“Homeroom by homeroom, desk after desk, students across Henrico County, Va., are adjusting to their new wired life. By last Tuesday, most county high school students should have received their Dell laptop,” Olympia Meola reports for The Richmond Times-Dispatch. “As the roll-out progresses, the few problems encountered so far appear minimal. Now, school officials are considering how to gauge the one-computer-per-student initiative. Potential laptop vendors were asked to recommend ways to evaluate the laptop program’s effect on student learning. Previously, Henrico schools issued Apple iBooks to all high school students.”
Meola reports, “Dell will take a somewhat ‘holistic’ approach to this program, said Scott Campbell, vice president of K-12 sales division. ‘There’s no fear,’ Campbell said after watching a group of seniors log on to their new machines. ‘A computer’s a computer. It’s the access to them that’s key.'”
Full article here.
So, that’s how they sold Henrico on them? Undercut Apple’s iBook sticker price and promise them that “a computer’s a computer?” Sheesh. Four words that Henrico school officials have obviously never heard: Total Cost of Ownership.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
After dropping Macs, Henrico officials work to protect students’ new Dells from viruses – August 30, 2005
Woman wets herself to keep place in line for $50 Apple iBooks – August 16, 2005
Apple continues to lead in customer satisfaction, Dell loses more ground – August 16, 2005
Henrico citizens stampede for $50 Apple iBooks – August 16, 2005
Henrico closes $50 Apple iBook sale to general public; only Henrico residents can buy – August 03, 2005
Henrico moves $50 Apple iBook sale to Richmond International Raceway due overwhelming demand – July 28, 2005
Apple announces 30,000 iBooks deal with Florida’s Broward County Public Schools – July 27, 2005
Henrico residents object to public sale of Apple iBooks – July 26, 2005
Henrico County Public Schools to sell Apple 12-inch iBooks for $50 each on August 9th – July 25, 2005
Henrico blasted for choosing Dell laptops with Windows XP over Apple iBooks with Mac OS X Tiger – May 09, 2005
Henrico school officials on Apple to Dell switch: The logo will change, but the tool is the same – April 30, 2005
Henrico school board dumps Apple Macs, picks Dells with Windows – April 29, 2005
Henrico County Apple iBook plan in jeopardy? – April 02, 2005
Survey shows support for Henrico iBook program with ‘lukewarm support’ for Apple’s Mac OS X – March 07, 2005
Henrico poll finds students are using iBooks successfully – February 11, 2005
Henrico iBooks raise concerns among some parents – May 28, 2004
Henrico high school laptop program to continue, but will it still feature Apple Macs? – February 24, 2005
More schools experience Windows virus, worm problems while Macs just keep working – August 22, 2003
A tale of two school systems: Windows schools crippled while Mac schools unaffected – August 21, 2003
Windows worm halts production at 13 DaimlerChrysler U.S. plants – August 26, 2005
Windows users fall victim to huge ID theft ring, 50 banks in danger; Apple Mac users unaffected – August 25, 2005
Zotob Windows worm knocks out North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles – August 24, 2005
How to avoid viruses and malware? Dump your Windows PC and get an Apple Macintosh – August 22, 2005
The Seattle Times: Apple iBook ‘a great laptop for students’ (with no viruses or spyware) – August 22, 2005
Do Apple Mac OS X users need antivirus software? – August 22, 2005
ZDNet: How many Mac OS X users affected by the last 100 viruses? None, zero, not one, not ever – August 18, 2005
Quickly spreading Microsoft Windows worm affects CNN, ABC, NY Times; Apple Macintosh unaffected – August 16, 2005
‘Zotob’ worm rapidly infects Microsoft Windows; Macintosh unaffected – August 15, 2005
SecurityFocus: ‘Your Windows computer is not to be trusted; buy a Mac and slip under the radar’ – July 06, 2005
Security expert sums up first month with Mac: ‘much safer, more secure, more productive than Wintel’ – June 02, 2005
Windows PC security company’s switch to Apple Mac causes overwhelming reaction – May 28, 2005
Increasing numbers of Windows PC users switching to Apple Mac for improved stability and security – May 27, 2005
Intel CEO Otellini: If you want security now, buy a Macintosh instead of a Wintel PC – May 25, 2005
Microsoft Windows Sober.P worm shows ‘epidemic’ spread; Macintosh unaffected – May 03, 2005
Apple touts Mac OS X security advantages over Windows – April 13, 2005
New ‘highly critical’ Office flaw embarrasses Microsoft – April 13, 2005
97,467 Microsoft Windows viruses vs. zero for Apple Mac’s OS X – April 05, 2005
Apple’s Mac OS X is virus-free – March 18, 2005
68,736 Microsoft Windows viruses vs. zero for Apple Mac’s OS X – March 12, 2005
Microsoft tries to turn its own security flaw into commercial gain – February 25, 2005
Cybersecurity advisor Clarke questions why anybody would buy from Microsoft – February 18, 2005
Windows’ mounting security problems make some consumers eager to purchase Macs – January 03, 2005
Windows Media songs and videos found to carry Windows malware payloads – December 30, 2004
Anzae/Inzae worm affects all Windows versions after 3.1; Macintosh unaffected – December 28, 2004
Unlike Windows users, Mac OS X users surf the Internet without a care in the world – December 28, 2004
Multiple unpatched Windows holes crop up; Windows systems compromised within minutes in experiment – December 24, 2004
Windows spyware mess is out of control, get a Mac and surf with impunity – December 21, 2004
New Microsoft Internet Explorer exploit spoofs Web sites on fully patched Windows XP systems – December 17, 2004
Microsoft may charge extra for Windows spyware protection software – December 16, 2004
Detroit Free Press: Windows malware problem getting worse, it’s time to get a Mac instead – December 16, 2004
Sick of spyware, adware headaches? Get a Mac and surf the Internet freely – December 13, 2004
Mossberg: Windows PCs plagued with problems, Apple’s Mac is ‘rock solid, elegant and affordable’ – December 09, 2004
Security expert: Don’t use Microsoft Windows, Office, Outlook, Internet Explorer – December 09, 2004
Security test: Windows XP system easily compromised while Apple’s Mac OS X stands safe and secure – November 30, 2004
Sick of spyware, adware infecting your PC? Don’t fret, just get a Mac – November 01, 2004
Microsoft: The safest way to run Windows is on your Mac – October 08, 2004
Spyware plagues Windows users while Mac users surf Net with impunity – November 01, 2004
Ballmer blames Windows users for not upgrading systems as Microsoft’s biggest security problem – October 22, 2004
Windows users line up to pay for spyware removal; Mac users surf Web with impunity – October 18, 2004
Microsoft: The safest way to run Windows is on your Mac – October 08, 2004
Windows users’ security woes spark interest in Apple’s secure Mac OS X – October 06, 2004
Windows desktop monopoly threatened by secure, safe Apple Mac OS X – October 04, 2004
Even Bill Gates can’t avoid Windows malware; Mac users surf the Web freely – October 03, 2004
Cyber-security adviser uses Apple Macintosh to avoid Windows’ security woes – September 27, 2004
Information Security Investigator says switch from Windows to Mac OS X for security – September 24, 2004
Mossberg: Apple iMac G5 ‘powerful, affordable, virus-free with better, more modern OS than Windows XP’ – September 23, 2004
USA Today: people are switching from Windows to Mac because of security issues – September 21, 2004
Windows besieged by hackers; number of Windows viruses soars by more than 400% – September 20, 2004
USA Today columinst angry about Windows viruses, adware, spyware – September 15, 2004
University of Chicago recommends all students patch Windows at least once a day – September 14, 2004
Windows XP worm speaks to users as it deletes their files; Macintosh unaffected – September 13, 2004
Security is top priority in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 12, 2004
Millions of Windows PC’s hijacked by hackers, turned into zombies; Macintosh unaffected – September 08, 2004
Mossberg: Dump your Windows machine and get an Apple Macintosh to free yourself of spyware – August 25, 2004
Tired of patching patches to patch Windows patches? Writer suggests getting a Mac – August 03, 2004
Windows ‘Scob’ virus designed to steal financial data, passwords; Macintosh unaffected – June 26, 2004
Gartner: Worms jack up the total cost of Microsoft Windows – May 07, 2004
Spyware, adware plague Windows users online; Mac OS X users surf freely – April 19, 2004
SmartMoney: Long-suffering Windows users can only dare to dream of Mac’s ease-of-use – February 12, 2004
Mac OS X has no viruses; what’s wrong with Windows? – February 11, 2004
Gates: Windows ‘by far the most secure’ system; tries to use ‘Mac OS X secure through obscurity’ myth – January 27, 2004
Columnist tries the ‘security through obscurity’ myth to defend Windows vs. Macs on virus front – October 1, 2003
New York Times: Mac OS X ‘much more secure than Windows XP’ – September 18, 2003
Wall Street Journal’s Mossberg on making the switch from Windows to Mac – September 18, 2003
Fortune columnist: ‘get a Mac’ to thwart viruses; right answer for the wrong reasons – September 02, 2003
Shattering the Mac OS X ‘security through obscurity’ myth – August 28, 2003
Is Mac OS X really inherently more secure than Windows? – August 26, 2003
Chicago Sun-Times columnist: Windows ‘many holes in its security’ but ‘none of my Macs have ever been affected – August 26, 2003
Sick of worms and viruses? ‘Move to Mac OS X’ suggests Chicago Tribune columnist – August 25, 2003
Virus and worm problems not just due to market share; Windows inherently insecure vs. Mac OS X – August 24, 2003
Is a mandatory “Virus Protection 101” class included? Wonder how many kids will get in trouble for using IE and having a sexual ad popup during class.
Seen Dell, been there, done it. No thanks. My Internet is not done on a Dell.
Internet on a Dell? Why that’d be like riding bareback on a crack whore!
MW: serious, as in You CANNOT be serious!
I agree with the sex pop up ads I mean we have all had it happen to us before in school right…
A virus is a virus.
“…..I agree with the sex pop up ads I mean we have all had it happen to us before in school right…”
Gee …. I’m feeling left out …
Its never happened to me ….
But then…. I’d never get my hands dirty by even touching a PeeCee anyhoo !!
What about the total cost of viruses? Time, software, salary of IT pro, lost data, headaches. Aaaahhh. A computer is a computer.
FYI: I am on the line with Applecare right now re my iPod. Its battery is
dead and the HD seems to be having major issues as well.
The rep asked me which Powerbook i was using the iPod with: a G4 or a G5.Incredulous i ask “a G5?” To which she answers, “ok a Powerbook G5, and which OS are you running?” Me: “sorry, just to confirm, your system is showing Powerbook G5 as an option?” Her, “Yes sir, Powerbook G5 or G4 are the options given to me by the system.” I then correct her on the fact that i have a G4, and ask “are you sure you are not looking at the Powermac menu?” Her, politely, “no sir, i have you running a Powerbook G4, and not a Powerbook G5.”
Anyway, make of that what you will … Sounds like we might see a release sooner rather than later.
I hate to say it but, that school district has made a major mistake.
And they need a good dose of reality real fast, meaning a cripling virus.
Ummm excuse me …. My Dell ate my homework.
Hey Henrico,
Good luck with all that.
It will be interesting to see how the switch from iBooks to Hell PC laptops goes for them. Somebody will bigtime be trying to cover up all the screwups and problems they’re headed for using generic MicroShaft powered pieces.
It might be a blow to Apples ego to have lost this deal but there could not have been much profit in it anyway. I know they were trying to buy good will and good PR and look where it got them so far… the embarrassment of Michael Hell stealing the customer.
My advice to Steve Jobs: Screw-em when they come crawling back for mercy and reliable Apple technology.
These kids will soon know the pain of Ellen Feiss. Sounds like it’s the school administration who need the education, but then isn’t that always the case?
Scott Campbell? The name is worth committing to memory. Scott Campbell, the man of insight, expertise and unmistakable wit … LOL!
Hey, Scott! Where do you want to work next year? Cuz the time will come soon when students & parents start asking those nasty questions about viruses, spyware, adware, bsod, etc., etc.
I wonder if the Richmond-Times Dispatch uses Macs to their paper. If so, they might be more motivated to report cover-ups by the school system when the Dell system melts down. If they are a PC shop, they may well buy the IT department’s excuses that there is no way to prevent these sort of virus things from happening…
These kids will soon know the pain of Ellen Feiss
“…and it was like, bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep … It was a really good paper …”
“A computer’s a computer.”
That is why you fail.
“Dell will take a somewhat ‘holistic’ approach to this program”
“Somewhat holistic.” Why does this phrase make me snicker?
Having just looked at the figures, the dull laptops are 14.4-inch display
1.30 GHz Processor
30 GB Hard Drive
768 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM
all for the princely sum of $1131 each (for over 200 thousand of the damn things!). I’m sorry but an individual can buy an iBook 14″ for $1299 before educational discount. I don’t know what sort of deal Apple would offer, but I’m sure if I went to them and said, please supply me with a quarter of a million laptops for a good price, I’d get them for a lot less than that. So, tell me again why this school district cited dull as the most cost effective option.
Oh and the best bit is they are going to charge students $50 each for the privilege of using them. Not that it’s likely to happen but, what would the district do if all/most of the students refused to pay?
MW=back as in back to school for the muppets that signed this particular deal.
A computer is a computer until they get infected and full of spyware by kids who will go to sites and download things. Then suddenly things will change and the support calls will start coming in and won’t stop. The kids won’t be able to use there new laptops because the support people will have them longer then they will. And so it goes as they use an unsecure OS. Then Henrico officials will get an earful of how much money they put in there pockets only to make the kids suffer as they won’t be able to use those laptops to do any school work anymore.
>> I agree with the sex pop up ads I mean we have all had it happen to us before in school right…
Our Commodore 64’s didn’t have any popup ads….
Buy a Dell, burn in Hell.
Ok, let’s wait 6 months and we will see what happens to the Dells. Of course, you can’t blame Dell for software issues like viruses, data loss etc. – that’s all Microsoft. Time will show which system will be better of at the end – I am quite sure that the Macs would have done much better.
Although Apple lost the order, this might be a chance for Apple to prove that the Macs with MacOS X are superior to the WinDells.
Thomas, those Dell machines are mega junky compared to the iBooks or the PowerBooks for that matter. I’ve seen the iBooks take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.
The iBooks are designed and manufactured better, more robust, run Mac OS X are are just better all around. We’ll see in a few months as you said.
I’ve seen lots of schools so hooked on Windows or that they buy the cheapest systems that they can find regardless of quaility, Windows problems or such. It’s a school, but the people running them don’t LEARN.
Another thing that I noticed in the schools that I service is that they have Macs loaded with Office for the classrooms, but still use PCs for the offices, complaining of viruses and such.
I just smile and say that I don’t do Windows.
A computer’s a computer
—
it’s that kinda passion that keeps Dell and their zealots going.. waking up every day.. going to work.. er.. assembling.. black.. computer parts.. and.. er.. helping rubes reinstall Windows over the phone..
*gulp
A computer’s a computer and a whore is whore. Low class ones have STDs and high class ones don’t.
“a computer’s a computer”
Well, that’s not the opinion of one Dell customer who came up to me in the coffee-shop today to ask if I could help him access the wireless network there (he’d just bought his first laptop). I couldn’t help him much, as I don’t use the (costly pay service) wi-fi there and I wouldn’t know the first thing about Windows network management. But all the time I was showing him I could see the wi-fi network via the Airport menu, Internet Connect or my Airport Radar widget, he just kept saying “that’s so beautiful” over and over…
Kids have got to learn about the real world! How will they ever manage in life if they have never had a pc crashes, sex-pop-ups, viruses, to reboot daily and had to spend hours calling unhelpful pc support lines?
Macintosh will give them none of this experience and so make them totally unfit to go out into the world….
But the world may be changing… Apple is on THE most amazingly positive spiral, and its only just begun. And just as its longtime gutter-fighter opponents like MS and Dell are being seen for what they are.
There is hope. GO APPLE!
Now here’s a really smart education outfit.
Friday 23 September 2005, 11:55:31
All Countries
Written by Net 4 Now
The Mall School in Richmond ( England) has replaced its aging Windows 2000 PCs with a state of the art Linux thin-client network, offering access to a wealth of educational software at a fraction of the cost of an upgraded Microsoft-based solution. Educational organisations, including BECTA, have recently been pointing out the enormous potential benefits to schools of open source software such as Linux. The Mall School is starting to make these benefits a reality.
A preparatory school with 350 pupils aged from five to thirteen, the Mall School has an excellent academic reputation and is keen to offer the very best IT facilities without blowing the budget. The new system, which came fully installed for less than £15,000, offered an estimated 60% saving over an equivalent proprietary solution. Installation took less than a week and the system is proving very easy to use and administer.
Sirius Corporation, the UK”s leading Linux and open source consultancy, installed the new network of 28 workstations connected to a high-powered server running the LTSP Linux terminal server. Eighteen of the machines, used primarily for teaching, are small footprint, fanless, thin clients which run completely silently with very low power consumption (the Mall”s electricity savings alone are likely to be in excess of £1,000 per year).
Use of the thin clients enables staff to control what software is available on the pupils” desktops from the server, reducing administration costs and the chances of misuse. If a machine breaks it can simply be swapped out, with no further maintenance required. Ten of the machines installed are “fat clients” (though also small footprint) which can be booted up either into Windows XP to run the school”s existing administration software or into Linux for classroom use.
The school was running a number of Windows-only applications, including its administration database, so the new system had to offer seamless compatibility between Linux and Microsoft technologies.
The open source software provided includes office, drawing, desktop publishing and web design applications along with a wide range of educational programs and games. All of the software is free of proprietary licensing and can therefore be used by pupils with no restrictions at home.
ron,
That school sounds like they have their act together. When Linux becomes mature enough, and allows the average Joe Sixpack to install and use on his computer without needing a certificate from DeVry, Microsoft’s days will be numbered.
And they know it, which is why they’re generally willing to work with Apple but not the *nix guys…
Reading all this stuff gives me serious doubts about whether Apple cares much about the education market anymore…they’re letting what used to be their key ed customers (Henrico, NYC, Schaumburg, Broward County FL, Maine, etc.) go to other companies without much of a fight. I have friends in several of these districts and every one of them say that while the Apple products are good, Apple’s service, support and commitment to education is poor. In a couple of cases district leaders believing Apple hadn’t adequately delivered on its promises to them actively encouraged companies to compete with Apple.
Could be…does anyone know whether Apple has more or fewer employees working in its education division than in 2000? 1995?
don’t know about how many ed employees Apple still has, but have heard that the education group was moved off Apple’s central campus (aka 1 Infinite Loop) a sure sign they have fallen from favor…
Huh…”a computer’s a computer.” That’s like calling Richard Simmons a man’s man.
Didn’t the Dell VP Scott Campbell use to work at Apple?