Over the recent months, I have been evaluating different
technology devices in order to provide more personalized solutions. Many of us have been making purchases on an
annual basis solely based on past practice as a one size fits all solution. With so many devices on the market and
capabilities ranging from device to device as well as cost, it’s often
difficult to determine what fits where and if there truly is a solution that
can suit all needs and budgets. I’ve recently
began looking at Chromebooks due to the continued adoption I’m seeing. Well, whose Chromebook then is best? Get demos from everyone willing and find
out. Each have price points and
construction qualities that are of consideration. What type of warranty can they each provide
and what is the cost of it. I’m finding
out that I can see some adoption of Chromebooks, but not as a district wide
solution. Rather, an offset of higher
expenditures where more computer power isn’t needed. I’m waiting on a HP Stream which I see as a
new competitor to Chromebooks in the personal cloud computing space. Can HP and Microsoft pull it off? The jury is out and I will reserve any remark
until I get it in hand. Once examined,
it will be a decision moving into future years with either Chromebooks or MS
offerings of similar devices. I’ve examined
devices from our current manufacturer and also sought out demo units from
others. Manufacturer’s quality,
offerings, and pricing is constantly changing in this competitive
marketplace. There is something to be
said for relationships that are made over years of business, however, it should
not put blinders on you to other new/existing manufacturers that are out
there. It’s a little more effort to seek
these new connections out, but I have stumbled upon great products I didn’t
expect from manufacturers I may have dismissed previously. The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga being one of
them. Kudos to them for making a solid
product! Keep in mind, we are not a
Lenovo shop in general, but this product fit a need that I could not get with
anyone else at an acceptable price point.
Rather than give up, I looked deeper and found what I needed. Tablets to notebooks to everything in between
I’ve had my eye on and my thought is that there is truly no perfect device for
all. We must consider a mix of devices
and tailor each device to its designated use.
Why pay more for a device to do A-Z when really it only will be used to
do A-M? Balancing a budget and
increasing technology is an ongoing battle and learning experience that you
must not become complacent with. The
market is constantly changing and it can become difficult to stay on top of
it. Just as in social networking, get
connected with all the vendors out there and build relationships whether you
actively use them or not, you might have an ACE in your pocket in the future!
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