Technical Details
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Recommended Laptops
For this initiative the district has decided to offer a multiple platform solution. In this scenario we will offer three performance and cost levels of both Windows and Apple Macintosh based laptops. We have made the decision to offer dual platforms based on a number of factors:
- First, in modern computing learning a specific computing platform simply does not matter. In an era of constant marketing software vendors bring entirely new operating systems to market every two to three years. The operating system that students use today will undoubtedly be much different that the ones they will experience when they head off to college or enter the work force. Students need to be taught that in the information age that learning is a constant never-ending process. Students need to learn how to think and problem solve, not focus on learning a technology that will be outdated in three years.
- Second, over the last four years we have had tremendous success with Apple hardware and software. Due to the fact that Apple controls both the hardware and software the technology simply works with a minimal amount of down time. This amounts to more work, less maintenance and increased learning for the students. We still run the original seven laptops that started the wireless initiative at Gateway five years ago.
- Third, the Apple iBook and PowerBook families offer a better value for families. You will notice in the pricing configurations that while the iBook/Power contains more included software and productivity applications it works out to be less expensive that their PC based counterparts.
- Finally, we chose to offer a PC based laptop for families that simply do not want to purchase or lease an Macintosh based product. We understand that some people still prefer a PC. That is fine. Our networks support both platforms and we have nearly 250 PC based systems in the district that we presently maintain.
It should be noted that the district will continue to use iBook's for the district owned laptops. We will also continue to train our teachers using the iBooks and the software that comes preloaded on them. We encourage families to consider the Apple solutions when making your decision. However, whatever you choose for your child will be supported in our environment.
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