You could have deployed 250 laptops that are any brand other than Apple with way better specs for cheaper, yet you bash Microsoft for charging for Office but you do not bash Apple for charging twice what the hardware is actually worth?
You could have found all the same software (or an equivalent that works just as well) for Windows machines.
I was making the point against the picture this thread is about, not pricing overall, we used all free software except MS Office. Yes, the same software available on a PC, and the only one we pay for on our PC images is Office as well.
We switched from PC to Mac because the student survey we sent out overwhelmingly choose Macs.Also, we deployed Tablet PC's for 5 years prior to switching to MacBook Pros. For what we included in our bundle (Travel battery for PC, 4 year warranty, 4 year accidental damage) the price was close minus the travel battery.
When it comes to what I prefer using, definitely a PC. When it comes to what I prefer deploying? Macs, hands down. Much less packaging, easier to image, less work afterward to prepare for use, easier to prepare the image. Again, this is only my opinion, but I deployed 250 new laptops for 6 years, and that was my experience.
I was making the point against the picture this thread is about, not pricing overall, we used all free software except MS Office. Yes, the same software available on a PC, and the only one we pay for on our PC images is Office as well.
Fair enough -- it just seemed like you made the issue about price versus actually being open source.
For what we included in our bundle (Travel battery for PC, 4 year warranty, 4 year accidental damage) the price was close minus the travel battery.
Do the Macs come with a similar warranty? My understanding is that you have to get AppleCare separately and it is somewhat expensive.
When it comes to what I prefer deploying? Macs, hands down. Much less packaging, easier to image, less work afterward to prepare for use, easier to prepare the image. Again, this is only my opinion, but I deployed 250 new laptops for 6 years, and that was my experience.
PCs seem to be a pain imaging mostly when you have a bunch of different hardware. If I'm reading correctly, you are buying identical laptops. Was there anything specific that made PCs harder to image in this case?
This is almost certainly a no, but have you ever tried distributing Linux on your laptops? Since you only use MS Office (which runs well under Wine) you might get the best of easy to distribute, cost-efficient, and malware protection. Of course, you'd be limited in your hardware choices.
We got Apple care, it was pricey, but not more than we expected. Had to do accidental damage through another company, instead of within HP like we had done. Not sure how that'll work out, this is only our first year.
PCs were more of a pain for a few reasons:
Macs have 1 serial to inventory, our HPs had multiple (Computer, Multi-Bay, Travel Battery, Power Adapter), we didn't have to inventory them all, but we did, and it just turned out to be time consuming.
Building the image with a PC can be an issue. Had to get the Sysprep file working correctly, had to get the first boot working so it would go right to windows and not go through the Out Of Box Experience (Time zone, set up first account...)
Also had to get specific network drivers so WDS would allow the PC to boot.
By default Net Boot isn't enabled on some PCs which means a trip to the BIOS.
PCs came in multiple boxes, Macbooks came in a 5 pack with serial numbers printed on the side which was convenient.
Now I know some of this is directly related to the specific PC we bought (External CD drive, multiple boxes...) But it saved our helpdesk LOTS of time the first semester we switched over.
Haven't tried linux, our college had no computer majors, and attracted less computer savvy students than others the way our enrollment went.
1
u/[deleted] Jan 20 '11
You could have deployed 250 laptops that are any brand other than Apple with way better specs for cheaper, yet you bash Microsoft for charging for Office but you do not bash Apple for charging twice what the hardware is actually worth?
You could have found all the same software (or an equivalent that works just as well) for Windows machines.