Apple Inc. won a $30-million contract Tuesday from the Los Angeles Unified School District, paving the way for the company to provide every student with an iPad in the nation’s second-largest school system. ~ Los Angeles Times
Microsoft, unsurprisingly, objected to the purchase. But what was surprising was the rationale Microsoft used to support their position:
A Microsoft representative urged the board to try more than one product and not to rely on one platform. Doing so could cut off the district from future price reductions and innovations, said Robyn Hines, senior director of state government affairs for Microsoft.
But district staff countered that Apple offered the superior product.
Wow. Payback is a witch.
I’ll uncharacteristically come to Microsoft;s defense on this one. Contesting contract awards on the basis of whatever comes to mind is just part of how the game is played. Of course the LACSD is absolutely right: There’s really no choice between Surface and iPad for education.
Thank you for great content. I look forward to the continuation.