| Wow, wireless networks and netbooks seem to | | | | decided greater portability (or maybe lack of |
| be the hot topic at the moment with more and | | | | available budget) of netbooks is the way to go |
| more enquiries for the potential of mobile | | | | then you have a wide choice. |
| computer based teaching through a school | | | | The range of netbooks for education is currently |
| wireless LAN. | | | | very crowded with most of the leading computer |
| So where do you start when it comes to | | | | manufacturers, including Toshiba, ASUS, Samsung, |
| choosing the perfect combination of school | | | | Dell, MSI, etc, all competing for this sector. |
| wireless LAN and netbook combination? With | | | | Despite so many manufacturers competing with |
| regard to the school wireless LAN solution, we | | | | their netbook designs, the current range all tend |
| believe that a leading solution for a fast, reliable | | | | to have very similar specifications. |
| and affordable school infrastructure, is Meru | | | | Most of the current range of netbooks offer |
| Networks. | | | | from an 8.9" to a 10.1" screen, an Intel Atom |
| Meru Networks has been at the forefront of | | | | N270 (1.6GHz) processor, sufficient RAM, 160GB |
| technology for a school wireless LAN for some | | | | of storage and the usual USB ports, SD card slots |
| time and provide solutions for both 802.11g and | | | | and VGA connection for projectors or monitors. |
| 802.11n networks. Meru Wireless Networks set | | | | Possibly the main areas to consider when |
| themselves apart from much of the competition | | | | choosing a fleet of netbooks for education is the |
| by providing a single channel solution to the | | | | WiFi. If you've just invested in a fast 802.11n |
| otherwise complex issue of channel planning a | | | | school wireless LAN system, you won't want to |
| school wireless infrastructure. | | | | go and buy a netbook that offers the slower |
| The Meru "Air Traffic Control" system means | | | | 802.11g standard. The difference between g and n |
| that all wireless clients have time to send their | | | | wireless speeds is significant with n being the new |
| message on the school wireless LAN with | | | | standard for the foreseeable future, so buy |
| excellent network efficiency. This results in 99% | | | | carefully. Whereas n enabled netbooks were in |
| of data getting sent or received the first time. | | | | the next price bracket a few months ago, |
| What this means for your school wireless LAN? | | | | examples now such as the Samsung N130 offer |
| Meru wireless networks are easily installed, easily | | | | fast WiFi at a very affordable price. |
| scaled and fast infrastructure to rival a wired | | | | Also consider battery life for the day-to-day use |
| network. Less waiting to log on; less frustration at | | | | of netbooks for education. Here investment in a |
| lost connection or slow speeds; all leads to both | | | | netbook that can offer all day use between |
| teachers and students enjoying and making the | | | | charging will make a big difference to the amount |
| most out of what a school wireless LAN can | | | | of teaching time they are effective for and save |
| offer. For more on Meru see our wireless for | | | | more trips back to the storage trolley!. |
| education page. | | | | So what are the pro's and con's of Netbooks for |
| Netbooks for Education | | | | education? |
| So you've chosen your school wireless LAN and | | | | Netbooks for Education - Pro'so Up to half the |
| now to the choice of which wireless devices to | | | | price of laptops so more mobile devices for your |
| give the students? Of course there are a wide | | | | budgeto Now available with 802. |
| range of laptops for education but if you have | | | | |