CaTS Classroom Computer Transition
January 30, 2018
CaTS is planning to replace existing classroom Mac Minis with Windows-based PCs. Although we realize this could be a concern for Mac users, we are proposing alternatives for faculty who still want to use a Mac in the classroom.
On this page:
Rationale
- Apple last updated the Mac Mini in October 2014, and there have been no public announcements regarding the future of the Mac Mini platform.
- The dual boot setup requires each Mac Mini to be managed onsite and limits timely support by CaTS. Although there are 118 physical computers in our classrooms, the dual boot setup essentially creates 236 individual computers that have to be managed.
- Moving to a PC/Windows only environment reduces overhead of CaTS staff and improves service and support capabilities.
- Because of the complexity of the dual boot setup, there is increased risk of misconfiguration.
- Wright State will be moving to Windows 10 for all new machine purchases on May 1, 2018.
- There is a significant possibility of incompatibility with Windows 10 on Mac Mini's.
- Classrooms will have a more consistent user experience.
- CaTS is committed to providing alternative options for Mac users in the classroom. You can find out more about these various options under the Potential Options for Mac Users section of this page
- General Mac support on campus will not be impacted. All full-time Help Desk and Workstation staff are Apple certified, and are committed to providing support to the University. .
Cost Savings
- Each year CaTS refreshes 1/5 (approx. 30 machines) of all Mac Mini's in production.
- Each Mac Mini costs approx. $1000 with an additional 2 years of Apple Care.
- Total cost each year is approx. $30,000.
- Each PC costs $659 with a 3 year warranty.
- Total cost to replace approx 30 machines per year: $19,770.
- Cost savings: approximately $11,000/year.
Spring 2017 Login Statistics
Data collected via LabStats indicates that there were 14,993 logins by customers during Spring Semester 2017. 11,600 (~77%) Windows and 3,393 (~23%) OS X. Below is a percentage breakdown by college.
| Top Level Department / College | Mac Login Count | Windows Login Count | Mac Avg % | Windows Avg % | Unique Mac Users | Unique Windows Users | Unique Mac Avg. % | Unique Windows Avg % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTALS | 3393 | 11600 | 23% | 77% | 415 | 1111 | 27% | 73% |
| AP - Associate Provost Academic Affairs | 461 | 1455 | 24% | 76% | 157 | 420 | 27% | 73% |
|
Chief Information Office |
22 | 36 | 38% | 62% | 5 | 7 | 42% | 58% |
| College of Education & Human Services Admin | 478 | 865 | 36% | 64% | 40 | 65 | 38% | 62% |
| College of Engineering & Computer Science | 207 | 1367 | 13% | 87% | 16 | 66 | 19.5% | 80.5% |
| College of Liberal Arts | 1129 | 3104 | 27% | 73% | 64 | 132 | 33% | 67% |
| College of Nursing & Health | 1 | 164 | 1% | 99% | 1 | 16 | 6% | 94% |
| College of Science & Math | 473 | 1733 | 21% | 79% | 46 | 92 | 33% | 67% |
| Facilities Planning & Management | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Human Resources | 1 | 0 | 100% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 100% | 0% |
| Intercollegiate Athletics | 2 | 21 | 9% | 91% | 2 | 4 | 33% | 67% |
| Lake Campus | 10 | 4 | 71% | 29% | 1 | 1 | 50% | 50% |
| Physical Plant Admin | 0 | 24 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 5 | 0% | 100% |
|
President's Office |
0 | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| PVN5 | 1 | 7 | 13% | 87% | 1 | 3 | 25% | 75% |
| Raj Soin College of Business | 185 | 2023 | 8% | 92% | 7 | 77 | 8% | 92% |
| School of Medicine | 190 | 79 | 71% | 29% | 15 | 16 | 48% | 52% |
| School of Professional Psychology | 1 | 140 | 1% | 99% | 1 | 20 | 5% | 95% |
| University College | 18 | 14 | 56% | 44% | 4 | 7 | 36% | 64% |
| University Controller | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| University Libraries | 1 | 15 | 6% | 94% | 1 | 8 | 11% | 89% |
| University Police Department | 12 | 20 | 38% | 63% | 1 | 3 | 25% | 75% |
| VP - Enrollment Management | 0 | 2 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 100% |
| VP - Multicultural Affairs & Comm. Engagement | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| VP - Research & Graduate Studies | 155 | 426 | 27% | 73% | 48 | 135 | 26% | 74% |
| VP - Student Affairs | 46 | 95 | 33% | 67% | 4 | 27 | 13% | 87% |
| VP - University Advancement Admin | 0 | 2 | 0% | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 100% |
Recommendation
- Replace all 122 Mac Mini's with Windows PC's running Windows 10 Enterprise.
- Replace Registrar managed rooms and other locations currently using HP workstations (23 devices).
- The only locations that would not be upgraded are locations with department purchased equipment. Although CaTS maintains and supports this equipment, funding is provided by the respective departments.
- This proposal does not include Mac-specific locations, such as in the Creative Arts Center (122, 201, 205, 288), 058 Dunbar Library, the ERC, etc.
- Initial Cost:
- To replace all 122 Mac Minis, plus existing Windows-based PCs the initial cost would be approx. $102,555.
- 3-year replacement cycle would begin in FY2022.
Potential Options for Mac Users
Apple TV/ShareLink
Using an Apple TV or ShareLink would give Mac users the ability to use their own devices in the classroom.
Rooms Currently Featuring Apple TV/ShareLink
- 020 CAC
- 227 CAC
- 280 CAC
- 285 CAC
- 331 CAC
- 335 CAC
- 101 FH
- 108 FH
- 204 FH
- 210 FH
- 134 HS
- 140 HS
- 009 MH
- 244 MH
- 395 MH
- 497 MH
- 499 MH
- 171 MM
- 202 MM
- 271 MM
- 120 MS
- 022 OH
- 112 OH
- 114 OH
- 125 OH
- 135 OH
- 309 OH
- 340 OH
- 150 RC
- 153 RC
- 154 RC
- 208 RC
- 302 RC
- 406 RC
- 050 RK
Rooms to be Upgraded With an Apple TV/ShareLink in Summer 2018 (budget dependent)
- 002 MH
- 028 MH
- 242 MH
- 286 MH
- 301 MH
- 399 MH
- 401 MH
- 402 MH
- 116 HS
- All Student Success Center Classrooms
- 167 RK
Port Adapters
At the request of the faculty member, port adapters will be provided free of charge.
CaTS would purchase:
- VGA-Display Port adapters (for older MacBook models)
- VGA-USB-C adapters (for newer MacBook models)
Additional port adapters would be available through the CaTS Help Desk for a one-time or semester long use.
MacBook Air Option
Depending on demand, CaTS would purchase approximately 10 MacBook Air laptops with the appropriate adapters and travel bag for those faculty who need to use a Mac in the classroom. These could be checked out from the CaTS Help Desk at the start of the Semester and returned once the semester is over.
Mac Mini Carts Option
CaTS would repurpose 10 Mac Mini cart systems, and faculty members would schedule classroom delivery for the semester. CaTS staff would deliver, setup, and tear down for each requested class.