To the editor of the article “OHS Must Invest More Towards Student Laptops.”

Is buying expensive computers when we already have functioning ones our school’s main priority? Mostly everyone at Orono has their own computer and charger, even if they are having trouble with their computer we have a lot of tech support to help as well. The computers the media center has now work fine and will get you through the day. Why need new high-tech computers when the Dell computers have everything you need for your classes?

Even if the school did fund this, what would stop some kids from stealing these new high-tech computers if they were so great? The school uses these computers for online testing too. This is because they are a trusted and reliable brand for schools. Dell computers keep things simple without the flashy aspects of other computers.

Dell saves schools money with their long-lasting systems and durability. The process of moving online with everything instead of having textbooks and paper is proven through studies to be worse for students. Studies from Assistant Professor of Education Virginia Clinton at UND showed that students from kindergarten to college absorb more information when reading from a paper copy.

In all, they don’t need to spend money on new computers, they need to maintain the ones they have now to give students the accessibility to a computer throughout the day. Students must keep their focus on their school work without the computer giving a distraction.