How do I set up pi-top devices for my school?
Before using the pi-top devices you need to complete the onboarding steps which include updating the software and connecting the devices to Wi-Fi. The best way to access the device onboarding is to connect another computer (desktop/laptop/tablet) to the pi-top's built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
For detailed instructions on how to complete the device onboarding use this guide:
When you reach the Wi-Fi configuration step of the onboarding please continue reading the follow-up guide for Connecting the pi-top to a Wi-Fi Network.
SD Card with pi-top OS
Your pi-top has an SD card where its software is stored.
If your pi-top is older than a year or two, it likely requires reinstalling the SD card to get the latest software, following this guide.
Alternative Connections
The pi-top also supports other connection methods, including USB cable and Ethernet, however for school use we recommend the Wi-Fi Hotspot method used in the main guide.
USB Mass Onboarding and Updates
If you have a large number of devices to set up (e.g. >6), we provide a fast method for completing the onboarding and initial software updates: USB Mass Device Setup. With this method you only need to download the updates once to a USB drive and then you insert the drive into each pi-top, requiring about 5 minutes per device.
A limitation of this approach is that it does not currently support connecting the pi-tops to your school Wi-Fi, so this step needs to be performed manually afterwards - guide.