Microsoft surface tablets as sole computers

[Gaz]

There is talk afoot when we move premises next year that instead of having PC's or laptops instead we'll be having Microsoft Surface tablets (bar 2 CAD suits)

 

I've got reservations about this. I think a full on laptop or PC would be better suited but they (management) want to go down a route that seems to be that any room can be an IT room which is a good idea but I think they are choosing the wrong device.

I don't think they will stand up to the constant use day in day out and I don't think that they will be very nice to use from a health and safety perspective (DSE/RSI etc)

 

Does anyone else have a setup by where you have done away with pc's and gone full on tablets? I would like to get your thoughts on the situation as I've got a meeting to go to so we can discuss it.

[plexer]

DSE will only apply to staff not students. Not to say that's good thing.

 

Ben

[Gaz]

Yeah I know, although I don't understand it.

 

I just mean in the general use of DSE items which should apply to students imo.

[DarrenM]

Consider using USB or proper surface docking stations.

 

Surface docking stations may cause compatibility problems as your models go out of date.

[CyberNerd]

Does anyone else have a setup by where you have done away with pc's and gone full on tablets? I would like to get your thoughts on the situation as I've got a meeting to go to so we can discuss it.

 

Yes we are halfway through this. Last year we ripped out one IT suit, three this year and another to go next year.

It works really well - but once we evaluated the management overhead, apps and price of Windows vs ipad vs Chromebooks, the Chromebooks won out. So no direct experience with surface - although I appreciate that it would be more complex to implement.

 

To answer the question about why: I think it comes down to how funding formulas for building works are calculated. I understand that if a school is at capacity and requires new rooms the funding doesn't take into account dedicated spaces if a classroom is empty. ie if an english class vacates their room to use an IT suite the school doesn't get any money to build an extra classroom. This might be for LA schools, and it might be particular to our LA, but that was the general just as I understood it.

 

Suffice to say, the SLT are weighing up the cost of building rooms financed by the school vs the cost of mobile IT. Mobile IT always wins, and if you speak to any of our Chromebook teachers they would most certainly agree.

Edited July 24, 2015 by CyberNerd

[difinity]

I think the cost of repairs has to be factored into decisions like this. The surface devices are not very repairable.

The idea of mobile devices can be good but I think there are better devices to chose from.

Edited July 26, 2015 by difinity
typo

[pcstru]

Suffice to say, the SLT are weighing up the cost of building rooms financed by the school vs the cost of mobile IT. Mobile IT always wins, and if you speak to any of our Chromebook teachers they would most certainly agree.

I think ours generally don't like chromebooks - although there are a few teachers who are using them well. Personally I'd rather put in fixed PC's. No issues with battery life. No issues with wireless. No mucking about at the beginning and end of a lesson as they are distributed and checked back into a trolly. I know I'll get better average lifetime out of a fixed PC too - what will the batteries in a surface really be like after a couple of years hard use.