Viglen Announces Major New Partnership With Apple
 

Ref: NTE/004

 

Viglen announces major new partnership with Apple

 

London: Viglen Ltd, the UK’s fastest-growing schools ICT solutions provider, announces a major new partnership with Apple at BETT 2006, being held at Olympia in London from 11-14 January 2006 (Stand F60).

 

Apple has been creating innovative education tools and resources for over 25 years and the partnership will significantly enhance Viglen’s offerings to UK schools.  As an Apple Solution expert for education, Vigen now offers an extensive range of Apple’s IT products, software and services.

 

Products in conjunction with Apple include:

·        iBook

·        Mac Mini

·        eMac.

iBook

The iBook G4 provides everything a student needs – a durable, lightweight, powerful laptop for learning on the go.  With a fast processor, built-in wireless networking capabilities in all models, and 512MB of memory, the iBook provides even greater value for schools.  Every iBook G4 also comes equipped with an array of digital learning software to ensure that students have the tools that they need to succeed.

 

Weighing as little as 4.9 pounds, the 12.1 inch iBook G4 slips easily into any backpack. The 14.1 inch model weighs just 5.9 pounds and is lighter than many of the textbooks that students carry. Perfect for school use, the iBook G4 is easy to carry from classroom to classroom, from home to school, even on field trips and club events.

 

Mac Mini

More for Less!

The Mac Mini enables any classroom or lab to be affordably turned into a 21st century learning environment.  Just 6.5 inches square and 2 inches tall, the Mac Mini provides the tools that today’s digital learners need to create and publish amazing projects with movies, music and photos.  It also boasts a miniscule price to match!

 

eMac

The eMac is Apple’s affordable and durable all-in-one computer designed specifically for education.  The eMac comes complete with a 17 inch display, a powerful Power PC G4 processor, a SuperDrive option, and a space-saving design that fits easily on a school desk.

 

Commenting on Viglen’s new partnership with Apple, Bordan Tkachuk, Chief Executive of Viglen, says:  “With over 55 years of combined education experience between us, Viglen and Apple can provide the skills and products to support the latest learning trends.  The partnership means meeting the needs of today’s learners and transforming the way students learn, increasing student engagement and improving achievement.   By working as a team, we can provide pupils with a learning platform that prepares them for future success.

 

“Now with our product and service offerings expanded even further, Viglen is uniquely placed to offer best advice, leading-edge technology and competitive pricing.”

-Ends-

 

 

Notes to Editors

1.  For further information, including product photography, please contact Viglen’s Marketing Communications Department on: 08705 922 922.

 

Bordan Tkachuk, Chief Executive of Viglen Ltd, is available for interview.  To arrange a media interview, please call Mandy Willis on: 08705 922 922.

 

www.viglen.co.uk

 

2) For over thirty years, Viglen has been a leading British-based provider of innovative technology solutions and services to the education, public and private sectors.  Today it is the fastest-growing ICT solutions provider to the UK’s schools’ sector and is the largest Becta accredited Managed Services provider.

 

Offering totally integrated, end-to-end ICT solutions for schools of all sizes and specialisms, Viglen’s key accreditations are the envy of the ICT sector and include Curriculum Online.

 

Following a rigorous accreditation process conducted by Becta on behalf of the DfES, Viglen has also been appointed an Accredited ICT Service Supplier, acknowledging Viglen’s reliability and dedication to achieving excellence in ICT education.

 

3) Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, Mac OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.

 

Apple has been creating innovative education tools and resources for over 25 years.

 

4) BETT is the world’s leading educational ICT event, attracting over 600 educational suppliers and 27,000 visitors.

 

www.bettshow.com

 

Product information

iBook

Small and light…

Weighing as little as 4.9 pounds, the 12.1 inch iBook G4 slips easily into any backpack. The 14.1 inch model weighs just 5.9 pounds and is lighter than many of the textbooks that students carry. Perfect for school use, the iBook G4 is easy to carry from classroom to classroom, from home to school, even on field trips and club events.

 

…yet durable…

iBook G4 is designed to withstand the wear and tear of student usage in a mobile learning environment. The sleek cover is made of ultra tough polycarbonate plastic. A unique enclosure design rounds out sharp plastic edges and corners that can otherwise injure hands, catch on backpacks, or get damaged when impacted. Additionally, the latch mechanism and side I/O ports have no protruding parts or doors that can accidentally break off. The iBook G4 slot-loading Combo drive eliminates the risk of broken trays.

…and built to take an impact

Inside each iBook G4 is a magnesium frame which provides superior strength and added protection against everyday bumps and jolts. The iBook G4 is also built to withstand reasonable shock to the hard drive with energy absorbing rubber mounts. And now every iBook G4 is also equipped with Apple’s Sudden Motion Sensor to help protect student data. The Sudden Motion Sensor senses change in axis position and accelerated movement. In the event of a drop or fall, the Sudden Motion Sensor instantly parks the hard drive heads so they won’t scratch the disks on impact, lessening the risk of damage and improving chances of retrieving valuable data. When the Sudden Motion Sensor senses the iBook G4 is once again level, it unlocks the hard drive heads automatically, providing additional security against the vagaries of student use.

The battery lasts, class after class!

The iBook G4 battery can last up to 6 hours on a single charge giving students more time on task throughout the school day. With no need to add costly electrical outlets, schools save money on wiring and students can use their computers simultaneously wherever learning takes place. When not in use, the advanced power management feature in the iBook G4 conserves battery power and delivers optimum performance.

Highest-performing iBook ever

Now with even faster G4 processors up to 1.42 GHz, the iBook G4 has enough power for the most demanding computing tasks, whether it's crunching volumes of data or rendering video clips from the latest field trip. The PowerPC G4 processor delivers astonishing performance, allowing students to zip through data-intensive projects and perform rigorous web research.

 

Mac OS X Tiger provides even more power and flexibility that schools need today. With Spotlight, a new search technology, students can find anything on their computer as quickly as they can type. And thanks to Dashboard, learners have a host of web services at their fingertips, including a dictionary, thesaurus, foreign language translator and calculator - typical tools used by busy students everywhere. And Mac OS X Tiger is powerful and reliable, designed for stability and maximum uptime.

Made even easier

Scrolling through web pages or large documents on a trackpad can challenge even the most nimble fingers. That’s why every iBook G4 features a new trackpad with scrolling capability. Just drag two fingers over the trackpad to scroll vertically and horizontally or pan around any active window. Change this feature to suit your needs: Customize your trackpad settings or turn off scrolling completely via System Preferences.

Fully connected for the full learning experience

The iBook G4 enables students and educators to conveniently collaborate, share files, and search the web using a full range of connections. You can even print without wires. iBook G4 now comes with built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking - in all models. Based on the cutting-edge IEEE 802.11g wireless standard, AirPort Extreme delivers data at speeds up to 54Mbps, nearly five times faster than before. And it supports both Mac and Windows networks at school, at home, and away. iBook G4 also has an integrated modem and Ethernet port for times when wired connectivity is the way to go. And the included Bluetooth 2.0+EDR module allows schools to connect wirelessly to a wide range of peripheral devices such as wireless keyboards or mice.

With the built-in fast FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports, peripherals such as digital cameras, the iPod, and external drives can easily connect to iBook G4 for added functionality. Classroom presentations are a snap-and brilliantly effective-with the video-out port that displays VGA, S-video, and composite video on projectors or TV monitors.

The iBook G4 comes in two sizes so you can choose the dimensions that work best for you. Whether you opt for the 12.1- or 14.1-inch screen, both models offer a stunning active-matrix display that makes everything, from 3D geometry figures to topographical maps to documentary videos, come alive with high-performance graphics.

Big functionality for a small price

iBook G4 continues to be an affordable choice and the ideal student laptop whether your school is considering 1 to 1 learning or a mobile lab solution. As the best-selling portable computer in education, it is the most affordable, full-featured notebook with all the components needed for 21st century learning-a powerful G4 processor, built-in AirPort Extreme ready wireless networking, a slot-loading optical drive, versatile software programs including the iLife digital learning applications, incredible graphics, Mac OS X Tiger, and a long-lasting battery.

 

Mac Mini

Get a Mac for Less.
With the Mac mini, there’s never been a better time for schools and universities to add Mac versatility and reliability to their computing environment, giving them an inexpensive way to give the Mac OS X operating system a try. The modular design of the Mac mini lets education institutions leverage their technology investments by utilizing existing keyboards, mice, and monitors.*

Inexpensive, but Full Featured.
Apple designed the Mac mini from the ground up to deliver the most Mac for the least amount to pass the savings on to education. Inside its very small aluminum enclosure, Mac mini houses a powerful 1.25 GHz or 1.42GHz G4 processor, a high-capacity 40GB or 80GB hard drive, a slot-loading CD-R/DVD-ROM or SuperDrive optical drive, and 512MB DDR SDRAM. And Airport Extreme wireless functionality plus Bluetooth 2.0 are also available in two models.

Small Footprint to Fit Anywhere.
Believe it or not, all this technology weighs just 2.9 pounds.** Imagine  a desktop computer you can easily move from one corner of the classroom to another as the need arises. No need to buy new furniture. You get flexibility as well as cost-savings by using the same tables and desks that are already in classrooms and labs. The space-saving design of the Mac mini gives students more space to work, while a Kensington lock in the built-in security slot keeps your technology secure.

iLife ’05. Create. Publish. Achieve.
iLife comes preinstalled with every Mac mini. iLife ’05, with major new enhancements and improved performance, includes iPhoto, iMovie HD, iTunes, GarageBand, and iDVD (SuperDrive-equipped model only) - all work seamlessly together. These easy-to use, digital learning tools enable educators as well as students to develop incredible projects, integrating images, speech, music, and movies. iLife is ideal for enhancing any content area, inspiring students to create, collaborate, and achieve in ways not possible before.

Mac OS X. The Ultimate Platform for Learning.
Mac mini comes with Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger,” Apple’s most advanced operating system ever, ensuring less downtime and more time for learning. As the ultimate platform for digital learning, Mac OS X delivers best-of-class connectivity and built-in applications needed to access the Internet hassle free - including email, chat, and a web browser that blocks popup ads. These additional software programs including iChat AV, Safari, Sherlock, Calculator, and QuickTime come with every new Mac, providing a value that is unsurpassed in the industry.

Enhancements for 21st Century Learning.
Instantly connect your digital devices, such as printers, scanners, cameras, camcorders, iPods, and keyboards to the Mac mini using the FireWire or two USB 2.0 slots. Built-in 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet opens the door to the Internet for online resources or to the institution’s file servers to retrieve and save information. Consider adding a SuperDrive to your Mac mini to burn DVDs of video projects or save large volumes of digital files and research documents. For institutions that need the ultimate power with the smallest Mac, choose up to 1GB RAM and increase the hard drive to 80GB.

 

EMAC

Simple and clutter-free design

The eMac puts the whole computer into a single package (with only one power cord), saving valuable classroom space. The eMac is constructed from polycarbonate plastic - the same materials used to manufacture bulletproof glass - so you can be sure that the eMac is strong enough for student use.

 

Empower students with Mac OS X

Every new eMac comes with Mac OS X Tiger, providing the most stable and easy-to-use computing environment for students. Mac OS X is designed for multiple users to share one computer, so students can each have a personal account with customized settings.

Mac OS X also includes many other innovative features such as Spotlight - a breakthrough desktop search technology, VoiceOver - a fully integrated screen reader for those with visual impairments, and Dashboard - for immediate access to applications such as a dictionary, thesaurus, or calculator.

Access a rich suite of applications

In addition to Mac OS X, every new eMac includes a collection of applications perfect for student use, including:

  • iLife ’05 - which includes the latest versions of iMovie HD, iPhoto, iTunes, GarageBand, and iDVD
  • Safari - the fastest web browser for the Mac
  • Mail - for sending and receiving email
  • iCal - for creating calendars and managing to-do lists
  • iChat AV - the easiest way to bring videoconferencing into the classroom
  • AppleWorks - for creating word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, and more
  • 2005 World Book Multimedia Reference Suite - for student research projects

 

Bring learning to life with iLife

The eMac features the award-winning iLife ’05 suite of digital media applications, which is unmatched in its combination of ease of use and powerful features. With iLife, students are able to create professional-looking digital projects that include movies, music, sound, and text, providing an exciting and engaging learning environment.

Connect to a variety of networks

Because the eMac ships AirPort Extreme-ready, with the addition of an AirPort Extreme Card, students can quickly and easily connect to your school’s wireless network. Every eMac also comes with two 400Mbps FireWire ports and five USB ports (three USB 2.0 and two USB 1.1), making it easy to connect with a wide variety of peripherals, such as digital cameras, camcorders, printers, and scanners. Both a modem (56K v92) and 100BASE-T Ethernet come built in, proving multiple options for communicating over the Internet.

All the power you need

The impressive PowerPC G4 processor included on the eMac provides more than enough power for students to create everything from complex spreadsheets, to large Keynote presentations, to documentary films. The eMac computer’s G4 processor makes digital media creation faster, saving valuable classroom time.

eMac works well with others

If your school also includes Windows-based computers, eMac and Mac OS X Tiger make it easy to share files, send and receive emails, open enclosures, and send instant messages. And because the eMac has been designed to fit in all network environments, you can use it to connect to both wired and wireless Mac and PC networks. eMac can also seamlessly connect to hundreds of digital devices with plug-and-play ease.

Take your choice

Three eMac options are available for schools.  The low cost choice includes a CD-ROM drive for reading CDs. The next option includes a Combo drive, which can be used to read DVDs and read, write, and burn CDs - perfect for storing and sharing student work. The third choice includes an 8x SuperDrive (double layer) that also can write and burn DVDs - a great way to store student portfolios or share a class documentary.