Over the last year and moving forward into the next couple of years we have and are running into serious difficulties supporting both new and older apple computers. Java, printing, OS and software creep, unsupported hardware, unsupported printers etc.
These challenges are frustrating staff, students, and technology services staff. Currently teachers in grade 6/7 have warranty supported macbooks. Most other teachers/labs with macbooks are in a hand-me down situation without warranty or budget support. These include teachers at some rural schools and the middle schools.
While the mobility of macbooks or notebooks is a key feature, the need to support a wide variety of aged hardware and old operating systems is significantly draining our time resources. Often we are spending a considerable amount of time working on issues without a desired resolution.
With this in mind I am considering that we are best able to support desktop Windows computers rather than hand-me downs in classrooms and labs. We also have licensing for operating system upgrades and can obtain desktop PCs for $50-$200 each through Computers For Schools BC or commercial refurbishers.
These machines are often 3 years old when purchased and we aim to keep them for four years. We currently use these in most classrooms and computer labs. We do have hardware challenges with them, as with any computer, but we purchase spares when buying in bulk.
I could see us continuing support for hand-me down carts in the usual way we currently have done for the middle and rural schools but that may depend on how the Board decides to move forward with the WWP.
We’d like to hear your thoughts as always. Comments using the blog will be public. If you’d like to share otherwise, please email me.
TL;DR – thinking of moving to no more hand-me down laptops for teachers and labs, desktop PCs instead. Comments appreciated.