6 Critical Questions for Comparing Ultraportable and Thick Devices
Critical Questions
1. Purpose
2. Supported Operating
Systems
3a. Install Local Applications
3b. Web Applications
4a. Install Local Content
4b. Web Content
XO-1
Multipurpose
Open source but has no
purchasable vendor support
Only applications designed for the
XO-1, less than 1GB space
Nonstandard browser, limited Java
support, limited Flash support
Only content designed for the XO-1,
less than 1GB space
Nonstandard browser, limited Java
support, limited Flash support
Intel Classmate PC
Multipurpose
XP Pro with standard pricing,
Linux
Installs any application
Standard Web browser,
Java support, Flash support
Installs any content
Standard Web browser, Java
support, Flash support
Asus Eee PC 4G
Multipurpose
XP with reduced pricing,
Linux
Less than 4 GB install space
Standard Web browser
Java support, Flash support
Less than 4 GB install space
Standard Web browser, Java
support, Flash support
5a. Peripheral Equipment
Integration
5b. Printer
5c. Projector
6a. Battery Life
6b. Durability
Only peripheral equipment designed
for the XO-1
No
No
22 hours
No rotating media,
2 degrees of screen swivel
• Professional development: includes training of personnel to provide familiarization and proficiency with the
operation of equipment and software to carry out school
tasks, whether instructional or administrative
• Connectivity and networking: the costs of connecting to
the Internet and the associated networking equipment
to maintain the local wired and wireless network
infrastructure
• Software: any applications or operating system purchased
but not originally bundled with the device
• Replacement: the cost of device replacement
• Retrofitting: the amount that must be spent to wire an
existing physical location
As devices are evaluated, initial device cost can dominate
decision making, but it is extremely important to consider
the implications of device selection on the total cost of
ownership. TCO must be weighed against the classroom
value it provides. To better understand this concept, consider this excerpt from CoSN’s book on TCO:
Standard windows peripheral
equipment
Standard windows peripheral
equipment
Yes
Yes
4–6 hours
Yes
Yes
2.8–3.5 hours
No rotating media,
2 degrees of screen swivel
1 degree of screen swivel
A low TCO is not desirable if it is accompanied by low
customer satisfaction or is created through draconian
measures to limit access to technology resources and
services. For example, the TCO for Internet access
might be low because the school system severely
restricts the time that Internet service is available and limits the number
of users per school.
Putting a computing device in the hands of
every student and teacher in school is a costly but
worthwhile endeavor. Each one-to-one learning
As devices are evaluated, initial device
cost can dominate decision making, but
it is extremely important to consider the
implications of device selection on
the total cost of ownership.
