Technology

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• What type of device is recommended for course work?

  The Masters School supports Chromebooks, Windows, and Apple devices.  Chromebooks are supported, but due to their limited functionality with applications such as Zoom, we recommend students to have an Apple OS or Windows laptop.
  
  We recommend the Apple MacBook Air for most course work.  Students participating in the Computer Science and Engineering (IEC) courses will need to have a Windows laptop.
  
  The Masters School offers special discount pricing for hardware as well as software. Please contact our ServiceDesk at support@mastersny.org before purchasing your device(s) to take advantage of the School-provided discounts.

• What are the models and computer specs that my device should have?

  Windows Laptop: The 14in. Lenovo Thinkpad T490s. Larger display and slightly lighter than a MacBook Air, and is also customizable to your needs.

  
  Apple Laptop: The 13in. MacBook Air. Lightweight and fast, the MacBook Air is the best Mac option for the majority of computing tasks, like email, browsing the web, word processing, etc.
  
  IEC/Computer Science: Lenovo Legion Y740 with Intel i7 proc, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD drive, and an NVIDIA GTX or RTX video card.
  
  We strongly recommend purchasing a warranty: Apple Limited Warranty* and AppleCare+ or extended 3-4 year on Windows laptops.  Opting in for the accidental damage protection is also strongly recommended.

• Will The Masters School Technology Department provide support for students' personal devices?

  The Technology Department provides basic troubleshooting and triage for student laptops and devices which prevent the completion of academic work. Depending on the hardware model, the Technology Department can also assist with certified-hardware repairs for student laptops and devices.

• What software is recommended for parental controls on student devices?

  1. Apple Parental Controls: For the majority of parents and students, this will be the most popular way of managing their kid’s devices.  It may cumbersome to setup and it requires time and patience to go through the process, but it allows you to stay in the Apple platform for products.  It is very detailed and does a great job of enforcing restrictions.  All of the step-by-step instructions can be found from the link above.
  

   
  2. Google Family Link: This is a great tool for parents and kids who use Android devices and are on Chromebooks (it also works for Apple iOS).  It is free and gives the parents insight into how their kids are using their devices.  It can also block apps, such as Messages.  This would have to be done with a personal Google account.  The School’s account cannot be managed by Family Link.

   
  3. For paid solutions that are very robust, we recommend a subscriptions to the Bark or Qustodio apps.  Free trial versions are available for both apps and we recommend the test drive before purchasing the subscription.  These apps can provide all of the data and most of the restrictions that parents look for and it covers internet, phone calls/texting, and social media platforms.  These are the all in one solutions that most parents need to make managing kid’s devices easy.  There are many apps that will provide similar functionality on the market and we encourage parents to try them in order find the best fit for your family's needs.
  
  For more information on this topic, please email our Director of Technology Bhavin Patel.

• Does the school provide me with a copy of the Microsoft Office Suite for my personal laptop?

  The Masters School offers a significantly discounted price of $15 for purchasing legal copies of the Microsoft Office Suite for Windows and Apple computers. Purchasing the standalone version of the Office suite is recommended, although you may obtain a free subscription to Office 365 online through the school as well. For information on how to purchase Microsoft Office through Masters, please contact the Masters SeviceDesk at support@mastersny.org.

• Is printing, copying and scanning available for students 

  on campus?

  Yes! The Pittsburgh Library and the Fonseca Center currently have enterprise multifunction copiers that can print, scan, and make copies. Students can submit print jobs to these copiers from any device on campus while connected to the “Masters” wireless network, and use their ID cards to release these jobs for printing at their convenience. The public computers in the library are configured to quickly print out documents and assignments. Printers are also available in our multimedia labs.

• Can students print to school printers from personal laptops?

  Yes. Students can print from any Windows, Apple, iOS, or Android device.

• Do students have access to color printers?

  Yes. Several color printers are available in the multimedia labs across campus.

• Can boarding students purchase a printer for their dorm room?

  Yes. Please keep in mind that students are not able to connect wireless printers to the “Masters” wireless network. Students will need a USB cable to connect any purchased printers to their personal computers.

• How do I contact the Masters ServiceDesk?

  Email ServiceDesk@MastersNY.org from a Masters email address, or support@mastersny.org from a non-Masters address.
  
  Need to borrow a computer or other technological equipment? Call, email, or stop by our office located in Morris Hall Room 106!