Laptop Help

[sherrardk]

Might have to get a laptop due to this second lock down (last time, boy #2 was supposed to do his GCSE’s (which got cancelled) so he didn’t need computer access). Any recommendations for one that’s primarily for work (not needed for gaming or any sort of enjoyment). I’ll be buying it from Amazon. Thanks :)

[THECORBYLOON]

If it's for your son, will the school not be providing the laptop/tablet?

[sherrardk]

Hi - it’s for who ever needs it really. At the moment, girl uses an iMac, thing 1 uses an ordinary computer and the 2 boys use their own x boxes but all of them will need some sort of IT access just for school work. I’m just trying to keep things calm and minimise conflict as it will be primarily boy #2 and thing 2 (who ‘hate’ each other) who need another device to use.

[THECORBYLOON]

I wasn't sure if you could get two but this link says you can

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-laptops-and-tablets-for-children-who-cannot-attend-school-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19#who-can-get-laptops-and-tablets

"How device allocations have been decided

Schools and colleges will receive an allocation of devices to be used to support disadvantaged children who are otherwise unable to access remote education.

Examples of this include disadvantaged children:

with no digital devices in their household

whose only available device is a smartphone

with a single device in their household that’s being shared with more than one other family member"

[sherrardk]

Thanks for that, but I don’t want to borrow one and put anyone else at a disadvantage. I’m quite happy to buy a reasonably priced laptop (probably could do with a spare in the house), just have no idea what I’m looking for.

[ummmm]

I've got a Chromebook. I really like it. It's only about £250.

[sherrardk]

I was just looking at a chromebook, as it was one I have actually heard of.

[calmck]

You need to know in what format the school work will be sent in to school, PDF or other file type. Granddaughter is homeschooling and so long as the machine has keyboard, possibly email she does email the teachers, camera she can chose if her picture appears but she does have to screen shot art work. Can you ask the school what they will be using most ie zoom or Skype. You could ask someplace like Curry's what they would recommend re memory space etc and then look on Amazon. You could also go for reconditioned machines. Buenchico is a good source for this type of info

[calmck]

PS Grandaughter is home schooling through an on line school, not because of lockdown and they use different forums depending on the lesson

[sherrardk]

Boy #2 will use ‘Teams’ (whatever that is) and the other three use stuff that was accessible last time on both a PC and an iMac.

[Tuvok]

Microsoft Teams - video calls, screen sharing, file transfer.

Don't know if its free - work supplied it.

Don't be forced/persuaded to fork out for Microsoft Office. The schoo might supply it - ask them, or you can get Open Office etc. for free.

[sherrardk]

As I think this is going to be a v long term thing I’ve bought 2 chromebooks with free delivery from Ao. Can always send them back if they’re *** (probably needed them anyway).

[Tuvok]

https://honestproscons.com/pros-and-cons-of-chromebooks/

[sherrardk]

Thanks for that - I’m sure they’ll be fine, if need be boy #2 can use girl’s iMac to tart his work up after he’s made notes, etc in the chromebook and thing 1 and thing 2 can share the other chromebook and the PC.

[Buenchico]

I hate Chromebooks but some people seem to love them!

If I was in your position, I'd be looking at a refurbished 'business grade' laptop from a reputable seller on eBay, rather than on Amazon. This Lenovo Thinkpad X260, for example, would have cost you £1000 when it was new four years ago. It's now available for just a quarter of that price, from a seller with outstanding reviews:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad-X260-Core-i5-6200U-2-30GHz-8GB-RAM-256GB-SSD-HDMI-12-5-Laptop/184549441215

Why did I select that model, and from that seller? Because I'm typing this on a Lenovo Thinkpad that I bought myself from the very same seller. It's an utterly superb machine, that could easily cope with the demands that your son would be making of it.

[sherrardk]

They should be ok, I don’t want them being used for enjoyment, they’re gap fillers (and hopefully, my sanity savers).