Recommend a Chromebook for classrooms?

Forums › Chromium OS and Google Chrome OS › Recommend a Chromebook for classrooms?

ping182nz

188 posts

Master Geek

#157292 26-Nov-2014 17:27

Hi,

What model/make chromebook would you recommend for a classroom?

I am after about 10 to start with...

Any recommendations or things to look for would be good.

Thanks

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1183516 26-Nov-2014 17:43

Acer C720 is the most popular Chromebook here in NZ

How about a 10" Windows 8.1 2n1 detachable laptop/tablet with proper OS, USB, HDMI etc for around NZ$300 incl GST? You can install Chrome onto it if you wished.

vexxxboy

4243 posts

Uber Geek

#1183539 26-Nov-2014 18:22

heres another reason to go Chromebook

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/google-announces-1tb-of-free-cloud-storage-for-chromebook-users-625140

Common sense is not as common as you think.

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1183558 26-Nov-2014 19:07

Honestly while I love the idea I wouldn't recommend a chrome book.

Guessing a primary school, when they get to high school they will be on a windows machine (most likely). The new windows machines coming out are a similar price and can do so much more, pretty much every thing you can do on a chrome book you can do on a windows machine the reverse is not true..

If you have no choice in the matter... I have found most chrome books to be the same, choose the one which is most robust and has best battery, other than that they are pretty much same same

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tchart

2379 posts

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#1183627 26-Nov-2014 20:31

blackjack17: Honestly while I love the idea I wouldn't recommend a chrome book.

Guessing a primary school, when they get to high school they will be on a windows machine (most likely). The new windows machines coming out are a similar price and can do so much more, pretty much every thing you can do on a chrome book you can do on a windows machine the reverse is not true..

If you have no choice in the matter... I have found most chrome books to be the same, choose the one which is most robust and has best battery, other than that they are pretty much same same

Actually the opposite in Wellington in my experience. High Schools/Colleges are using Chromebooks. Primary schools have dinosaur PCs running XP.

My 8 yo son uses a Chromebook as he has trouble with hand writing. It was the first Chromebook at both schools (we changed schools in term 4). We got it as friends with older kids at college all had to buy chromebooks.

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1183643 26-Nov-2014 20:48

Toshiba Chromebook 2 is recommended by the Verge.. I'm Looking to buy one myself, to replace my first gen samsung, that has usb3, hdmi sd slot etc, nathan:).

ping182nz

188 posts

Master Geek

#1183649 26-Nov-2014 20:57

Any suggested suppliers?

blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#1183655 26-Nov-2014 21:13

How many businesses are going chrome book?

Lovely machines till you need to run a program.

Bit like windows rt really

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nathan

5695 posts

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Inactive user

#1183693 26-Nov-2014 22:22

be interested to know what you think of devices like this

http://www.copernio.com/efun/nextbook101.asp

Windows 10.1" 2-in-1 Tablet around the NZ$300 incl GST

•Microsoft Windows 8.1 Operating System
•One year free subscription to Office 365 Personal with unlimited TB OneDrive cloud storage free for one year and 60 Skype world minutes per month

nathan

5695 posts

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Inactive user

#1183694 26-Nov-2014 22:23

ping182nz: Any suggested suppliers?

Chromebooks?

Noel Leeming
PB Tech
Cyclone Computers

michaelmurfy

meow
13240 posts

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#1183708 27-Nov-2014 00:01

I've had quite a bit of experience in regards to a few schools doing the whole classroom laptop thing and my recommendation? Use something kids can learn with.

I've decided to go the cheap (Acer) route running Windows 8.1 on a domain with some group policy witchcraft connected to WiFi where kids can use and learn, they do get broken so be prepared to replace them or have spare parts and they also do in some cases get destroyed software-wise so a way to image them is always good. You've also got to be prepped in case they ever go walkies (for example, when a "troubled" student decides to slip one in a bag) and this is where I really strongly recommend Prey (from http://preyproject.com) to secure your devices.

The other important factor is software like AB Tutor giving the teacher access to the classrooms laptops to check engagement, do quizzes and even lock the laptops to make sure the students are paying attention.

Whilst I agree that Chromebooks are great I do not think they're 100% classroom ready, that is my 2c anyway.

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martyyn

1971 posts

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#1184018 27-Nov-2014 13:08

My two kids have spent the year with Chromebooks at college. Whilst I applaud the use of Chromebooks over ipads or tablets (these are C720's) I detest the price we've been made to pay for them and how much they have been locked down by the college. Both arguments for another thread though.

As for their usefulness I'm looking to buy one for myself right now actually. I have a desktop to do all the 'hard yards' but occasionally need something mobile to use when with a client, or when sitting on the sideline at my kids sport. As I'm fully into the Google sphere a Chromebook makes perfect sense. Docs and Sheets (or whatever they are called) do more than enough and I've never needed Office for my day to day work. They are light, easy to use and how many people really need anything more than being able to create simple documents, the odd spreadsheet and presentation, search trademe, browse Facebook and watch the odd youtube video ?

The C720 still appears to rank well for being the best of the cheapest whilst the Toshiba CB35 appears to be king if you buy the 13" screen with 4GB version. The Dell Chromebook 11 gets great reviews too. All Chromebooks are still stupidly expensive in NZ so I'm browsing Amazon at the moment. I might even buy two and sell the second one on TM to make it even cheaper.

tchart

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#1184054 27-Nov-2014 13:54

nathan: be interested to know what you think of devices like this

http://www.copernio.com/efun/nextbook101.asp

Windows 10.1" 2-in-1 Tablet around the NZ$300 incl GST

•Microsoft Windows 8.1 Operating System
•One year free subscription to Office 365 Personal with unlimited TB OneDrive cloud storage free for one year and 60 Skype world minutes per month

Funny, I was looking into these the other day. You can buy them local ALBEIT at $389

http://www.100percent.co.nz/Computers_&_Tablets/Computers/Tablets/M1012BCP/Nextbook-10.1-32GB-Wi-Fi-with-Keyboard.html
https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers/windows-8-tablets/nextbook-m1012bcp-10-windows-2n1-tablet/prod132973.html