As a former student using Chomebooks in Highschool (9-12), a K-8 laptop is a major “ew”. Paper textbooks have tactile reality, room for exploring/reading out of order. Paper exams you can skip around the questions easily, and if the teachers are really that backed up to grade them, good ole’ scantrons are doable. An assigned laptop has 0 attachment from the students and just get neglected to pieces, and no one is “learning computer skills” by clicking around Canvas lectures.
They could have gone with non-networked ereaders. But they just had to go with the "smart" and "connected" angle so they could do grading, spying on kids,etc.. similar to the current "AI" approach. scope-creep. but even with ereaders, being able to switch to different books easily is an impediment, or having access to too many at one time. Physical books force a certain focus and attention.
Your point about tactility is solid too. flipping through pages is very different from swiping. With educational textbooks, you'd have to look at multiple pages at the same time (flipping back and forth quickly) to connect and understand a topic by referencing another topic. Same with being able to easily lay out multiple physical books in front of you.
1. Find older Intel Core Based Windows Laptops (at least 6GB of RAM)
2. Put ChromeOS Flex on them
3. Students will be sad it is still ChromeOS, but they will be happy it is like 3x faster.
I had an old Windows laptop laying around and I did this for my 80 yr old parents and they were super happy.
In New York the biggest driver behind technology is the state testing regime. Make the case to your administration that the chromebooks are insufficient for the state testing program and they will come up with the funds for upgrades.
PCs for People is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bridge the digital divide (e.g. through sales of low-cost refurbished computers, internet access, and digital skills training).
They refurbish and sell computers to eligible organizations, including schools and offer bulk orders (6+ units) via email at "partner [at] pcsforpeople [dot] org".
If the order is 5 units and below, you use their publicly available online store link at pcsrefurbished.com/sales/salesHome.aspx
For a K-8 environment, it might be worth looking into local e-waste recycling non-profits or university surplus programs. Often, large institutions rotate their hardware every 3-4 years, and they are usually happy to donate older but functional Chromebooks to schools in need. Also, check out 'DigitalEquity' initiatives in your area; they often have streamlined pipelines for this exact scenario
Local liquidation firms and those in nearby metros like Baltimore where the biotechs are might also be able to help. I’ve seen entire palettes of Chromebooks sell relatively cheap at auction. I doubt the liquidator will be able to do it for free but they can ask clients if they want to donate certain lots instead of auctioning them off or if you find a sponsor they might be able to notify you and give you first dibs when a lot shows up.
I realize this does nothing to solve your problem, but for the sake of discusion, internally at Microsoft, pretty much all the developers I know have switched to using "Devbox", which means we use a remote desktop client to access our dev machine.
A lot of us resisted this at first, but then just kindof came to accept it, and it made it so we have a lot more capable machines to do development on than the laptops that we would have to recycle every couple years.
I know there have probably been a lot of "thin client" products/services in the education space in the past, but I think it might be time to try again.
Like another poster here, I think it's "sad" that kids are using laptops. Laptops have small screens and poor ergonomics.
A thin client setup with a good keyboard, mouse and monitor could be better and more affordable / future proof.
Of course they switched to devbox which is nothing more than azure virtual desktop with some added bells and whistles... also has the nice side effect that it's a subscription. Nice for microsoft at least, less for the consumer.
This is a huge gripe of me and my wife. Growing up we all had desktops in the computer lab at school (elementary+) and you had decent size screens. Now kids pull up their little 12" chromebook in their classroom. Kids have eye strains, myopia etc...
You don’t have to recycle laptops every few years. That’s a sandy foundation to build the rest of that “came to accept it” on. You weren’t just made to do it and retconned justification for compliance?
Is it possible to acquire used refurbished laptops over new Chromebooks? A lot of companies tend to swap their corporate laptops every few years or so, and those usually happen to be solid Dells or ThinkPads with no faults whatsoever. If you can get a hold of any such corporate entity and work with them, you might be able to secure them for as low as ~$250 per piece.
I am currently using a refurb for personal use right now and I've been using it without any issues since 2023, not because I'm wanting for money but because you don't replace what hasn't broken yet.
Are you volunteering to provide the free technical support resources for these refurbished laptops?
That's really the attractiveness of Chromebooks. Students don't need more than a web browser for most things day to day. Heck, I don't need much more than a web browser day to day.
Laptops can be useful: they can (and should) be locked down, and there’s lots of digital media that teaches effectively, probably even better than anything on paper.
(EDIT: Actually, probably not better than paper. I remember a study that note-taking by hand produced significantly better scores than typing; moreover, drawing is easier on paper, and some assignments are better drawn. But laptops can still be useful, and some assignments (like coding) are better digital. So ultimately, I think laptops should be incorporated alongside pen-and-paper.)
For 2) I agree with the general idea (“static” websites should never be slow), but the aforementioned digital media includes some that can run on low specs. Worst case, you can give students PDFs of physical assignments (with form elements to put answers); but I’m sure there are some minimal websites with K-5 material.
Laptops are NOT useful for any reason in a school classroom below the 9th grade or so. No, not even for test taking, educational videos, or interactive demos.
Maybe for computer science classes, but even there I'd prefer to use shared desktop computers.
There is a lot of research that shows that the depth of understanding the material directly depends on the amount of effort you put in. Or that actually writing down things by hand increases the amount of recall.
And to add to this, it looks like fine motor skills also directly influence brain development and may improve the IQ. The association of higher IQ with better fine motor skills is now well-established, but it also might work in reverse.
There’s a big difference between “having a tool available” and “using it all the time for everything.”
We are not talking about replacing writing and reading on paper.
I was fortunate that my middle and elementary schools had computers. They weren’t used all day long. We used them to do things like learning typing skills and look up references on library computers. I remember using an old Apple II program (old even back when I was in school) in an applied technology class where we designed a car and tested its performance. Yes, before 9th grade. The whole class was kind of like an introduction to some engineering concepts, which involved a rotation of different stations we would go to where we did some interactive assignments. It was both fun and inspiring, and, dare I say, a computer was involved.
I’m now just remembering that we even learned BASIC programming in 8th grade!
One of my most fond memories of middle school was a mock publishing competition where students wrote essays and stories and pitched them to other groups of students acting as publishers with a budget. I remember using interesting fonts on the titles of my typed out stories to try and stand out and market myself.
Later in high school (admittedly, after the grade 9 cutoff you prescribed, more on that later), we used them in a multimedia class to learn to do basic graphic design as well as writing proper business letters to request permission from magazines to use their covers for a multimedia project. (Of course, with fair use, we didn’t have to ask, but the whole point was to learn to properly contact and communicate with business professionals).
I can’t imagine what it would be like if my school didn’t have the funding to have these tools available to teach what we now know are essential life skills. I probably wouldn’t have ended up making well above median income in the technology industry.
I think your 9th grade cutoff is particularly silly. You can start subjects like algebra before high school. You really think there are kids doing formal classes like programming and digital design/art before high school? Go look into some of the curriculum course list for some of the top middle and high schools in the country.
> There’s a big difference between “having a tool available” and “using it all the time for everything.”
Not really, when the tool ends up just pushing everything out.
> We are not talking about replacing writing and reading on paper.
Yet this is EXACTLY what has already happened. A lot of laptop kids literally can't write. Not even in block letters.
> I was fortunate that my middle and elementary schools had computers.
That's the thing. You had computers for CS classes. I had a somewhat similar experience, starting with ZX-Spectrum. I think this is actually great, especially if you start with something basic like Apple II.
But you did not have them on your desk at all times. You had to learn math and language by actually writing things in a physical notebook with a pen.
> I think your 9th grade cutoff is particularly silly. You can start subjects like algebra before high school.
Why the heck do you need computers for algebra?!? School-level algebra is something that is literally better done without any calculating tools.
> You really think there are kids doing formal classes like programming and digital design/art before high school? Go look into some of the curriculum course list for some of the top middle and high schools in the country.
Formal classes with desktop computers that STAY IN CLASS after the lesson are fine. Having access to a computer _after_ school is also fine.
Seems like you didn’t listen to the substance of my comment at all.
There’s a lot wrong with being an absolutist. Only Sith deal in absolutes.
You ignored what I said about a wide variety of courses, careers, interests, and life skills utilizing computers. I don’t know why you’re saying “programming only” when basically every profession involves them at some point and we start learning many other career skills in grade school.
You focused on the idea of using computers for algebra but I never said that. I merely brought that up to point out that middle schoolers tackle complex coursework and therefore can and should be introduced to the advanced things you can do with computers. There are definitely middle schoolers out there right now programming robots, making digital art, building multimedia presentations to deliver via public speaking, and the list goes on.
I had laptops in school, too. They were in carts and got put away. Again, nobody said students should have unfettered access at all times.
I think you’re hung up on the computers being portable versus the old days when they were stationary.
Relevant recent publication about laptops and students:
https://fortune.com/2026/02/21/laptops-tablets-schools-gen-z...
But I get it OP, you work with what you're given. I'm sorry I don't have any good suggestions.
As a former student using Chomebooks in Highschool (9-12), a K-8 laptop is a major “ew”. Paper textbooks have tactile reality, room for exploring/reading out of order. Paper exams you can skip around the questions easily, and if the teachers are really that backed up to grade them, good ole’ scantrons are doable. An assigned laptop has 0 attachment from the students and just get neglected to pieces, and no one is “learning computer skills” by clicking around Canvas lectures.
They could have gone with non-networked ereaders. But they just had to go with the "smart" and "connected" angle so they could do grading, spying on kids,etc.. similar to the current "AI" approach. scope-creep. but even with ereaders, being able to switch to different books easily is an impediment, or having access to too many at one time. Physical books force a certain focus and attention.
Your point about tactility is solid too. flipping through pages is very different from swiping. With educational textbooks, you'd have to look at multiple pages at the same time (flipping back and forth quickly) to connect and understand a topic by referencing another topic. Same with being able to easily lay out multiple physical books in front of you.
https://chromeos.google/products/chromeos-flex/
1. Find older Intel Core Based Windows Laptops (at least 6GB of RAM) 2. Put ChromeOS Flex on them 3. Students will be sad it is still ChromeOS, but they will be happy it is like 3x faster.
I had an old Windows laptop laying around and I did this for my 80 yr old parents and they were super happy.
In New York the biggest driver behind technology is the state testing regime. Make the case to your administration that the chromebooks are insufficient for the state testing program and they will come up with the funds for upgrades.
If you haven't already looked into PCs for People, they might be a low-cost option for your school: https://www.pcsforpeople.org/tech-for-nonprofits/#Eligibilit...
PCs for People is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bridge the digital divide (e.g. through sales of low-cost refurbished computers, internet access, and digital skills training).
They refurbish and sell computers to eligible organizations, including schools and offer bulk orders (6+ units) via email at "partner [at] pcsforpeople [dot] org".
If the order is 5 units and below, you use their publicly available online store link at pcsrefurbished.com/sales/salesHome.aspx
For a K-8 environment, it might be worth looking into local e-waste recycling non-profits or university surplus programs. Often, large institutions rotate their hardware every 3-4 years, and they are usually happy to donate older but functional Chromebooks to schools in need. Also, check out 'DigitalEquity' initiatives in your area; they often have streamlined pipelines for this exact scenario
Local liquidation firms and those in nearby metros like Baltimore where the biotechs are might also be able to help. I’ve seen entire palettes of Chromebooks sell relatively cheap at auction. I doubt the liquidator will be able to do it for free but they can ask clients if they want to donate certain lots instead of auctioning them off or if you find a sponsor they might be able to notify you and give you first dibs when a lot shows up.
I realize this does nothing to solve your problem, but for the sake of discusion, internally at Microsoft, pretty much all the developers I know have switched to using "Devbox", which means we use a remote desktop client to access our dev machine.
A lot of us resisted this at first, but then just kindof came to accept it, and it made it so we have a lot more capable machines to do development on than the laptops that we would have to recycle every couple years.
I know there have probably been a lot of "thin client" products/services in the education space in the past, but I think it might be time to try again.
Like another poster here, I think it's "sad" that kids are using laptops. Laptops have small screens and poor ergonomics.
A thin client setup with a good keyboard, mouse and monitor could be better and more affordable / future proof.
[delayed]
Of course they switched to devbox which is nothing more than azure virtual desktop with some added bells and whistles... also has the nice side effect that it's a subscription. Nice for microsoft at least, less for the consumer.
>Laptops have small screens and poor ergonomics.
This is a huge gripe of me and my wife. Growing up we all had desktops in the computer lab at school (elementary+) and you had decent size screens. Now kids pull up their little 12" chromebook in their classroom. Kids have eye strains, myopia etc...
We used G3 iMacs with the puck mouse until high school. You can't convince me it was the epitome of ergonomics.
They were an upgrade from the Mac LC II. I don't recall those having very big screens either.
15" and 4:3 was about as big as it got in high school. A computer on a table and we sat on a normal plastic school chair.
Chromebooks are thin clients of sorts, its a web browser rendering google docs locally.
If anything is making them slow its the javascript bloat of modern webapps that could be doing more serverside.
You don’t have to recycle laptops every few years. That’s a sandy foundation to build the rest of that “came to accept it” on. You weren’t just made to do it and retconned justification for compliance?
I forgot the person but they have a non-profit that upcycles old chromebooks.
Maybe someone knows but you could try to upcycle to nixbooks.
https://github.com/mkellyxp/nixbook
I don't have any solution for you, but I want to say thanks for caring about your students like this.
Your PTA is the fastest way.
Is it possible to acquire used refurbished laptops over new Chromebooks? A lot of companies tend to swap their corporate laptops every few years or so, and those usually happen to be solid Dells or ThinkPads with no faults whatsoever. If you can get a hold of any such corporate entity and work with them, you might be able to secure them for as low as ~$250 per piece.
I am currently using a refurb for personal use right now and I've been using it without any issues since 2023, not because I'm wanting for money but because you don't replace what hasn't broken yet.
Are you volunteering to provide the free technical support resources for these refurbished laptops?
That's really the attractiveness of Chromebooks. Students don't need more than a web browser for most things day to day. Heck, I don't need much more than a web browser day to day.
This post makes me sad for two reasons:
1) kids k-5 are using laptops 2) websites are so bloated today that browsing on a Chromebook is causing agitation
Otherwise I don't have anything topical for this post, but good luck OP
Laptops can be useful: they can (and should) be locked down, and there’s lots of digital media that teaches effectively, probably even better than anything on paper.
(EDIT: Actually, probably not better than paper. I remember a study that note-taking by hand produced significantly better scores than typing; moreover, drawing is easier on paper, and some assignments are better drawn. But laptops can still be useful, and some assignments (like coding) are better digital. So ultimately, I think laptops should be incorporated alongside pen-and-paper.)
For 2) I agree with the general idea (“static” websites should never be slow), but the aforementioned digital media includes some that can run on low specs. Worst case, you can give students PDFs of physical assignments (with form elements to put answers); but I’m sure there are some minimal websites with K-5 material.
Laptops are NOT useful for any reason in a school classroom below the 9th grade or so. No, not even for test taking, educational videos, or interactive demos.
Maybe for computer science classes, but even there I'd prefer to use shared desktop computers.
There is a lot of research that shows that the depth of understanding the material directly depends on the amount of effort you put in. Or that actually writing down things by hand increases the amount of recall.
And to add to this, it looks like fine motor skills also directly influence brain development and may improve the IQ. The association of higher IQ with better fine motor skills is now well-established, but it also might work in reverse.
This seems highly prescriptive and absolutist.
There’s a big difference between “having a tool available” and “using it all the time for everything.”
We are not talking about replacing writing and reading on paper.
I was fortunate that my middle and elementary schools had computers. They weren’t used all day long. We used them to do things like learning typing skills and look up references on library computers. I remember using an old Apple II program (old even back when I was in school) in an applied technology class where we designed a car and tested its performance. Yes, before 9th grade. The whole class was kind of like an introduction to some engineering concepts, which involved a rotation of different stations we would go to where we did some interactive assignments. It was both fun and inspiring, and, dare I say, a computer was involved.
I’m now just remembering that we even learned BASIC programming in 8th grade!
One of my most fond memories of middle school was a mock publishing competition where students wrote essays and stories and pitched them to other groups of students acting as publishers with a budget. I remember using interesting fonts on the titles of my typed out stories to try and stand out and market myself.
Later in high school (admittedly, after the grade 9 cutoff you prescribed, more on that later), we used them in a multimedia class to learn to do basic graphic design as well as writing proper business letters to request permission from magazines to use their covers for a multimedia project. (Of course, with fair use, we didn’t have to ask, but the whole point was to learn to properly contact and communicate with business professionals).
I can’t imagine what it would be like if my school didn’t have the funding to have these tools available to teach what we now know are essential life skills. I probably wouldn’t have ended up making well above median income in the technology industry.
I think your 9th grade cutoff is particularly silly. You can start subjects like algebra before high school. You really think there are kids doing formal classes like programming and digital design/art before high school? Go look into some of the curriculum course list for some of the top middle and high schools in the country.
> This seems highly prescriptive and absolutist.
And why exactly is this bad?
> There’s a big difference between “having a tool available” and “using it all the time for everything.”
Not really, when the tool ends up just pushing everything out.
> We are not talking about replacing writing and reading on paper.
Yet this is EXACTLY what has already happened. A lot of laptop kids literally can't write. Not even in block letters.
> I was fortunate that my middle and elementary schools had computers.
That's the thing. You had computers for CS classes. I had a somewhat similar experience, starting with ZX-Spectrum. I think this is actually great, especially if you start with something basic like Apple II.
But you did not have them on your desk at all times. You had to learn math and language by actually writing things in a physical notebook with a pen.
> I think your 9th grade cutoff is particularly silly. You can start subjects like algebra before high school.
Why the heck do you need computers for algebra?!? School-level algebra is something that is literally better done without any calculating tools.
> You really think there are kids doing formal classes like programming and digital design/art before high school? Go look into some of the curriculum course list for some of the top middle and high schools in the country.
Formal classes with desktop computers that STAY IN CLASS after the lesson are fine. Having access to a computer _after_ school is also fine.
Seems like you didn’t listen to the substance of my comment at all.
There’s a lot wrong with being an absolutist. Only Sith deal in absolutes.
You ignored what I said about a wide variety of courses, careers, interests, and life skills utilizing computers. I don’t know why you’re saying “programming only” when basically every profession involves them at some point and we start learning many other career skills in grade school.
You focused on the idea of using computers for algebra but I never said that. I merely brought that up to point out that middle schoolers tackle complex coursework and therefore can and should be introduced to the advanced things you can do with computers. There are definitely middle schoolers out there right now programming robots, making digital art, building multimedia presentations to deliver via public speaking, and the list goes on.
I had laptops in school, too. They were in carts and got put away. Again, nobody said students should have unfettered access at all times.
I think you’re hung up on the computers being portable versus the old days when they were stationary.
Also sad that NYC spends like $40k per student per year and they still have to resort to this.