Assignment 5

Apple iMac 27-inch (3.1GHz, spring 2011)

•Problems with current System
As far as our current computers they are just too slow. The amount of RAM is nowhere near the requirements of the software that we want to use. There are no multiple USB Ports. There are no DVD drives on our current systems. The monitor resolution on the current systems is horrible and there is no way to adjust the brightness of the screen. Our printers print speed is not fast enough to print in a timely manner. The paper tray is not large enough so we have to continuously load paper. The digital projector only displays video not digital data. We can get by on the current computers and accessories but I think to further progress our student’s knowledge we need better equipment. The new printer will cut down the time it takes to print documents. The new projector will be able to display video and digital data. The resolution will be higher also so the picture will be of better quality then our current model.

•Recommendation
With a fast new second-generation Core i5 CPU, a high-end 3D card, and support for promising Thunderbolt high-bandwidth peripheral connection ports, the new, highest-end iMac has plenty to offer students and teachers in terms of performance and peripheral device flexibility. I think the iMac claims the industry bests in terms of its display and its design. I think this computer will benefit our students and the teachers using it. Load time will be cut down drastically and with the new software we will be able to do a variety of different of projects in school. I recommend the new iMac because of the OS X-based computer software and the alternative to choose the Microsoft Windows based software. I think the $1,999 Apple iMac remains one of the fastest, most attractive systems available. I think around 25 computers would be a sufficient amount of computers, that way all of our teachers will have these iMac computers in their classrooms. With the iMac computer systems I also propose some accessories to go with them. The list of accessories will be at the end of the proposal. The accessories are more of a need then a proposal which I stated above in the Problems with the current system.

•Pros
The new 27-inch iMac has the best performance among current all-in-ones systems, along with the largest display, the best design, and exciting potential from its Thunderbolt ports. It also takes up less room then a lot of other computers with it being an all-in-one system. Apple computers are much more secure than Windows PCs. Viruses, adware and malware designed for a Windows-based processor simply will not run on a Mac. The main reason for this is simply that there are much fewer Macs in use. People who make malicious software want to have it spread to as many people as possible and designing a virus for a Mac simply will not accomplish.

•Cons
Just like every computer there are cons but for the iMac they certainly can be overlooked. There are no built-in HDMI inputs for easy media component integration, and, as usual, custom hardware options for the iMac remain more expensive than those for its Windows-based competition. There are upgrade options when you buy a Mac, but unlike a Windows PC, you cannot mix and match components. The easiest way to upgrade a Mac is to buy a new one.

•Software
We would like to have the original software that comes with the Apple iMac (Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, safari, iLife, iWorks, etc.) We would also like a feature where when the desktop loads it gives students the option to use apple original software or to use Microsoft Windows the recommended software. Microsoft Windows is the recommended software because most of our written assignments will be turned in the Microsoft Word format. Microsoft Windows software will include Windows 7, internet Explorer, Windows Mail, Microsoft office, Microsoft works, Windows Live Movie Maker. In addition to these two original systems’ software we would like to include Mozilla Firefox, Dream Weaver, Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro, and Google Chrome. I think the introduction of some of these software applications will be very beneficial not only to our students but the teachers also.



Apple iMac 27-inch (3.1GHz, spring 2011) Accessories
• Wireless Apple Keyboard (included)
• Wireless Apple Mouse (included)
• HP Deskjet 3054 All-in-One Printers (J610a) ($99.95 each)
• NEC NP-M300X XGA (1024 x 768) LCD projector ($799)
• Extra Speakers (optional)