I feel everyone should have a computer. I am guessing that the school will give a Chromebook, and while it might be good enough for school, it will not be good enough for me. I will want my foster child to be able to VPN in the home network so they can access the LAN resources. I will also want them to be able to access the NAS they have rights to. With that said, I will give them a computer that would meet their needs, and maybe even a couple of wants. The PC will depend on the OS they choose, and will be the choice for them to consider. If they have no preference in OS, then I will provide them with a MacBook.
Linux
If they want Linux, they will receive the Zorin OS – Educational Version which will have a lot of educational software that would hopefully meet their needs. Zorin OS is a good and competent Linux OS, and it natively supports WINE built in. This will mean they might have the ability to run some Windows Programs without needing Windows. I never used the Educational version, but I researched it, and it is a good version for students. I will assume that all of my foster children are in school. The educational version is free, and just requires a download of the .iso file.
For the computer, I will get a FrameWork 13 PC. It will have a good CPU/GPU, and at least 16GB of memory. Storage will be a 2TB NVME drive followed by a 1TB drive for storing their files and work. They will also have an SD card reader which will give them access to SD cards with a capacity of up to 2TB is storage capacity. This is really good if the foster child has a desire to learn photography or videography. They will also have 2 USB-C ports for charging and connecting to other devices. The notebook will make for a capable machine, and allow the child to have something that is theirs. Since VPN servers uses a name/password combination to allow entry, they will not have access to the LAN if they were no longer a foster child of mine.
Mac
If the child chooses MacOS, or if they don’t have a choice OS, then this will be simple and straightforward. There is only 1 version of MacOS, and all of the capabilities in MacOS will apply within any version of MacOS. If they have a Mac PC, they will be best to get an iPhone for their handheld device. This is because of the continuity features that MacOS offers. They will be required to download and install LibreOffice which will support MS Office files. The Mac Works suite of applications does not support MS Office files. With that in mind, LibreOffice is the best option for the foster child.
For the PC, they will receive a 13″ MacBook Air with at least 16GB of memory, and a 2TB OS drive. Unfortunately, Apple does not believe that Air users would want a SD card reader. With that said, if the child needs an SD card reader, they will have to rely on an USB-C external reader. The Air does have a MagSafe power cable which will be beneficial for both school and home. Since they will be using a VPN, they will have access to their NAS drives so they can work with those files if they have a good enough internet connection.
Windows
If the child chooses Windows, they will receive the Professional version. This is to provide for a competent OS or at least as competent that Windows can be. Personally, the only advantage I see in Windows is the method in how they address drives the computer has access to. With a professional version, it will offer device encryption so the bad actor can’t access the contents of the drive without knowing the password or PIN. Since Remote Desktop is supported on Windows Professional, an IT person can help resolve any issues the child might have.
For the computer, I will get a FrameWork 13 PC. It will have a good CPU/GPU, and at least 16GB of memory. Storage will be a 2TB NVME drive followed by a 1TB drive for storing their files and work. They will also have an SD card reader which will give them access to SD cards with a capacity of up to 2TB is storage capacity. This is really good if the foster child has a desire to learn photography or videography. They will also have 2 USB-C ports for charging and connecting to other devices. The notebook will make for a capable machine, and allow the child to have something that is theirs. Since VPN servers uses a name/password combination to allow entry, they will not have access to the LAN if they were no longer a foster child of mine.
Afterwards
If the child leaves my custody, their VPN settings will be deleted. Therefore, they should revert their VPN to before they connected to my network. If they should be able to visit, they will access the guest network which will give them internet access, but no other network access.