Maine is a major Apple customer. The computer giant is the supplier to middle school children in Maine:

“…The state started its laptop program for 7th-graders in 2002, and later expanded it to 8th graders and to one-third of the state’s high schools. Maine is spending $90 million through 2010 with Apple to supply computers, software, warranties, technical support, training for teachers and installation of Wi-Fi networks in all middle schools across the state.”

link: In Maine, a laptop for every middle-schooler

There is debate about the effectiveness of each student having a laptop. Without a doubt, Steve Jobs and Apple must have on-going research paradigms to show the effectiveness of computer access (especially an Apple) to academic achievement. Apple can appear to be socially aware and sensitive to education, while nurturing a future generation of Apple buyers. How many of those middle school children would want to switch to Windows, if their middle school experience has been with an Apple? Maine is an immensely important client for Apple. Success of those high school students in Maine means huge profits for Apple in the immediate and long term future. And Apple would like Maine to become the educational model for other states and other countries.

For Apple, it is the ‘chicken-in-every-pot’ ploy. It is the vision of a school-bought Apple laptop in every student backpack.

Catherine Forsythe