Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

[ratdude747]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

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.

[shovenose]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

I have one. It's USELESS!

[shovenose]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

I'm still thinkin' D630 laptops, as they are $215.
Desktops are out, as I talked to the teacher more at lunch and she said she wants them to be able to take them to the desks.

[ratdude747]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

I'm still thinkin' D630 laptops, as they are $215.
Desktops are out, as I talked to the teacher more at lunch and she said she wants them to be able to take them to the desks.

$215 sounds low... $250 is what my nvidia one went for on 7/1/11. Granted, it was in good condtion and included a large virtually new targus bag. It also had a T7700, 2gb Ram, a 160gb hdd, 30% worn 6 cell batt,and an intel 3945 ABG card (I eventually upgraded it to 4gb, 9 cells, and an intel 4965 AGN).

Yeah, they are used, but they are so well built that it shouldn't matter... they might need the heatsinks cleaned though, to do that you have to remove the lid and palm rest... but is otherwise an easy job.

[Topcat]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

I'm still thinkin' D630 laptops, as they are $215.

That is still a stupid idea 100%. For less than 70 bucks more you get NEW netbooks with 12" screens, win7, 4gb RAM, FULL WARRANTY, more than enough power to do anything an EDU environment would demand of them, and no hassles....but whatever, its not my money, that's for sure..... I'm sure she would also qualify for EDU discounts as well on new stuff. Good god man, pull your head out of your backside!! Used laptops are fine for us to putter around with....but in a classroom, get friggin' real. No used laptop seller guarantees batteries.....so yea, plan on buying a new battery for each one, added into the purchase price, and you're right there at new cost....and that's assuming none have strange quirks/flaky, start dying of GPU underfill issues, HDD's start dropping out....and so on. Completely bad bad bad idea kiddo. Please show this thread to the teacher before you sucker her into this used/off-lease garbage, and let HER decide!

I also agree with those cheap ass tablets being a not to great idea....those things are a miserable existence....

[Uranium-235]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

I would have to agree with TC here. They don't need core2's to surf the web.

another solution is to find an android tablet in the $120-$150 range.

this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Android-2...item1c26f0e49d

dosen't look bad for the specs

[ratdude747]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

What we need here is a well built netbook... netbook specs, d630 quality.

These days specs and quality are in direct proportion...

[stevo1210]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

The d630 and so forth is good and cheaper but as TC said, you'll probably need a new battery, possibly a new HDD too and a dew other things maybe. You'll spend more in the long run i suppose. Netbooks are usually cheap and flimsy but you do get a warranty and a new battery. 12" is enough for classroom use too

[Uranium-235]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

you could always get one of these lol

http://one.laptop.org/

$99 a piece!

[c_hegge]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

Personally, I have never had a completely brand new PC before, so I'm a big fan of used gear.

In Australia, every student gets given a lenovo netbook (in yr 8 I think) which they get to keep for their school years. I hear A LOT of reports of kids damaging them, which tells me that that netbooks are simply too flimsy to be given to school students.

I'd say use D620s or 630s any day. My Thinkpad T60 also feels pretty rugged. If you really want something that will last a lifetime and is impossible to kill, then see if you can find some Panny toughbooks.

EDIT: Remember that the warranty won't cover rough treatment, so that's not necessarily a reason to go for new stuff.

[severach]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

A D630 is still a pretty nice laptop. The netbooks will be much less likely to be stolen.

[Uranium-235]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

before you go any further with this shove, make sure the school is ok with this. You'd be surprised sometimes the stupid shit they do

[stevo1210]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

In Australia, every student gets given a lenovo netbook (in yr 8 I think) which they get to keep for their school years. I hear A LOT of reports of kids damaging them, which tells me that that netbooks are simply too flimsy to be given to school students.

Year 9 students actually. I've picked one of these Lenovos up before. They are FLIMSY. However, if one does bother to take care of it, it'll last for a long time I suppose. I still think it's the biggest scam ever. I went through high school with no laptop and now ended myself in uni with a degree as well.

[ratdude747]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

before you go any further with this shove, make sure the school is ok with this. You'd be surprised sometimes the stupid shit they do

seconded. most schools where i live have bans on electronics...but that is for students, not teachers.

[shovenose]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

Well, Topcat, I do not understand what is wrong with the D630s. I made sure they are of the Intel variety, not the nVidia variety. The D630s do have 4GB of RAM. So that's good.
HDDs are cheap, so are batteries.

The school district is a bitch about this stuff... I'm afraid to get them involved as they will just fuck it up!

[shovenose]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

seconded. most schools where i live have bans on electronics...but that is for students, not teachers.

I use my laptop in class and around campus the principal has seen me use it, they have wifi that they're too stupid to secure*, so that's not a problem...

*everybody knows the login credentials

[Uranium-235]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

take it from someone who'se mother is a teacher, get thier permission first. Woulden't it suck if you get all these laptops and the school says she can't even take them on campus

[shovenose]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

take it from someone who'se mother is a teacher, get thier permission first. Woulden't it suck if you get all these laptops and the school says she can't even take them on campus

But if students can bring their laptops, why can't teachers bring students laptops?

[Uranium-235]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

that would make sense, wouldn't it? School administrations have a tenancy to not do that (make sense). For all you know they might take it from a liability standpoint. What happens of a student damages a laptop, who's responsible? the school might think about this scenario and decide they don't want the liability, and ban teacher-brought laptops for students. Dumber things have happened, just saying.

[shovenose]

Re: Best Solution to outfit a classroom with computers

that would make sense, wouldn't it? School administrations have a tenancy to not do that (make sense). For all you know they might take it from a liability standpoint. What happens of a student damages a laptop, who's responsible? the school might think about this scenario and decide they don't want the liability, and ban teacher-brought laptops for students. Dumber things have happened, just saying.

Yeah that's a good point.
But, the school wouldn't be paying for it. The teacher's thinking of doing a Kickstarter project for it.