One to One Learning Environment at Cempaka
iPods (Nano, Classic and iPod Touch), iPod casings, MacBook casings and other peripherals will be available for purchase at school at extremely attractive prices (lower than at regular stores) from our vendors. Look out for new displays in the Student Tech Lounge in mid-January. I would like to emphasize though, that iPods are not compulsory and remains an option.
There are presently 3 models available. All are available through the School.
i. 2.0 GHz White MacBook -entry level, processor speed is respectable, 80GB hard disk space.
PROs: Very good value (cheapest of the range).
CONs: Cannot burn DVDs (but can burn CDs and read CDs & DVDs).
ii. 2.2 GHz White MacBook-mid-range model, processor speed slightly higher, 120GB hard disk space.
PROs: Higher processor speed, bigger hard drive, can burn DVDs.
CONs: Higher price tag.
iii. 2.2 GHz Black MacBook-mid-range model, processor speed slightly higher (same as model ii), 160GB hard disk space.
PROs: Bigger hard drive compared to model (ii) but other specs are the same. Some prefer black to white.
CONs: Highest price tag.
RECOMMENDATION
First know this:
i. Increasing the MacBook’s RAM will make a bigger difference than the higher processor speed.
ii. Hard drives may be upgraded separately (e.g. you may increase the entry-level model hard drive to 250GB if you like buy purchasing the hard drive separately).
iii. The white MacBooks may be cleaned by using a non-ketone-based nail polish remover. (Note that ketone-based ones may damage the notebook!)
Therefore my recommendation is this:
Get the entry level MacBook (i.e. 2.0GHz White) if burning DVDs is not important to you. Otherwise, you should look at the 2.2 GHz models.
All three should do an OK job for desktop publishing/video-editing activities. Here, you would want to upgrade the RAM to the maximum (Corsair RAM is very reasonable at the moment at RM70 for 1GB and RM150 for 2GB RAM at Low Yat Plaza in town). Increasing your hard disk space is an option which can be done at any time and can be looked at later. Heavy-duty desktop publishing and video-editing are best done on a MacBook Pro or desktop (and really not necessary until perhaps when you get really serious later on.
Hosted by Edublogs.
