Welcome to the message boards!

Mrs. King, after the technology fund was able to save $300,000 because of the new-hosted email system, can the HP laptops receive a webcam?  We would not need the HP software that can scan business cards from the camera, just the hardware itself.  A webcam would make the HP equivalent to the Apple.  I personally view it as benefiting communication on campus and to parents.  I understand there is a fingerprint reader that sits dormant on the machine as well, could that be exchanged for a webcam?  Some have downloaded the HP Protect tools to utilize the scanner but we also have a useless Smart Card reader (not the SD Memory Card Reader) on board as well.  The point is that we would actually use the webcam and I do not see tuition costs going down after the cost cutting either.

Also, are the Fall 2010 refresh students receiving Windows 7?  It sounds like it would benefit memory usage, battery life, and performance.  I am fine with Vista but I just thought I would ask.

Here is the response from Sasha King:

Thank you for the question. Although the funds that have been saved by the recent email change are significant they will not directly impact the e-Scholar program, however your suggestion that webcams be added to next year’s HP configuration is a welcome one that I will share. Based on the volume of machines purchased by Stout there are occasionally limitations to the features available, but we strive to meet the expectations of the students each year. The configuration for next year’s model will start to be developed in the spring. I welcome you visit me in person or call if you are interested in discussing your suggestions or the configuration process.

 

It is not yet known which Microsoft operating system will be on next year’s HP. That too will be part of the spring configuration process.

 

Thanks again!

Sasha