Honestly, I don't see much need for computers until you get to college. I suppose if we were talking about vocational or technical training that would be one thing, but the usual schtick with these kinds of deals is to try forcing the computer into everything. It should be, at best, a supplement, available for students to use as a reference/research tool, but that's about it at the high school level.
I really can't see how giving every student a laptop or whatever is going to help them learn - as far as I can see, the major "advantage" of this sort of thing is that it's another excuse to screw more money out of taxpayers. :(
I agree...
Heck, use the iBook's for incentives, if your grades hold to a particular GPA then you get the laptop, if not...
STUDY!!! the old fashion way...