Media lab + Computer setup

Here is the current situation:

3 labs. Each lab currently has 17 PowerMacs. Each room is on it's own 3 year lease (every year one room receives new computers). Due to past budgets purchases the typical setup was, low end PowerMac with 256 - 512 (512 more recently) MB or RAM.

The problem:
1. Due to budget restrictions, 1 lease was missed requiring us to temporarily buy the computers off lease until we could reinstate the lease program.

2. Our budge has not improved since last year.

The users:
The individuals using this lab are students ranging from majority Graphic Design to Video and 3D production.

Possible solution 1:
The goal here is to do as much as possible with what we have, over a 3 year period (unfortunately I do not have the actually budget for this year).

Here is a proposed set up:
2 rooms of iMacs with the following configurations:
20-inch widescreen
1GB of RAM
160GB hard drive
1.8GHz G5

$2,001.00/machine

1 room of high end PowerMacs:
20-inch flat panel screen
Dual 2GHz G5
2GB RAM
160GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive

$3,847.00/machine

We also have an Xserver, of which should also be put into the lease program.
1 Single Processor Xserver
2GHz G5
1GB RAM
160GB hard drive x2

Again, this will be done over 3 years.

Possible solution 1:
Only do 2 leases with mid range PowerMacs, buying back computers at the end of their lease to fill the 3rd room.

I guess I am just looking for help because this was dumped on me. I have Graphic Design teachers telling me that iMacs will not work but yet when I ask them why and or what is the difference, thinking they would say cache and video, they reply with I don't know.

Opinions anyone?

Thanks

 

Good point. I will add that into the proposal of ways to reduce expense. Thanks!

Do you have any feelings regarding the iMacs? I realize that they are not "professional" but I feel that they would offer more then a low end PowerMac with minimal ram and say a 17" monitor.

 

Thanks, crazzyeddie and Mechcozmo, some really good ideas and feedback.

I personally work on an iMac and do professional work, FCE, PS, AI, DVD Studio, etc.. even learning Maya on my iMac. Some day, when I have a larger budget, I will acquire a faster machine... I also have a powerBook, sadly my iMac kicks its butt, getting off track.

I am comfortable with the proposal. I think what I am afraid of is giving it in front of everyone. I feel comfortable with my technical knowledge and know that I am making the right decisions based on the budget (I wish they would give me the real figures, some of this is guess work) but also know that there are people who will oppose, people who couldn't even tell you the difference between an iMac and a powerMac... sigh.

Thanks again!

If anyone else has any other ideas please voice them. I am not presenting my ideas until next week, the 16th.