This is probably a simple question with a simple answer, but are the laptops that appear on BBC News used for? It's slightly puzzled me for a while and wondered if anyone could answer that question. I am fairly certain that the presenters don't just have them so they can play Solitare whilst presenting the news.
The laptops have the ENPS on them, which shows them the running order and this is where breaking news comes through (on News 24 you can see them looking at them sometimes when they are explaining a breaking story).
They are using Windows? I love how sleek they look, although its not meant for general users... The laptops on the studios just have to perform tasks such as bringing the news updated.
Most of the PCs in the BBC are Dells - it makes maintenance quite a bit simpler to keep them all the same brand, and also means they must get quite a substantial discount when buying in that kind of quantity.
What you have to consider is that newscasters have always used computers - eg on BBC News between 1998 and 2003 they were actually inside the newsdesk, right under the presenter's nose. Which is why the surface was clear glass. These new laptops may look chic and trendy, but they aren't serving any new purpose that hasn't been done before.
Most of the PCs in the BBC are Dells - it makes maintenance quite a bit simpler to keep them all the same brand, and also means they must get quite a substantial discount when buying in that kind of quantity.
Apart from the old ones, which are Compaq. And bloody awful.
As long as the computer has the amazing piece of software called NTPS (or something like that) they are happy. It shows the whole running of the programme, and even other programmes previously done. Anyone in a BBC building has access to the running order, but usual after a programme has been broadcast.
I also seem to remember hearing that in the old News 24 set, when they were showing the newspapers from the ariel camera, computers have been known to be showing none other than TV Forum.
