Purchasing A Device For My Student

One frequently asked question is: "What type of device should I get for my student?"

In this article, we will detail some of the popular questions and also provide some of our recommendations. Some of these questions include:

• Is there a specific device that you recommend?
• Do I need the highest level MacBook out there?
• I want to buy an Apple device. Which one should I get?
• Are Chromebooks ok to purchase?
• Do I need to purchase a new device or can I bring an existing one?

Is there a specific device that you recommend?

Typically, no. We have seen students use devices ranging from Chromebooks to iPads, to Macs and PCs, so there is by no means a set standard. We often recommend purchasing along the lines of what you have used in the past.

While we have seen students in the past successfully utilize tablets such as iPads, there can be some drawbacks to it, mainly centered around typing. If you go down the tablet route, we recommend getting a case that has a built-in keyboard.

Valor is a G-Suite and Office 365 school. As G Suite and Office 356 are web-based programs, 99% of standard coursework can be completed utilizing anything that can access a web browser.

Do I need the highest level MacBook out there?

I want to buy an Apple device. Which one should I get?

Many people buy Apple due to its ease of use and longevity.  

With Apple, it can also branch between deciding on an iPad versus a MacBook.  Both devices will provide sufficient success in your coursework at Valor.

If you are looking for a simple device that will handle most course requirements, an iPad with a keyboard-attached case is a fairly decent purchase. iPads are a cost-efficient device that will satisfy most class needs.  iPads have a fairly substantial battery life which will help ensure use throughout the entire school day. There can be some drawbacks to an iPad, namely the limitations on installing some software and some quirks with website navigation.

For most class work, we recommend a MacBook Air which will be more than sufficient. They begin at $999 and are an excellent device that will satisfy most needs. When buying those, we recommend that you upgrade the RAM to 16 GB and optionally increase the storage. These upgrades will help ensure your device can withstand future updates and increasing software demands. Adding those upgrades will land the price around $1600

We recommend starting with the MacBook Pro and customizing some of its options for students considering STEM or technical arts opportunities. The 13" MacBook Pro is a good start for this case. Its price begins at $1299. We recommend increasing the memory to 16GB and adding the 1TB SSD storage option. Selecting both of these will end up costing around $1900.

I want to buy a Windows laptop, what would you recommend?

Windows laptops are like lollipops. There are many combinations, options, and flavors, so depending on what you would like to do, there are various options.

As of July 25, 2022, Best Buy currently has a helpful tool that will help recommend devices to you based on need, budget, and OS. You can find that link here.*

If you're looking for portability with functionality, we recommend the Microsoft Surface Pro. Think of it as having all the portability and battery longevity of an iPad with the full functionality of a Windows laptop.

Windows laptops, including the Microsoft Surface, are just as capable of running design applications such as Adobe Photoshop, and some STEM applications are even Windows only.  Some designers like going the windows route, especially with Windows tablets as they are a good resource for drawing digitally.

Are Chromebooks ok to purchase?

Absolutely.  Because most of Valor's course work is online and through G Suite, a Chromebook is a good fit and will satisfy most student needs. Additionally, Chromebooks provide a solid platform at their inexpensive price point.

The only thing to consider with those is that they cannot install advanced programs such as Photoshop. We recommend a Mac or PC if you think your student may need that eventually.

Do I need to purchase a new device or can I bring an existing one?

You certainly don't need to purchase the latest and greatest to succeed. 

If your student already has a device, chances are that one will work just fine.  One thing to consider is the age of the device. As devices age, we've found that manufacturers will sometimes begin to place limits on aging hardware.  This could be something like an older MacBook Air not being able to receive updates after a certain version.  A device that has not, or cannot be updated to the latest version of its OS may run in to issues when using campus resources.

At Valor, we continuously update our systems to patch vulnerabilities, and ensure the latest improvements are applied.  Because of these continual updates, something like a 2014 MacBook Air that is not able to update past Mojave will not be able to connect to WiFi on campus.

As a rule of thumb, we tend to recommend that you have a device that is not older than 5 years, and that there are no pending updates that need to be run.

*Valor can make no guarantees on the recommendations above. We strongly encourage you to visit a store in person and talk to a specialist about the route you wish to pursue.