Free Apple Software Updates For New Zealand Schools

by , 11:00 AM EST, February 16th, 2004

Apple has had its ups and downs in the education market, a market it once dominated, especially in the US, but in recent years, the company has been playing second fiddle to Dell. That doesn't mean that Apple isn't doing what it can to regain some of that lost ground.

One way Apple woos education customers is by providing new hardware and software at reduced prices. In New Zealand, Apple has apparently negotiated a deal with the New Zealand Ministry of Education that will result in the Ministry making software upgrades available for free to schools. From an article posted by the New Zealand Ministry of Education titled, Free Apple Software for Schools:

Free operating system upgrades and additional Apple Macintosh software will be available to all state and state-integrated schools using Macintosh systems in mid- February, the Ministry of Education announced today.

" With more than 20,000 Apple computers currently in use in New Zealand schools these software upgrades will greatly benefit teachers and students throughout the country," said Murray Brown, Manager Information Communications Technology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Ministry of Education.

"Besides up-dates for their current operating software, schools will also be provided with additional Apple-specific programmes. Schools will have access to free upgrades for their operating systems over the next three years.

The article also says that private schools can buy software from Apple at the same price that the Ministry negotiated. You can find more information in the full article at the Ministry of Education Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

Can Apple retake the leadership in the education? It's a challenge, to say the least. Dell can produce PCs like Frito-Lay makes potato chips and can offer them at prices few PC makers, much less Apple, can compete with.

That doesn't mean that Apple is out of the game. By continuing to offer quality over quantity, Apple will continue to be a major player in the education market. As we have seen in the last year, Apple's one-on-one school initiatives have met with great success, keeping the company in the #2 spot, and even regaining small market share.

Free Apple Software for Schools