Want to buy new laptop

happywithlife

I need to replace the battered one I have and just wondering what are people using? It's fundamentally for creation of resources. I did some apple training though we don't use iPads in school and I would like to use some of that - my own personal iPad is also dying a death but am holding off on replacing that. Think laptop is a priority for now.
So what would people advise? Any pros and cons ?

Redser87

happywithlife wrote: »

I need to replace the battered one I have and just wondering what are people using? It's fundamentally for creation of resources. I did some apple training though we don't use iPads in school and I would like to use some of that - my own personal iPad is also dying a death but am holding off on replacing that. Think laptop is a priority for now.
So what would people advise? Any pros and cons ?

I replaced my MacBook pro with a cheap and cheerful Lenovo ideapad 110. Main attraction other than the price was the large screen size- makes it easy to flip between two or three documents for planning. Downloaded activ inspire and it does exactly what I need it to do.

evolving_doors

Redser87 wrote: »

I replaced my MacBook pro with a cheap and cheerful Lenovo ideapad 110. Main attraction other than the price was the large screen size- makes it easy to flip between two or three documents for planning. Downloaded activ inspire and it does exactly what I need it to do.

That's a good point about screen size, I often find I'm switching between a few documents when preparing lessons and my small screen does my head in. It's on special offer on Amazon at the moment (using parcel motel for free delivery to the UK it would come out about €320) HERE

Pinkycharm

I've a hp laptop tablet cross. works the finest and all my resources are on it. €250 in Harvey Norman in the Christmas sales last year. I can just throw it in my bag and bring it anywhere. it has a USB port too http://www.harveynorman.ie/sale/hp-pavillion-x2-laptop-10-n100na.html

evolving_doors

That would be a €70 difference for a much bigger screen, extra 4gb ram and 940Gb extra hard drive though.

Depends on the OP's budget too.

man_no_plan

Slightly OT, are schools not supplying this stuff to teachers?

solerina

man_no_plan wrote: »

Slightly OT, are schools not supplying this stuff to teachers?

I wish. Anything we need, we usually have to buy ourselves.

r93kaey5p2izun

man_no_plan wrote: »

Slightly OT, are schools not supplying this stuff to teachers?

:pac: They won't even supply paper and markers!

man_no_plan

Maddux Millions Fluoride wrote: »

:pac: They won't even supply paper and markers!

That's something that should be highlighted. In our place we buy everything, Including teacher devices.

r93kaey5p2izun

man_no_plan wrote: »

That's something that should be highlighted. In our place we buy everything, Including teacher devices.

It's definitely a huge issue though - teachers are having to finance basic supplies out of their own pockets up and down the country. Where do you highlight it? In my school it's something that has been highlighted time and again to management, the BOM, the ETB. But nothing every changes.

I think providing teacher devices would make your school very unusal - but it's good to hear some schools have a proper system in place.

mirrorwall14

Anyone starting in our school recently has been told they have to buy their own ipad to work here!!

I bought a macbook air 5 years ago. There is not a bother on it over 5 years later. It was the most expensive laptop I ever bought (and I bought it abroad to make it a little cheaper) but it has been worth every penny. It has crashed once in 5 years and the battery life is incredible, I can easily do a full day in school with it (often two days) between charges. Every other laptop I owned previously the battery went to pot within 18 months and I had to lug chargers around with it. Its also very light which is great when you are carrying copies around. I have a slim case on it and a keyboard protector and I just have it slipped in my schoolbag like a book.

I may be gushing a bit. Have I said how much I love this? I would honestly cry if I broke it

evolving_doors

Ya if I've the money I'd go mac again. Macbook bought in 2009, was getting sluggish so I just upped the ram, flying again, will get another few years I reckon.
You can get an education discount (10% I think) if you buy it through the school.
Big initial outlay though compared to €350 odd.

happywithlife

Thanks for all the advice! Yeah my budget is entry level stuff but I can dream eh?! School doesn't supply anything and even markers are fairly hard to come by. :-/

Millem

I have a surface pro 3 and love it. It is like an iPad only with a detachable keyboard and has Microsoft word etc. No idea of cost though sorry. It has a pen with it that you can write on screen for correcting homework. The camera on it is very good....I use it a lot of taking pictures of students' work (craft/textiles/cookery).