superksmum:

Thank you Haneyi. That's what i feel too. My main concern is whether they need CD rom and will there be lots of stuffs to be downloaded?

I think if your daughter is not an excessive computer user/gamer or someone that likes to utilize a lot of apps, or listen to 50GB worth of music, then I think an Air has sufficient. There will not be lots of stuffs to be downloaded.
As for CD Rom, you'll just need it to install your Microsoft Office, you can just borrow an external drive from a classmate. The only other time I used a CD Drive in school was to help the teacher burn images and videos into a CD, but if you don't have a CD drive your teacher won't get you to do it so it's alright.
Looks aside, the MacBook Air is really much lighter and way more convenient as you'll be bring your Mac to school nearly everyday (and it's easier to fit your Air in a bag too)
I personally own a Pro since I installed other OS into my Mac (Windows etc) and other apps more convenient for screen filming/editing etc. And I have a large library of music as well and I am almost exceeding the 128GB mark.

tinkfirst:

Hi, may I know does joining uniform groups earn more points? Also do the students need to go back to school on Saturdays for their CCA esp the UG? TIA

Yes joining uniform groups will earn you more CCA points. And it depends on what CCA you're joining. If you're joining Sports or Performing Arts, then yeah you probably have to, especially if it's during competition season or there's an upcoming performance/SYF. UG not that much I guess, unless there are certain events and stuff. Club & Society, no probably not, I think.

superksmum:

Hi, I would like to know whether there will be a lot of downloading of information or installing on the Mac that requires a larger database? If so, would the Pro be more suitable? Furthermore, is it frequently that the gals will be using CD to install any program or work?


Thank you!

The Microsoft Office will come in a CD, so you need a CD drive. As for the flash memory, 128GB will be sufficient for school, it depends on whether the user needs more space for personal use (e.g music, movies, apps etc.)

sunhux:

There's lower-priced offers for Macbooks outside but I'm concerned if

there's any catch if we don't buy from Sapura. Any parents / seniors
care to share (if we don't buy from Sapura):

a) will my kid be discriminated against (or get lower priority) when it
comes to in-campus support by Sapura? (I'll certainly buy the
insurance & the $150 support fee from Sapura)

b) the freebies gadgets are not an issue to me but what about
the MS Office at S$80? Can I still get it at S$80 ?

c) there's a special 4-year insurance/warranty (outside only offers
3 years): can I opt to buy this 4-year insurance/warranty if I
don't buy from Sapura ?

d) any other catch?

If not convenient to share here, feel free to email me directly
at [email protected]

I'm not entirely sure on this as I purchased my MacBook from Sapura but in reference to the laptop order form that I still keep (someone please do correct me if I'm wrong!):

A) I don't think there will be any discrimination, but I'm not sure if the $150 fee includes in-campus support, but it should seeing that there isn't much difference between Sapura and non-Sapura MacBooks after all that configuration.

B) According to the one I got this year, not sure if there were any changes, the Microsoft Office that is 82 bucks (?) is an optional purchase that comes with the packages for MacBook Air/Pro so I don't think you will be able to buy it at the same price.

C) I think the same applies to the Apple Guard Warranty, since it's also categorized under optional purchase along with the packages but I'm not entirely sure. I think the warranty you purchase from outside may also be different from the one from Sapura? Since it says that it is an exclusive insurance policy for the students of RGS but then again I'm really not sure.

D) If you're buying an Air then I think they provide optional purchase for the external CD drive which should be cheaper than outside, but I think that's pretty much it.


^ This is the info I got from 2012's order form so well, don't count on it too much :\\

chatterbox321:

kaeshion:

[quote=\"cluelessmama\"]Sorry, just to confirm - so the girls will wear PE shirt and culottes on the first day instead of uniform to school?


Also, can we get a 11\" Mac Air coz that's the lightest?

Thanks!

Yes PE shirt and culottes

Hmm I don't need you can. It's recommended that you at least get the 13 inch one, I don't think I have seen any of my batchmates carrying a 11 inch one around (actually one, if I recall, but she owns a 13 inch MacBook Pro as well), and definitely not 15 inch.
The weight difference is only about 25g or so for 13 inch and 11 inch and the Air itself is already very light

Haha Kaeshion, actually 11 inch the weight is only slightly over 1kg >< sorry I keep correcting you, just wanna make sure correct info is given to those who need it. And yes, an 11 inch MacBook Air is allowed, though 13 inch is recommended. I have a few classmates who are using 11 inch MacBook Air, so it is alright. And yes they wear PE shirt and culottes to school You can compare MacBook models at this page -> http://store.apple.com/sg/compare/mac?page=mac Hope I helped :)[/quote]Yes it is o____O\" the 11 inch one is slightly over 1kg, that is correct. (1.08kg to be exact) Oh I meant 0.25kg not 25g. /math problems/

cluelessmama:

Sorry, just to confirm - so the girls will wear PE shirt and culottes on the first day instead of uniform to school?


Also, can we get a 11\" Mac Air coz that's the lightest?

Thanks!

Yes PE shirt and culottes

Hmm I don't need you can. It's recommended that you at least get the 13 inch one, I don't think I have seen any of my batchmates carrying a 11 inch one around (actually one, if I recall, but she owns a 13 inch MacBook Pro as well), and definitely not 15 inch.
The weight difference is only about 25g or so for 13 inch and 11 inch and the Air itself is already very light

kuancs:

Thanks Kaeshion. BTW, what are the common software applications need to be installed into the Macbooks, is Office Suite (word, excel, powerpoint, outlook) sufficient, any other software needed, cos the Macbook only has 128GB flash storage, is it enough for day to day use?

Are you going to buy the MacBook from Sapura? If you're going to buy it from Sapura they will have most things installed for you, such as GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto etc. Office Suite you would have to purchase from them and install on your own. The applications required for school will be settled by the vendor
It really depends on the user actually. As for me, I want to maximize the use of my mac and I spend a lot of time on it so I have a lot of applications, and I also listen to music often, so I have about 20GB worth of music files and about 80 - 90 GB of applications and other stuff, so I got the Pro that gives me 500GB of flash memory.
However, my friend does absolutely nothing much with her Mac apart from what is required for school and the internet has used up only a few GB of space in her Air so 128GB is enough.
I also have a friend who got a MacBook Air yet uses it like the way I do, so she has to carry an external hard disk around.

kuancs:

Hi there, i like to ask during class how do you connect the Macbooks to the school network, is it via LAN connection or WIFi?

You connect to the school Wi-Fi. However after connecting to the Wi-Fi you'll need a Network Access Client (it's called Odyssey) that will be pre-installed into your Mac if you buy your Mac from Sapura (to be able to connect to the school network). If you don't, then you'll have to pay extra bucks for it to get installed if I'm not wrong.
There will be a really detailed briefing on how to configure everything and the ICT department/Sapura technician can also be approached if there are any problems.

Choco05:

octoberbaby:

Y1-Y4 report on the same day. Unlike in the past, only Y1 reported in the first day,

Yes, and it's such sad news for us seniors :sad:

YESS. D':
The Year 1s 2012 haven't even gotten a chance to get a slightly extended Dec hols. /headdesk/

HermioneGranger:

Is it absolutely necessary to have a hand phone? Why do we need it anyway?

No it isn't necessary to have a handphone but it is really better to have one in the case of last minute project meet ups and stuff like that.
You need to make yourself contactable easily if you don't intend to own one for the sake of group work and other school group competitions, projects, as it can be really frustrating to be unable to reach someone in times of need.
And it's also for your safety! (in a way or another I guess)
Oh and also you will usually be contacted through SMS for many events such as the results of CCA trials, if you participate in Inter-House Games, if you go for street sales projects etc.