Chromebook for Year 5 Student - Need to Buy This Week

hibby26 on 24/01/2018 - 10:41

Hi

I need to buy a Chromebook for my child to use at primary school (just discovered he can't use existing old laptop). I'm pretty clueless about Chromebooks so hoping someone can recommend one that meets the school specs below - either available online or store in Sydney area? Looking to spend $250-$400.

SPECS:

  • Must support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks.
  • Must support the 802.11n wireless protocol.
  • Should support the 802.11ac wireless protocol.
  • Minimum of 4 GB of memory.
  • Minimum battery life of 6 hours. 8 hours is recommended.
  • Must be running the current version of Google Chrome OS operating system.
  • Must be running an up-to-date Antivirus and Antimalware program.

Many thanks! :)

Computing

Comments

  • tin tin on 24/01/2018 - 10:44
    +1

    Must be running an up-to-date Antivirus and Antimalware program.

    I think that is inbuilt with a Chromebook.

    • hibby26 on 24/01/2018 - 10:47

      thanks, I didn't know that

    • hibby26 on 24/01/2018 - 10:49

      Yes it is quite strict, I just copied it from the school specs list. Not sure why they require all of these things

    • Ryanek on 24/01/2018 - 12:06

      Why the sarcasm? OP is listing his requirements which makes this a good post.

  • scotty on 24/01/2018 - 11:07
    +2

    If you need it by this week — there aren't many options as you are limited to brick & mortar shop. Acer C730E from JB Hi-Fi would suffice, however I would hate to recommend that model as there are many better choices on Amazon US and B&H (but takes more than a week to ship to Australia).

    Another alternative would be installing something like CloudReady Home Edition on an existing PC (or boot from a 16GB USB key). You'll get a ChromeOS-like environment. However I don't think that would pass school's requirement.

    • mskeggs on 24/01/2018 - 15:08
      +1

      Really, it won't be a disaster if the kid doesn't have the device day one. Get it from Amazon.

  • reflexline on 24/01/2018 - 11:29
    +2

    Why do primary school kids need laptops? When will common sense prevail?

    • Quantumcat on 24/01/2018 - 11:32
      +3

      Bring back the 1 hour a week computer lab playing Lemmings :-)

      • mskeggs on 24/01/2018 - 15:07
        +1

        Our local primary has computers in the Library if a class full is needed, plus 3 or 4 in each classroom, so a group can work on computer tasks and rotate to other activities. I think they have a cart full of chromebooks too, but I don't know if they have been deployed or used (or maybe the purchase didn't go ahead).
        I also don't know why the school would want every child to have a personal machine - it sounds like a classroom headache to me.

    • mskeggs on 24/01/2018 - 15:04
      +1

      Guess it is a private school so they can take a picture for the website of how technically advanced they are…

      • hibby26 on 24/01/2018 - 16:23

        It isn't a private school, it's public; unfortunately they are really pushing the parents to buy a Chromebook as there are only a few shared ones in each class. My son has an old laptop which I thought was sufficient but have just learnt they will only accept one with the above specs….grr! Other mums I've spoken to who had kids in year 5/6 last year said very few of them had bought a Chromebook, which meant 15+ kids had to share the 3 in their classrooms. It is a shame that those of us who are struggling financially feel pressured to buy it but I think it will help my son at school for year 5/6 so am willing to do it if I have to. If any ozbargainers do know of a good current deal I would be very thankful, if not I'm off to the stores tomorrow as suggested by scotty and azorax. Thanks!

        • mskeggs on 24/01/2018 - 16:47
          +4

          I would really strongly urge you to have a chat to your classroom teacher before you buy anything.
          Obviously, it is not compulsory, or even common, by the sounds of it.
          If your kid's individual teacher doesn't place a high value on using the Chromebook, you may be wasting your money.
          As in my other reply, the way primary classes often use PCs is to rotate kids through a pod of 3 or 4 pcs. This isn't due to resource issues, but because having a small number of kids working in that way is more manageable than 30 computers all in use at once.
          We wouldn't insist on 30 whiteboards in a class, as it wouldn't improve matters, and the same is true for computers in many contexts.

          If your kid's class teacher genuinely wants many more chromebooks in the classroom, ask them how they want to use them, and if they have approached the P&C to fund more for the school, rather than asking individuals to fund tools for the class.

          This requirement sounds like some thought bubble the principal has decided on, rather than a genuine need!

        • whooah1979 on 24/01/2018 - 19:51

          @mskeggs:

          sharing a pc is so 1980s. or was it 1990s?

        • mskeggs on 24/01/2018 - 20:47
          +1

          @whooah1979:
          In my 9yro's class last year.
          The way these young kids use computers in class is not typically sitting at their desks with a screen in front of them, but having their group go use the classroom PCs to look up stuff on Google, add that information to their report or whatever, then when they are finished go back and keep working on their project.
          If you consider what 30 10yro kids are doing, giving them a PC turned on at their individual desk would be a very poor way to run a class.

          We aren't talking about Yr12 kids individually writing an essay here. I stand by the suggestion to ask the classroom teacher what they want to have happen, and if they want all the kids to have individual computers.

        • jjjaar on 25/01/2018 - 08:41
          +1

          If only a few bought them and they all managed to go up a grade, why would you buy one? The teacher will arrange an alternate option that will ensure your child is well educated. If in a month you still think your child needs one, buy it then, but I wouldn't stress about getting it for day 1.

        • Ti-au on 25/01/2018 - 15:17

          @mskeggs: From my own experience putting 3-4 children to all work on 1 computer was a waste of time. Either 1 per child or don't even bother.

          I could say something about concentration levels or different types of learning (tactile, etc) or the silliness of 1 child having a keyboard and the other a mouse (trying to crowd around a -24inch monitor.. ugh), but all that is rather academic - real world it was was a waste of time then and imho it will always be a waste of time.

        • mskeggs on 25/01/2018 - 16:21

          @luciferaust:
          I don't disagree, and 2 to a machine is how I learnt programming back in the 1980s, and it was pretty lame.
          The way my kids used computers in the classroom in primary school is a group of 4 kids would go and use the 4 computers in the corner to work on their project. Later, they would go and work at the reading table, then the maths table, while other groups of 4 used the machines.
          This allowed the teacher to spend dedicated time with each group as they read to her, or whatever.

          The only time all kids used a computer at the same time was in the library computer lab, and that was rarely useful or desirable.

          What I am saying is that OP should ask the classroom teacher what they think is best. If the teacher intends to use computers rarely, then having an extra chromebook (did the 10yro remember to bring it, did they charge it, what is their password, are they connected to the wifi, can they print, does the classroom teacher have the time to provide this individual tech support?) is of little worth when they would have had a dedicated machine in front of them for that part of class anyway.

          Again, this is 10yro and 11yro kids, not senior students. Consider that kids this age are learning cursive writing, and spelling and times tables, not producing essays and spreadsheets (although my kids have produced multimedia presentations which they thought were spiffy, and reminded me of when senior managers use powerpoint with all the transition animations.)

    • whooah1979 on 24/01/2018 - 19:26

      Why do primary school kids need laptops?

      it's either parents/guardians or the taxpayers that bear the cost of the items. it make sense that the parents purchase the items so that the pupils can do their work in the class and then take it home.

  • reflexline on 24/01/2018 - 11:39

    Yes!

  • azorax on 24/01/2018 - 13:03
    +1

    Try running into various stores around you and see what they have. Ask for help

  • Quantumcat on 24/01/2018 - 21:35
    +1

    I like what someone above said about finding out how much they are actually used. If they only need them for 20 minutes once a week then not worth the money! And I doubt they'd be very resellable, you can't use a chromebook for much besides surfing the net

  • hibby26 on 25/01/2018 - 08:49
    +1

    Thank you for all your advice. I'm going to hold off for a month - will speak to the teacher as suggested and also see how much it is really needed/used in class. If I do need to get one, I'll order from Amazon. Really appreciate all of your imput.

    • Ti-au on 25/01/2018 - 15:20
      +1

      Good idea - just to let u know u can get one on ebay for $200. Just make sure it can run google apps.
      I wouldn't waste too much time on it (esp for $200) - spend it debating the quality of education not the tools.

  • WreckTangle on 25/01/2018 - 21:42
    +1

    I suggest a touch screen one, most of those can run android apps. Heres some examples:

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.androidcentral.com/these…

  • BadGiraffe on 19/03/2018 - 11:43

    Did you end up getting a Chromebook for your kid? I'm asking because I'm looking at getting one for myself.

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