Oregon’s George Fox University dumps Windows PCs for Apple Macs
Monday, March 03, 2008 - 08:59 AM ESTThis decision is the result of a multi-phase proposal and debate process. Phase I of this proposal was distributed and commented on by the IT Advisory Committee, ITAC. Many of issues were discussed and the proposal was modified, however, there were no major objections to moving this proposal forward. Phase II of this proposal was circulated through ASC to the students and feedback was only positive. Phase III provided specific feedback from the more technical programs such as Engineering, Graphic Arts and Music. Phase IV was focused on gathering feedback from the faculty and staff while beginning to define more of the specifics of the plan.
The goal for the proposal was to consider the case for the switch over to an all Apple undergraduate laptop program. By looking at this option George Fox University opened up opportunities for goals such as support standardization, 2 tier laptop offering, communication strategies, marketing exposure, etc. However, the overriding goal is to ensure that the CAC program continues to offer GFU undergraduate students a technology advantage in their academic pursuits. This overriding goal is already being realized by increased use of podcasting and utilization of GFU’s iTunes U.
The primary solution is to offer an Apple MacBook to all incoming freshman students next year. George Fox University plans to try to add desired features such as a DVD burner, more disk capacity and more memory if the budget allows. The final decision about the MacBook model specifications will be determined through negotiations with Apple with a deadline that allows for delivery based on Genesis event distribution. The MacBooks will be offered with a dual boot option allowing for the MacBook to be used as a Microsoft Windows based PC if desired. The student will choose whether they want a dual boot option. There are many more decisions relating to exactly how this configuration will be handled as well as how Microsoft Office will be installed.
There may be other Apple purchase opportunities that may or may not directly relate to the CAC program. There may be good options for offering an upper class upgrade, however, this will be considered in phase II of this transition. George Fox University is excited by the possibilities that will be realized by this new relationship with Apple.
George Fox University lists opportunities they expect to occur, including:
• Standardize support for the CAC program which would gain efficiencies for IT User Services.
• Offer an option for a more powerful laptop for upper class students when the demands on them are greatest.
• Leverage the value of Apple (iLife, iWorks) or open source applications.
• Enhance environment for multimedia distribution based on QuickTime/MP4.
• Encourage the opportunity to move into video story book projects for all students.
• Take advantage of growing trend of podcast type posting to FoxTALE and iTunes U.
• Utilize new Apple Leopard Server applications such as Podcast, iChat, Time Machine and Final Cut Server
• Groundwork could be laid for a transition to an iTouch or iPDA type of device which might replace the laptop someday.
• Develop a true GFU branded program/website to offer selected Apple products at considerable savings to faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Source: George Fox University
MacDailyNews Take: A trend seems to be developing. Lately, more and more colleges and universities seem to be realizing that OS-unlimited Macs make for more sense than OS-limited PCs from the likes of HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc. As for Windows on Macs, remember: embrace first as extinguish will follow naturally. Many people have told us about how they bought a Mac because they had the ability to run Windows only to discover with surprise that they stopped booting into Windows altogether. Most people think they need Windows. They don't. The word is spreading. The world is finally waking up!
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Related articles:
Oklahoma Christian University gives students opportunity to trade in Windows PCs for Apple Macs - March 01, 2008
Texas university to give Apple iPhone or iPod Touch to all incoming freshmen - February 27, 2008
MacDailyNews and iPodDailyNews are Apple Store affiliates and if you buy something from the Apple Store within 24-hours after clicking any one of our Apple Store ads, we will receive an affiliate percentage from Apple. There is no extra cost to you. Canadians please use this link: Apple Store Canada. Thank you in advance for helping to support MacDailyNews and iPodDailyNews.
Apple Store Advertisements:
• The all-new 13-inch MacBook. The next generation of notebooks starts at $1299.
• The all-new 15-inch Macbook Pro. New design. New features. New technologies. From $1999.
• The all-in-one iMac. Now at speeds up to 3.06GHz. Free shipping. From $1199.
• iPod touch. The funnest iPod ever. Starting at $229. Free Shipping.
• iPod nano. New design. New features. Starting at $149. Free shipping.
• Visit the Apple Store today. Free ground shipping on all orders over $50.
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Related articles:
Oklahoma Christian University gives students opportunity to trade in Windows PCs for Apple Macs - March 01, 2008
Texas university to give Apple iPhone or iPod Touch to all incoming freshmen - February 27, 2008
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A lot of the students I know who put Parallels and XP on their Macs did so because they needed Office 2007. (Office 2004 was for all practical purposes unusable on Intel Macs.) Now that Office 2008 is out, they don't even bother launching Parallels anymore.