Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

[shovenose]

So, one of the teachers is fed up with the district's lack of helpfulness. She wants to buy some computers (probably on her own money, she doubts she'd get back the money from said district)...

I'm thinking of helping her choose some inexpensive (used, not new) laptops. I'm going to meet with her soon to discuss how many she needs.

But so far it really sounds like she just wants students to visit some interactive websites, type research stuff, etc. nothing we need quad core CPUs for lol

I'm thinking Dell D630s (yes, I want all tlaptops to be same)

Any recommendations or ideas?

PS wha about thin clients?
thanks

[stevo1210]

This teacher must be loaded with $$$ to do such a thing LOL.

D620/630 sound good to me.

[Topcat]

I'd say cheap netbooks, remember, they will be used by careless/thoughtless students and probably not treated very well. Netbooks will do the job and are cheap/expendable. Don't go with used for this....you're just asking for a nightmare of issues.

If she markets this right, she can get donations to help fund this. Good to see a teacher taking the initiative......there's a few good ones like her left!

[ratdude747]

acer or msi netbooks... same price, better product.

if you go with d620 or d630 units, make them with integrated graphics. they can take a beating and unless the classroom is on a 2nd or higher floor, there is no way a student could kill one. if something did break however, they are very easy to reapair...

side note: i have a source of used d630 units... but they might have nvidia chips in them. (my d630 was one of them).

[shovenose]

Yeah, I asked the eBay seller of the ones that I'm considering getting her to purchase. They're XP, with 4GB of RAM and Core2Duo CPU, and with the Intel chip... Only 80GB Hard drive but that doesn't matter so much.

[shovenose]

Originally Posted by Topcat

I'd say cheap netbooks, remember, they will be used by careless/thoughtless students and probably not treated very well. Netbooks will do the job and are cheap/expendable. Don't go with used for this....you're just asking for a nightmare of issues.

If she markets this right, she can get donations to help fund this. Good to see a teacher taking the initiative......there's a few good ones like her left!

Why would a shitty netbook be better than the Dell? The dell d630s have faster cpus, better build quality, 4gb ram, and better keyboards.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by shovenose

Why would a shitty netbook be better than the Dell? The dell d630s have faster cpus, better build quality, 4gb ram, and better keyboards.

Price. New. Warranty. Any more smart ass observations? This may come as a shock to you, but you don't know everything yet...which is obvious....you don't scrounge used laptops for EDU use for cryin' out loud!!

[Rulycat]

Also a netbook would be cheaper to replace if damaged. Though I think Atom-based low powered desktops would be more rugged.

[t.j.]

desktops!!! they can only destroy the mouse an kb easily! i get old hp an dell units from auction! bought pallet for 7$ a machine! just need to do monitors~! do search for local auction an check them out!

[shovenose]

Originally Posted by t.j.

desktops!!! they can only destroy the mouse an kb easily! i get old hp an dell units from auction! bought pallet for 7$ a machine! just need to do monitors~! do search for local auction an check them out!

OK I'll look for some good ones

[ncovert]

Originally Posted by shovenose

OK I'll look for some good ones

What's the teachers budget? Why not custom build some new ones that are cheap to produce, like a Intel Atom or AMD E-350 board/CPU combo?

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by t.j.

desktops!!!!

I would normally agree with that 100%....but space, cabling, and power is usually the issue with Desktops in a classroom.

[t.j.]

Originally Posted by Topcat

I would normally agree with that 100%....but space, cabling, and power is usually the issue with Desktops in a classroom.

would have to agree with ya there! ah well! disposable is always better! lol\
peace

[ratdude747]

Maybe old imacs could be used... the 1st generation intel ones lost support (not 64 bit) and are both cheapish (I'd imagine) and sufficient. they can even run windows via boot camp.

[Koda]

Maybe a x300 terminal kits and few PC's?? My government equipped all the classrooms in all the schools here with the x300. I think there are 3 port and 5 port versions of the kit and 5-6 dual core PC's should do the job, and some used CRT monitors...

http://www.maxxess.co.za/downloads/x300datasheet.pdf

[Uranium-235]

ok so no ones said it, I as might as well. If its just visiting web sites...cheap shit chinese andriod tablets? they work, they have firefox. They're cheap, really cheap. If they break, order another one they're so damn cheap

[Koda]

Originally Posted by uranium-235

ok so no ones said it, i as might as well. If its just visiting web sites...cheap shit chinese andriod tablets? They work, they have firefox. They're cheap, really cheap. If they break, order another one they're so damn cheap

+1

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by Uranium-235

ok so no ones said it, I as might as well. If its just visiting web sites...cheap shit chinese andriod tablets? they work, they have firefox. They're cheap, really cheap. If they break, order another one they're so damn cheap

He already has one... They suck so bad that it makes getting a root canal done with an auger bit sound painless...

[Uranium-235]

how is it bad?

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by Uranium-235

how is it bad?

They are low quality and are slow as hell. They wouldn't hold up. Yeah, you can replace them, but shipping from china is slow and its IMHO stupid to use things like that that would require such frequent replacement.