Re: PC purchase: brands

[High Commander <sjp@eee.org>]

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I know I'm asking for it (again), but personally I can't think of any
reason why a school (or anyone else for that matter) wouldn't purchase
Mac G3s.  Now before all the PC users get huffy, let me just say that
our "job,"  as I see it, is to prepare kids for the real world, and last
time I checked, there were still TWO somewhat widely used platforms out
there in PC-land (albeit one is used more than the other).  If you buy a
S.O.T. A. PC for $1500 complete, you get a PC.  Buy a G3 for $1800
complete (and add a 'SoftWindows' type app. for <$100.00) and you get
BOTH platforms in one machine.  Even though Macs initially cost somewhat
more, if you do the math (and consider Apple's reputation in the
educational field) you can't get a sweeter deal on a S.O.T.A. product.
Of course the issue of more software availability on the PC platform
becomes moot at this point as well.

Even when you consider my personal biases (In my position I regularly
use both PCs and Macs, and I have DEFINITE opinions about their
ease-of-use and serviceability.), I don't see how anyone can provide a
better experience and meet the needs of kids who come from homes that
use different platforms, need to swap data from one platform to another,
and are going into a world that (for now at least) will require them to
use either or both.

An aside.  EVERY job posting in my area related to computer/educational
expertise asks for PC/Mac experience.  It stands to reason, therefore,
that having experience in both would serve the applicant better, and
that we should provide both platforms for our students to learn.  I
guess I agree with Dave Barry on the issue when he says that it's an
"anything easy must be bad" attitude with lots of PC users toward Macs
out there. (Dave Barry in Cyberspace for those of you who flamed me
earlier for not attributing ;-)There--now I've said it.  I trust you'll
all accept this in the spirit in which it was given; but know that I've
asked my provider to set aside extra mailbox space for me for a while
and I have purchased a fireproof suit!!  :-)  Seriously, I'd love to
hear counter-arguments (send to me, please--for goodness' sake don't
post or it'll be the 'Man oh Man' thing all over again!) as I plan to
buy close to 100 machines in the not-too-diatant-future to replace those
too old to provide acceptable service.  If I'm off base (nah!) I'd like
to hear what I may be missing BEFORE I drop the $$$.

sjp
--
S. J. Peterson
Library/Media-Technical Support Coordinator
E. M. Cope Middle School
1000 W. Cypress Avenue
Redlands, CA 92373
909 307 5420 x 344
Home or Work

> Subject: PC purchase: brands
> Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 20:57:24 -0600
> From: Patricia Lee Wassink <wassinpl@UWEC.EDU>
>
> I have been told that the new PCs which will be purchased for the
> business ed lab will be the "best"--no off brands.  By the best, the
> decision makers are referring to IBM specifically.  My impression is
> that
> there may be better choices....any comments out there or references to
>
> good comparison reviews?





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