To Purchase Netbooks or Laptops??Primary School!

Daisy2010

Hi,
I'd like some advice please. We have fundraised to purchase new it equipment in our primary school for the senior classes. I would like to purchase either laptops or netbooks. Tablets are fantastic but with cost and durablity I don't think they are practical. Hoping to spend max €250 on each one as I will need to purchase warranties as well.

I am leaning towards netbooks instead of laptops because they are smaller thus easier to pull out for class, cheaper so can buy more thus there will be one between every 2 kids in the class, primarily would be used for internet usage and project work i.e. microsoft word etc.

I know in theory they are slower, smaller storage capacity, smaller screens etc. and practically I have never used one apart from messing about with it in a shop. I use a laptop.

Anyone got any thoughts on which I should be getting bearing in mind that I will have less laptops for my money. In the long run will I be better with laptops. May not have cash for many many years again so will definately not be updating for a very very long time.

Thanks:)

kevohmsford

Yeah a netbook would be ideal for your computer needs. If you are just using it for microsoft word and internet.

ejmaztec

Daisy2010 wrote: »

Hi,
I'd like some advice please. We have fundraised to purchase new it equipment in our primary school for the senior classes. I would like to purchase either laptops or netbooks. Tablets are fantastic but with cost and durablity I don't think they are practical. Hoping to spend max €250 on each one as I will need to purchase warranties as well.

I am leaning towards netbooks instead of laptops because they are smaller thus easier to pull out for class, cheaper so can buy more thus there will be one between every 2 kids in the class, primarily would be used for internet usage and project work i.e. microsoft word etc.

I know in theory they are slower, smaller storage capacity, smaller screens etc. and practically I have never used one apart from messing about with it in a shop. I use a laptop.

Anyone got any thoughts on which I should be getting bearing in mind that I will have less laptops for my money. In the long run will I be better with laptops. May not have cash for many many years again so will definately not be updating for a very very long time.

Thanks:)

Netbooks are probably more popular with kids, and I trust that you're going to negotiate a good deal somewhere when you buy in bulk.:)

karkar athlete

Well I was in Currys/PC World (Blanch), and seen an e-machines netbook for €179, 1GB Ram, 250GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 Starter, Webcam, 3 cell battery or there was an acer one, but just differnet name for €199 (the shape and markings on both were both the exact same). But that is the cheapest you are going to get that I have seen...... hope this helps
but as the above poster said you are better going to dealer and getthing a better deal if you deal in bulk

Overheal

I would think a tablet myself. You can download ready-made apps for kids to learn and play on. With netbooks they are just slow slow PCs and there are far too many pieces that can wear and tear on them, from the trackpads to the keyboards and hinges. That would apply to laptops, too.

xsiborg

i think you should have a look at the second hand laptops market, they wouldn't have to be the latest spec, but from experience myself, a netbook just be practical, let alone for your intended purpose of sharing between two or more students, screen size would be an issue for starters.

tablets are obviously out of the question since the cheapest android tablet will cost you over €200 anyway, and they'll be a headache from an IT admin point of view seeing as most of your other school IT equipment is probably running windows.

from my own perspective basically i've gone off using my netbook and i've given it to my six year old to use, but even then i have it hooked up to an external monitor (or a tv with a vga connection) with a full size wireless keyboard and mouse.


EDIT: my apologies, i missed the part in the OP about requiring warranties, that could be the kicker alright in the second hand market, but as another poster suggested, you might be able to get some sort of a discount if you bought some new laptops, i just think a few months down the line you might kick yourself for having spent the money on netbooks.

Paddyo

One other issue to consider is if they are to be networked as part of a domain controlled network - they will need a professional OS.

Paddyo