Notebook versus desktop computers for cadets at West Point
Loy, J.R.
Myers, J.D.
Tappert, C.C.
US Mil. Acad., West Point, NY;
This paper appears in: Education, IEEE Transactions on
Publication Date: Nov 1996
Volume: 39,
Issue: 4
On page(s): 497-504
ISSN: 0018-9359
References Cited: 13
CODEN: IEEDAB
INSPEC Accession Number: 5452718
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/13.544803
Current Version Published: 2002-08-06
Abstract
Some universities require or recommend that their students
purchase personal computers, and the trend is toward using the portable
notebook variety. West Point cadets (students) are currently issued
late-model, IBM-compatible desktop PCs on matriculation, and this study
investigated the feasibility and desirability of issuing notebook
computers to future incoming classes. As a pilot comparison, one
classroom group of 18 students taking introductory courses in computers
and mathematics was given notebook computers for one semester in place
of their desktops. An additional 12 notebooks were evaluated to assess
specialized technical features. The principal findings were that, at a
constant dollar cost, notebook and desktop computers differ in
computational power, durability, and ease of use. West Point concluded
that they cannot move to notebook computers for incoming students until
notebook durability (maturity of technology) is reasonable and until the
disparity between the computational capability of comparably priced
notebooks and desktops reaches an acceptable limit. They now see the
technology maturing rapidly and are likely to move to notebook computers
within three years
Index
Terms
Available to subscribers and IEEE members.
References
Available to subscribers and IEEE members.
Citing Documents
Available to subscribers and IEEE members.
Cart
