Despite reports that Apple Computer, Inc. is experiencing financial difficulty, the College does not plan to move from its Macintosh computer platform anytime soon.
Apple reported an operating loss of $69 million after taxes in the first quarter of 1996 to the Securities and Exchange Commission. It expects an even greater loss in the second quarter, according to Reuters.
"There is no indication, at this point, that any of Apple's financial difficulties pose any problems. There is no concern about Apple," said Computing Services Associate Director for Consulting Randall Spydell.
The Council of Computing, which includes administrators and students, will meet in April to recommend a computer model for the incoming class of 2000, Spydell said.
"We always start with the question: 'Should we continue to recommend the Mac?'" he said. "We do a pretty good job of always asking the question but we also have a tremendous inertia and investment in the Mac OS."
The Mac OS is the graphical user interface operating system software unique to the Apple Macintosh computer and Macintosh clones.
"The annual process always considers all the factors," Spydell said. "One question is: 'What about the clones?' If a company were to come along with the right price/performance we would probably recommend it."
A main problem with switching to another computer platform is compatibility with currently implemented hardware and software.
"We have millions invested in systems that are Mac OS based," Spydell said.
He said he was not concerned about Apple's financial situation.
"The fact that an $11 billion company might become an $8 billion company is not a big deal," he added. "$11 billion companies do not blow away. They get downsized or bought out."
The College considered three types of computers in 1983 when it was deciding which computer to recommend to the Class of 1988, Spydell said. It looked at the IBM PCjr, the DEC Rainbow and the Apple Macintosh. Both the PCjr and the Rainbow are no longer produced.
"The Macintosh was chosen for three reasons," Spydell said. "The graphical user interface of the Mac was clearly the preferred choice by those who saw it. For each of the other computers, networking was an add on except for the Mac. In addition, each Mac needed 60 watts to run in 1983 which was good for the College's power consumption. The graphical user interface and the plug-and-play networking were the main reasons."
The College decided in 1984 to recommend that the incoming Class of 1988 purchase a Macintosh computer, Spydell said. It was later, in 1991 that Dartmouth began to require the purchase of a computer during matriculation.
"The choice in '83/'84 was an insightful one," Spydell said. "Windows is a poor excuse for the Mac OS. The problem with Apple was their delay in licensing their operating system. Apple was too arrogant or shortsighted. This delay allowed people like Bill Gates to come in."
Gates is the head of Microsoft Corporation, a dominant software company whose popular operating system, Windows, allows IBM compatible computers to have a graphical user interface similar to that of a Macintosh.
"The reason for Apple's decline is that it's being attacked and is competing on all sides," Spydell said.
