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Bibliotech Says:

I’m sorry, but this is bad design for schools.  A heavy computer standing on a pedestal for students to jab, push, and pull over?  Apple isn’t working hard enough on its education options.

Posted on July 05, 2006

George Sebastian-Coleman Says:

My iMac is very stable and students in the schools I’ve watched treat computers well. Most importantly, the space-saving quality of this design allows it to sit on a standard table/desk and still leave room for a keyboard (and even a notebook). That is invaluable.

Posted on July 05, 2006

J. Scott Anderson Says:

I have to agree with George Sebastian-Coleman. The iMacs that I have seen in schools and in Apple’s own stores, are very stable. In fact, I have never even heard of one being knocked over by a student - or even a teacher!

That said, I think that an option often overlooked in setting up iMac computer labs and stations for schools is the wall and desk mounted articulated arms. I have found those to be very useful in a lot of places.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Ralph Says:

No offense to the first poster, but those who believe the pedestal is unstable have not really been around an iMac in this configuration. I’ve had a 20” iMac since last September without incident of tipover. I have even tried to give it a nudge one way or the other to see if it is indeed tip-centric but it doesn’t budge.

Posted on July 05, 2006

James Dawson Says:

This is perfect for educational purposes. I am using 17” G5’s for the college and they are great. Thsi makes them mroe affordable.

As Bibliotech’s comment that its bad design because of students push, pulling and jabbing. well, we’ve no problem what so ever! If you are having a problem maybe its not a question of bad design but rather students behaving badly!

Posted on July 05, 2006

Art Says:

Having fourth and fifth graders, I would be apprehensive about them being knocked over, but Imacs seem to be solid enough.  Supporting them on an articulated arm makes more sense, though, since the desk top can then be used for the rest of the day. 
But… please fix the spelling under “Leave A Comment”.  It should be “Please do you(r) best”.

Posted on July 05, 2006

computer fan Says:

So let me get this straight:
for $900 USD I can get a desktop machine that is slightly slower and has less memory AND hard drive space than many laptops, and has a similar size display screen.

What a deal.....

Ok, so it DOES come with some bundled, proprietary software that is useful- but take that same laptop and install linux, and you have vastly MORE software available.

Yeah, I still don’t see the value.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Drangband Says:

Computer fan is right, another example of Apple ripping off the consumer.  This setup should cost $500, not $900 (and it will be $1000+ for non-educational customers.)

Also what about software, Office for Mac is much more expensive than for Windows-- especially when buying in volume.  Not to mention the vast amount of software that’s not available for the Mac at all.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Jeremy Says:

Hey computer fan,

If linux suits you, fine, run it and save yourself some money.  There are many people who prefer Macs, and are willing to pay a bit extra for them.

Certainly in a school environment it’s unlikely that Ms. Jones, the 3rd grade teacher, is going to want to learn how to download, install, configure, build, and run Linux software packages.

-Jeremy

Posted on July 05, 2006

snowmannishboy Says:

hey computer fan,

speaking as someone that uses several different flavors of *nix i can tell you that osx is the cleanest *nix variant out there.  while osx & most of the apps preloaded on macs are proprietary, i download and compile all the other apps i need.  a very cool gui, smart drivers/hardware and a sweet *nix core for all my netadmin scripts/apps.  it’s the best of all worlds in my way of thinking.

happy trails

Posted on July 05, 2006

Joe Says:

To bad that it has POS GMA 950

Posted on July 05, 2006

James Bong Says:

r0wnt!
brenden sachs.

Posted on July 05, 2006

linuxrocks123 Says:

Hey Jeremy,

Please don’t use hypothetical names like “Ms. Jones”, “Aunt Tilly”, “Joe Average”, etc.  It makes you sound ignorant and condescending at the same time.

Anyway, the third grade teacher wouldn’t be installing the software.  The school’s tech department would manage the network, no matter what OS the computers ran.  All the teachers would have to do is use KDE or GNOME, both of which are easier to use than OS X, if not quite as pretty.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Kevin Francis Says:

Jeremy, that comment makes no sense. The desktops will be delivered with the necessary software installed, as teachers have no business administering machines in their classrooms. They’re there to teach, and most wouldn’t *want* to do admin work.

Oh and by the way, Linux usually comes with all the software a typical school would want. They wouldn’t have to install more software, they’d have to *remove* it (Instant messaging and the like perhaps?).

Posted on July 05, 2006

Professor Computer Science Says:

It’s amazing that people think anything that
runs on a Linux desktop is “easier to use” than
a Macintosh. What world are these people living
in? Have these people tried plugging a camcorder
into their Linux box? A digital camera? Does it just
work? I wish Linux came close (because I would be
happy to use it), but it is light years away from
approaching Mac OS X—sorry.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Der Molnar Says:

While Kevin Francis is correct to some degree (that the teacher doesn’t administer the machine), it should be easy enough to use that the teacher doesn’t lose even more respect in the eyes of the student by not being able to perform basic tasks on it - and knowing teachers as well as I do (being a teacher myself), I can honestly say that these people need something that is pretty, shiny and user-friendly.  They’re scared enough by Windows, let alone something that looks completely different than anything they’re used to.  OSX fits the bill perfectly in academic environments.

And Drangband, maybe you should re-consider the comment about Office.  For educational purchases, the cost differential is non-existant.  I get my office for Mac for the same price as my office for Windows (neither of which beats the price on OpenOffice though =)

Posted on July 05, 2006

Jordan Earl Says:

Mac OS is a vastly more polished product than Linux will ever be.  Linux is not education friendly one bit.  Students won’t be getting the full benefit that they could be from their computers at school, simply because Linux was free.  Another thing about free, sometimes you get what you pay for. 

Mac specs aren’t allways accurate in the #’s either.  It’s the software thats developed for them that makes them perform so well.  You just can’t find software on any other OS that runs as smoothly as apps developed for OSx.  In this sence, the laptop that matches the #’s the mac puts out (i’d be surprised if you found one with ddr2 for cheaper) then you are STILL missing out!  The sytem architecture and OS have synergy on a Mac, where they will never attain the same levels of performance when you’re running a generic platform (PC).

Bottom line though, most people don’t care how it performs.  They want useability, not the ability to mess things up faster.  For any average end user, I would never recommend a linux system.  Linux is just not ready for use by the masses, otherwise there’d be no windows by now.  OSx is probably the best OS you could give someone who is learning.  It is simple, unobtrusive, and cooperative.  Nuff said. 

Disclaimer: I own a PC running xp an ubuntu.  I’ve never owned a mac ever.  They’re just not suited for me.  Mactel’s however i’ll be picking up.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Shiv Says:

Where can you get a dual core laptop with a 1.83ghz Intel conroe processor along with a 160 GB harddrive for less than $1000. Of course, you lose portability compared to a laptop but you gain a 17 inch screen. The closest cheap laptop with matching specs was more than $1200 from Sony, dell etc. That laptop also has far less hard disk space. With the aforementioned specs, the imac stands out as a better deal than any laptop or desktop I know of.

A dual core processor is far more expensive than a single core processor.

Of course, apple could have provided a cheap intel CPU (e.g. a P4) with about 60GB of hard disk space and removed more features in this desktop and charge about $500.

Posted on July 05, 2006

aphor Says:

Computerfan, Kevin Francis,

I’m all for getting Linux in classrooms, but there’s no good reason to troll Mac announcements promoting Linux. A better plan would be to propose recycling the old PC computers with student-installed OS. That amounts to an integration solution like the vendor-supplied integration option, but Linux is do-it-yourself (and learn more about computers).

If the focus shifts outside the learning curve for how computers work in general and into a specific application domain, then you don’t really get any return on the collateral activity of setting up your own box. Worse, it can be a distraction. Not that it wouldn’t be educational, but some students, the bright ones, not unlike yourselves probably, would prey on the slower ones’ weak security. Only a few kids would learn anything useful, and it wouldn’t be on the curriculum. How are you going to get a kid to learn enough math to be able to describe a program’s behavior in big-O notation? They’ll all try to do 133+ +r1x to impress girls in the class (or if they’re girls it will end up a girls vs. boys crackathon).

That said, I love my Mac, and Linux is a sloppy mess.  Admittedly it’s better than in the olden days, but 3-4 versions of different autotools? Vendor integration tools like authconfig that can’t accomodate security best practices? Needing an integration test lab to validate up2date? I’d prefer (slightly slower on SMP but) tighter integrated solutions like FreeBSD. Oh, and compiling massive C++ apps and libraries is a PITA. Write me a white paper on how to build (and administer) a compile cluster for Gnome or KDE using ccache/distcc.

Macs are good. Even KDE and Gnome learn a lot from Macs. You could too.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Chris Mann Says:

If Apple tinks that they are going to reclaim the education market from dell with these overpriced machines they are sadly mistaken.

Drop it to the price of an eMac, then we’ll talk.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Eddy Says:

For those who haven’t guessed alreasy, Slashdot is here.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Sergio Says:

I have gone over the apple website for education and cannot find the section for students studying outside of the United States. Is this promo only good if you study in the US?

Posted on July 05, 2006

A. Nonymous Says:

for $900 USD I can get a desktop machine that is slightly slower and has less memory AND hard drive space than many laptops, and has a similar size display screen.
---------------------------------
A laptop with a 17” screen for $900? You’ll get a pretty shitty laptop, believe me. I’ve worked with those kind of bargain-basement laptops.

On the other hand, I’ve also seen the iMac up close and personal. It has a beautiful screen that’s far, far beyond anything you’d see on a sub-$2,000 laptop. Hell, the color quality on it rivals my Dell 2005FPW! And it’s fuckin’ fast, too. Not gonna be playing any super-new games with cranked up visuals with that Intel graphics chip, but most people don’t do that anyway.

Considering the screen (similar quality standalone units would cost at lest $300), the reliable OS (been using OSX since Febuary--fewer problems and annonances than Windows XP), and the above average hardware (Does your $900 17” laptop have a Core Duo? No? Didn’t think so.), I think it’s a damned good deal.

Oh, and your average user won’t be pressured to buy AV/Firewall software or have to worry about the Windows exploit of the week, either.

Posted on July 05, 2006

J.R. "Bob" Dobbs Says:

Ok, so it DOES come with some bundled, proprietary software that is useful- but take that same laptop and install linux, and you have vastly MORE software available.
====================

Get a clue. Every important piece of free software can be compiled on OSX. There are even ports of various package managers, in case you can’t handle compiling something yourself. All you have to do is install the dev tools from the OSX dvd. Even better, you don’t have to #### around for half an hour (or more) to get the display server, window manager, and 3d drivers working.

Is an OS you want to use on a production server? No, it’s not. But then if you’re buying a $900 machine for a production server, you’re a fucking moron anyway.

Posted on July 05, 2006

drippy Says:

Yes you can get faster laptops but they aren’t going to cost $900 they are going to cost more like $1500. If you can find a dual-core laptop with a 17” lcd and a 160Gb drive for under $900 PLEASE post the URL!

I’m not sure you’ll get vastly more software under linux as quite a lot of it will compile and run under OSX.

I think you are unable to see the value because you are unable to imagine needs other than your own. There are quite a few people who would like to take a computer out of the box, plug it in and start doing something useful (as in useful to them) without having to spend hours installing and configuring software.

I for one am tired of helping my grandmother build a complete GNU/linux system from sources, she keeps forgetting all the emacs key bindings when she goes to edit the makefiles.

Posted on July 05, 2006

Tristan Says:

First: This is not a good place to promote Linux, it’s Apple space, and they are announcing a nice computer with a good price. It could be cheaper, because our educational resources need to improve, but the hardware is gorgeous.

Second, for those who think OS/X is easier to use than Linux, I suggest you to give Ubuntu a little try. I have shown Edubuntu and OS/X to small kids of under 7, and they liked more the Linux boxes, living the Macs alone.

Edubuntu may be used as a live DVD and you can browse the web, check your mail and work with OpenOffice while you are installing the operating system.

Posted on July 05, 2006

GasBag Says:

or $900 USD I can get a desktop machine that is slightly slower and has less memory AND hard drive space than many laptops, and has a similar size display screen.
---------------------------------
Many laptops?  I think I couldn’t find many laptops available with a Conroe Duo.  The closest thing I could find is the Dell XPS M1710 for $2,400.00.  This appears to be very close to the Mac except it has 512MB more memory and a Nvidia 7900, lacks wireless and is saddled with Windows XP.  Not many educational apps will actually make use of the faster graphics and the addtional 512 MB of RAM is not worth an
additional $1,300.00.  You can get the additonal memory from Apple for a lost less.  Another drawback to the Dell is it comes with XP which is a serious downgrade from MacOS X but you could upgrade to Linux or Darwin.  The Dell not including any office applications is not a problem because anyone concerned about value would be running OpenOffice anyway regardless of OS.  The Dell laptop is only slightly heavier than
the Mac but it does include a battery.  At these prices though you could
but two Macs and leave one at work and one at home and still and still
save a few hundred dollars.

Buyer beware! Dell laptops may run a bit hot;
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32550

Posted on July 05, 2006

Yirimyah Says:

As someone who uses Windows, Mac and Linux variants, yes: OSX has looked better than any other OS in the past. But that’s changed. Check out XGL.  I’m not trying to get flamed, but if you’re looking for eye-candy, install Ubuntu (Dapper). But hey, if that’s all you want out of an OS, go die.

The major issue with OSX and Linux is that many people change to it thinking that it’s a free variant of their current OS, but that attitude doesn’t work. However, why not introduce different OS’s to kids? They don’t have to unlearn all the habits they kept from Windows. (oh, and we really should teach typing with a Dvorak - mapped keyboard for the same reason.)

Posted on July 05, 2006

What...? Says:

Okay, all you people with completely dismissive comments are clearly biased against macs. Why do PC users hate Macs so much? At least get some exposure to them. I myself used to think Macs were crap, but after using them, I agree that they run wholly smoother systems than PC will ever be capable of.

Even after repeated subjecture to crap put on them by students, they show no sign of weakness. they’re just clean.

Posted on July 05, 2006

computerUser Says:

Just to point something out, it appears that the 160 GB hard drive does not come standard with the computer.  It looks like the standard size is 80 GB. 
From the apple edu store:
17-inch widescreen LCD
1440x900 resolution
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor
512MB memory (2x256MB SO-DIMMs)
80GB Serial ATA hard drive
24x Combo drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW)
Intel GMA 950 graphics with 64MB of shared memory
$899

Posted on July 05, 2006

Father Of Two Says:

With regards to kids tipping them over, well, I’ve had a 20” iMac G5, just recently replaced with a 20” iMac Core Duo.  It would have been fine on a desk, but I set it down, in my dining room, on a flimsyTV-dinner-type table made out of wood, that stands nearly 3 feet tall, but only 20” wide and 14” deep.  My 2-year-old daughter used it all the time, and only recently did she finally tangle herself in the cord, and knock the computer over.  Two things: (1) if it hadn’t been on that flimsy table, she’d have been fine, and (2) Apparently the iMac can survive a fall of 3 feet onto carpet: the computer, the keyboard, the mouse, were all fine and still running.

As a side note, she loves the free program “AlphaBaby”.

Posted on July 06, 2006

DAG Says:

Expensive Mac software for schools:
1-NeoOffice J (Universal Binary will be in release by August, Alpha 4 runs fine) a Java based native (no X11) version of OpenOffice 2. FREE
2-Blender 3D (PPC, but runs fine under Rosetta) 3D Graphics program. FREE
3-GIMP (open source Photoshop-like software). FREE
4- Journaler (UB) Great software for Journals & Blogs. FREE
5-Celestia & Stellarium- Astronomy Apps. FREE
6-Pixen- Pixel Editor. FREE
7-Inkscape- Vector Graphics. FREE
8-GRASS- GIS Software. FREE

Combine software like this with the included software and you can do anything you need to. There is also software for SQL, FTP, BitTorrent, Remote Desktop, and other needs available. There is more than enough quality software out there to meet most every need at minimal cost. A non-issue.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Linux > Mac? Says:

I’m going to say no.

I run multiple servers at work, all Debian Linux boxes.  I even have a Linux desktop at work sitting on my desk (along side a windows box).  However, when I’m done at work, I go home to my mac.  I dont have to tease my mac into working, it just works.  I like that.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Adam Says:

to linuxrocks:
yeah.. my mom has been teaching for 10 years or so now… you “in theory” were correct about the tech department installing and configuring the computers for schools… but “in theory” that is a tech team or group of people…

however… “in reality” there is one person who works part time at the school and part time at circuit ciry or compusa who runs the tech department at the school. which means that it takes a long time for the tech guy to actually install and update the computers… “Ms. Jones” as you called her, would be installing and configuring the software for her computers in the classroom… She will not want to install and configure linux.... the tech department that you speak of doesn’t exist… which is sad. i would love for the schools to be funded enough to where the teachers could rely on a teck department… but alas, reality sets in and as we know it… public schools overall just aren’t amazing…
-a

Posted on July 06, 2006

lewis Says:

Macs have a good operating system and optimized hardware and runs linux. They are expensive and ‘cute’ and have overpriced peripherals and software.
XP is insecure, outdated, but most software is built for the platform.
The hardware is cheaper but not optimised unless you buy expensive machines, and even then it’s not always going to work as advertised.
Linux is free, but the software is not optimised (not nenough big developer bucks). It’s faster thatn XP or Mac, and is hobby or scientifc oriented, and is becoming more useable but won’t be dominating the personal OS space anytime soon, contrary to some prognostications.
Oh! and it’s secure (or as secure as the user using it.)

Posted on July 06, 2006

Mepis User Says:

This certainly is a good deal for being a Mac.  I agree that Mac’s are great for your average user, and that they are very user friendly...but come on, even Mac users have to admit that Macs are overpriced and that Linux is coming close now to providing adequate competition.  I used to have to configure the hell out of Knoppix, Gentoo, or Fedora to get it to work properly on my laptop (Laptop hardware is notoriously imcompatible with Linux).  Now there’s distros such as Ubuntu which are almost as user friendly as OS X (and yes, KDE can be much prettier, which Gnome is much more professional than OS X).  There’s also a new distro that blows Ubuntu away, which is called Mepis.  First distro that worked right after installation with no configuration.  I plug anything in and it shows up right away as a little icon on my desktop, wireless connects automatically.  I can’t imagine anything being easier.  So what I’m saying is you can spend a ton of money on a Mac, or have just as easy to use of an OS for free on a less expensive computer, with a great community of users, and a great environment to learn a lot about computers.  And there’s plenty of sites out there that sell PC’s specifically with Linux compatible hardware, they’ll even install a distro for you.  But hell, at least Macs are cute ;)

Posted on July 06, 2006

please do you best what Says:

what is wrong with this below leave a comment. it be prefect anglish.

mm the captcha is length.. i’m horny and 7”, real hard.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Martin Says:

Just as a not to “Professor Computer Science” ‘s post. Linux works with quite many webcams and also has a wide support for hardware these days. You are still caught on the buzz of year 2000 where linux didn’t support many things.
And for the hardware items that are not supported yet, the problem is within the vendors of hardware who refuse to give out specs about the hardware, not the linux people.
And for real mac fans i have to bring a disappointment aswell, mac doesn’t really handle that much hardware, there are tons of items on the market that don’t work with the mac and nobody even cares to make the drivers for the mac.

The item under discussion here is a definite waste of resources, for the same money you can get a full blown x86 pc in a “fool proof” case that can’t tilt nor fall. And has replaceable components and that can be fixed when in need, by your own administrator. Macs are very propietary and giving such a punch into the wallets of education is just mean. Apple, make an affordable childproof machine or forget it.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Ord Says:

OSX is a nice OS (I’ve used it since 10.1 up until recently) but the hassle of non systemwide upgrades makes it a pain to administer in schools. When I say systemwide I mean every program and every system file with the click of a button.

Another reason OSX can be a troublesome OS is that major OS upgrades (Panther --> Tiger etc) are reasonably expensive - though I’m sure if Apple is smart they’ll make it free for the educational market.

One of the reasons so many schools are looking into Linux (particularly Ubuntu) is the ease of use, performance on inevitably ageing hardware, and ease of administration. The days of Linux being difficult to use and administer are really over and it’s absurd to whine on about this as though it’s still 1998!

Problems offering Linux in schools are proprietary application support, largely the lack of Photoshop (and CMYK support), which means you’re less likely to see Linux in a design class, but then again most of the high end 3D modelling software and film compositing software (Maya, Shake, MainActor) are all industry standard on Linux now, so it’s moving into the ‘arts’. MSWord is sadly still mandatorily taught in many schools also, and while it will run in Linux with ‘CrossOver Office’ it’s still not an optimal setup. Choosing Linux is choosing either very highend proprietary software or free software - quite a commitment (but the latter is a worthwhile one, especially for all those millions of kids not learning with first world budgets).

I’ve seen large numbers of students move faster from Windows to Linux than from Windows to OSX, underscoring a similar observation from someone above. It seems that the Finder is a real problem here, students complain about ‘getting lost’ for the first few weeks in OSX.

Posted on July 06, 2006

edis Says:

Apple provides with good integrated HW/SW balance - there is no doubt. OS is rather clean, solid, mostly intuitive and pleasing user. Software tools - creative, encouraging and capable. Hardware - contemporary and carefully selected. Price is right (yet, making it lower is often possible, and welcome for Apple, as a general rule).

There are always options to do things differently, even like, say drastically, see value in education on PC. Or see value in educating towards FOSS software. It’s all preferences, choices. Apple provides decent offer, and that’s it.

Posted on July 06, 2006

PuckerUp Says:

does it run linunx?

Posted on July 06, 2006

PuckerUp Says:

i meant, does it run linux?

Posted on July 06, 2006

PuckerUp Says:

http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/05/2350202&threshold;=-1

has more on running linux on this.

Posted on July 06, 2006

ale Says:

I like the price… certainly getting closer to a price I can afford for a new mac. ;)

good job apple. Im currently not in school. does that mean I cant buy this?

Posted on July 06, 2006

aerlonestar@yahoo.com Says:

One last point to be made about the stability of the iMac on its pedestal.  If you have a problem with yours falling over, you might try a half inch bolt through the foot of the pedestal and the desk with a washer and nylock nut.  That should keep it from falling over.

Personally I think that if there was a stability problem with these iMacs we would be hearing about it all over the internet.

Posted on July 06, 2006

iodine Says:

Linux?  Linux is still not ready for prime time desktop use.

This iMac is great for the price.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Chris Gregan Says:

Well, I beg to differ on the Linux front. I run a small open source consultancy in Maryland, and there is plenty of evidence that Linux desktops are indeed ready for “prime time”. Students move easily to Linux, and the lower cost of software helps them continue their school work at home without shelling out hundreds for Office, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc. Their test scores even go up in schools that have implemented Linux thin client networks for students to play educational games. See this months issue of Linux Format for more info.
I am about to start selling a 15” LCD all-in-one PC aimed at education as well. It runs Suse Enterprise Desktop 10 on a 2.1Ghz, 512MB RAM, CDR/DVD Combo drive platform. The price for a single unit starts at $850 with discounts for bulk purchase.

Posted on July 06, 2006

b3x Says:

Are you joking, iodine? ;-) Ubuntu is a good example.

And for me… iMac is still too expensive.

Posted on July 06, 2006

tgibbs Says:

The cost of educational versions of Office software depends upon the particular deal your institution has with Microsoft. At my institution, both Mac and Windows versions are pretty cheap. Of course, you could always install Windows as well as OS X and have your choice.

Posted on July 06, 2006

rhesuspieces00 Says:

i use fedora core 5 at work.  it sucks.  i hate it.  i’m not sure how many hours of productivity its cost me.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Steve from IT Says:

I don’t think a lot of you realize, Linux isn’t that popular to the masses because it isn’t well known. Granted it is a great platform, and it is useful to most, but most people want something that works the first time. Also, working on a college campus in the IT department, I see a lot of kids come in with new computers that installed Linux OS. They are the most confused people in the world, and they have a paper due in 5 hours. Not to mention, a lot of college campuses actually have a deal with Microsoft, so that all students can get free Microsoft software without having to spend close to $1,000 USD to get it. Plus, with Boot Camp, this free software from Microsoft will allow people to install XP, Office, Visual.NET, and many other pieces of software, AND these pieces of software can, and WILL work with the rest of the machines on campus.

So those of you promoting Linux, like so many others have said, don’t promote Linux to something that will probably have no use in the NEAR future (and I don’t use that term lightly) to a release that Apple makes to help kids who enter college get a good, fast computer cheap. Don’t promote it to an elementary school (luckily they don’t have an IT department). Don’t promote it to an ever changing High school (Their IT department contains Hippies who don’t know the difference between an SQL query and lunch).

If you want to promote something that has NO MEANING to what Apple released, do it on the MacRumors.com forum, or any other forum, but not here. This is a place to read about what Apple is introducing to the educational community.

Besides, my brother got an eMac when they were the “rage” and sadly, he’s been trying to sell it so he can actually save some money and get this EiMac. And sadly, I’m still running an iBook 500 MHz G3, so this will make it easier for me to save and purchase.

For those of you who don’t want the standard specs, you can, of course, customize what you want from it via Apple’s website. I customized mine the way I wanted it, and it’s about $1,050 USD. So not a bad price.

And for those of you who are Mac-heads. I’d wait and see what Apple releases at the WWDC before making this purchase.

Posted on July 06, 2006

thechad Says:

“I for one am tired of helping my grandmother build a complete GNU/linux system from sources, she keeps forgetting all the emacs key bindings when she goes to edit the makefiles. “

Best line ever

Posted on July 06, 2006

Paul Says:

Amazing!

OSX runs ‘NIX underneath. You’d thing the ‘NIX heads would love this. But no. They continue to fragment thier space even further. Mepis, Ubuntu, DSL, pick a flavor, any flavor and some zealot will shout out that thiers is the only true god.

Why can’t you just promote OSX as another great example of ‘NIX. You’re constant bickering and fragmentation only helps Microsoft retain its stranglehold on the confused and non technical user who just wants to get something done. They don’t care HOW it works so long as it works! And if it’s ‘NIX underneath, they’ll begin to trust and use ‘nix more through gradual exposure.

Why don’t you ‘nix people unite, regardless of your distro or window manager. Leapord is beating Vista to the street and has more ‘visible’ market share than most linux distros. It’s time to run with this people!

(Disclaimer: Windows user who dabbles in Linix and wishes he could bail but his key software still only runs in Windows and OSX and forget the claims that all the software he uses has an equivalent in Linux today - it still takes too long to relearn all new packages that do everything differently from application to application)

Posted on July 06, 2006

Sean Says:

I’m a slashdot addict; but more importantly i’m an all-around computer user. By that i mean i do a bit of everything (programming, image editing, office apps, games, web-dev...) I try to not get emotional about the problems with WinXP, linux-varients, and Mac. Most of these comments sound almost cliche from their echoing nature. To someone stuck in windows or a linux guy, people have to recognize that the way apples run is creepy. Computers aren’t supposed to be so damn slick. There’s something sinister about a computer seeming to work as a cohesive unit that confounds the brain-circuitry of someone who knows that fighting against that tendancy is what computer people do. Computers do not want to behave smoothly. They are more like bucking broncos or the suspension on a ford explorer. And this paranoia may pay off for us someday, you never know. People like what’s comfortable for THEM. And apparently they like bashing other people over the head and saying, “SEEE?!? YOU CAN BE COMFORTABLE WITH PRODUCT XYZ TOOO!!”

Anyone that has used an ipod for a day can probably justify paying $200 for one. You imagine yourself walking in the park (even though in reality you might be afraid of someone sneaking up on you), you see yourself in the gym (although one good bounce on the ground will scramble the matchbox harddrive inside), you might take up biking! (although you’ll soon realize that bike shops can be snobby and you better bring your platinum card because even those butt-pad spandex pants cost $120… oh, whoops, i mean you’ll end up worrying about traffic so you won’t be jamming to the ipod) So you end up listening to it safely indoors doing chores and still think that you might drop $400 on the fancy model that just came out… POINT. My point is that if a person convince themselves to buy a $400 ipod this thing is an absolute knockdown, kick in the head STEAL.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Helpdesk Tech Says:

I am currently a student who also works at the Helpdesk fixing computers. When I was in high school, I used to fix computers for the county school systems. I have personally owned a Dell Desktop (Dimension) & Laptop (600m) AND Apple Desktop (iMac) & Laptop(ibook). Now that you know a little bit about me, I will try to make this unbiased.

PCs are great and MACs are great. I use my PCs mainly for games and my MACs for work. That said, with an education system, I would like to play games AND be able to work. Unless I was carrying around a couple of computers to take to school, this iMac seems like a good alternative.

iMac
PROS: No spyware, rootkit, malware problems that are major. Space saving and less cords.
CONS: Cannot upgrade hardware easily, expensive.

Ordinary PCs
PROS: Cheap, many third-party hardware upgrades, better games
CONS: (windows) malware issues and viruses. (linux) not for ordinary students who wants to get their computer running and be able to use iPod, iTunes, digital cameras, etc. without hassels.

iMacs are space saving, full of features, CAN INSTALL Windows or Linux, and OSX is very easy to use. Yes the price is high for a desktop but you would be getting a desktop AND a flat panel AND only need the power cable to get it going (assuming bluetooth kb and mouse).

In comparison to desktops from Dells or other brands, you would not need to buy an external LCD (~200 for 17") and comparable desktop of same features (~600 without wireless, iSight, remote).

I feel though that it is unfair to compare an iMac to a PC laptop. Of course someone can buy a laptop because the purpose of it is light and portable but you are considering a desktop if you are looking for an iMac. Plus, as the previous posts stated, its hard to find a laptop with comparable stats for less than $1200.

Oh and lets not forgot about the spyware cleanup software you would need or to take it to the school’s helpdesk and leave your machine for several days because you clicked on a link that you are not supposed to. Imagine kids in elementary school with pop ups and spyware on their computers that is clogging the speed.

With a mac, at least for the time being, you have the comfort that the computer is not clogged by background processes.

Random stuff always happens and any hardware can go bad regardless of a MAC or PC.

SUGGESTION: Wait until after the WWDC is over to get the latest and greatest before buying an iMac.

Posted on July 06, 2006

GetItRight Says:

A couple of posts have referred to “Conroe” as the processor on this new EddiMac.  That is incorrect: the new iMac ships with Intel’s Core Duo processor.  “Conroe” was Intel’s code name for the desktop version of what will ultimately be called the Core 2 Duo processor.  This product is not yet available, though it may be later this summer.  The market is similarly awaiting the laptop version of the Core 2 Duo, formerly code-named “Merom”.

Posted on July 06, 2006

Jaqian Says:

What...? Says:
Okay, all you people with completely dismissive comments are clearly biased against macs. Why do PC users hate Macs so much?
------------------------------
I for one don’t hate Macs but I think they are grossly over priced, especially when it comes to education.

Look on http://www.koobox.com/ theres a pc for only $300 so you could buy three of these for what Apple is charging. It comes with Linspire pre-installed but if you don’t like Linux slap windows on it. Buying one of these you will have some change left in your schools I.T. budget compared with buying a Mac.

Specs of pc:
AMD Sempron 2800+ Processor
256MB DDRAM
40 GB Hard Drive, 7200 RPM
CDRW 48x24x48
Onboard network, video and sound
5 USB Ports (1 front)
2W Speakers
Internet Keyboard
Optical Mouse
u-ATX Black Tower Case w/300W Power Supply
90 days Limited Parts and Labor Warranty (details)
Linspire Operating System
Virus Protection and Web Filtering Software
OpenOffice.org Office Suite

Apple make nice pcs but they price themselves out of the market.

Posted on July 07, 2006

Jimmy James Says:

I you don’t get it as to why OS X is so superior to Windows and *nix, then you either haven’t actually worked with OS X, or you are a Windows-only person whose skills don’t transcend to other platforms, and you’re simply trying to keep your jobs.

Posted on July 07, 2006

Jules Levant Says:

Apple has enough critical thinking skills to produce both the OS and the Hardware. For some reason other platforms are a return to the back yard mechanic era of automobiles or better yet the kit car era.

If you ask them about their computers they talk about the parts and specs like old lead slead hot rodders. Their computers perform like the old, loud and impractical (for every day use) hot rods.

A computer is an appliance and should act its part. one should, like a new car, be able to start it on demand and it perform it’s intended function.

Not everyone is a hobbyist and content to deal with patching this or that and adding some ridiculous and souped up component only to find that you still need x, y, or z installed only to have it function intermittently. The phylosophy of the three major software companies is evident as soon as any computer is first booted. Windows? OS-X? Linux?

I’ve also heard the argument that software isn’t produced for this or that platform. In this day and time what do most people do? Type letters or e-mail; Use spread sheets, do presentations, compile music and photos and manipulate and combine any of the things previously mentioned.

Some people own Rolls Royces some own Aston-Martins some own Buicks or Chevys.  Some prefer to take a rusted piece of machinery from some barn and replace and repaint every piece to make it better than new. I preffer not to do it that way. I like the sheer confidence that Apple has in producing both hardware plus the OS so that things go relatively smoothly......It makes my job easier and is certainly the approach that has made the iPod so successful.

To this date I have found no better solution than using a Macintosh. If a more reliable and competent machine should become available I’ll switch immediately.  It’s the interface between man and machine, stupid!

Posted on July 08, 2006

steveman Says:

Re Jaqian “Look on http://www.koobox.com/ theres a pc for only $300 so you could buy three of these for what Apple is charging.”

Really? Looking at the details - ‘monitor not included’, err… hello? If you can work on a computer w/o a screen you’re cleverer than most of us. So add $200 for a monitor.

I can just see schools buying these by the bucketload from an unknown manufacturer. Compare prices all you like but at least compare to a mainstream computer maker, running an OS & Apps kids are likely to come across in the real world.

Posted on July 08, 2006

Keith Says:

“They’ll all try to do 133+ +r1x to impress girls in the class (or if they’re girls it will end up a girls vs. boys crackathon).”

Dude, girls are not impressed by this stuff. They’re impressed by skills such as being funny, playing sports, or acting mature. Knowing how to combine symbols to make stuff happen in a computer is not sexy, nor is it a show of good genes.

Posted on July 08, 2006

Tim Hartman Says:

>>I’m not trying to get flamed, but if you’re looking for eye-candy, install Ubuntu (Dapper).

Yeah since ATI wasn’t supported (PC) in the Live CD so I can only use 640X480 mode 60mhz and the PPC version locks up my G4.

Seems like a good OS to me!

Posted on July 10, 2006

James Says:

just to clear up some things that shiv said. 
1. The Core Duo is not in the same generation as the Conroe procs.
2. This iteration of the iMac doesn’t come with a 160 GB hdd, only 80.

Posted on July 10, 2006

amamanancy Says:

I just found this article on my new IMAC It was on sale at Fry’s for $1495.
Why does it cost so much more than the original $800. Is there anything I can do about this large increase?

Posted on September 18, 2006

Jaqian Says:

Jimmy James Says:
I you don’t get it as to why OS X is so superior to Windows and *nix, then you either haven’t actually worked with OS X, or you are a Windows-only person whose skills don’t transcend to other platforms, and you’re simply trying to keep your jobs.

OS X superior to *nix? WTF? Without *nix there wouldn’t be a OS X!!!

Posted on October 19, 2006

God Says:

r0wnt! Brenden Sachs again!

Posted on December 18, 2006