<p>In response to Javabytes87:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The big differences this year over previous years is that parents are actively presented with the Macintosh option and that the FOUR YEAR Applecare option is available. Considering the fact that WM is a four-year college, this is a very attractive option that is not available directly through Apple.</p></li>
<li><p>My information I included about the program is the product of a discussion that I had with the WM IT Administration in the planning stages of the myNotebook program. I have included a paragraph relevant to the discussion here:</p>
<pre><code> “For the last three years, IT has spent over 90% of its labor resources as it relates to the student body on one thing: fixing PCs that have been compromised by virii, worms, trojans, spyware, etc. I was told by the head of IT that if the campus was switched to macs, IT would be out of a job.”
</code></pre></li>
<li><p>I still stand by my claim that WM IT is self-serving. I know it as someone who worked in IT and someone who dealt with IT for four years at WM. Although it is true that IT is a diverse operation on campus, I was very disturbed by the comment from a top WM IT official that switching to a safer platform would put “IT out of a job.” I am curious about what percentage of the IT budget would be affected if PC repair was removed from the equation, either by increased Mac usage on campus or by relying on direct mail repairs as through Applecare. I suspect it would be a significant loss.</p></li>
<li><p>In that same meeting with myNotebook planners from IT, one administrator said, “In my home we’ve got six computers. Five PCs and a Mac for my wife–it stays in her kitchen.” I found this approach to Mac usage outdated and ignorant. Years later I found this same myNotebook director using an extremely expensive Macintosh workstation in his office with high end Apple monitors. I hope that his opinion towards Macs is indicative of a greater sea change in WM IT concerning the utility of Macs.</p></li>
<li><p>It is true, I did have a rant about the myNotebook theft risk involved with thousands of identical laptops on campus. At the time, I speculated that the fact that Mac laptops included a built-in iSight camera would deter more thefts. Who knows.</p></li>
<li><p>My post is two years old and was written with a good amount of vitriol, but I can express the fact that I am very pleased that Macs are now an official option on campus. As for pricing comparisons, I urge parents to ask their children what they want and compare what they get for the price. Apple’s offer to educational purchases of a free iPod or iPod touch and a free Printer certainly sweetens the deal. For most students, I would sincerely recommend the 15-inch Macbook Pro which includes a $300 iPod Touch after online rebate and three years of the superb Applecare program for $2008.</p></li>
<li><p>To those about to purchase a machine, I strongly endorse the Applecare support program which is available for up to four years with the WM myNotebook offer, and three years otherwise. On campus support for the PC myNotebook program involves bringing the computer to the IT department on campus. Support for Apple products involves one of the following:</p></li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li> Calling Applecare for assistance, and in the case of a repair, receiving an overnighted pre-paid DHL box for rapid repair at an Applecare center and overnight return shipment. All of my Applecare repairs amounted to a total of 3-4 days without the laptop. Besides, in my four years at WM, I never had a hardware problem that was so serious that it required a repair during the semester.</li>
<li> Bringing the computer to a local Apple Store, in Norfolk or Richmond for immediate consultation with a Mac Genius.</li>
<li> Consulting with one of the many students on campus who is adept at Macintosh computing is usually very helpful. Macs are much more secure and stable. Macs are not subject to the viruses and spyware and other slow-down problems of PCs.</li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you for this wonderful discussion, Javabytes. I would also refer readers to the following article about increased popularity of Macintoshes at Princeton:</p>
<p>“On-campus Mac users quadruple” - The Daily Princetonian
[On-campus</a> Mac users quadruple - The Daily Princetonian](<a href=“http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/10/05/news/18871.shtml]On-campus”>http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2007/10/05/news/18871.shtml)</p>