Information and communication technology (ICT) distributor DCC is making Windows- and Android-operating system tablets available through retailers and educational equipment suppliers to provide school children with affordable, high-performance educational tools.

The range is intended to support digital educational initiatives, provides performance comparable to first-tier tablets and comprises four touch-screen tablets, which include two tablets per operating system, says DCC Visual Communications manager Bruce Byrne.

The tablets are priced between R1 395 and R2 999, enabling more families with school- going children to buy these devices for them to use at school.

“These devices are between 40% and 70% cheaper than first-tier tablets. This is significant, as the prices of most first-tier tablets prohibit their broad implementation at school level.”

Byrne adds that many schools have developed or are developing digital educational systems, but the affordability of end-user devices is a significant obstacle, except for well-to-do families.

The lowest-cost unit, the Android MNPHHT713, uses a 1.3 MHz dual-core processor and the other units use quad-core processors, with speeds from 1.3 MHz to 1.83 MHz.

All the units have USB connections and WiFi connectivity, which allows for connectivity to school networks. Two units of the range have dual-Sim card slots and three units can connect using 3G cellphone networks, which provide connection speeds of up to 21 Mb/s.

The MNPHHT713 and the Intel Z3735G have 1 GB Ram and 16 GB on-board memory, which can be augmented by Secure Digital (SD) cards. The Android MTK3G and the Intel Z3735F have 2 GB Ram and 32 GB on-board memory, with slots for SD cards.

The Android tablets have 7" displays, while the Windows tablets have 8.9" displays. The Intel Z3735F has a detachable keyboard, which also provides extra charge when connected to the tablet.

“Breakages of personal smart devices are common, even among adults,” says Byrne, emphasising that the lower prices and lower associated repair costs of these devices make them much more appropriate for use in schools than first-tier tablets.

“Further, many schools, technical vocational colleges and universities have WiFi networks and these devices can be seamlessly introduced into their environments.”

Many digital educational systems and applications developed for schoolchildren can easily be deployed on the Windows and Android operating systems, with support and additional educational applications also widely available.

“Several South African companies, including our partners, are developing content for digital educational systems and PartServe is our official repair and support channel partner, with branches across South Africa,” concludes Byrne.