According to PSS technology and communications coordinator Joseph Torres, 598 laptops were given to Hopwood and 376 were distributed to the private schools on all three islands.
He said the laptops that Hopwood and the private schools received have Windows 7 with Norton Anti-Virus software.
“The students will have to activate the software when they are each given their unit,” Torres told Variety in an interview.
When asked what delayed the delivery of the remaining computers, Commissioner of Education Rita A. Sablan said there were not enough from the first purchase order. PSS ordered more laptops and it took time for the vendor, MegaByte, to have the units manufactured and shipped over.
Hopwood students expressed their enthusiasm for the laptops that were carted into their school library.
Many said they will use their new study tool for school work, projects, music and pictures.
Hopwood principal Jonas Barcinas reminded the students to take great care of the new technology.
He said there have been numerous reports of broken and cracked laptops, all of which are sitting in his office awaiting repair.
“Some kids are being so careless of expensive technology that would have been a huge help to their studies,” said Barcinas.
Any damage to the computer must be repaired by the student. Factory defects, however, will be repaired by the manufacturer.
While the students of Hopwood received the laptops in their school library, the private schools received their share from the PSS warehouse in Lower Base.
Private school principals and administrators were at the warehouse yesterday to get the boxes of new laptops that will be distributed to their students.
