Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[freezeat2]

Hi, my boy is in Sec 1 this year. He has been telling me that it is urgent for him to have a laptop as his History teacher requires each group to bring at least one laptop and none of his group members have a laptop to bring to school. Also, he claims that the wireless signal/network inside his classroom is weak, so the teacher ask those with hotspot on mobile to switch on so that other students can log on. I am wondering if it is right to ask students to do that as mobile data plan comes with limited free gigabytes to be used each month…

[tinghao_sg]

Yes, my son tell me the same thing. Last sunday, we just bought a laptop for him. He need to bring laptop for history class. There are three history lessons every week, so he has to bring laptop for three days, that is really troublesome. One student in his group has 4G data plan, so they all use his data.

[freezeat2]

Like to ask all parents, what laptop did you get for your son? We are thinking of getting a ultralight one, so as not to add on to the weight he needs to bring to school. I like macbook air (slightly over 1 kg) but worried if it can play the videos and applets uploaded by teachers since most teachers assign them to read materials and submit work online.

tinghao_sg:

Yes, my son tell me the same thing. Last sunday, we just bought a laptop for him. He need to bring laptop for history class. There are three history lessons every week, so he has to bring laptop for three days, that is really troublesome. One student in his group has 4G data plan, so they all use his data.

[freezeat2]

Also, wonder if the school can improve the wireless or have LAN connections in the classrooms or bring the kids to the computer labs (which I heard the internet connections in the computer labs are also not stable) when they need to have internet connections instead of riding on students data plan?

[tinghao_sg]

My son used his own porket money to buy laptop. Macbook air is too expensive for him. So we selected Lenovo for him. i5 core, 8G ram and 500 G hard disk. It is quite light and only cost 899.

[HairyOrange]

freezeat2:

Also, wonder if the school can improve the wireless or have LAN connections in the classrooms or bring the kids to the computer labs (which I heard the internet connections in the computer labs are also not stable) when they need to have internet connections instead of riding on students data plan?

Hi,

Need to be mindful that with more than 3000 students in such a huge campus, no amt of bandwidth can satisfy the students ferocious appetite (bear in mind majority carry smart phones too).

Laptops in Sec 1 really not necessary if U have laptop/PC at home as the school has vast comp labs/library with pretty decent PCs.

Those keen on MacBooks, can always either use the free BootCamp or buy the Parallel Windows 8.x bundle to enjoy both Mac OS and Windows.

[8228]

HairyOrange:

freezeat2:

Also, wonder if the school can improve the wireless or have LAN connections in the classrooms or bring the kids to the computer labs (which I heard the internet connections in the computer labs are also not stable) when they need to have internet connections instead of riding on students data plan?

Hi,

Need to be mindful that with more than 3000 students in such a huge campus, no amt of bandwidth can satisfy the students ferocious appetite (bear in mind majority carry smart phones too).

Laptops in Sec 1 really not necessary if U have laptop/PC at home as the school has vast comp labs/library with pretty decent PCs.

Those keen on MacBooks, can always either use the free BootCamp or buy the Parallel Windows 8.x bundle to enjoy both Mac OS and Windows.

My ds (sec 1 last year) brought laptop to school only 2 or 3 times last year.

[lexis]

my son’s been bringing his laptop to school whenever there’s a history period.


according to him, macbooks have no problems accessing the student wireless network but PCs seem to have a bit of difficulty.

[TravelMummy]

HairyOrange:

freezeat2:

Also, wonder if the school can improve the wireless or have LAN connections in the classrooms or bring the kids to the computer labs (which I heard the internet connections in the computer labs are also not stable) when they need to have internet connections instead of riding on students data plan?

Hi,

Need to be mindful that with more than 3000 students in such a huge campus, no amt of bandwidth can satisfy the students ferocious appetite (bear in mind majority carry smart phones too).

Laptops in Sec 1 really not necessary if U have laptop/PC at home as the school has vast comp labs/library with pretty decent PCs.

Those keen on MacBooks, can always either use the free BootCamp or buy the Parallel Windows 8.x bundle to enjoy both Mac OS and Windows.

Hi, We have laptops at home but I am not particularly inclined to let Ds bring it to school cos he is v careless and may misplace it. However, he has received messages from school to bring laptops or iPads to school. What are the options if a child doesn't comply? Is he able to just borrow one from the comp labs? Does he need to pay a fee pls? Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[Steadyberry]

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