Apple's Mac can Beat the PC....in Time

I think that there is a pretty straightforward way that Apple can make inroads into the home computer market, it just will take a decade or so.....children.

Apple needs to work on the education system, and literally grow its user base.

Imagine what would happen if Apple gave away 50 computer labs per year to grammar schools across the country. Young children getting their first experiences (outside the home of course) would be on Macintosh. Parents, being what we are, always want to make sure our kids have EXACTLY what they need to succees in school (have you ever been in a Staples in August???). If the kids use Mac in school, we're far more likely to want them uing a Mac at home. 

Now think about the number of students per year that Apple has just influenced. Let's assume 300 students per school times 50 schools = 15,000 potential new customers each year. Then there is the peripheral gains due to siblings and parents, who then become evengelists for the Mac. After 10 years of doing this, Apple will likely have effected about 1/2 million potential customers. 

Apple is in a unique position to make this work even more than most companies could. All they have to do is integrate some type of educational package on the Mac with the iPod and/or iPhone. If Apple had THE educational product suite, there really would be no stopping them.

Please post any comments you might have on this. I can't wait to read them!