[gprimr1]

I work for IT Support at a University and we do have an agreement with Dell and we supply standard configurations for machines. By having a limited number of models offered, we can build operating systems for them and it makes life a lot easier because we can just ghost a new image on and run Dell Image Direct.

Dell Image direct allows you to store up to 8 driver cabs per image, so one image will support 8 different computers. When it's done the computer is ready to go, no hunting for drivers, etc.

We have an agreement with Verizon to provide phone service for faculty.

Students are not required to buy a specific brand or model, but we do not guarentee resolutions for models not listed on our site.

I would seriously examine any program that requires you to buy something specific, especially if it is one of the programs that advertise over and over on tv. Usually the programs will allow you to use your own, but with the agreement that you will not recieve technical support.

Since Windows is a very general platform, I can not imagine a program that would run on Dell but not on say HP. Now if they are using higher end software, they may be concerned about people buying 299 Celeron crap computers and then wondering why it takes 20 minutes to load. If the programs are graphics intensive, there may be a concern that the GPU won't be powerful enough.

As for the Iphone, that does sound purley like a kick back to Apple and I would seriously demand to know exactly why it is required? Is there a specific medical application you will use?

I find it very strange they want a Windows based PC and an Apple based phone.

They aren't exactly two peas in a pod.