Read this post giving advice on which device to buy.
All Year 6 to 13 students are required to have a device for their schoolwork that can be configured by the school for the school network. While this device can also be used at home for leisure activities it should primarily be thought of as a device to support learning.
So what kind of portable device will best support students in their learning at Bangkok Patana School?
Older students will have probably formed a good idea about 'what works best for them'. Some will prefer a high-powered TabletPC running Windows 10 while others will prefer an Apple device.
We have learnt that students are not able to complete their schoolwork unless their device is of a certain standard so we have agreed on the following minimum specifications for the device the students are required to bring to school every day.
Minimum Specifications For Year 9-13 Students Starting August 2023
| Windows Laptop | Mac Laptop* |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 or 11 Home single language license or above (this will be checked) | Latest version of Mac Operating System |
| |
* Dual boot for the Windows OS may be required for students in Year 10 and above that choose Computing as their iGCSE or IB subjects. Contact dabr@patana.ac.th with any questions regarding this. | |
Top 5 Things to Consider
Here is a list of the top five things you should consider when buying a laptop for school.
- Price. A portable computer is more susceptible to loss and damage than a desktop computer so don't choose a very expensive model.
- Features. Wireless enabled, USB ports, long battery life, comfortable touchpad.
- Warranty. A service agreement with a local company will give you peace of mind and maximise your 'up' time.
- Software. A genuine operating system (Windows or Mac OS) is needed before we can install our Office 365 software. Our IS/IT team will check before installing. There are some shops that install fake operating systems on the devices they sell - please check beforehand.
- Size and strength. Light enough to carry around school yet strong enough to last for many years.
Please note that the dimensions of the inside of school lockers are 70cm x 37cm x 29cm. This needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a laptop for school use.
Touch Screen & Pen Input
Many of our students value the additional benefits that a touch screen and pen input provide. All of our academic staff are issued with a Windows device that is touch and pen-enabled. If you are undecided on whether to get a Mac or Windows machine then we recommend a pen-enabled device; read this supporting article.