1:1 Staff Laptops Vs Designated Class PC for whiteboard

[caffrey]

We're in the process of doing this as staff have been issued with Chromebooks due to current events plus we're a Google school, I've had success with cheap £40 usb-c hubs - one cable to rule them all. PC's are getting pulled much to their chagrin

[thimon]

Makes sense. How I would love to have standardised laptops with all the same connection haha. Still got lots of VGA laptops and projectors...

[jmak]

The £25 USB C "dock" I use at home supports VGA (and HDMI, DVI, Gb LAN, USB, pass through power). Not sure if have the confidence to roll out out to 30 classrooms, but it's been in daily use for a year.

[mdrabble]

I just looked at at this got quotes as SLT were interested at going forward and then everything ground to a halt as they wanted to discuss this with head of department???

 

I looked at Startech USB-C dock (MST30C2DPPD) had NIC, HDMI, Display Port and USB ports.

[p858snake]

Random disconnects, don't show video on the outputs without restarting in just the right sequence, don't always charge... That sort of thing.

 

We mainly had the screens not randomly not reconnecting with ours, We do have one make & model of screens that just randomly hate being connected to surfaces.

 

 

Dock needs firmware?.........what magic does it have inside? I did wonder why it was so expensive.

 

Docks are just essentially just mini computers that your device connects to and interfaces with, and things get improved or fixed over time (the same as applying Driver and BIOS updates etc on your desktops/laptops etc)

[midweek]

I have been asked (read "ordered") to provide an entirely wireless experience in some new junior school classrooms. Laptops & iPads to Apple TV's on 75" screens using airplay/airparrot.

 

The laptops will have USB-C so at least I can fall back to that if/when it all goes Pete Tong.

[Roberto]

I have been asked (read "ordered") to provide an entirely wireless experience in some new junior school classrooms. Laptops & iPads to Apple TV's on 75" screens using airplay/airparrot.

 

The laptops will have USB-C so at least I can fall back to that if/when it all goes Pete Tong.

 

Not sure I’d be investing in Apple TV right now, because Apple sure aren’t investing in it. It has an “end of life” feel to it right now as a product.

[2ilent8cho]

Not sure I’d be investing in Apple TV right now, because Apple sure aren’t investing in it. It has an “end of life” feel to it right now as a product.

 

We went Apple TVs back in 2013 when 3rd Gen were the current model which are ancient now and still work with Airplay fine. There should be zero concern in investing in 4th Gens at this point when its A) Current B) Previous model is still working fine for Airplay.

[Roberto]

We went Apple TVs back in 2013 when 3rd Gen were the current model which are ancient now and still work with Airplay fine. There should be zero concern in investing in 4th Gens at this point when its A) Current B) Previous model is still working fine for Airplay.

 

I’m not saying they don’t work, or that they’re bad at what they do. I’m saying that it’s been 1283 days since Apple last updated them, which makes them a poor strategic choice right now, as they’re going to be either updated or taken outside and shot quite soon, I should think.

[chazzy2501]

I have HP laptops Probook 440 G7 and the HP USB-C docking station (as it has mac address passthrough). They both had firmware updates out of the box. I'd say they have been 99% reliable.

 

The only times I've had a dock fail was because of COVID! Teachers were slathering their hands with gel and immediately picking up the dock cable or over zealous cleaners were spraying the desk and soaking the cable.

 

It errors are usually everything but picture, no charge, network and sound won't work. All of these were fixed with contact cleaner.. (so far) I'm 9 months in.

 

My only worry is if the cable can be replaced if damaged. oh and USB-C extension cables are hit and miss. picture but no sound/ networking and charge. Not sure how to spec an extension lead.