Baker students are eager and excited to use the new Apple iMacs in what many have termed the Mac lab

“These new computers are amazing,” freshman Casey Gleue said. “The screens are great, and they are really nice to use.

The new Mac lab is located in Collins Library, room 115A, and intended for the use of four specific departments at Baker. The journalism, art, music and theater departments showed great interest in working with iMacs last school year

“Several departments had asked for new Macs,” Simon Maxwell, vice president of information technology, said.  “We wanted to put in a common lab for these students that was accessible for them and available during off hours.

Adjunct Professor of Art Jennifer Jarnot teaches a digital photography class in the new lab and said she and her students were impressed with the computers

“The first day of my class, students reminded me of 5-year-olds on Christmas,” Jarnot said. “Their eyes were huge, and each student had a smile that went from ear to ear.

Maxwell, along with Rand Ziegler, vice president and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, worked with the four departments to come up with a proposal for the iMacs. The proposal was accepted and funding was put into motion for the purchase of the new computers

“For (students), I think it’s been a great experience, and I think they are also very appreciative to have an opportunity to work with the new equipment,” Jarnot said

Previously, Apple computers were available on campus but were limited to use by specific classes or groups including the Baker Orange, as well as the marketing department for Baker

Despite a noticeable increase in the number of Apple computers on campus, Maxwell believes that PCs and Macs should be in the right balance at a university

“It really needs to be managed,” he said. “If you get a split of PCs and Macs, then you are going to have trouble with compatibility, and it becomes more complex.

Maxwell also believes PCs are here to stay as the more prominent computers today and that Baker has and will be a Windows-based school in the near future

“PCs are the most used computer in business today,” he said. “Macs are still a small percentage of higher education institutions.

The new computers are 24-inch iMacs, the largest of the iMac family, and have high definition LCD screens. The Mac lab also has a high-quality color printer for public use.

“They are really easy to use and the screen looks great,” freshman Russell Hahs said

Aside from the Mac lab, three of the same types of iMacs are in the public computer lab area in the bottom floor of the library.