EPCC will soon make iMac computers available to students, faculty and staff, through a trial period.
The college held a series of demonstrations since late January of one of Apple’s newest creation, which allowed attendees to learn how the Intel processor supported the Mac and Window’s operating systems.
Based on the reactions of the attendees, the Information Technology (IT) committee approved the purchase of 100 iMacs, according to Del Najera, chair of the IT committee.
“The response of the first demo at the Technology Resource Center was very favorable, which encouraged the IT committee to request an expanded demo for the rest of the college to see and to give us their opinion of this system,” Najera said.
The exact date of the computers arrival is still up in the air.
“We would like to get them in time for the summer semester but that hasn’t been finalized,” said Charles Morgan, manager of the EPCC Service Desk.
According to Richard Buller, IT security manager, approximately 20 iMac computers will be distributed at the ASC labs in all five campuses.
“If the Mac computers deliver reliability and performance, then the college will give students the choice of operating systems. It’s whatever technology that offers the most advantage for students and programs,” said Buller.
Any full-blown conversion to the new computers is still a long way off.
“The trial period will last for two semesters,” said Najera. “If successful, iMACs will be implemented in the fall of 2009.”
The iMac provides a dual-boot system which allows users to work in Microsoft Windows or Apple’s Linux operating system.
One of the users at the demonstrations, Debra Stoppiro, STS manager, talked about the new processor.
“The Macs are beautiful computers and easy to navigate with the Windows operating system. I think it would be an interesting change for EPCC to go to the Mac side of things, considering we have always had the PCs.”
She also added how useful it would be for the EPCC students, who are planning to go to UTEP, to learn how to use iMacs.
“We were told that UTEP was also thinking of making the change to Macs, and if they do, it would benefit our transfer students. It would make it an easy transition over to the university,” she said.
However, Christopher J. Lineer, STS microcomputer technician, noticed the reaction of the attendees regarding a new operating system.
“One big question brought up by many people in the audience is ‘Can the Mac run Vista?’ A lot of people question the ability of the Macs to run the operating system since, yes, it is one of the newest OSs [operating systems] out on the market right now.”
There is, however, a very positive side of the iMacs, according to Lineer.
“The majority of Macs are simplified, meaning that hardware is rarely messed around with and the software is the main point in the Mac computer,” he said. “Another great addition to the Macs is they support both XP and the Mac operating system.”
Jenny Giron, associate vice president of Instructional Resources and Technology, administered a survey to those who attended the demonstrations, and some reactions included, “The iMac creates more space for the workstation. It eliminates cable and wire clutter and looks more efficient” and “Entering into the unknown would be scary; however if the transition is gradually or supported with help, it could possibly work.”
According to Buller, the president of the college showed an interest in Mac computers since Apple, Inc. changed to the Intel processor, the same processor that runs all Microsoft Windows-based computers.
“Dr. Rhodes had suggested that Information Technology take a look at the Mac,” said Buller, “so IT invited Apple representatives to see what their current products looked like and how they worked.”
