Introducing BYO Computing to NEGS…
From 2015, New England Girls’ School will transition from the current Years 7-12 One to One Laptop Program to a conditional BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) arrangement. For several years The One to One Program has provided a premium IT resource to our students but now the technology landscape has changed to a point where more versatility is needed. For example, the One to One program tended to tie participants down financially, with little or no option to extend ownership should a carefully held laptop have extra life expectancy. NEGS now offers several ways for families to provide the necessary IT equipment to their students:
1. Bring Your Own laptop - providing it is a recent model Macintosh (2 years or less). 2. Buy Your Own laptop - from a recommended selection of Macintosh laptop models. 3. Buy Your Own laptop package - choosing from a selection of recommended Macintosh
laptop models with value extras including 3 year warranty, external hard drive and MS Office with optional clip on hard case, carry bag and insurance.
4. Lease Your Own laptop package - choosing from a selection of recommended Macintosh laptop models with value extras including an external hard drive and MS Office with optional clip on hard case and carry bag.This option includes 3 year factory warranty and insurance.
Information
Technology at
School IT Partner Mac1 offers packages for both 3 and 4 (see details below)
In all cases it will be at the owner’s discretion whether their laptop can carry on past the
warranty/lease period, although laptops older than three or four years should be considered as marginal in terms of speed, ability to run the latest Operating System and risk of breakdown.
The NEGS IT Department will continue to offer Help Desk and repair assistance to both day and boarding students no matter how their laptops have been obtained.
Why Warranty AND Insurance? These work just like your car.
Factory warranty covers the repair of “rattles and squeaks”, generally any recognised issues that may crop up over the three year warranty period. For free. All Macintosh computers come with one year warranty, the extra two years of warranty may be purchased separately, however it is an inclusion with the Mac1 lease packages.
Insurance covers the “accidents”. For each claim you pay the excess, which is usually less than $250.00, and the insurance company picks up the balance. For example, screens cost about $670 to repair - there’s very little else on a laptop cheaper to repair!
For this reason we strongly recommend taking out IT specific insurance irrespective of how you’re acquiring the laptop. Or check your household policy for coverage terms and any excess or penalties claims may trigger.
The Mac 1 packages offer insurance as an optional extra for outright purchased units, but is included with FlexiRent leases.
We also strongly recommend clip on covers, either the optional one in the package deal or an equivalent product - there are many to choose from at electrical or chain stores and online. These tend to be a fashion statement as well so variety of choice is important, but robustness is the priority.
About Our Recommendations
The three recommended laptop models are the minimum requirement. Families are welcome to acquire the more powerful/bigger/higher specification models, however the “entry level” models are quite sufficient for school use and should be powerful enough to last 3-4 years. Our favourite is the MacBook Pro13” as it fits neatly on a school desk and in a school
backpack without too much weight. The screen size is decent and the case reasonably robust. The Retina screen models feature a higher resolution screen similar in quality to a
smartphone, but are accordingly more expensive.
While the 11” MacBook Air is possibly heading towards being too small, it offers an economic solution, as does the slightly larger 13” model. Both Airs have limited on board data storage. The MacBook Pro 15” is a premium model with a larger screen, slight increase in weight and cost.
All Macintosh computers come with an extensive suite of software so it works straight out of the box. NEGS will add some software to give access to school systems plus extras. NEGS IT will also run updates as they become available.
Why Macintosh?
1. The school laptop program has been built around the Macintosh Operating System and associated software. Uniformity in platform is an enormous help to the school in managing the computers, especially during this transition phase.
2. Chargers and peripherals - we only need to stock two types of chargers, various adaptors and connectors in case of loss or breakage and using school data projectors etc.
3. Armidale has two authorised Macintosh repairers. Laptops needing repair under Apple’s worldwide warranty or from an insurance claim can usually be turned around in 24-48 hours. This is very important in ensuring our students always have access to technology in the classroom and for homework and study.
4. Macintosh comes with an extensive suite of software, out of the box. 5. Our students seem to prefer Macintosh. Really.
As our BYOD program matures over the next two years, and the NBN footprint is extended across rural Australia, more platform options may become viable at school, but especially at home.
Why Not Tablets?
1. Tablets are portable and are great for consuming stuff - reading, games, running various apps, but don’t shine when it comes to “real work”. Sure, you can create content, and add peripherals to help with keying etc, but essentially they are a consumer device for
prepackaged content. They do have their place and NEGS will provide them for specific tasks.
2. Laptops have real keyboards, screen sizes that don’t challenge young eyes too much, hold much more data (handy when operating in poor internet reception areas) and are generally more flexible.
OPTION BY OPTION
1. Bring Your Own Laptop
If you already have a Macintosh laptop, any size, any model, in good condition and two years old or less, bring it along. Bear in mind that older 17 and 15 inch models weigh a bit and take up a lot of desk real estate.
2. Buy Your Own Laptop
If you have access to an Apple Reseller, Apple Store or prefer to shop online directly with Apple (http://store.apple.com/au/mac) this option may suit you. If you are a teacher, or parent of a tertiary student you may qualify for a discount (ask your reseller). Apple offers financing options and resellers will have their own financing vendors.
3. Mac1 Package - Buy
Buy the school recommended package from Mac1, choose the extra options you prefer. The package includes:
- A choice of four MacBook ranges (MacBook Air 11-inch, MacBook Air 13-inch, MacBook Pro 13 inch or MacBook Pro 15-inch).
Within each of these ranges there is a choice of basic and higher specification models (speed, screen resolution, storage).
- AppleCare Protection Plan (extended warranty to a total of three years) - External 500Gb Hard Drive to do back ups
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
Optional Extras
- Insurance for three years from Protecsure (highly recommended)
- Clip on plastic cover (highly recommended, buy this or elsewhere - shop or eBay)
- Computer bag (two styles)
4. Mac1 Package - Lease
Lease the school recommended package from Mac1, choose the extra options you prefer. The package includes:
- A choice of four MacBook ranges (MacBook Air 11-inch, MacBook Air 13-inch, MacBook Pro 13 inch or MacBook Pro 15-inch).
Within each of these ranges there is a choice of higher specification models (speed, screen resolution, storage).
- AppleCare Protection Plan (extended warranty to a total of three years) - External 500Gb Hard Drive to do back ups
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) - Insurance for three years from FlexiRent
Optional Extras
- Clip on plastic cover (highly recommended, buy this or elsewhere - shop or eBay)
- Computer bag (two styles)
HOW TO BUY PACKAGE 3 OR 4
1. Go to the website <https://portal.mac1.com.au/negs> (this is called a “portal”) 2. Enter Purchasing Portal
3. Explore the four MacBook ranges for features and pricing. Click on “More Info” to see inclusions, options, pricing etc.
4. Add your choice to Cart. IF YOU INTEND TO LEASE DO NOT SELECT INSURANCE OPTION
5. “Process Request” and Review Order, Confirm Request or Continue Shopping 6. Now Login. New to Mac1? “Continue” to Mac1 Portal - New User
7. Create New Account by filling in the form. If you need your laptop delivered home add your home address otherwise have it delivered to NEGS so we can set it up and present it on Orientation Day (if delivered in time). “Create Account”
8. Once your account has been created (“Thanks! Your account has been created”) click Return
9. Now comes the money side. Enter your student’s name etc. then click on “Select Payment Method”
10. Select your payment method. IF YOU INTEND TO SELECT FLEXIRENT, ENSURE YOU HAVEN’T SELECTED THE INSURANCE OPTION. Insurance is INCLUDED with FLEXI RENT.
11. Confirm payment method.
12. If you have selected Flexirent, a representative will contact you to finalise your lease contract.
13. Other payment methods will generate BPay codes etc, require credit card details or direct you to our local Mac1 store.
14. Finalise Order
Typical Costings MacBook Pro 13”
Mac1 Package 3 (entry level laptop, AppleCare, hard drive + insurance option) $1938.55 Reseller RRP (entry level laptop, AppleCare, hard drive + insurance option) $2151.44
MacBook Air 13”
Mac1 Package 3 (entry level laptop, AppleCare, hard drive + insurance option) $1520.51 Reseller RRP (entry level laptop, AppleCare, hard drive + insurance option) $1960.49
