Need more info? Read the frequently asked questions page here.
The Chromebook is unique in that most, if not all, work will be stored online, so the days of needing a gigantic hard drive are on pause. Here are some of the basic specs when Chromebook shopping, and a couple recommendations:
- 4GB of RAM (You'll see many with 2GB, it's worth a bit more to get 4GBs)
- 16 or 32 GB hard drive (Your choice here, again not at critical as the RAM)
- 11" or 13" screen (This is a preference, but all of the district Chromebooks are 11". Check the weight on the ones you are considering. The two district recommendations are 2.95lbs for the 13" and 2.9lbs for the 11")
- 8-10 hours battery life
The two models that I recommend are the Toshiba 2 13" (available with or without 1080p HD) and the Acer C740. Through our vendor, CDW-G, you'll get our educational discount which beats many other online retailers prices.
Best Buy will also have a shopping site for us in the next two weeks.
Best Buy will also have a shopping site for us in the next two weeks.
One other amazing benefit of the Chromebook is the easy management. There is a one-time license fee of $30 for each Chromebook that allows the device to instantly connect to our wifi and have printing capabilities at school. Student will also be connected to the powerful classroom tools that allow for support and monitoring in class.
Purchasing through CDW-G will be the best way to make sure you get the license. While this feels like one more thing that raises the price of the device, it is essential for the wifi and software. The district will of course cover the gap for those who purchase elsewhere and don't acquire the management license, but we appreciate any support here.
For all of you who already own a Chromebook, there is no need to buy a new one. Also many of you have asked about other options. If you find another model you'd rather purchase, that is fine. CDW-G sells a wide variety as do many stores. We chose these two based on testing, current use, and release date. We hope that by having only two models in the classrooms we can support extra power cables.
