I was anti-Mac for years, and it all started back in the days of DOS. I always appreciated that copmarison between operating systems and airport terminals (Mac Airlines just guided you down a corridor, not telling you where you were going, or why, while MS had an elaborate series of corridors that you could only navigate if you were used to being the terminal).
Then, Windows tossed DOS, and became what MacOS used to be: uncontrollable.
I switched to Linux, loving the Unix control, scalability, and configurability.
Then I heard about OSX - which combines rock-solid Unix with Mac ease of use. It was an interesting option, but I was skeptical. Then I saw that Office was available for OSX. That makes OSX more feasible.
Last week, my girlfriend was considering her options for buying her daughter a new computer. She wanted to get her an iMac (they're cute, yadda yadda), but I hesitated. "Let's check out the availability of educational programs, and such, first..."
Bam! There are tons. There is absolutely no shortage of educational applications (and games) for youngsters. In fact, about the only arena that OSX is lagging is MMPOGs - and that's changing, thanks to EQ.
The result: a very cute, efficient, rock-solid, all-encompassing platform that works beautifully for schools.
All of that having been said, let's talk economics. Windows machines are cheaper than Apples, as a total package. You can get a smokin Windows machine for $1000, no sweat. Apples aren't in that range. But, they're more stable, and simpler to use.
But what about Linux? Linux can be loaded on a quick machine for $500 or less; but it's far more complicated to configure/maintain than either Windows or Mac.
So it comes down to the priorities of our school systems: quality and usability, or cost effectiveness? To be honest, I'm not sure most schools are at a point where they've got the option to choose; any computers will be better than what they've got going now.
I suspect this entire post has absolutely zero conclusions, and I don't know that I could provide any. But, those are the issues and considerations, as I see 'em.