Idaho should get the same laptop computer for all students and teachers statewide, Jayson Ronk, chair of the Platform, Specifications and Procurement subcommittee of the technology task force, told the task force this morning. "Our recommendations I think are fairly straightforward ... on this device and procuring it," said Ronk, vice president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry business lobbying group. "We did want to make a a recommendation that it be a laptop rather than a pad. ... We believe that a laptop is the best way to go right now. That does not lock us in forever, but we think for this go-round that's the best option."

The group also is calling for a managed service to provide and maintain the computers, under the "one throat to choke model. Said Ronk, "It's statewide for the simple purchasing power for the state." The subcommittee also concurred with the first subcommittee that phase-in should be to entire high schools, rather than one grade level at a time.