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The state of Maine is ready to place another huge order from Apple

The state of Maine has expanded a growing student laptop program that now includes most of the state's high school students, requiring Apple to ship 64,000 MacBook laptops to the state.

The Maine Department of Education may need an additional 7,000 MacBooks on top of the 64,000, which surely will please Apple during a global recession.  Around half of the public high schools in Maine are taking part in the program, with some school districts requesting official waivers to use stimulus funds to pay for the program.

The laptops are expected to reach Bangor, Portland, and Augusta, with several other school districts expected to announce their participation in the program.

Since 2002, the Maine Technology Learning Initiative (MTLI) has provided middle school students across the state with MacBook laptops.  The state's Department of Education decided to expand the offering so students in grades 7 up to 12 will have access to the state-funded laptops.

"We have seen incredible success with our middle schools showing increased student engagement and achievement with MTLI in place and we want to bring this same opportunity to our high schools," Maine Education Commissioner Sue Gendron said in a statement issued by the state.  "This is not just about technology -- it's about using the technology to support education."

Apple will work with state officials to include software that can be used by students to work on documents, create presentations, edit photos, and carry out other necessary tasks.  The laptops will ship with programs such as iLife and iWork, along with whatever software the state of Maine believes is necessary.

There have been scattered reports of both public schools and universities providing some type of laptop or MP3 player device to students, but it obviously is still a very rare occasion.  A growing number of school districts have shown interest and e-book readers to cut down on the cost of printed text books, but that has been met with state and regional money issues. 

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OMFG
By therealnickdanger on 7/1/2009 9:24:45 AM , Rating: 3
What a waste. One has to wonder if they even got a volume discount. Even Apple's cheapest MacBook is like $900, right?

There was NOTHING better to spend $64 million on?




RE: OMFG
By Regs on 7/1/09, Rating: -1
RE: OMFG
By marvdmartian on 7/1/2009 9:42:44 AM , Rating: 5
"Good morning, boys and girls! Today's lesson is on spelling! Can you spell KICKBACK ???" ;)


RE: OMFG
By Hyperion1400 on 7/1/2009 2:25:01 PM , Rating: 1
Well, well, looks like we have a strong candidate for six-ification.


RE: OMFG
By smackababy on 7/1/2009 9:42:51 AM , Rating: 2
I am sure they got a discount. Buying that many in bulk, I couldn't see Apple charging full price. So, basically, $48 million wasted rather than $64.


RE: OMFG
By Blacknewyear on 7/1/2009 9:47:44 AM , Rating: 4
Well in that case it is totally reasonable!


RE: OMFG
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 10:08:00 AM , Rating: 1
In a day where a few trillion dollars is wasted in just a few months time, yes, $48 million is pretty damn insignificant.


RE: OMFG
By 67STANG on 7/1/2009 10:50:55 AM , Rating: 5
It's not a waste.

The schools probably just wanted to make sure the kids had access to computers, while at the same time, making sure that they couldn't use them for gaming, ever.

Since MacBooks disentigrate when dropped/bumbed/looked at wrong, it will be interesting to see how many get shipped back every week.


RE: OMFG
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 11:13:31 AM , Rating: 5
Each kid does not need their own computer.


RE: OMFG
By Jeff7181 on 7/1/2009 4:02:55 PM , Rating: 2
Especially not a laptop... and especially not a Macbook. Seriously... netbooks were basically born exactly for this purpose... a cheap computer that will give kids access to information (the Internet).

Words cannot express what a horrible waste of resources this is.


RE: OMFG
By Runiteshark on 7/1/2009 5:00:36 PM , Rating: 3
64,000 Asus 1000HE EEE's would of been far better, and half the cost.


RE: OMFG
By Keeir on 7/1/2009 7:19:33 PM , Rating: 2
Although I agree with the essential points here.

I feel compelled to point out that most School Districts in the US spend more than 500 dollars per participate per sports season. Yes, even for "cheap" sports like Cross Country.

Football costs can be more than 750 a participant. Even after gate sales and booster money http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/new...

In comparison, spending ~500 dollars a year for a laptop (I am guessing 3-4 years actual use) is not that bad of a choice.... in the end I would say both are wastes of money


RE: OMFG
By ceomrman on 7/1/2009 10:21:28 PM , Rating: 3
I don't think it's a waste to spend $900 per student for a medium-quality notebook. I learned on high tech C64's and Apple IIe's, which were far more than $900 at the time. I would have learned more if we had more computers.
I think some of you just like to whine about "that durn gub'ment" and all their unspecified waste, as if your private sector job isn't just as worthless.


RE: OMFG
By EasyC on 7/2/2009 12:19:18 PM , Rating: 2
Not everyone plays sports. And even if everyone tried out, the team would still be the same size.

Well, atleast they can look at more porn sites now with less chance of a virus.


RE: OMFG
By Keeir on 7/2/2009 1:48:16 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Not everyone plays sports. And even if everyone tried out, the team would still be the same size.


Errr... thats the point. A school might spend 1,500 per student in sports a year. Sports that help that student alot less than a properly used laptop computer that should be less than 500 per year.


RE: OMFG
By True Strike on 7/1/2009 12:20:24 PM , Rating: 5
I did an internship at my local K-12 school district while I was getting my degree. Spending most of my time at the high school, I was appalled at how the students treated the standard desktops in the computer labs. While sitting on a desk they could easily be demolished; the only way you could make it more horrible is by giving them a computer they can drop, step on, throw around...

They better have come up with a strict way of enforcing responsibility for maintaining that equipment, because a lot of kids won't do it of their own accord.


RE: OMFG
By mezman on 7/1/2009 3:31:16 PM , Rating: 3
And that couldn't have been accomplished with a $350 eeePC? Buying every student a full MacBook is what's so stupid.


RE: OMFG
By Kougar on 7/2/2009 5:45:06 AM , Rating: 3
The average person can live comfortably for their entire life just from using the interest earned on two million in a savings account, so I beg to differ.


RE: OMFG
By Samus on 7/1/2009 5:36:00 PM , Rating: 2
Why didn't they just get netbooks for $200 from HP or something?


RE: OMFG
By BZDTemp on 7/2/2009 6:18:32 AM , Rating: 2
Because Netbooks suck as a primary computer.

The MacBook is a much better computer than any Netbook and everyone here also seems to forget the software. Apple does deliver a very good suite of programs for music, photo, video and also the more down to earth office software. I'd say that plus the lack of virus problems (when compared with Windows) is are pretty damn great arguments.

Finally I'd be surprised if the price payed for each Macbook is not close to 50% of the retail price. Rather than the other figures suggested.


RE: OMFG
By Souka on 7/1/2009 11:49:51 AM , Rating: 2
and apple I"m sure claims a tax break somehow...so they'll the missing $16million will still end up in their pockets...


RE: OMFG
By hellcats on 7/1/2009 11:56:10 AM , Rating: 2
Sounds like 1984 to me


RE: OMFG
By itlnstln on 7/1/2009 10:16:19 AM , Rating: 4
When I was a kid (read: about 20 years, or so, ago), Apple had a strong educational support deal that allowed schools, states, etc. purchase Apple computers at significant discounts. Most of the schools I attended as a kid had Apple PCs in their classrooms. This might be the same deal here. I'm sure, one way or the other, that the state isn't paying anywhere near retail price for these rigs. Besides, God forbid a state spends money on education. They can still install Windows on them, too, so they have the best of both worlds.


RE: OMFG
By Cerin218 on 7/1/2009 10:38:38 AM , Rating: 5
The point here isn't the amount of money they spent. The greater issue is the reason that schools stopped using Apple is that most of the business world runs on windows. What the people in the educational system found was that they were teaching students to use computers that had very little practical application in the business world they were preparing their students for. That is why many have switched to Windows PC's. Show me the Fortune 500 companies that run strictly Apple that aren't multimedia companies. So you just repeated the same problem here. Unless Apple sold at a loss, they wouldn't want to compete with Dell to provide cost effective computers. Dell can put realistically put a laptop in someones hands for $200-300 dollars if they want. Apple probably can too, but why accept $300 for something you sell retail for $2300. Someone got paid huge for this and in a recession where governments are going broke, I would say whatever they spent was completely unnecessary waste of money at this time. I received most of my education without the benefit of computers. I think it's far more important to teach children to use their own brain as opposed to relying on an electronic one. Technology is slowly teaching us to think less because something else can supplement for us. I was never allowed to use a calculator in math class as my teachers thought it better that I develop the thought process whereby I achieved the answer rather then just having it given to me. That's why I had to show all the work too.


RE: OMFG
By ClownPuncher on 7/1/2009 11:56:10 AM , Rating: 4
I agree, we should release kids into the workforce with no relevant computer education because 50 years ago an abacus was all we needed. :S

I disagree with you on computers. Computers do not replace the need to think. They augment knowledge and help facilitate learning. If it weren't for a great technology program in high school, and a college that kept up to date on software and hardware, I wouldn't have the skills needed to compete in this global economy.

As far as calculators go, it's true, they are not really helping kids learn math as well as they should.


RE: OMFG
By STILTO on 7/1/2009 2:59:50 PM , Rating: 3
"Computers are like a bicycle for our minds." - Steve Jobs


RE: OMFG
By 9nails on 7/1/2009 4:17:41 PM , Rating: 2
The thing is, with Apple computers on campus, aside from the server and laptop, you only need $249 for a license for Apple Remote Desktop Unlimited Clients (Edu discounted) and an IT department would have everything that they need for imaging, remote support, patch management, lab management, and group policies. With a Microsoft Windows network you would need to factor several thousand dollars more to license each client, multiple vendors for support, and additional software installs for the clients... Microsoft makes business expensive, convoluted and a difficult.And really, the education experience isn't teaching students how to click Start -> Programs -> Microsoft Office -> Word, it's more about teaching them how to format a document or research. And, proud to say, even a Apple can give them that experience.

If Microsoft wants to compete, they need to consolidate the tools and open up the licenses to allow unlimited connections.


RE: OMFG
By erple2 on 7/1/2009 7:19:34 PM , Rating: 2
That's exactly the point. Since I replied, I can't mod you up :(

The point of a computer in middle school isn't to teach kids how to use the latest Office product, or the latest Scheduling software; it's to help kids in the process of learning. Any computer can do that, provided the software is there to augment the experience. It sounds like Apple is also committing to develop additional tools and software to help the education process.

These kids aren't learning how to use Office - they're learning how to write, do proper research, learn math skills, scientific thought process, general skills and the like.

While the initial price of the hardware may be pricey with an Apple, you also have to factor in the cost of software - Apple has generally been very favorable to educational institutions for their volume pricing for the software tools to maintain the computers. Microsoft has not been quite as friendly.

Buying netbooks may have been cheaper in the outlay, but what are the longer term costs? Is the educational software you're going to be running available on a netbook? Is it available on Linux? Windows? It sounds like Maine already has some agreements with Apple and have been very happy with that route.


RE: OMFG
By invidious on 7/1/2009 10:47:10 AM , Rating: 2
They didn't spend it on laptops they spent it on education, on children. So no there aren't many better things. As far as government spending goes this is one of the better things. Think about what your about to say before you say it.

If you think that the goverment cares if they are getting a good bang for their buck then your wrong. I garuntee you they would spend at least $1500-2000 per laptop regardless of which vendor they chose. Also the gov cares much more about things like warranties, software licencing, security, and virus protection than they do about how many ghz/mbs they get for their money.

Also Macs are harder for idiots to mess up, so they might end up saving money on tech support. Which I can assure you costs them a ton in public education.


RE: OMFG
By Durrr on 7/1/2009 10:57:56 AM , Rating: 3
Macs are harder for idiots to mess up... lolz... sounds like someone needs a Stupida Mouse and Keyboard


RE: OMFG
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 11:15:31 AM , Rating: 3
And what education will kids get from having a laptop vs. not having one? Blindly spending on "education" doesn't make it not wasteful.

The government has spent billions on supposedly improving schools in recent years with the result of schools staying largely the same or getting worse.


RE: OMFG
By ClownPuncher on 7/1/2009 12:23:00 PM , Rating: 2
... a computer education maybe?

Cite some examples of the education system of America getting worse, not just a handful of inner city schools.


RE: OMFG
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 1:03:01 PM , Rating: 2
Cite some examples of schools getting better?

I've never really lived in an area that has "inner city" schools though.


RE: OMFG
By ClownPuncher on 7/1/2009 2:47:26 PM , Rating: 2
Purely anecdotal, but the high school I went to went from average test scores for my state to earning a blue ribbon award due to the technology program and teachers actively motivating kids to learn.

http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/p20-550.pdf

This document states Americans are more educated now than they ever have been.


RE: OMFG
By Jeff7181 on 7/1/2009 4:14:05 PM , Rating: 2
The material on these standardized tests can be memorized and not necessarily learned. I went to two tech schools after high school and I was simply amazed at the inability of my fellow students to learn independently. If they weren't spoon fed, they couldn't learn/memorize.

Kids in public schools are not being taught HOW to learn, that's the biggest problem with education today and a Macbook is not going to fix that.


RE: OMFG
By ClownPuncher on 7/1/2009 7:19:23 PM , Rating: 2
I think the key is the students you are referring to simply were not motivated to learn. Getting out in the workforce, finding out they had no skills to keep up and not being able to hold down a good job would be motivation to learn.

In high school, PC's in our computer lab had windows, mac OS, and linux. I think being exposed to more than one OS can only help facilitate learning in those who wish to have greater knowledge. Just like learning multiple languages.

Motivation to learn needs to be handed down via good parenting. Quit letting your kids get away with not having to get a job until they are out of college. We all know this usually leads to lazy, unskilled, self-entitled people the rest of us don't want to hire. There is nothing like looking at a 24 year old, asking them why they have no work experience, then getting a blank look.


RE: OMFG
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 1:03:48 PM , Rating: 2
And I think the vast majority of kids are plenty educated on computers.


RE: OMFG
By rcc on 7/1/2009 3:51:15 PM , Rating: 2
Go out and talk to the kids. With a handful of exceptions I find that most of the high school graduates these days can't spell, have no clue about basic world geography, and think any sort of math is for geeks.

There are always exceptions, but by and large I'm not impressed with the level of education kids are getting these days.

Perhaps if they were to change "no child left behind" to "no child held back from learning" it might help. The lowest common denominator is never a good goal.

IMNSHO, of course.


RE: OMFG
By GodisanAtheist on 7/1/2009 11:31:31 AM , Rating: 2
Dude, its Maine. It's like an entire state just for yuppies. Give me designer, or give me death M I RITE?


Government waste
By mdogs444 on 7/1/2009 9:23:10 AM , Rating: 3
It's quite crazy to me to think that the state is using state and federal tax payer funds to purchase the most expensive computers....this wreaks of government waste to me. Sure, these Macbooks are nice, but when they can probably purchase 3-4x as many computers for children with the same amount of money - I have to ask myself, who's interest is this REALLY in?




RE: Government waste
By Screwballl on 7/1/2009 9:27:46 AM , Rating: 4
The point I see is that it is better to go with a Mac because of so many programs and games that will not work with them, and since it won't work, the kids have to use it for something like schoolwork and not get distracted (or less distractions)...


RE: Government waste
By fleshconsumed on 7/1/2009 9:29:51 AM , Rating: 2
Then just get a windows laptop with integrated graphics, that way they'll get a usable system that can run anything they need except for games.


RE: Government waste
By bjacobson on 7/1/2009 9:53:05 AM , Rating: 1
Good solution. Even better: don't pass "feel-good" legislation like this. Looks great on paper, never works in reality. Democrats need to learn that correlation =/= causation. Just because smart people use computers doesn't mean computers make you smart.


RE: Government waste
By Hyperion1400 on 7/1/09, Rating: 0
RE: Government waste
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 3:26:27 PM , Rating: 2
There are PLENTY of Christian Democrats.


RE: Government waste
By Hyperion1400 on 7/2/2009 9:30:37 PM , Rating: 2
http://www.equalitygiving.org/files/California-Pro...

This in depth study would seem to oppose the belief that there are just as many Christian Democrats if only by the overwhelming disparity between the two percentages of Reps. and Dems. voting aye.

You are right, there are quite a few Christian Dems, but no where near on the level that they are found in the Republican camp.


RE: Government waste
By PhoenixKnight on 7/1/2009 9:49:12 AM , Rating: 2
They probably don't even have a plan for these laptops. I'm betting they ordered them without having first thought of any educational software to install on them or any way to integrate them into school use. Instead, they're simply assuming that simply giving kids computers would magically make them smarter.

The board of education did something somewhat similar when I was in high school. They put a few computers in every classroom, but didn't put anything useful on them had no plans of how to use them to supplement the classes. As a result, the computers sat completely unused in the back of classes, aside from students playing Solitaire when a particularly lax substitute teacher was in charge of class.


RE: Government waste
By invidious on 7/1/2009 10:40:01 AM , Rating: 2
It isn't the state's or even the school's job to have a plan. Its up to the teachers and directors to determine a corriculum. The state just makes the funding available and the schools stock the laptops as a resource.

I used to do IT work for a city's public high schools during the summers while I was in college. The had 3-4 computer racks (on wheels) per school that each like 30-40 laptops each. The laptops sit in a library until a teacher requests them for a lesson.

And the point isn't to make people smart through osmosis by using laptops. I don't know how you jump to a conclusion like that. The point is to expose students to computers and integrate them into the lesson plans. This is nothing new, its been doing on for almost 3 decades.

As to why they would chose Apple computers I don't know, maybe they got a good deal, who cares. Considering how any time the goverment spends money they waste a ton of it, does it really matter how good a deal they get?


RE: Government waste
By drebo on 7/1/2009 12:23:24 PM , Rating: 1
You couldn't be any more wrong. Curriculum is set at the state level. The state mandates what teachers need to teach.

I also take issue with the state using federal funds to buy laptops for their students when California can barely afford to keep its schools open.

Our government is totally fucked up. Time for a change: fire all the liberal morons. We need some good old fiscal conservatism. Communism does not work. History has shown it time and time again. Why do we insist on trying to implement it?


RE: Government waste
By PhoenixKnight on 7/1/2009 5:52:59 PM , Rating: 2
The Republicans were in charge for quite a few years, and that didn't seem to have helped any. Remember, it was a Republican president and Republican Congress that passed No Child Left Behind. So clearly it's not just the liberals who are the problem. I say we get rid of the whole lot of them and find something that works.


RE: Government waste
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 10:06:31 AM , Rating: 2
Regardless of who's interest they care about, this is nothing but a waste of money because laptops do not help children learn. If anything it is yet another distraction in the classroom.

Children learned just fine in schools for decades before computers came along. And under much tougher standards. Ever since all this feel good legislation has been passed students have done worse and worse as schools start to care more about getting funding than providing a good education. It doesn't matter to the schools if kids can't do basic math as long as they do good enough on the standardized tests to secure their funding. Then you have this crap of "No Child Left Behind" which rewards failure.


The anti Apple zealots are out in full force
By Shadowself on 7/1/2009 10:12:01 AM , Rating: 4
Already expecting the -1

From the article above we have absolutely no idea which version of the Macbook is being offered -- or even if it's a customized version.

From the article above we have absolutely no idea if any other hardware is shipping to support this order (servers?, routers? WiFi systems?, etc.)

From the article above we have absolutely no idea what the price of each Macbook is (Only a fool would believe that Maine is paying full, list price when purchasing up to 71,000 of these items.)

From the article above we have absolutely no idea what kind of warrantee Apple is giving.

From the article above we have absolutely no idea what kind of services Apple is providing above and beyond drop shipping the laptops to a central location in Maine.

From the article above we have absolutely no idea what software may be included beyond the basics (OS X, iLife and iWork).

However...
Blanket statements are being made that Maine payed way too much, they could have gotten much better deals, etc., etc. Some even claiming that Maine could have bought up to 4 times as many laptops if they bought another brand.

Just pure anti Apple fanaticism in its pure form.

As those of you who read my posts here know, I bash Apple almost every chance I get -- when I feel it is warranted. However, I won't stoop so low as to bash Apple (and the state of Maine) on virtually no information!




RE: The anti Apple zealots are out in full force
By FITCamaro on 7/1/09, Rating: -1
By honestIT on 7/1/2009 2:45:57 PM , Rating: 1
Higher Costs?

TCO?

Apple over a three year span ends up cheaper just due to the Tech support costs and AV and backup licensing costs, which are PER YEAR!


By crystal clear on 7/2/2009 3:14:56 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
From the article above we have absolutely no idea


For that you have to do some reading on other sites to update yourself about the missing details.

So here are all the updates-

That expansion includes a deal with Apple to supply another 64,000 MacBooks to the roughly 37,000 already in circulation—with another 7,000 expected to be ordered within the next few weeks.

Apple will include educational software, professional development for educators, and technical support in exchange for approximately $25 million per year for a total of four years.

Kansas, Iowa, and Louisiana have all recently joined in the MacBook fun with Maine, but the state boasts that it is the first to give all its high school students direct access to a laptop. The deal also gives Maine one of the largest deployments in a one-to-one learning technology program, topping out at over 100,000 MacBooks total, including students and educators.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/07/maine-ne...

The huge order of MacBooks is an expansion of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative, a program the state start with Apple in 2002. Originally, the program was aimed at middle schools, but it has become so successful, the program has been expanded to include high school students.

Apple will include educational software, professional development, repair and replacement and technical support, as part of the deal.

http://www.loopinsight.com/2009/06/30/maine-orders...


By crystal clear on 7/2/2009 3:23:13 AM , Rating: 2
Additions-

Maine would like to add an additional 57,000 MacBooks to the program, for a grand total of 100,000 notebooks, which will be leased for a period of four years and will go to all high schools and middle schools.

So, just what does it cost to lease 100,00 MacBooks?

The state would like to pay $242 per year for each MacBook, for a grand total of $25 million per year, or about twice what Maine is currently paying for 37,000 notebooks.

Taxpayers don't have to worry, either, since expansion of the program will apparently be done with existing resources, although, given the state's current budget deficit, I'm sure some will argue that the money would be better spent elsewhere.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/maine-ne...


By honestIT on 7/1/2009 7:10:06 PM , Rating: 2
Schools do not have the money to deploy AV and support it over years and years of Windows worms and malware.

With a MAC you don't have to worry some jackass will take it home and torrent the computer into oblivion

It's all to easy to do with Windows

If it wasn't I wouldn't have a job......




By SavagePotato on 7/1/2009 9:10:19 PM , Rating: 2
Schools that are smart don't ever worry about any such thing.

Because they deep freeze their computers so the students can't screw them up. They also firwall the connection so they can't surf porn or torrent.

With every reboot the computer is back to it's original state.

At least thats what they do around here, I don't know about where you come from.


By honestIT on 7/1/2009 10:14:35 PM , Rating: 2
Where I am from they don't have that kind of money for support.

You expect Enterprise class support?

Firewall does nothing if the student is allowed to take the notebook home

We have VPN users who screw up their systems even with SEP's overbearing protection and lack of admin rights.


By SavagePotato on 7/2/2009 4:33:16 PM , Rating: 2
Deep freezing a computer isn't that much in the way of rocket science.

I have never seen anyone screw up a computer with deep freeze ever. The local high school uses it religiously. The hard disk is restored to a default state on reboot. Sort of like steady state.

If they can afford to pay more for macs they can sure afford to pay for a copy of deep freeze for each machine.


By PhoenixKnight on 7/1/2009 5:35:27 PM , Rating: 3
You do realize that even Apple strongly suggests installing AV software, right? Plus, there are a ton of free AV suites out there, so this shouldn't even be a issue to begin with.

Secondly, why exactly do you need tons of servers and Active Directory for laptops that simply run educational software? Please tell me in detail why that is necessary and precisely why creating one single image backup and using that to restore laptops to default setting won't suffice.

You are trying to say that education laptop PCs are more expensive than education Macs by severely over-complicating the situation by throwing in a bunch of stuff that is completely and utterly unnecessary for the scenario.


By honestIT on 7/1/2009 7:05:23 PM , Rating: 1
So an organization deploying 65k laptops should use Free AV to manage?

Also you need Group Policy on Windows to keep EU's on the same page. Bottom line is it's harder to lock down a Windows based machine than an apple because of malware concerns.

Deploying 65k laptops and having a single image? Where is the image stored? How to redeploy when software changes or windows machines go bad? You will need servers and bandwidth.

If they were to deploy that many pc's without all the above, they are looking at a support nightmare.

Bottom line is Apple computers won't get malware or AV, period. That alone is worth it


By SavagePotato on 7/1/2009 9:13:11 PM , Rating: 3
They could have gone with ubuntu for free and it would have been just as effective in that respect and a better learning experience than a mac.

Furthermore any school I have ever heard of deep freezes and locks their computers so they can't be messed up.


So...
By Tegrat on 7/1/2009 9:49:03 AM , Rating: 2
Do the homeless in "Maine" at least get an iPOD or an iMeal out of this deal?




RE: So...
By FITCamaro on 7/1/2009 10:09:21 AM , Rating: 4
The elderly get a letter saying their prescription isn't covered but their assisted suicide is.


Useless
By SavagePotato on 7/1/2009 9:02:50 PM , Rating: 2
Educators have such a hardon for apple.

I remember when I was in junior high the school got all new computers and they got talked into going with macs by the computer teacher.

That was the most irrelivant computer class in history, utter waste of time, and massive waste of money for the school.

By the time I got to highschool they had gotten around to the realization that macs were a joke and had a second computer lab with the real Windows machines.




RE: Useless
By honestIT on 7/1/2009 10:20:01 PM , Rating: 2
It is good to know your real computer taught you how to write so eloquently.

It plays Crysis at 120 fps, that is all that matters in the end.


RE: Useless
By SavagePotato on 7/2/2009 4:36:33 PM , Rating: 2
Right because you take English class in the computer lab, not that there is anything wrong with my writing.

Kids these days think the letter U is a word, so pull your head out of your ass you wannabe tech mac shill.


This is fuxking sad.
By chick0n on 7/1/2009 1:08:01 PM , Rating: 2
Kids these days need a laptop to learn ?

wow.

Kids are getting stupid-er everyday I guess.

Maine is being run by some idiots who thinks Apple is the best thing since slice bread.

Talk about a huge waste of taxpayer's money.




RE: This is fuxking sad.
By PhoenixKnight on 7/1/2009 5:25:09 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Kids are getting stupid-er everyday I guess.


Now they've even started adding unnecessary hyphens to existing words.


Video Editing
By aliasfox on 7/1/2009 11:51:06 PM , Rating: 3
One reason why they may have chosen MacBooks - iMovie and a Firewire port (and iPhoto and a USB port) mean that any digital video can be loaded and edited on these machines out of the box. Regardless of whether the schools have Mini DV cameras or Flips, kids can shoot and edit their own documentaries, mock news shows, etc that teachers sometimes assign. Not sure why they would throw iWork in though - I'm an Apple fan and I love showing what Keynote can do, but honestly, people don't use iWork.

The cheapest white MacBook is (I believe) $899 when ordered in multiples using the EDU discount, it's not inconceivable that there's a further 10-20% discount for a massive quantity of them.

In addition, if the MacBook is anything like the iBook that preceded it, it's designed with a magnesium subframe, which should allow it to take a few bumps (quality of the plastic casing notwithstanding). I haven't opened one up, but all the PowerBooks, iBooks, and non-unibody MacBook Pros have the aluminum subframe. In addition, magnetic power connectors, latchless cases, recessed hinges, and hard drive protecting accelerometer probably also factored into the durability of the machine.

Lastly, all current MacBooks have nVidia 9400m graphics - integrated for sure, but if students were allowed to install apps on these machines (likely not), they'd find that they had a rig capable of basic gaming.

That said, I'm not a fan of giving every kid a laptop - outside of making videos, using PowerPoint, and muddling around Google Earth, there's not much that can be addressed in a classroom using a laptop that can't be addressed without one. I have a friend who went through one of these programs and all she ended up learning to do was play WoW...




By prmoon on 7/1/2009 10:22:24 AM , Rating: 2
they have a laptop!




Maine got it!
By Myturn on 7/3/2009 11:10:55 AM , Rating: 2
It ceases to amaze…! Apple sells 60K+ laptops to a state school system, with options for another 7,000… What's this got to do with Apple's next quarter bottom line? Zero! Why compare a state's value-based purchase to cheapo failure-prone throw-away plastic hardware? Who gives a rats butt about keyboards, screens, battery cycles & commodity me-too low-bid stuff? Duuhh!

It's all, only & forever about software! Another skirmish in the MacOS X versus Windows war. When a student learns to use MacOS X plus Apple's software suite, then runs into Windows (any version) - what do YOU suppose the user's attitude becomes?

Ponder!




By HIRAM THE WICKED on 7/29/2009 11:08:45 AM , Rating: 2
Laptops are the tool of the devil , my car gets 40 rods to the hogs head and thats the way I likes it




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