Technology

Suffield Academy Apple Storespecifications & pre-configured models

Apple’s Educational StorePurchase your Apple laptop for student discount

Computers are integrated into the daily life at Suffield Academy. All student are required to have an Apple laptop that meets our published requirements.

Student Email Everyone is expected to check email at least once every twenty-four hours—classes and student groups rely on email discussion forums, and the campus is covered with wireless or wired networking.

Software The school makes several software packages available to students via a one-time technology fee. This includes software for word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and other specialized software used in certain courses. We recommend self-instructional software for students who would like to improve their typing ability [Suffield Academy does not offer a typing course].

Technology Support All students receive services and support including unlimited email messaging, full internet access, limited network file storage, network printing, repair depot service, and training. Boarding and day students have access to network services via wireless connection in all campus buildings and dormitories. Additionally, boarding students have wired connections in their dorm rooms. Day students may also use their home internet connection to access Suffield’s network services from home during the evening or on weekends.

Laptop Requirements

Suffield Academy currently recommends the M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro. It is important to have the discussion with your child about the use of their laptop for their time at Suffield. If your child shows interest in film making, computer science, graphic design and other digital media you will want to purchase a fully spec'd 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro or base level 16-inch MacBook Pro. It is still important to upgrade the internal SSD (storage) so they have at the very least 256GB of internal storage.

As students may use their computers for all 4 years, we require that all laptops meet the following minimum requirements (note that machines purchased from our custom online store are configured to meet these requirements and include AppleCare, the education discount and software):

At least 8GB of RAM (more can improve the speed of the machine)
At least 256GB of storage space (more allows you to store a greater number of movies, pictures, songs, and of course documents on the computer)
Apple's 3-year AppleCare Protection Plan (extended warranty). This is not required for new seniors, but is still strongly recommended.
No additional software purchase is necessary. We provide all software and updates to students through a one-time fee.
A printer is not necessary. All dormitories have networked laser printers available for students, and other common areas on campus have printers for day students to use.

In addition to the requirements listed above, families may want to consider:

A padded bag or case for the laptop. "Accidental" damage (dropping, liquid spills, crushing in a backpack, etc.) is now covered by warranty, but you're only alotted two incidents and each will still have a $99 deductible. This covers screen damage and external case damage, $299 for for any other damage (liquid, etc.). After two incidents you will have to pay in full to cover the repair cost. A case is the best way to prevent this sort of damage.
You may want to consider the following peripherals for your computer. A USB-C to USB adapter may be necessary if you purchase or already own an external drive that is USB-A type. Apple sells this one but you can find less expensive versions on Amazon and other sites.
An external hard drive to back up important files. This is the best line of defense against data loss due to theft, damage, or hardware failure. The school makes server space available to back up work for classes, but students should purchase a drive to back up personal items (music, pictures, etc.). Purchase a drive at least as large as the storage in the laptop. Drives do not have to be purchased from Apple; any USB external drive should work. Many are available for $120 or less in different sizes.
A separate insurance policy for the laptop. The warranty does not cover theft. A rider on a homeowner's insurance policy, or a separate policy such as one sold by Safeware can cover these other types of events. Check your existing insurance to see if it covers equipment for students living away from home.
If your child will be connecting to an external monitor, you may want to purchase a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, again you can purchase this one from Apple. But others can be found for less money on Amazon.

Laptop Purchasing: Additional FAQs

Most students purchase the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 256GB storage from the Apple educational store, and are happy with its performance during their time at The Academy. Students who wish to have a larger or faster machine are welcome to purchase a more expensive model, but unless you have a specific need for a more expensive machine our only requirement is 256GB minimum of internal storage.

Apple does not announce its new products ahead of time, making it difficult to time purchases around new equipment. There are rumor sites that give estimates of new product announcements, but they are not always accurate. We generally recommend purchasing new equipment in July or early August to get the latest models but still have them arrive in time for the start of school.

International students who wish to order and ship the computer directly to our campus may have difficulty purchasing with a non-US credit card. In this case, contact us and we can help make the purchase on your behalf and pay for the computer through the student's debit account.

If a student already has an Apple laptop, they may use that machine at Suffield Academy. However, we ask that families budget for the machine's replacement if the laptop will be more than four years old during a student's time here. For example, if a student arrives with a 2-year-old laptop their freshman year, they should plan on replacing it during their junior year. We cannot guarantee support for machines older than four years or machines that are no longer covered by warranty, so planning for replacement prevents a sudden unexpected expense.

If you have a little extra money to spend, consider purchasing additional RAM for the laptop. Apple's current laptops cannot be upgraded after purchase, so extra RAM can help extend the life of a machine.

The Suffield Academy Campus Network

Every student receives a unique username and password for the Academy’s computer systems. Students must keep passwords secure from others and should not allow others to use their account; students are responsible for any activity originating from their account or personal computer. Accessing another user account with or without permission, or granting anyone access to your account is a violation of school policy.

Suffield Academy maintains a campus-wide network that provides wired and wireless internet access to all buildings, dormitories, classrooms, and faculty residences. The Academy connects through the Connecticut Education Network to provide fast and reliable internet access. Every boarding student has access to wired and wireless connectivity in their dorm room. The Academy provides access to subscription services for email, collaboration, learning management, and classroom use. Every dormitory is equipped with a networked printer; other public printers are available around campus for all students.

All computer and network infrastructure (switches, routers, cabling, wireless access points, servers, etc.) is owned and managed by The Academy. Students may not add or modify any network equipment; this includes the creation of personal wireless networks. Network activity is neither filtered nor blocked at The Academy, though messaging and internet access may be recorded in archival logs for operational and safety reasons.

Best Practices for Students & Technology

Students are prohibited from accessing any website or Internet resource violating state or federal law. Students are also prohibited from accessing online content intended for adult audiences only. Students should not portray themselves or Suffield Academy inappropriately in any online public forum, including social networking or video sharing sites. Student access to on-campus computing resources and/or the Internet is a privilege that may be restricted or revoked by school representatives at any time. Abuse or violation of these technology guidelines may result in disciplinary action.

All members of the Suffield Academy community are expected to follow general rules of etiquette, whether online or in face-to-face interactions: avoid inappropriate language, treat others with respect, do not engage in illegal activities or activities inappropriate for those under 21 years of age. Mean spirited or derogatory language about others on the Internet is not acceptable within the Suffield community; violations will lead to disciplinary consequences.

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