Recommendation for a High School BYOD

LEvo5RS on 25/12/2023 - 20:13

Hello

My nephews school wants a BYOD. With boxing day approaching was hoping to get a good deal.

Here are their minimum required specs:

Operating System-Microsoft Windows 10
Processor-Intel Core i3 Minimum
Main Memory (RAM)-4 GB minimum
Hard Disk Drive-200 GB minimum
Solid State Drive-128 GB minimum
External Ports-2 USB ports minimum
Wireless Adapter-Wi-Fi compatible-Required Specification
Wifi AC Compatible (dual band wifi)
Battery-4-6 hrs battery life

Would prefer to get something a little more decent then the minimum specs as his last one was minimum and was painful to use.

Thanks

General Discussion

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  • bot on 26/12/2023 - 07:39
    +1

    Personally I’d recommend get a 2nd hand MacBook with decent specs in TradeMe. They usually built pretty strong and last years. And if you get an intel one you can install windows on it. But probably not the best advice if you’re not so technical.

    Otherwise I’d say aim for min 8gb ram ideally 16. And a decent (brand name) ssd.

    • Drcspy on 26/12/2023 - 08:26

      The School said Win10 Operating system and Macbooks are not anywhere near cheap. They're also largely constructed from the same parts that any other computer uses. Theres little point in buying one then installing windows on it.

      I'd suggest an intel i5 with 8GB ram and a 256 or 512GB SSD. The device will probably not be lasting too many years as it'll be bumped and lumped around at school so don't spend too much. Make it 14" as they're much lighter than 15.6" and do NOT take the schools suggestion of a 'spinning disk' this is the 'old school' hard drive and these are very susceptible to bumps - they DIE easily. An SSD is essential.

  • Bill on 25/12/2023 - 20:39

    Surprising they don't allow chromebooks, especially at papatoetoe.

    My advice is to account for 2 devices over the 5 years. Don't splurge for a device expecting to use it for the full 5 years. Instead, be prepared to buy a new one halfway through.

    • Evo5RS on 25/12/2023 - 20:58

      Cheers for the reply,

      I should actually ask if they can use chrome books cheers for the advice. He will be year 11 so would like to get 3 years out of it.

      • Bill on 25/12/2023 - 21:39

        The demands on the device increases through the years. Getting a really flash device in year 9 is not really useful, and trying to use a 4 or 5 year old laptop for the level 3 external examinations is not a great idea. That's why I recommend buying something cheaper like a Chromebook for the first half, and then getting something better for the second.

        I don't know why they don't suggest Chromebooks as an option. It might be due to some kind of enterprise enrollment or management software they are enforcing because all the nzqa exams can be done on a Chromebook.

  • Frisky Grandma on 25/12/2023 - 22:33

    Your schools BYOD minimum list is useless, not to be a prick but that's just a useless list and you'd struggle to buy a worse computer with windows on it.

    I've redone a few for schools, but this is how you get someone buying an amd athlon gold with a spinning disk and it going in the bin in 12 months

    What's your budget?

    • Evo5RS on 25/12/2023 - 22:49

      Totally agree the last laptop we got him was a bit better than the list and it was a hunk of crap!

      Would like to spend less then $750 cheaper the better but can stretch it to $1000 if it means a better more future proof one.

      • ace310 on 25/12/2023 - 23:26

        Check pbtech pre-owned ones.

      • Frisky Grandma on 26/12/2023 - 13:08

        I've purchased a number of thinkpads from remarkit similar to this, for example

        I really like the idea of sending kids to school with convertibles or ones that fold flat. 90% of our dead chromebooks are smashed LCDs and having the hinge take most of the hit can help I think.

        Can't help as far as new items go, but that one I lnked is actually not bad for the price

    • LupinS on 26/12/2023 - 13:48

      I'd consider a minimum list that you'd actually have to go out of your way (or have an ancient second hand computer, which is actually generally what they are trying to avoid) to get anything lower than it actually a pretty useful minimum.

      You've got to remember, parents come in all forms from tech savvy (unusual) to people who'd go buy $10'000 worth of the wrong gift card (common).

  • bot on 26/12/2023 - 08:47

    Hmm yeah. Maybe a Mac wouldn’t be the best option here.

    Maybe worth resetting the windows laptop you do end up getting to remove the often bloatware that’s preloaded.

  • Evo5RS on 26/12/2023 - 13:07

    Thanks for all the help team!

    Had a look online and have narrowed it down to 4, finding it hard to find a 14"

    https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKLEN150351/Lenovo-V15-G3-…

    https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/p/acer-15.6-inch-intel-core-i5…

    https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/dell-latitude-7490-a-grade-off…

    https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/produc…

    Am looking at going ahead with the Pb tech one unless other 3 are better?

    Cheers

  • Evo5RS on 04/01/2024 - 22:42

    Thanks team for all the help and suggestions. Ended up purchasing this one from Pb

    https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/EXNBKLEN0390/Lenovo-Carbon-…

    Thanks again team!

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