Re: [WinMac] Radio Network?

Curtis Wilcox(cwcx[at]uhura.cc.rochester.edu)
Mon, 10 May 1999 22:01:44 -0500

At 01:05 PM 5/10/99 -0500, KR wrote:

>Here's the problem:
>
>One of the large local private schools in Chattanooga a couple of years ago
>abandoned the Macintosh platform in favor of pc.... and last year the
>school began requiring its incoming seventh graders to purchase a Toshiba
>3030ct NFS laptop bundle. This particular Toshiba laptop comes with a
>"wireless network card" that permits the laptop to interface with a
>schoolwide radio local area network (LAN).
>
>This year, the school administration is asking (but not yet requiring) all
>of its hundreds of students to purchase the Toshiba bundle (seventh and
>eighth graders are required to purchase the Toshibia-- the purchase is
>simply "recommended" for the upper school). In years to come, say the
>school administrators, they intend to add a grade a year to those required
>to purchase the computer and its radio network card.
>
>I've received inquiries in the last two or three weeks from several parents
>of students at the high school asking if there is any Macintosh alternative
>to purchasing the Toshiba package. My understanding is that the basic
>Toshiba package includes the model 3020ct laptop, several accessories, and
>the "Wireless Network Card." The price of the package is supposed to be
>about $2,800... ..and the basic question I'm being asked is--is there some
>card or upgrade for Macintosh laptops that will permit a Mac to interface
>with the school's radio LAN.

Without knowing more about the LAN I don't think anyone can answer this
question. Wireless LAN is not a very mature or standardized yet. It
probably comes down to this; if the PC Card manufacturer has written driver
software for the Mac then you can use a PowerBook and if not, you can't.

>One distraught parent told me that spending $3,000 for a new laptop for his
>daughter is more than he spent for his last desktop computer... and he
>wants to explore all options.

Laptops are always more expensive than desktops, by 50 to 100% compared to
desktops of similar performance level (roughly speaking). Right now Apple
can't provide any price relief. The new G3 PowerBooks just announced today
will start at about $2500 (my Apple online store is only showing a $50
academic discount). All previous PowerBook models are discontinued so
people can only buy what's left in the distribution channels (not much) or
2nd hand.

Assuming the PC Card part is worked out, what may fit the bill is the
"Consumer Portable" which is supposed to be in the works. See Mac OS Rumors
for rumored specifications <http://www.macosrumors.com/p1.html>. While the
price may be right the current rumored specs on that page don't include
mention one way or the other about it having a PC Card slot but does
include mention of "Wireless Internet" as an option. The expectation has
been for them to be out in time to be purchased for Fall semesters but it
may be too late to recommend them to parents.

<OT>Frankly I think this laptop requirement is nutty. I'm very skeptical
that they can make the student's educational experience better. </OT>

-- 
Curtis Wilcox          cwcx@ats.rochester.edu
Desktop Systems Consultant       716/274-1160
Eastman School of Music       Pager: x12-3290


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