High School Computer/Tablet

singlemalt72 on 26/07/2017 - 09:53
Last edited 26/07/2017 - 11:35 by 1 other user

My daughter's school has been using iPads for a number of years, but this year is instituting a BOYD policy for Year 7 which will now replace the iPad specific e-learning.
The school now suggests a choice of windows/android/ios tablet or mac/Windows/Chromebook laptop.

I'm looking at $1000 max to spend, probably steering towards a laptop (or surface) solution, just wondering what other people think and what deals may be around. The min specs from the school (which I will want to exceed) is 4GB RAM, 64GB available storage.

Obviously, light weight and battery longevity are an important factor here.

Thanks in advance.

(Not a dupe as this species laptop OR tablet)

Computing

Comments

  • Wampus on 26/07/2017 - 11:27
    +3

    For something lightweight with good batt life, try something like the little Dell 11" that's currently on sale for $319 with the Ebay code

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Dell-Inspiron-11-3000-Laptop-…

    • Noblejoker on 29/07/2017 - 21:36

      Definitely this
      We bought my son one of these in Yr 7 and still going strong
      This is important as their school bags do get heavy
      It is very light - not much over 1kg and has genuine all day battery life
      It is not powerful but good enough for office internet and light programs without being slow and painful
      This is all most kids will run for the first 3 years and at $00/yr this is a real (oz)bargain

  • pjetson on 26/07/2017 - 11:42
    +1

    Dell factory outlet?

    http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

  • scrimshaw on 26/07/2017 - 12:17
    +1

    Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 510 is on sale on the front page with more than 50 votes.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/320454

    although my personal pref would be a ordinary clamshell laptop. Something like a Thinkpad 13 would fit the bill best, but there aren't any sales on this yet.

  • madreece on 26/07/2017 - 13:25

    Thumbs up to your school allowing for BOYD. I got roped in to a $3500 Toshiba at my sons school. no BOYD allowed.

    • singlemalt72 on 26/07/2017 - 13:30

      Yeah, it sucks

      I was part of a parent group that lobbied for this change, surprisingly it was fairly simple to sway them to this option.

      • madreece on 26/07/2017 - 13:32

        Surprising, considering the kick back the schools get from enforced buying.

        • singlemalt72 on 26/07/2017 - 13:34

          New principal - seems to value quality of classroom over supplier deals :)

        • mskeggs on 26/07/2017 - 13:36
          +1

          Surely the $3.5k laptop will be worth a few extra marks come VCE time!
          That's how it works, isn't it?

        • madreece on 26/07/2017 - 13:40

          @mskeggs:
          It did come with support if anything went wrong. Support meaning that they just re-imaged the machine if there was something wrong, like anything at all. Hardware problem - re-image, anything problem- re-image. "you did have all your work backed up, didn't you?"

        • Wampus on 26/07/2017 - 15:13

          @madreece: I'm in IT in Education. BYOD is horrible from our perspective! The security issues alone have us tearing our hair out

        • dheywood on 26/07/2017 - 15:27

          @Wampus: been working with BYOD and 1-to-1 in school programs for 5 odd years now. BYOD is just as secure (if not more so) than 1-to-1 when done correctly.
          Would be interested to know what aspects are insecure from your scenario.

        • dheywood on 26/07/2017 - 15:30

          Kickbacks? Such as…
          Your statement is very inaccurate, some schools may get kickbacks, but the schools I've worked at don't with the way the programs are run.
          Saying that, none have charged $3500 for a student laptop. Lol.

    • magic8ballgag on 27/07/2017 - 08:32

      $3,500 for a Toshiba laptop!? What's the model?

      • madreece on 27/07/2017 - 08:59

        Portege M780. Yeah, it was a few years ago.

  • dheywood on 26/07/2017 - 15:36

    +1 vote for Dell device. Excellent customer service from my experience recently as a consumer.
    I'd highly recommend investing in a 3 year 'Carepack' with ADP (Accidental Damage Protection).
    Accidents happen in schools with laptops/tablet VERY regularly.

    • madreece on 27/07/2017 - 09:01

      Agree with the Dell service, it's terrific.

  • JLHC on 27/07/2017 - 19:19

    I'm surprised that nobody recommends Chromebooks here. It's perfect for education, lack an app store with games (which is a plus in a school environment) and it's almost impossible to be infected with virus, malware, etc.

    • singlemalt72 on 27/07/2017 - 20:02

      It would handle most things, but falls down with video editing, but I am still considering.

      • JLHC on 28/07/2017 - 00:21

        Is the school offering video editing classes?

        You'll definitely need something more powerful if this is the case.

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