School Technology Committee recommends Dell Latitude 3140 for middle school device refresh

Horry County School officials are gearing up for a significant technology refresh, aiming to enhance the learning experience for middle school students. During the Technology Committee Meeting on November 18, 2024, the committee recommended upgrading to the latest Dell Latitude 3140 laptops, which are set to replace older models currently in use.

The decision comes after consultations with middle school principals and faculty, who expressed satisfaction with the existing laptops and requested an upgrade rather than a switch to different devices. The new models, featuring 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB solid-state drive, are expected to be ordered by late December or early January, with hopes of having them ready for the 2025-2026 school year.

A key highlight of the meeting was the introduction of a protective gumdrop case for the laptops, which costs $25. This recommendation stems from a successful case implementation in Onslow County, North Carolina, where breakage rates dropped by 92% after adopting similar protective measures. The committee believes that this investment will significantly reduce damage to the devices, particularly among middle school students.

While the focus was primarily on middle school technology, discussions also touched on the high school refresh planned for the following year. The committee decided against purchasing additional cases for high school devices at this time, opting instead to repurpose some middle school devices for high school use.

The technology refresh is already accounted for in the district's capital budget, ensuring that funding is in place for these essential upgrades. The committee plans to finalize the order at the next meeting on December 9, paving the way for improved technology access for students in Horry County Schools.