Help me create the ultimate Pros / Cons list for I-Pad, Android, Win8.1 and Learnpad

[edutech4schools]

"-You need to buy in to the Apple ecosystem."

You need to buy into the Google ecosystem with an Android device. You need to buy into the Windows eco-system with a Windows RT device.

 

removed from post. thanks

[edutech4schools]

"-Not Easily integrated with current systems or software"

Neither are Androids particularly. Can you manually set a proxy on an Android device without hacking it yet?

 

Not an issue with the LearnPads or Windows systems. I will update the Android section.

 

Can you manually set a proxy on an Android device without hacking it yet

yes, have been able to for ages.

[CyberNerd]

I think you need to decide the criteria first and then decide whether the device fits it, like this:

Comparison of mobile operating systems - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edutech4schools]

I'm all for making lists like this but I can't help but feel you're falling for the anti-Apple FUD that goes around.

 

No, I am not lucky enough to have the cash to buy all the different types of tech and simply asking for your help. I took info from other forum posters to get started.

[edutech4schools]

There isn't much point in having a section for Windows 8.0 considering its support period. Staying on 8.0, also means you won't be able to install IE11 (and future versions of IE).[/color]]

 

Been a bit rushed. updating post.

 

A minor nitpick, but would it be possible to change I-Pads to iPad's.

 

Feel free to nitpick. Updated.

[Norphy]

Another minor nitpick then, lose the apostrophe. An apostrophe before the s in iPads denotes possession, not plurality. e.g. "My iPad's screen has broken" and "I have 100 iPads" Edited November 28, 2013 by Norphy

[edutech4schools]

Another minor nitpick then, lose the apostrophe. An apostrophe before the s in iPads denotes possession, not plurality. e.g. My iPad's screen has broken and I have 100 iPads

 

done.

[Norphy]

And if we're trying to not to be biased, point out that the iPad actually starts from £250 for the basic iPad Mini. Expensive, yes but not £400

[edutech4schools]

And if we're trying to not to be biased, point out that the iPad actually starts from £250 for the basic iPad Mini. Expensive, yes but not £400

 

ok updated.

[cromertech]

For android it is possible to lockdown. Free app available although I haven't tried

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tabpilot.browser

 

Edit this one has a feature to lockdown apps too

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vionika.mobilement

Edited November 28, 2013 by cromertech

[CyberNerd]

I still think some of the categories are too vague, for example describing one device as "Almost impossible to fully lock down and secure" and another as "Very secure" doesn't really make any sense. I've never had any problem securing an android device or ipad. I think you need to spell out exactly what you can and can't do with each device, whether it requires third party software and so-forth.

 

"-Not Easily integrated with current systems or software" ?? so it doesn't work with 802.11abgn ? I can't use it on the internet? what sort of systems can't you integrate it with?

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Aren't the learnpads just re skinned imported Android tablets? You can buy the learnpad software separately for compatible android tablets.

[cromertech]

Aren't the learnpads just re skinned imported Android tablets? You can buy the learnpad software separately for compatible android tablets.

 

Yes or get free app alternatives in post above http://www.edugeek.net/forums/netbooks-pda-phones/127931-help-me-create-ultimate-pros-cons-list-i-pad-android-win8-1-learnpad-post1093441.html#post1093441

[Marci]

Something you may not have considered - Are accessibility features relevant? (Do you have students with visual impairment, hearing impairment, fine motor impairment etc?)

[Arthur]

What about a list for Chromebooks (and Chromeboxes)?

 

Chromebooks

 

Pro's

• Very cheap (typically £167-£233 + VAT if you ignore the Pixel)
  
• Sub-10 second startup time
  
• Seamless automatic updates.
  
• Multi-user support.
  
• Chrome OS devices can be managed centrally through the Google Apps Admin Console (requires licenses costing ~£19 per device).
  
• Enrolling Chromebooks in your Google Apps Domain is very quick and easy (enter wireless settings, press Ctrl + Alt + E at the login screen to open the enrollment box and then login with a Google Apps account for your domain).
  
• Extremely unlikely to be infected with malware.
  
• Almost all data is stored on Google's servers.
  
• Supports Flash-based content
  

Cons

• Mostly useless without a broadband connection.
  
• Apps and Extensions can only be downloaded through the Chrome Web Store.
  
• Build quality of some Chromebooks can be quite poor due to their cheapness
  
• ARM-based Chromebooks can struggle with content heavy websites and HD videos.
  
• Does not support Java (although this could be considered a Pro by many people).
  
• Google take a long time to issue management licenses.
  

[CyberNerd]

What about a list for Chromebooks (and Chromeboxes)?

 

You can run Ubuntu as an app on a chromebook, so you might as well add a list for ubuntu

 

[edutech4schools]

For android it is possible to lockdown. Free app available although I haven't tried

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tabpilot.browser

 

Edit this one has a feature to lockdown apps too

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ika.mobilement

 

Brilliant. Will update post and have a play over the weekend with those apps.

[Arthur]

Will update post and have a play over the weekend with those apps.

You can also lock down Android 4.3+ tablets by creating restricted profiles. No need for any apps.

 

Android 4.3 Feature Focus: Multi-User With Restricted Profiles

[edutech4schools]

For some reason I am not able to edit my original post which slightly hampers things.

[Arthur]

For some reason I am not able to edit my original post which slightly hampers things.

Yeah. You only have 3 hours to edit posts.

 

Perhaps it might be worth creating the lists using Google Doc's so anyone can edit them, then get a mod to update the first post once finished?

Edited November 28, 2013 by Arthur

[edutech4schools]

Yeah. You only have 3 hours to edit posts. http://staticc2.cdngeek.net/images/smilies/frown.png

 

Perhaps it might be worth creating the lists using Google Doc's so anyone can edit them, then get a mod to update the first post once finished?

 

Ohhh great.

 

I have just messaged EduGeek and will see if anything else can be worked out first, otherwise I will share a Gdoc.

[edutech4schools]

I am almost ready to share the Gdoc but wanted to answer some posts on this thread.

 

Aren't the learnpads just re skinned imported Android tablets? You can buy the learnpad software separately for compatible android tablets.

No and yes. You can download the software for any Android tablet but they will not work with the dashboard section on the learnpad website which is used to remotely monitor all the learnpad screens. I think this has something to do with needing root access and a slightly customized OS which would come if you purchased the official learnpad tablets.

 

What about a list for Chromebooks (and Chromeboxes)?

Thanks for doing that.

[edutech4schools]

I am going to create a new thread and see if I can lock this one as it is pointless having the important information 4 pages in but I am not 100% sure what to call the new thread . It will need to be something generic so the info can adapt over time.

 

Something like Pros vs Cons for all Main tablet types / OS's.

 

Any ideas?

[edutech4schools]

Due to the 3 hour time lock of the original post I have started a new thread at http://www.edugeek.net/forums/netbooks-pda-phones/128177-pros-cons-list-tablets-hybrids-primary-school-environment-v2.html