Computer for online classes

[fourisenough]

My DD12 needs a new computer. She will be taking four online classes in the upcoming year (three with Wilson Hill Academy). I'm leaning toward buying her something like this convertible laptop/tablet Chromebook:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-11-6-Inch-CB5-132T-C1LK/dp/B01J42JPJG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1500844259&sr=1-1&keywords=acer+chromebook+r11

 

I like the size, price point and portability/flexibility. However, I'm not certain it will be good for use in online classes. I'm not techy in any way, so I could use opinions/advice. 

 

One additional consideration is that this digital graphics tablet is a required purchase for use in her math class at WHA:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010LHRFM2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Would it be compatible with the Chromebook linked above? Would she not need it because of the tablet feature of the Chromebook linked above?

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

[Crimson Wife]

Do Chromebooks run Flash? I've run into issues where certain online coursework requires the ability to run Flash and therefore I couldn't access that content from mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire).

[RootAnn]

Do they HAVE to have a digital graphics tablet for WHA math classes? (I'm asking for my own knowledge for the future.)

 

I found another thread with this exact question (about Chrome). Might want to check with the OP of that thread to see if she went in that direction & if it worked. (Actually, it doesn't look like the OP has been online in months.) 

 

I'd contact WHA and ask this question. Certainly, you shouldn't be the first to ask.

[fourisenough]

Do they HAVE to have a digital graphics tablet for WHA math classes? (I'm asking for my own knowledge for the future.)

 

I found another thread with this exact question (about Chrome). Might want to check with the OP of that thread to see if she went in that direction & if it worked. (Actually, it doesn't look like the OP has been online in months.) 

 

I'd contact WHA and ask this question. Certainly, you shouldn't be the first to ask.

Yes, the new "Comprehensive 2017-18 Math Book & Materials List" lists the graphics tablet as a required item for Pre-A, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Calculus, and recommended for Stats. Link to that list is here:

 

http://www.wilsonhillacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Math-2017-18.pdf 

[amy58103]

Chromebooks are great, if all you need it to do is surf the internet, write emails, and prepare basic word processing / spreadsheet documents.  There are downsides to Chromebooks ... connecting them to a printer can be tricky (and may printers simply won't work), you cannot install any software (etc. Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, etc.), and there is minimal internal storage (pretty much everything has to be stored on google drive, so a strong, consistent internet connection is required.)

 

I don't have any experience with the particular tablet you linked to, but I'm doubtful it would work with a Chromebook.  

 

Based on your current needs, and potential future needs, I would recommend going with an inexpensive windows laptop.  I personally like Dell and Acer, but I don't think there really is that much of a difference between brands.  Check out the adds at large big box stores and/or office supply stores ... they go on sale frequently.  Just as an example, here's one currently on sale at Staples.  Don't expect them to last forever ... I think 3 years is about the average life expectancy.   

[Roadrunner]

We are also looking at a Chromebook, but need to run Adobe Connect for one of the courses, and I am not sure if it will work. We haven't had much luck with PCs, although my macbook is incredible, but costs too much to supply for each one of my kids. Sigh. 

[Lanny]

We bought a Wacom Tablet (not that model) for DD, years ago. We bought it instead of what TTUISD had on their web site, which was not available here in Colombia.  The Wacom Tablets are awesome.  DD has not only used it for Math courses, she has also used it for Art...

 

It acts as a precision Mouse.     

 

Whether or not a Chromebook would detect a Wacom Tablet is something you really need to check out, before you click to buy.

 

I'm not positive about this, but I think many programs on a Windows box will work with a Wacom Tablet, without installing the Wacom Software.

 

As I recall, the free Software that came with the very low end Wacom Tablet we bought was also very good

 

There is a "learning curve" with a Wacom Tablet, so some patience is required at the beginning.

[fourisenough]

OP, here. I asked WHA and this is the response I received:

 

"We have had several families use Chromebooks and they seem to be working well. You may want to check with Adobe Connect for more specific answers to questions, but I do believe they are working for our classrooms."

 

Of course, this doesn't address the specific concern over whether the Wacom tablet would be compatible with a Chromebook (or possibly unnecessary with a Chromebook convertible tablet). I forgot to ask that.

 

ETA:

Just asked question about Chromebook/Wacom tablet... I'll update if I get a good response

Edited July 25, 2017 by fourisenough

[Lanny]

I think you would be much safer buying a Windows Laptop. Or an Apple product, but I have no knowledge of those.  Our family uses Enterprise grade (designed for and sold to or leased to Governments or Corporate clients) and they are designed to be easy to service and are produced in huge numbers and some of the components (Displays, etc.) are of higher quality than in a Consumer grade machine.

 

The first 3 we bought were Refurbished Dell Latitude E6400 laptops from Blair Technology Group, a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, and had a one year warranty on everything but the battery.  Then, we upgraded, to more recent/powerful technology. We bought 2 Incomplete Used Dell Latitude E6410 laptops (I'm using one of them) and an Incomplete Dell Precision M4500 Mobile Workstation, which is like a Latitude E6410 on Steroids.

 

These machines were probably produced around 2008 -2010 or 2011 and were probably out on 3 or 4 year leases. They run fine.  I have a Dell Latitude E6400 (model before the E6410) for my Backup Laptop and DD has an E6400 that I think she uses every day, in addition to her E6410.

 

I think with gentle treatment one of these machines should work well for 8 or 10 years, with a little luck, and probably a change of the hard disk drive from time to time. Unexpectedly, I put a Solid State Drive into the Precision M4500, because the Hard Disk Drive I had for it turned out to be defective.

 

ETA: In the future, there may be other things you need to do with the machine you buy that a Chromebook cannot do, that you are not aware of today. Try to imagine your possible requirements, 2 or 3 years down the road.  No more than that.

Edited July 25, 2017 by Lanny