Why not allow both Macs and Windows PCs?
As part of our research, we spoke to many 1:1 laptop schools. We were advised repeatedly, based on other schools’ experiences, to select one consistent computing platform to ensure program success for clear reasons:
We need to be able to provide quality technical support with limited human resources and maintain a secure computing environment. It is more difficult and expensive to maintain the expertise needed to troubleshoot problems on several different types of computers and operating systems.
One consistent computing platform also provides one consistent software platform. Not all software has the same features across the Windows and Mac versions. Interlochen arts programs use a great deal of discipline-specific software that is not web (cloud) based, and some works exclusively on the Mac (music, visual arts, film).