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> I volunteer in an after-school supplemental program for kiddos in public housing. Three years ago we scared up a grant to buy four iPads to help the kids do t

> I volunteer in an after-school supplemental program for kiddos in public housing. Three years ago we scared up a grant to buy four iPads to help the kids do their homework. > Then a local teacher intervened and said, no, no, no, get Chromebooks. We did. We got six for the same money. They're compatible with the local school IT systems. They reset themselves when somebody logs off, so we don't have to worry about what the kids install on them. > THEY HAVE KEYBOARDS! Kids can use them to for written-word assignments without futzing around with the onscreen keyboards. > They aren't quite as game-focused as the iPads. That means we get less squabbling over who gets to use them and for what. (I've taken to leaving my iPad at home because it's an attractive nuisance.) > They're cheap enough that it's not the end of the world if one gets damaged. > The chromebooks are a big win for us and the kids we serve. How did you only get six Chromebooks for the price of four iPads?

ceejayoz 10y ago
> How did you only get six Chromebooks for the price of four iPads? By avoiding the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel ones that might not stand up to a classroom environment? The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 and Samsung Chromebook Plus are $449, for example.
- tracker1 10y ago
  The C302 definitely looks interesting... have any experience with "corporate" vpn connections? When my last mbp was stolen, I used an earlier atom chromebook for nearly a year, but without VPN access (at the time) that worked, it wasn't great. When I needed more, I could RDP, or SSH to something bigger... was nice light/small machine to have with me to stay connected. As it is, my current (2014 rmbp) sits mostly in the bag and rarely goes with me. My work issued one is tethered to the desk. Wouldn't mind a machine I care a little less about losing to have with me, or keep in the car even. Also, how is the feel of the touchpad? I'm guessing newer builds/kernels should support docker now.
- dexterdog 10y ago
  My kids' school has had them for a number of years now. They are all Dell and don't cost much more than $200/unit w/ coverage. Sure, kids break them occasionally, but most of the drops and slams that break a $200 unit will also break a $450 one.

ceejayoz 10y ago

> How did you only get six Chromebooks for the price of four iPads? By avoiding the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel ones that might not stand up to a classroom environment? The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 and Samsung Chromebook Plus are $449, for example.

tracker1 10y ago
The C302 definitely looks interesting... have any experience with "corporate" vpn connections? When my last mbp was stolen, I used an earlier atom chromebook for nearly a year, but without VPN access (at the time) that worked, it wasn't great. When I needed more, I could RDP, or SSH to something bigger... was nice light/small machine to have with me to stay connected. As it is, my current (2014 rmbp) sits mostly in the bag and rarely goes with me. My work issued one is tethered to the desk. Wouldn't mind a machine I care a little less about losing to have with me, or keep in the car even. Also, how is the feel of the touchpad? I'm guessing newer builds/kernels should support docker now.
dexterdog 10y ago
My kids' school has had them for a number of years now. They are all Dell and don't cost much more than $200/unit w/ coverage. Sure, kids break them occasionally, but most of the drops and slams that break a $200 unit will also break a $450 one.