The Trevor one-to-one computing program begins in the fifth grade; all students in grades five through twelve own their laptop. Please review the information below to determine if your child will need a new laptop for the 2009-2010 school year.

• Rising 5^th Graders - Students entering grade 5 in September need to purchase one of the Dell models selected for the school laptop program.
• Rising 9^th Graders - Students entering grade 9 in September, who purchased a laptop in 5th grade, should replace their machine with one of the Dell models selected for the school laptop program. The warranty on four year old machines will soon expire.

• Students entering grade 9 in September whose laptops will still be under warranty next year have the option of purchasing one of the Dell models selected for the school laptop program, or waiting until the warranty expires. If the laptop was purchased when the student was in grade 6, 7 or 8, it should be covered under the warranty next year. If you are uncertain about the warranty expiration date, please visit the Dell website by clicking on this linkà Check_Warranty_Status and follow the instructions on the page. You will need to enter a Service Tag ID, which is located on the underside of the laptop. Alternatively, you can call Dell at 866-257-4711 and ask a representative for the expiration date.  Either way, you will need to provide the Service Tag ID.

• New Trevor Students - All new Trevor students entering grades 5 through 12 in September should purchase one of the Dell models selected for the school laptop program.

• Upper School Students - Current Upper School students who do not fall into any of the above categories, but would like to replace their laptop with a new machine, should purchase one of the Dell models selected for the school laptop program. (Replacement is optional and is not recommended for students who have a functional program laptop that is under warranty.)

Trevor students purchasing a new laptop may select either the Dell Latitude E6400 or E4300. The basic specifications for each model are reflected in the chart below. 

Both the E6400 and E4300 will come loaded with the Windows Vista Ultimate operating system and Trevor Day School's customized academic software image. They are equipped with a built-in webcam, WiFi, backlit keyboard, a DVD drive and many other features. Also included is a comprehensive four-year warranty that incorporates Dell’s Next Business Day on-site service plan and Complete Care accidental damage program. These laptops are top quality, yet substantially discounted for Trevor families. You will receive the media (DVDs) for Microsoft Office Professional 2007, but it will not be installed on the laptop. You can install it yourself or if you prefer, a Trevor computer technician will load the software when your child returns to school.

There are some distinct differences between the E6400 and E4300. The E6400 has a larger screen and a higher quality video card. The E4300 weighs less and has a smaller foot print than the E6400. When deciding which model to purchase, consider the weight and dimensions. Students in grades 5 through 8 may prefer to carry the smaller/lighter E4300 laptop between home and school. Students in grades 9 through 12, who are not concerned about the extra weight, may prefer the E6400. You will have the option of upgrading either model to include a larger hard drive, but both laptops have more than ample processing power and either will suffice.

All students, whether or not they are purchasing a new machine, are required to have a fully functional Dell laptop in-program model at school, on a daily basis. The school in-program laptops are equipped with all of the software applications needed by Trevor students to do their course work. Without an in-program laptop, students may be unable to complete certain assignments, for which they will be held accountable by their teachers.

Trevor does not have the personnel and resources necessary to support multiple laptop product lines and operating systems. We have only a few technicians available to maintain more than 750 computers, dozens of printers, audio-visual equipment, SMART boards and more. Our in-house technicians are certified by Dell to obtain parts and make repairs onsite. If needed, a Dell technician will come to Trevor the day after we place a request. If a student’s laptop requires repair, it can typically be done within a couple of days. Because we have loaners available for all Dell in-program laptop models currently in use at Trevor, students whose machines are down are provided with another until repairs have been made.

Our technicians are unable to obtain parts and maintain out-of-program laptops and diagnosing software problems on a "foreign" model may require an excessive amount of time. Since an out-of-program laptop cannot be repaired by our technicians, it must be sent by the student’s family to a depot. The student could be without his/her machine for a week or more and Trevor does not have enough loaner laptops available to give to students who are without their machine for an extended period of time.

The E4300 and E6400 laptops may be purchased now online via Dell's Premier web page for Trevor by clicking on this link à www.dell.com/atg/trevordayschool

We recommend that you make your purchase online, but orders may be placed by telephone at 866-257-4711.  If you order by phone, be sure to tell the sales representative you are a Trevor parent and purchasing a laptop with the Trevor custom image, to ensure that you receive the correct configuration and price.  The web page will allow you to upgrade the hard drive for the E6400 or E4300 and purchase accessories. To view the options, click the Customize link in the E6400 or E4300 section on the Dell web page. The hard drive upgrade is not necessary for a student to have a successful technology experience at Trevor, but it’s available if your child plans to store a substantial amount of music, photo or video files on his/her machine.  You will also have the option to select any of the following items on the Customize page:

• additional A/C adapter (to eliminate the need to carry the adapter between home and school) 
• backpack or carrying case designed to hold and protect a laptop (highly recommended) (other backpack options are available on the on the eBags website which can be accessed by clicking this link à eBags.
• portable hard drive (highly recommended for backing up important files)
• surge protector (recommended for preventing electrical surges from damaging the laptop)