There ya go, give every student an $800 laptop.

[VenomJockey]

Couldn't find anything cheaper? Bet I dould find a less expensive alternative in about 30 seconds, and they'd have just as good a laptop (if not better).

https://www.wkrg.com/baldwin-county/gulf-shores-high-school-students-to-receive-macbook-air-laptops/

I just purchased a Dell Latitude with an i5 Quad core 2.5 GHz (3.2 GHz turbo mode) CPU, 128 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, HDMI/VGA ports, 3 USB ports, SD card reader, CD/DVD-ROM, for $128.00. 2016 model, refurbished, a $1,000 laptop for $128. I do believe the Gulf Shores schools could have done better than giving all the students a new $800 MacBook Air. (And they can't give teachers a raise because they have no funds?? WTF!!)

 

[TexasFreedom]

but, but but… "it's for the children"!!!

I was talking to a friend (still central Texas). His schools gave every kid an Ipad. The kids keep the same ipad year after year, and if they damage/lose it then they have to pay to replace it. He didn't know what the loss rates were. Schools are a giant money hole and still don't teach squat.

 

[Brent S]

The big government programs usually end up costing way too much and become ineffective with time, even good intentioned ones.

 

[DrHenley]

I'm sure there is more to the story, but I can't find any more details. Every mention of it links back to that story.
They would be better served with something like a Linux Mint laptop at a third the price. The software opportunities would be enormous and all free.

But in education, Apple fanboys usually rule. If it has a fruit on it, it must be better...

 

[Maverick]

Yep, ask Adam how that fruit worked out for him, yep he lost his paradise, became homeless, had kids and become morally indebted to GOD and all we inherited from the fruit are these g'damn blackberry vines that destroys yards.

 

[TexasFreedom]

The big government programs usually end up costing way too much and become ineffective with time, even good intentioned ones.

I'll have to remember this quote the next time you want some giant gov't program... oh, like health care.

 

[VenomJockey]

I'm sure there is more to the story, but I can't find any more details. Every mention of it links back to that story.
They would be better served with something like a Linux Mint laptop at a third the price. The software opportunities would be enormous and all free.

But in education, Apple fanboys usually rule. If it has a fruit on it, it must be better...

Yes, my main concern is the price. I'm sure there are less expensive alternatives. Probably some kind of kick-back involved here...otherwise I can't fathom why a school district would pay for MacBook Airs at double or triple the price of some very good alternatives. Dell makes several laptops in the $300 - $400 range that are just as good, if not better, than the MacBook Air.

 

[DrHenley]

I can't fathom why a school district would pay for MacBook Airs at double or triple the price of some very good alternatives.

Technology decisions by school districts are generally made by people who don't know squat about technology. More expensive with a fruit on it means "better technology" to them.

 

[lonewolf]

I have been told that the modern laptops are very fragile and wont last . at least that is what is being said in the UK.
when this one fails I may just give up on the internet, that should please a lot of people!