In September 2006
we begin the 9th year of our Laptop Program. All students in grades
7-12 are expected to bring a functioning laptop computer to all academic
classes.
GA's Laptop Lease program ensures that all students have the same computer model, which has all the necessary software and is completely insured and warranted against damage and loss. Only GA-leased laptops are permitted on campus for school use.
Access to our school
network is provided by both wireless and hard-wired Ethernet technology.
Through the school network, students have access to campus email, the
school’s intranet (“PlaidNet”), the Internet, and to their personal
storage space on network servers. Appropriate use of laptops and all
campus technology is clearly spelled out in GA’s Acceptable Use Policy,
printed in the Student Handbook and published on PlaidNet.
Fall 2006 Rollout Dates:
- Middle School - All 7th graders and new 8th graders will receive their laptops during computer class.
- Upper School - Current Upper School students may pick up their
laptops any time during the week of August 29-Sept 1 (Tuesday-Friday)
- New (incoming)
Upper School students are asked to attend a brief orientation on
Tuesday, September 5, 8-9 AM in Upper School Tech Office (next
to Student Lounge). You may pick up your laptop the previous week
if you wish (see above), but we'd like you to attend the orientation
to learn about GA email, network resources, and other essential
technology.
Platform Options in Other
Grades for the 2006-2007 School Year
- 7th & 9th Graders
all receive Apple iBooks with a 2-year lease cycle.
- 10th Graders, including new students, undertake a 3-year lease of their choice of Apple iBook (14") or IBM ThinkPad (R52)*
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11th & 12 Graders who are either entering GA or at the end of their current lease cycle may choose between an Apple iBook (12") or IBM ThinkPad. This is a 2-year lease. Graduating students return their laptops prior to graduation, or may purchase them for a pro-rated amount.
- Changes to the current lease program for 2006-2007:
- IBM ThinkPads will be cycled out of the laptop program over the next 3 years. 9th grade students in the Fall of 2006 will receive 12" Apple iBooks.
- Students in grades 10-12 will continue to choose between Apple or IBM when their current lease expires. 10th grade students in 2006-2007 will enter a 3-year lease. All other students (9th, 11th & 12th grades) will enter a 2-year lease. The 3-year lease program will be phased out in favor of the 2-year lease.
All incoming students to grades 7-12 will be assessed a laptop fee of
$750 per year. Each student is provided with a laptop computer for her
exclusive use for the 2-year term of the lease. At the end of the 2nd
year, the student receives a new laptop to use for the next 2 years. The laptop fee covers all software licenses, extended factory warranty,
and SafeWare insurance.
The lease program is mandatory for all GA & Brunswick students. Personally-owned laptops can not be given access to school networks.
Much of the software required for school use is installed under
license. The license fee is less than the cost of purchasing an individual
copy of the software, and permits upgrading the software without
additional cost.
- 2-Year Extended Factory Warranty
Apple iBooks and IBM ThinkPads are covered under a 2-year extended factory warranty.
For all repairs that are beyond the scope of the factory warranty, the
leased laptops are covered by SafeWare. With a $100 deductible for each
occurrence, this policy covers screen replacements, any damage to the CD
drawer or case of the computer, and complete replacement in the event of
loss due to accident or theft.
To ensure complete compatibility of
models and software for academic purposes and network access, only laptops
in our lease program are permitted for on-campus use.
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Apple iBook G4 