RAM
- A service agreement with the seller that provides loaner/replacement computers during any required repairs.
Standards
Minimum Recommended Laptops / Tablets to Bring
Parents Should consider the following when purchasing a laptop or tablet for their Child.
- Built in wireless N - machines more than a year or two old may not work in RVS
- Rugged design
- Will child be allowed to load games or connect to a large monitor for use at home? If so consider purchasing a devise designed for gaming. ie lots of processing and video power as well as RAM and HD space.
- Virus/Spyware protection - required for all PC laptops
- Battery life - 0lder Laptop batteries generally do not last more than 3 yrs.
Elementary Students: K - 4
ASUS Transformer with keyboard
Grade 5 -12
High school student require a Laptop for exams. Before that age, a tablet such as an iPad or Transformer is fine. Tablet computers are better for battery life, millions of low cost and free Apps, reading Ebooks.
For student who what higher end creativity tools a laptop is a great choice.
Laptop with 15inch screen
15" Lenovo Laptop (most are rugged)
Software
- Productivity software. OpenOffice is free or MS Office
- Virus Protection. AVG free,
- Multimedia software:
- Windows Movie maker
- Picasa
- Or iLife Suite (comes on all Machintosh computers)
Vendors
Staples; Trent Dunn at Airdrie Staples, 403-948-8558
Memory Express has a good selection of Windows Laptops and a very good service agreement program.
In Calgary Computer Trends sells new factory refurbished machines that meet these standards for about $350 and they have payment programs.
Dell has payment options and great costumer support.
Your school can provide the following link to parents and students so they get a Apple product discount (Important must be password protected). Apple Store: http://store.apple.com/ca_k12nonbts_5003207
Parents can purchase where ever they like the examples above are Vendor who provide great support.
Schools may choose to recommend a particular OS and level of machine so that it is easier to have the Student repair team support them. Several schools in RVS asked students to purchase Macbook Pro because they have a metal case and all the productivity software included (video, sound, image editing software)
