Kansas City school district buys 4,500 Macbook Neos, becoming all Apple

[mvdrl]

I thought this was interesting: the Kansas City School District bought 4,500 Macbook Neos, and announced they are changing to an "All Apple District." The district posted the reasons why here: https://www.kcpublicschools.org/article/2920620

This was also highlighted in the Apple earnings call a few weeks ago, as quoted in the post above: “Across the Mac lineup, customers are finding the right device for their needs — from MacBook Pro and MacBook Air to our newest addition, MacBook Neo, which delivers an unprecedented combination of quality, value, and industry-leading security that is resonating strongly in Enterprise and Education. Kansas City Public Schools, for example, is switching their high school students from Windows laptops and Chromebooks to MacBook Neo, completing their transition to an all-Apple district.”

I'm a bit surprised because while the Neo feels premium and has a really nice screen, it's a lot pricier than the Chromebooks and Windows laptop than most schools purchase!

 

[IvyKing]

When buying 4,500 Macbook Neos with a single purchase order, the KC school district will be paying significantly less than the $499 EDU price for individual purchases. It doesn't take much in the way of staff time saved to make up for the difference in purchase price over a Chromebook ir Windows laptop. In addition, the Neo will likely last longer than a similarly priced Windows laptop.

 

[mvdrl]

When buying 4,500 Macbook Neos with a single purchase order, the KC school district will be paying significantly less than the $499 EDU price for individual purchases. It doesn't take much in the way of staff time saved to make up for the difference in purchase price over a Chromebook ir Windows laptop. In addition, the Neo will likely last longer than a similarly priced Windows laptop.

That's true, but if they had bought 4,500 of any device, they would get a pretty good discount you would think! Good point on the staff time being saved, that is huge...

 

[maflynn]

it's a lot pricier than the Chromebooks and Windows laptop than most schools purchase!

Here's the thing as I see it.
The news stories around this seem to indicate that it will cost each student/teacher 500 dollars (technically 499). And it seems the average cost of a student chromebook will run about 300 dollars.

What does the NEO offer for 200 dollars more then the chromebook? I can think of only one answer - longevity. How often will these laptops need repair/replacements vs. the chromebooks

My kids are no longer in school, but when they were, one thing was evident with many school systems - I was more likely to pay attention then, not so much now. That is they love going after the fad, the sexy choice and this could be some of that, where spending more money on the Neo doesn't make sense when compared to what the chromebooks can offer. I'm not defending the chromebooks, but pointing out school systems are made up of people and they can be tempted to get the latest and greatest.

 

[IvyKing]

The news stories around this seem to indicate that it will cost each student/teacher 500 dollars (technically 499). And it seems the average cost of a student chromebook will run about 300 dollars.

If the school district is buying 4,500 Neo's at one time, the price per Neo will be significantly less than $499. The negotiated purchase price will almost certainly be covered by an NDA.

Longevity is just one consideration, another is that a locked down Neo isn't worth stealing.

 

[maflynn]

If the school district is buying 4,500 Neo's at one time, the price per Neo will be significantly less than $499. The negotiated purchase price will almost certainly be covered by an NDA.

The article states, 499
edit: I was wrong

 

[Nermal]

The article states, 499

I'm either completely blind, or it doesn't.

 

[M4th]

Quick websearch on this topic has a couple results that don't say much more than what the school district released.

I'm wondering where all those "30,000 Chromebooks and Windows PC's" that are being replaced will end up? Highly doubtful, but maybe that was part of the deal with Apple to take them off their hands? More likely just auctioned off like most other obsolete/unused equipment, I suppose.

Would be nice if this is a trend with other districts both big and small, not sure if the "Services" part of Apple will help in that regard? Certainly the hardware supply can keep pace if demand does increase.

 

[maflynn]

I'm either completely blind, or it doesn't.

My apologies, I was reading another article and got my wires crossed. I think it was
https://www.engadget.com/2178254/ka...ore-than-4-500-macbook-neos-for-its-students/
but that does mention a possible discount on a bulk purchase so I retract my statement

 

[IvyKing]

I'm either completely blind, or it doesn't.

I looked at the KCPS website and didn't see any mention of price. Not surprised as the actual price paid by KCPS would likely be considered confidential. What the KCPS article does imply is that they expect the "total cost of ownership" to be less with the Neo's than Chromebooks or Windows laptops. I would not be surprised if the original purchase price of a Neo is less than half of the total cost of ownership.

 

[IvyKing]

a possible discount on a bulk purchase

With a bulk purchase of 4,500 units, KCPS would have to be absolute fools to not negotiate for a discount. Retail price includes a lot of costs associated with selling a single unit that aren't present with selling thousands in a single transaction.

 

[Abazigal]

One explanation is that whole Macbook Neos cost more upfront, they can quickly pay for themselves in the form of improved productivity and fewer problems overall. Like better build quality means fewer laptops damaged over time, and Chromebooks are famously impossible to service (you basically have to throw the whole unit away if it's spoilt beyond use).

So in the long run, I won't be surprised if a Macbook Neo ends up costing a school less to maintain than a cheaper Chromebook or Windows laptop.