By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

Students at Lowndes Academy will soon have access to brand new computers, according to teacher Cliff Cobb.

The school is anticipating the arrival of new Dell computers within the next week after previous delivery attempts were halted due to the amount of room needed to transport the 50 boxes by truck.

Using allocated funds from its technology department, the school has chosen to invest in 25 new computers to replace the older, outdated models.

The new machines will feature Microsoft Windows 7 and the 2007 version of Microsoft Office and serve as a welcomed upgrade for Lowndes Academy students. Students have been using obsolete software such as Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Word 2003 during their keyboarding and computer classes.

“It’s been difficult teaching the kids on software that is rarely used,” said Cobb. “It will be nice to have a new system.”

The Lowndes Academy computer lab currently houses 20 machines. Though 15 of the units work, they are operating with outdated software.

“This is a great opportunity for the school and its students to expand its computer access,” said Headmaster Chuck Insinga.

All remaining computers will be redistributed throughout the school into various classrooms that may not already have access to a machine.

Cobb said he hopes there will be enough computers to house some units in the school’s library for research.