“The past few years have seen few exciting innovations in computer technology and software functionality, with the exception of Apple Computer,” Gary Stager writes for District Administration: The Magazine for K-12 Education Leaders. “I’m sorry to sound like a platform partisan, but wireless networking, digital video editing, consumer DVD production, portable audio, Bluetooth, zero-config networking, video chat, floppy-less computers, Firewire, desktop audio and flat displays have either been invented, popularized or made accessible by Apple Computer. PC companies may have introduced a technology earlier or created competing products since, but few people can argue those products represent a better value or are easier to use than Apple’s.”
“The company’s iLife package (iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes and now Garageband) made the digital lifestyle era possible. It enhanced the value of multimedia peripherals and helped fuel the explosion of digital photography and video,” Stager writes. “The iPod is at the heart of the most recent high-tech revolution. There were portable music players prior to the iPod. However, the elegant interface, large storage capacity, stunning industrial design and integration with the free iTunes software made portable digital music players a must-have item. One can imagine using the iTunes Music Store as a vehicle for distributing all sorts of classroom resources.”
“The iPod’s commercial success is responsible for the new Macintosh Mini. This $499 computer is smaller than a lunchbox, yet contains Ethernet, a modem, Firewire, USB 2, analog/digital video and a combo drive (CD-R/DVD). Best of all, the Mac Mini comes preloaded with iLife ’05,” Stager writes. “Educators will want Macintosh Minis due to their power, affordability and ability to use existing monitors, keyboards and mice. It is not hard to imagine teachers throwing a Mac Mini into their bag and schlepping it to their next classroom or home in order to view student video projects. Kids may do the same. The new Macintosh hardware and software will not only be desired by many educators, but the retail success of the Macintosh Mini and iPod line will drive student demand for these technologies. Students will expect schools to support their creativity with materials at least as flexible, powerful and expressive as that which they have in their bookbags.”
Full article here.
Lol, this article, for some reason, reminds me of that old SNL commercial. “Kicking the other kids butts with an Apple”
“This $499 computer is smaller than a lunchbox,…”
Ah yes, just the perfect size for little jimmy or sally to stick under their coat or in their backpack to steal from the school and sell for crack.
U ain´t gonna´ see the macmini in no skool.
Unless they figr a way to bolt em to the dsk.
Then I guess it’s a good thing that every mini has a lock port scientiffically engineered to “bolt em to the desk”.
That’s why schools never contain valuable objects that can be stolen. They never have laptops, calculators, lab equipment, sports equipment, etc.
Boy, Jimmy & Sally sure have changed a lot since I went to school. The only crack we ever saw was when the school custodian bent over to clean.
jimmy and sally buy crack from school custodian showing his crack…
And if they bolt them to the desk, jimmy and sally will steal the desk.
You can tell the guy that wrote this has been drinking the kool-aid; probably for years.
sorry for not been up to date, but how much crack do you get for an un-screwed mini these days, say?
Somebody send this to the folks in Henrico County, Va.
regent rasa sez “but how much crack do you get for an un-screwed mini these days, say?”
Hey, is that some sort of anti-short person remark…”unscrewed mini”.
Hey, lady, I´ve been gettin´ my fair share of booty.
signed, mike the midget.
i think macminis are a complete waste of time
>Boy, Jimmy & Sally sure have changed a lot since I went to school. The only crack we ever saw was when the school custodian bent over to clean.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…
Andrew – That´s what Apple hopes we all think and decide to buy an $1899 iMac instead…
I was thinking that Apple should institute a new sales policy on the minimac – one has to prove they own a Windows PC before they can buy one. Either a sales receipt or an autographed photo of Bill Gates or Steve (em)Balmer.
mike – don´t most mac owners own a PC, too?
my magic word: thats
as in thats bad grammar because MDN forget the apostrophe (that´s).