Innovation and Technology

The Educational Technology Program at ANS is strongly based in Cloud Computing and Web 2.0 Applications. ANS recommends and encourage students to bring Wi-Fi Tablets, Laptops or Netbooks as an important part in their educational development.

Some recommended tablets are the following: Apple’s IPad 16GB or IPad2 16GB; other tablets with Android Operating System such as Motorola Xoom or Samsumg Galaxy Tab are also recommended. If it comes with Android OS, the minimum version should be at least 2.2, Honeycomb 3.0 and further it’s a better option. 16GB versions are the minimum recommended.  Screen sizes of 9.5 x 7.3 inches minimum are required. There are also Tablet-Pcs options that come with Windows Operating System, these are also recommended.

If you are purchasing a new laptop or netbook, we highly recommend you stay with the major, internationally recognized brands. Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu, Acer and Apple are all known to make good, reliable machines. Quality can taper off rapidly when you get into the less well-known brands.

Because laptop computers are commonly jostled, and because repairs on laptops tend to be very expensive, we urge you to also purchase a three-year extended warranty. While the Technology Team will attempt to assist your kids with some minor computer problems, we won’t be able to provide hardware support.

Microsoft Windows or Macintosh based Laptop or Netbook computers are recommended. We do, however, provide basic support for Linux especially for Ubuntu. In order for your laptop to fulfill the requirements, it must have the following:

• A modern, Windows-based or Macintosh operating system.Windows XP Professional SP3, Windows Vista Business SP1 or higher, Windows 7 or Mac OSX or higher are the recommended operating systems.

NOTE: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 Home Editions will be supported, however, Windows XP or Windows 7 Professional offer more robust networking and security features. Therefore, if you purchase a laptop with Windows XP, the Professional Edition is strongly suggested. Same case for Windows Vista and Windows 7, the editions of Vista Business and Ultimate with SP2 are more recommended than the Home Editions.

• A wireless network card that conforms to the 802.11g or 802.11gn specification both for tablets and laptopsThe IEEE’s 802.11g and 802.11n standard is designed as a higher-bandwidth — 54 megabits per second (G) and max 600mb/s (N), successors to the popular 802.11b standard which tops out at 11 megabits per second.  802.11b is supported but not recommended.

Summary of tablet, laptop and netbook recommendations

The specifications below are intended to help guide you in the purchase of a new laptop. You are not required to purchase a laptop that meets or exceeds these specifications, but doing so will help to ensure that your laptop remains useful for more years.

• Tablet device with 1GHz Dual Core Processor and 16 to 32 or more memory on board. Laptop computer with at least a 2.0 GHz standard Intel or AMD processor. If you are buying a laptop with Pentium M or Celeron M Processor, choose a processor that is 1.3 GHz or higher. We strongly recommend Intel Dual Core Processors or Intel Core iSeries or AMD Turion 64×2 .

• Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business or Ultimate with Service Pack 1, Windows 7 is strongly recommended, Mac OSX or higher preferably ver. 10.5.x and aboveWe strongly recommend purchasing Laptops or Netbooks with Professional versions rather than Home Editions.
• An updated antivirus and antispyware software is required, especially in PC based computers.
• An 80 gigabytes or larger hard drive.
• A CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. (CD-DVD Burners are important but not essential) The speed of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is relatively unimportant. If it’s a CD or DVD Burner it will be useful for the student but not essential. Tablets with USB or SD-MMC-MS cards readers would work fine.
• At least 2GB of RAM (memory). Again, more is better. This is the corner that most people cut, but we feel at least 1 GB is necessary for your laptop to have a more useful life. It would be better to cut hard drive or processor speed than memory if that’s the case.
• Built in Camera and Microphone are not essential but it will be a plus.
• In the case of Mac laptops the VGA video adapter is required.
• A secure tablet or laptop carrying case.
• Three-year extended warranty. A warranty package usually adds two years parts and labor to the manufacturer’s warranty.

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