...and don't forget that if that many kids in Missouri, classic middle America, are sporting new Mac notebooks it's says something about how rough times must be with their family finances. What would a deep and horrible recession from today's economic pace look like? Compaq's low end models?
Like anything else, it is best to go with the school's recommendation:
Missouri School of Journalism undergraduate and graduate students who began their studies at MU after the Fall Semester 2005 are required to have wireless laptop computers. To meet this requirement:
* Each year, the school recommends two or three configurations for all entering freshmen and graduate students. The minimum recommended configuration is a wireless laptop computer with the Microsoft Office suite of software.
* Additional software may be required in some specialties by the time students reach the junior year or in specific graduate areas of emphasis. Photojournalism majors, for example, will need to purchase Photoshop, a program for toning photographs for publication.
* Students are encouraged to acquire wireless laptop technology from Apple, which the School has designated as its preferred provider, but students also will have a choice of a Windows-based alternative. Last year, 99.5 percent of incoming students chose the Apple option.
* The base-level student computer configuration, including software, will cost $1,400 or less. More expensive models with more features will be available for those students who desire additional software and technological capabilities.
* Students will be given financing options to amortize the cost over four semesters through TigerTech at University Bookstore, Brady Commons. Students with documented need (as determined through the FAFSA filing process) may include the cost in financial aid packages.