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Apple scores $30 million to sell iPads to LA schools

The deal will provide an iPad to every student across 47 campuses in the Los Angeles school district, says The Los Angeles Times.

Lance Whitney Contributing Writer
Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer and a former IT professional. He's written for Time, CNET, PCMag, and several other publications. He's the author of two tech books--one on Windows and another on LinkedIn.
Lance Whitney
2 min read
Every student in 47 campuses in the LA school district is due to get an iPad.
Every student in 47 campuses in the LA school district is due to get an iPad. Apple

Apple will add $30 million to its coffers in a deal to outfit students in the LA school district with an iPad.

On Tuesday, following a collective thumbs-up for Apple from both students and senior staff, the Los Angeles Board of Education voted 6-0 to approve the contract, The Los Angeles Times reported.

Among the devices considered, the iPad came out on top in both quality and price, at least according to the school district's requirements. The vote means that an iPad will be doled out to every student across 47 campuses of the LA district, one of the largest school districts in the U.S.

Despite the unanimous vote, some board members expressed concerns about the cost and the commitment to Apple, the Times added. One member asked whether devices other than tablets would be more appropriate for the students. Another was worried because the board didn't have all the details on the overall costs.

The school district will pay $678 per iPad, a cost higher than the retail price, since the tablets will come with educational software and include a three-year warranty.

Not surprisingly, a representative from Microsoft also questioned the deal. Robyn Hines, senior director of state government affairs for Microsoft, said that schools shouldn't focus just on one platform and that students should be exposed to products they'll use in the business world, such as those from Microsoft.

Apple, naturally, applauded the deal.

"Education is in Apple's DNA," Apple Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller said in a statement, "and we're thrilled to work with Los Angeles Unified public schools on this major initiative...Schools around the world have embraced the engaging and interactive quality of iPad with nearly 10 million iPads already in schools today."