Take a look at the computers we will be getting...
http://candidatedata.usna.edu/computerspecs.asp
http://candidatedata.usna.edu/computerspecs.asp
My Plebe No More said everyone's netbook is used as a paperwieght. Most everyone's has broken by now ...
No Macs???
A desktop and a notebook, which is substantially less than a laptop, in almost everyway.
Why in the world would they issue BOTH a desktop and a portable (netbook, notebook, laptop, whatever)?? That's totally insane. Having to manage files on both; back up both; update software on both; etc. Trying to figure out if you stored a paper on which and then having to sync them. Desktops are pretty much dinosaurs now. I would recommend not even using the desktop and simply plugging the laptop/notebook into the monitor, or using a docking station.
Would the Academy care?
NOTHING beats a Mac and the new Ipads would fit he "netbook"need. The old idea of incompatibility simply is no longer true with the Intel processors.I would assume that most of their data is stored on servers, and therefore can be accessed from any computer.
As a soon to be plebe, here's my opinion on the netbooks: the Dell ones they issued for 2013 seem to have too many problems and lack in functionality, but the Lenovo's that 2014 is getting seem to be able to handle what they were designed for quite comfortably.
I believe that because it is lightweight but still powerful (for a netbook, don't get me wrong...), some mids will be inclined to use them during lectures to take notes.