"I, for one, have become reacquainted with Linux and its
incredible flexibility on a wide variety of hardware. Linux allows
me to have a "real computer" inside some very inexpensive hardware,
whether netbooks or extremely cheap desktops. Even if Apple starts
dumping their remaining white MacBooks on educational institutions,
we're still going to be looking at $800 a pop. Their more
interesting products climb quickly.
"The iPod touch (of which I'm still a big fan because the touch
interface is so bloody good) is the same price as some netbooks.
Although I can think of many ways to integrate the Touch or the
iPhone into educational settings, it's a heck of a lot easier to
hand a student a small, light computer with an actual keyboard and
a 7-9" screen to read. Not only is it the same price, but I can
manage it, reimage it, authenticate it, etc."
