Technology Recommendations

The Academy at King requires each student to have a calculator and laptop. We recommend:

Calculators

New: “TI-84 Plus” or “TI-84 Plus Silver Edition” or Used: “TI-83 Plus” or “TI-83 Plus Silver Edition” The plain old “TI-83” is not sufficient. The “TI-Nspire” is not recommended, although the one with the TI-84 Plus keypad is an acceptable choice.

Laptops

Operating System

If you already have a laptop available, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are acceptable. If you are buying a new Windows laptop, avoid Vista and go with Windows 7 or XP. Macintosh is also acceptable.

Wireless

To access our wireless, laptops must be capable of connecting to 802.11b/g wireless networks (WiFi).

Required Software

Microsoft Office is highly recommended. Homework and in-class assignments sometimes require use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The latest versions are not necessary. The student and academic versions of Office are reasonably priced and include the necessary components. If you feel comfortable working with open-source (free) office productivity software, then that is an acceptable alternative to MS Office.

Accessories

Headphones. Microphone (for Spanish classes). Most laptops have a built-in microphone. If yours does not, then buying an accessory microphone/headset will be necessary.

Screens

A matte screen is recommended for better performance under a variety of use conditions. Glossy screens can be troublesome under bright classroom conditions. However, this is a matter of personal preference.

Ultraportables

Small ultraportable laptops may not offer the best experience for students. Though very portable, many have very small screens with barely usable resolutions. Additionally, some purposefully small laptops are underpowered. If you are planning on getting a “very small” laptop, be extra careful to ensure it will be a useful laptop for frequent use.

Laptop Examples

Most Academy staff laptops are Lenovo T-61 running Windows XP. Lesser laptops are fine. Higher-end laptops are fine. The primary overall requirement for the laptops is to be capable of running MS Office well and using the Internet. Tablet/convertible style laptops have not proven particularly useful.

Availability

Students who routinely take notes with and use a laptop at school should make sure that it is fully charged each day. Having a good battery is very important for usability of the laptop at school!

E-mail and Internet Access

Students should have e-mail accounts as this is the recommended method of contacting school personnel when school is not in session. Internet access outside of school will be required for completing some assignments as well