Bring your own device for grade 8

jirvin_4505 on 18/08/2016 - 12:21

Hi my boy going into grade 8 needs his own device per these guidelines

PARENT PROVIDED DEVICE

  • Screen size: 10”
  • Processor: Intel i3 or higher
  • RAM: 4GB or higher
  • Hard drive: 128 GB or higher
  • OS: Windows 8.1 or higher, Mac OSX 10.9 or higher
  • Wireless: 5 GHz preferably 802.11g or higher
  • Ports: at least one USB port, audio in/out, in-built microphone, VGA or HDMI, Camera
  • Battery life: 6+ hours

Any suggestions

Personally I expect it will be mainly used for YouTube browsing and making power points Maybe a little bit of TI inspire calculator stuff

Any ideas of feedback for a school bag rough n tumble disposable computer

Personally I usually by a OzBargain cheap laptop when I need a new one for the kids and use MacBook Pro for myself

Cheers Jeff

Computing

Comments

  • MattyAu on 18/08/2016 - 12:25
    +1

    Take a look at the Dell Outlet Inspiron offerings: http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

  • Savas on 18/08/2016 - 12:27
    +3

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/261518

    Is what I would buy if the BOYD wasn't a fail at my school.

    • jirvin_4505 on 18/08/2016 - 14:28
      +2

      Thanks heaps. Not much of a risk especially with CHOICE20 discount

      • scrimshaw on 18/08/2016 - 15:10
        +2

        Dell Inspirons aren't ruggedised or tough by any means, the only saving grace is that they are cheap and cheerful so if your kiddo crushes it in his schoolbag, it's "only" $319 dollars down the drain. You could buy two and keep one as a backup?

        You could also buy him a used / refurbished laptop, many businesses like BudgetPC and ebay sellers peddle ex-lease machines like Thinkpad X's and Dell Latitudes. Unlike consumer grade stuff, enterprise / business-grade notebooks are highly durable and can take a few knocks…

        Just last week from a private seller, I picked up HP Elitebook Folio 940m G1 for $325 dollars (WITH A Ultraslim dock, and with Core i7 / 180GB SSD) — an ex-business machine but it's so well built its comparable to a Macbook Pro. The keyboard is broken but I easily found a $25 replacement to fix it with.

        The only downside is the battery life — batteries are consumable parts and wear down gradually with age and use. Can be replaced though but they are costly.

  • dasher86 on 18/08/2016 - 13:07

    do you have a budget?

    • jirvin_4505 on 18/08/2016 - 14:05
      +1

      Not really - just don't want to waste my money on a device that is going to be trashed going to school and probably underused for serious education stuff. - I have little faith in the education system knowing how to take advance of laptops at school. Another distraction at school?

      • altomic on 18/08/2016 - 16:10

        underused tech required by school —my kids were told to get 16gb memory sticks as part of their book packs a few years ago. list price was un-ozbargain. but this was primary school. how were they going to fill up a 16gb memory stick? I looked at my eldests memory stick earlier this year (2 years on) and there was 14Mb of "documents" on there. could have given her a 256mb stick and it would have been fine. sure, the 16gb sticks were bought through some deal for $4 a pop but still the whole school specifications "you need a minimum of X" is over kill.

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