British Expats - Laptops in schools

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Re: Laptops in schools

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bloke (Post 7956991)

I'll put it on for everyone, as someone else may find it helpful.

It was shown to us by our tutor, a Brit actually, bless his soul.:D

http://www.microsoft.com/student/dis...g/default.aspx

That $75 offer is only for TAFE and Universities, however there is another offer for normal school students. We paid $129 for the same office suite last year.

Re: Laptops in schools

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bloke (Post 7956742)

I guess that the $5 is just an nominal amount as the laptops will have been given to the school by the Feds, as per the 2007 election promise. I'll assume that the laptops were written off as a loss as soon as they were issued to the school. Add to that, they wouldn't be the top of the range, most likely around the $500-$800 range.

Oh I know it's a nominal amount but the computers are by no means being 'given' to the schools. There is extra funding available but the schools must sign up to a new funding arrangement for the next 5 years which is not exactly favorable to state schools and there is no alternative to that. There is no follow up funding being provided for servicing these machines, additional networking, providing them to next years intake etc. So the school must ensure that greater proportions of its budget goes to IT and should try and keep the laptops in reasonable condition so they don't constantly need to replace them.

So sensible schools are doing a rental system which allows for depreciation and has a substantial deposit so the risk of the little darlings selling their computer on the street corner is reduced. Like I say, this school is mental giving them out with a $5 deposit.

Re: Laptops in schools

I know a lot of the main (expensive) private schools adopted the policy of only using laptops, and that was at least 10 or more years ago. Not a bad system but let's hope the kids don't spill any water on their keyboard (not that I have ever done that :D).