On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:22 AM, vid <[email protected]> wrote: > On Sun, Sep 13, 2009 at 20:43, prabir <[email protected]> wrote: > > IHMO, we should place our objections slightly differently.It was > perplexing to read the tender title specifically ask for "Apple > Laptops for Supreme Court of India", when its commonly known that even > if "Apple" has the most user friendly interface, its by far the _most > expensive_ ; untill i scrolled down to the pre-qualification for > bidders : "All authorized dealers of Apple India Private Limited". > There is also the possibility that those issuing the tender might not > know the difference between "technical specifications" that are > brand/vendor neutral and otherwise -- some education is enough at > times. This begs the question "whom do we seek to educate" !? >
While it is true that Apple computers in general are more expensive than other general purpose computer hardware, they also appear to be cheaper to operate and maintain, judging from the reports I have read. I know that GN uses (or used to have) one running a Debian OS, and I trust his judgment and experience on this point. Apple has always emphasised that its hardware and software are peculiarly optimised, but I do think that manufacturing processes and choice of third party components work out more expensive in order to produce better hardware. Laptops in general don't last very long compared to non-portable machines, nor do they usually have comparable specifications at the higher end, so choosing good hardware is not a trivial decision. What I am trying to suggest is that the tender issuing authorities may well have had a good reason to prefer Apple laptops, although the second part of the description, that they should be pre-installed with Windows XP, apparently argues against this point. However, I think that any recent model of Apple laptops will run Windows XP on dual boot, and probably in a shell as well, but I have never felt the need to explore this in detail or practice. Whom do we seek to educate? Everyone, I am afraid. The reality is that Windows XP runs on about 70-75% of all computers worldwide, according to a recent article I came across, and only this month began to lose numbers in new installations (ie, it is no longer gaining numbers at the same growth rates). While many of us may not be too uncomfortable with using different OSes as we move from place to place, and have to use shared computing resources, I for one certainly won't even attempt to claim the same competence in doing specific tasks. I daresay the average Supreme Court justice is not looking to have to climb two or three learning curves in order to get acquainted with computers for the first time in their august lives. Unless, of course, the impugned laptops aren't for them. Incidentally, and this is completely a side-argument, given that 10" netbooks cost approximately Rs 18-25,000 without discounts, while regular laptops (also carrying well-known brands, of course) cost at least Rs 10,000 to 50,000 more, plus OS (except Mac OS and Gnu/Linux), I venture to suggest that for routine secretarial tasks, it is unconscionable to buy expensive machines in the first place. It is very likely, across the board, cheaper and faster to replace an inexpensive netbook on failure, than to buy and have to service expensive laptops. Data recovery is another matter, of course, but most of these machines use comparable quality hard disks in any case. As far as the problem of junked hardware is concerned, most dealers (in India) have systems in place to repair or recover hardware or components, these aren't likely to be headed for the nearest landfill. -- Vickram http://communicall.wordpress.com
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