That $75 offer is only for TAFE and Universities, however there is another offer for normal school students. We paid $129 for the same office suite last year.

Oh I know it's a nominal amount but the computers are by no means being 'given' to the schools. There is extra funding available but the schools must sign up to a new funding arrangement for the next 5 years which is not exactly favorable to state schools and there is no alternative to that. There is no follow up funding being provided for servicing these machines, additional networking, providing them to next years intake etc. So the school must ensure that greater proportions of its budget goes to IT and should try and keep the laptops in reasonable condition so they don't constantly need to replace them.

So sensible schools are doing a rental system which allows for depreciation and has a substantial deposit so the risk of the little darlings selling their computer on the street corner is reduced. Like I say, this school is mental giving them out with a $5 deposit.

I know a lot of the main (expensive) private schools adopted the policy of only using laptops, and that was at least 10 or more years ago. Not a bad system but let's hope the kids don't spill any water on their keyboard (not that I have ever done that ).