Computer Operating System

[floppy]

Ok. Thanks for the update.


The word “strongly encouraged” means you should buy via the school’s bulk purchases. However, if you don’t want to, you will have to buy a system compatible with the school’s DMA, in this case for this particular school - for Chrome only. Chrome book happens to be cheaper than both Mac and Windows based laptops most of the time.

Given that DMA cannot be universally installed and is specific to the OS only, it’s better to wait till the kid is officially in the secondary school before considering a purchase.

[sky minecrafter]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2029956\" time=\"1625884971\" user_id=\"188234:

gwlip\" post_id=\"2029950\" time=\"1625882520\" user_id=\"7486:

My DS graduates to Sec school next year. For computers, is it a must to use Windows or would Mac be ok as well? Is there a difference?

The school will select some device (PLD) for purchase under the NDLP. It could be either a Windows or Apple based device. You will have the option to bring your own device, but I believe it must be using the same operating system as the PLD selected by the school.

I would suggest check out the various school websites your son is interested in and see if you can figure out what operating system they are using if you want to buy now (hopefully they are all running the same thing). Or if possible, hold out until early next year to get a replacement (either your own device or purchase the PLD offered to the Sec 1s).

Quote from (1 of my kids' Secondary) school briefing:-


If you do not wish to purchase the PLD, your child will not be able to use his personal computing device in school unless the DMA is installed on this device. This is subject to the personal computing device being compatible with the DMA. Please note that the DMA employed by our school is only compatible with devices running Windows 10.

Device Management Application (DMA):
• Mobile Device Management Service
• Classroom Management Service
• Usage Management Service


My JC2, however, uses Apple (school's PLD since Sec1), & if the student opts out, it is still a must to get a compatible device. Hence, my JC2 uses more than 1 device concurrently

[Imp75]

My girls schools don’t enforce DMA, its optional to parents.

[SG_KP1]

For my son’s school, Sec 1s must have DMA (either on school purchased PLD or own device), but for Sec 2s - JC2s it is optional. I cannot tell whether the Sec 2s and up can still use whatever device they want.

[floppy]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2029973\" time=\"1625893118\" user_id=\"188234:

For my son's school, Sec 1s must have DMA (either on school purchased PLD or own device), but for Sec 2s - JC2s it is optional. I cannot tell whether the Sec 2s and up can still use whatever device they want.

I suspect the reason for sec 2 and up to be flexible is because there wasn’t a PLD policy before that. Hence, no DMA requirements. Would be unfair to force some of them to buy or change to a new one.

[sky minecrafter]

floppy\" post_id=\"2029981\" time=\"1625895973\" user_id=\"97579:

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2029973\" time=\"1625893118\" user_id=\"188234:

For my son's school, Sec 1s must have DMA (either on school purchased PLD or own device), but for Sec 2s - JC2s it is optional. I cannot tell whether the Sec 2s and up can still use whatever device they want.

I suspect the reason for sec 2 and up to be flexible is because there wasn’t a PLD policy before that. Hence, no DMA requirements. Would be unfair to force some of them to buy or change to a new one.

The school did not have PLD/ DMA policies when my Sec3 enrolled, & he has been bringing his own device to school for school work. But, the PLD (plus DMA) policy will still apply to him...