Buying a computing device is a personal choice. Ultimately, each family will need to choose the device that works best for their student. It is not necessary to purchase new devices if what you have already meets the criteria. Below is a guide to help make these decisions.
Buy something middle of the road and lightweight - your student wants a device that "fits" easily into his or her daily practice.
At the most basic level, student devices need to be able to:
• type on a keyboard
• connect to the Internet wirelessly
• run Apps, (either installed on the device or accessed in the Cloud) to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• log in and access the Google Apps suite including Google Classroom
• capture and do basic editing of photos, audio and video
For eLearning the student's portable device or home computer needs a camera and microphone to fully participate in an online class meeting.
Below is a range of general categories of acceptable devices listed from inexpensive, simplest and least powerful to most expensive, complicated, and most powerful. While CSS does not endorse specific brands or devices, please consult the information included on this page or contact one of the CSS Tech Team members for assistance in making your decision regarding devices. Laptops, Tablets with accessory keyboards and ChromeBooks are recommended. The list of acceptable devices is extensive and ever-evolving.
June 2022 Updated device recommendations:
Specific Device Recommendations (updated June 2022):
Minimum Specifications: Each device platform comes with its own minimum requirements, which may not be the same across all platforms. For computer science classes, the school has a computer lab consisting of iMac Computers which students will be able to use, although students may bring their own devices with similar capabilities. All devices must have the ability to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi networks and be able to go 2.5 hours or more without recharging. All devices must be able to run at least Chrome version 90 and the most recent version of Zoom. Please make sure you read this document carefully.
Apple MacOS devices: Any Mac Laptop capable of running at minimum MacOS High Sierra (10.13) with a functional battery and charger. Student devices must be updated to MacOS High Sierra (10.13) or higher before the school year begins. The majority of school iMacs are now running Catalina (10.15) and new Macbooks run Big Sur. New for 2022: The current Chrome browser will run on Mac OS 10.13, but Apple now requires Catalina (10.15) or higher to continue to get security updates for the Macbook. It is recommended that the device be built after 2015 for functionality. Some pre 2015 macs may have trouble connecting to the newest wireless access points on campus. To see if a device is compatible with High Sierra, click this link.
Apple iPadOS (iOS) devices: Any iPad capable of running iPadOS 14.6 AND with a keyboard or keyboard case. The iPad should be able to run Zoom without issue in the event of remote learning needs. It is recommended that the student have the iPad in a case to prevent damage and that it be covered under a service plan in the event of damage. To see if a device is compatible, click this link.
Windows devices: Intel Pentium, Core i, or Xeon Processor with at least 4 cores; AMD processors with 4 cores built after 2016. The device should have at least 8GB of RAM, keyboard, and be able to run the current version of Windows 10. NOTE: Celeron Processors are not supported on campus due to difficulty running multiple applications at once. Minimum device specifications are based on a Microsoft Surface Go or Higher. More information can be found here.
Chromebook device: Chromebooks are acceptable on campus but some applications, such as the CollegeBoard AP Testing Software, are not supported on them. In addition, CSS has noted a higher than average level of issues during e-learning from students using Chromebook devices, particularly while running Zoom. New for 2022: Therefore, a Chromebook that will be used for eLearning must have a processor with at least 4 cores/1.1GHz (Pentium or Core i or newer Celeron Quad core processors), 4 to 8 GB Memory (RAM), and a minimum of a 32GB Hard Disk (often called SSD or HDD). While functional with Google Apps for Education, Chromebooks that run a Celeron duo core processor will struggle during eLearning and should be avoided. Chromebooks should be manufactured no more than 3 years ago and capable of running ChromeOS Blink 91 (v9.1.269). In the fall of 2021 Google shared a guide with Chromebook recommendations for different levels of use at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15MBdfJTqKZaqymPKYV8JMBxneqshFT7OGpolxFbHiL8/edit?usp=sharing Google has a site that shows the end of support date for each brand and model of Chromebook. Google Chromebook end of support.
Some examples of recommended devices and specifications.
Apple:
Windows Devices:
Chromebooks:
Reviews of 2022 Chromebooks Teachers liked the Acer with Quad Core