Last February, we reported that Wilkes University in Pennsylvania dumped the PC in exchange for Macs. The project, at that time, was expected to cost US$ 1.4 million. Now, Wilkes is speaking out about the switch. Over at Wired, Wilkes' Scott Byers, vice president for finance and general counsel, explained the switch, and what reaction it elicited from students and staff.

Apparently, the staff and students didn't resist the switch to the Mac. He further explained that this generation of students has a great affinity for the Apple brand. The institution has a lot of reasons to switch to the Mac aside from saving money. Byers mentioned that the switch brought about these advantages:

• Allowed the user to choose the desired operating system
• Offered the potential to enhance teaching and learning using AppleÂ?s iLife software
• Created a standard base that our IT department could work with consistently rather than Dells, Gateways, HP and Apples
• Reduced the number of units necessary for campus and the number of units requiring potential service and replacement.

They are also anticipating more campus community support to provide training on the educational benefits of the Apple software. He also expects that a lot of universities and schools would be switching to the Mac since "the switcher approach allows campuses to access both platforms from one unit. Again, I would pose the question why wouldnÂ?t a campus make the switch?"