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    • Aug 27, 2020
    • 2 min read

Device Purchasing Considerations





August 27, 2020


Many parents have been asking about purchasing devices for their child. Please know that purchasing a device is not required by St. Paul Education, but if you want to purchase one so that your child has their own device, the following guidelines prepared by the St. Paul Education Technology Services department might be helpful.


When purchasing devices for your child to use while at home or at school there are three options to consider. Please note that Division schools generally use Chromebooks in the classroom and Windows operating systems in computer labs.


Chromebooks

  • Support a Google based operating system (we use Google docs and Google classroom for instruction)

  • Can handle the student’s basic technical requirements for school work

  • Internet connection is required at all times

  • Can only be used for Google or web-based applications

  • Lower cost, easy maintenance, longer battery life, and no vulnerability to viruses

  • Minimum recommended specifications for a machine are 1.6ghz/4GB ram/16gb SSD(eMMC)

Windows operating system based machines (Microsoft Windows 10)

  • Can handle everything a Chromebook can

  • Able to use non-Google based applications such as Photoshop, Steam, Inkscape, Simply Accounting

  • Able to work offline without an internet connection

  • Are typically more expensive than Chromebooks

  • Mid-range cost, mid-range maintenance, shorter battery life than Chromebook, vulnerable to viruses

  • Minimum recommended stats for Microsoft Windows machines 1.6ghz/8 GB Ram/250 GB HDD

Mac operating system based machines (macOS)

  • Can handle everything a Chromebook can

  • Able to use non-Google based applications such as Photoshop, Steam, Inkscape, Simply accounting

  • May not be familiar to Microsoft Windows users

  • Highest cost, mid-range maintenance, repairs may be more expensive, shorter battery life than Chromebook, low vulnerability to viruses

  • Minimum recommended stats for macOS machines is a 2018 manufacture date or newer

Devices are available for purchase both locally and through major vendors. Note that the pandemic related demand and supply disruptions are limiting stock availability.


If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact the tech department through our Tech Help or see the Tech Help button on the home page of the St. Paul Education website.


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