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ES Laptop Lab

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

  • How long do batteries last?
  • How do I connect the airport base in my class?
  • The network seems slow. Why is that?
  • Where should I save my work?
  • What is the proper way to put away the laptops when we are finished?
  • In my PC I can press control + alt + delete to restart how do I do that on a Mac?

  • How long do batteries last?
    Each laptop is set up with a battery that will give the user 3+ hours of dedicated use. You can check the battery life on the menu bar (top right).
  • How do I connect the airports in my class?
    Connecting the airport in your class is simple. You need to connect two airports to support a full class size. Unplug the Ethernet cable from your desktop computer and plug it into the Ethernet port on the base. Plug the airport to the electrical outlet.
    IMPORTANT - setup the airport base before turning the computers on.
  • The network seems slow. Why is that?
    As in any computer classroom, instructors should expect a slower response time in a computer classroom than while working independently. Response from the network will lag if all laptops are accessing the same page or file at the same time.
  • Where should I save my work?
    The computer is configured for saving in your folder on the network (student server, web server, staff server) and the "Documents Folder" on the hard drive.
  • What is the proper way to put away the laptops when we are finished?
    First, make sure to properly "Quit" all applications. Go to the Apple menu and then choose the "Shut Down" option. This will bring the system down properly so that the laptop will function well for the next class.
  • In my PC I can press control + alt + delete to restart how do I do that on a Mac?
    You can restart the Mac by pressing the ctrl + apple + power buttons. The control and apple buttons are on the left hand side on the first row next to the space bar. The power button is at the top right corner of the keyboard.
    If what you need is to force quit an application you should press the option + apple + esc buttons.