1. The Dell GX 100 Series!

2. When Dell introduced the GX 100 series (which includes the GX 110) in 1999, they were considered state-of-the-art performance machines.

3. Dell offered the following selling points for the machines: “Dependable Managed PCs. The Smart Choice for Demanding Networks (with) Reliability Reliability Configuration Stability Configuration Stability Serviceability Serviceability Manageability” Manageability”http://web.archive.org/web/20000302062417/www.dell.com/us/en/k12/products/series_optix_desktops.htm

4. CNN said this about the GX 100: “Make no mistake about it. Users today demand powerful PCs that come equipped with state-of-the-art features. They also demand all of that functionality and capability at an affordable price. With prices starting at $829 and all of the latest hardware installed, Dell Computer Corp.'s new Optiplex GX100 is just one of those machines” (McNair). “Make no mistake about it. Users today demand powerful PCs that come equipped with state-of-the-art features. They also demand all of that functionality and capability at an affordable price. With prices starting at $829 and all of the latest hardware installed, Dell Computer Corp.'s new Optiplex GX100 is just one of those machines” (McNair).

5. PC World said of the GX 110: “This powerful managed PC is sure to be a front-runner on any corporation's approved list.” http://www.pcworld.com/article/14453/dell_optiplex_gx110.html PC World said of the GX 110: “This powerful managed PC is sure to be a front-runner on any corporation's approved list.” http://www.pcworld.com/article/14453/dell_optiplex_gx110.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/14453/dell_optiplex_gx110.html More importantly, John Huber said, “When we got those white computers, I thought they were great. They were so fast compared to my home computer.” More importantly, John Huber said, “When we got those white computers, I thought they were great. They were so fast compared to my home computer.”

6. To be fair, at one time those statements probably were true. That was a long time ago! To be fair, at one time those statements probably were true. That was a long time ago! Computer years move faster than dog years. Computer years move faster than dog years. In recent years we faced a new reality when it came to our beloved GX 100s and 110s. In recent years we faced a new reality when it came to our beloved GX 100s and 110s.

7. They were slow They were slow They were overburdened They were overburdened They crashed frequently They crashed frequently They didn’t run modern software and applications They didn’t run modern software and applications They were ugly They were ugly

8. I often wished I could sell mine on eBay. I could make enough make enough money to buy a pizza or a new CD (which would have been unplayable on my old GX 110 since the disc drive hadn’t worked in years).

9. http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Optiplex-GX110-Desktop- PC_W0QQitemZ280370459136QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop_PCs?hash=item414761b200&_trksid=p3286.c0.m 14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1234%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

10. Will new computers solve all of our problems? Will new computers solve all of our problems? Have slow, overburdened, ugly computers that frequently crash been crutches that we’ve used to justify our non-use of modern technology? Have slow, overburdened, ugly computers that frequently crash been crutches that we’ve used to justify our non-use of modern technology?

11. We’ve been fortunate enough to get new computers. They’ve got fast processors, large hard drives and flat screen monitors. We’ve been fortunate enough to get new computers. They’ve got fast processors, large hard drives and flat screen monitors. If we had a crutch to lean on, it’s gone! If we had a crutch to lean on, it’s gone! While use of technology can’t take the place of quality instruction, we also can’t view use of technology as a hindrance to getting through the curriculum. While use of technology can’t take the place of quality instruction, we also can’t view use of technology as a hindrance to getting through the curriculum. The time is now to learn the use of new technology and ideas to enhance what we teach. We can do it together! The time is now to learn the use of new technology and ideas to enhance what we teach. We can do it together!