The state of Wisconsin is investing $3.8 million of its $80 million in lawsuit winnings to invest in iPads for its students. Scheduled for purchase are 600 units now with 800 more iPads to be purchased later this year.

The monetary award stems from a lawsuit filed in 1998, in which the state of Wisconsin charged Apple with monopolistic tactics to destroy competition and in charging too much for its software.

Wisconsin was not the only state to sue the software company regarding unfair competition but only one of 19 states, plus the Department of Justice involved in the initial filing and one of 17 states to file separate overcharging suits.

Apple eventually settled with Wisconsin for the $80 million amount, although there was significant difficulty in collecting the award.

Madison technical supervisor Bill Smojver said in an interview that they chose iPad tablets over desktop computers because tablets were more portable, easier to use and cheaper.

The educational District of Madison is spending $479, including educational discount, on each iPad purchased, possibly plus the cost of each textbook purchased through Apple’s new iBook 2′s storefront.

Schools in Wisconsin can use the awards money to purchase any kind of technology, but beyond the iPad purchases, the state is close-mouthed as to its plans for the rest of the money. Why they chose iPads over other tablets might centre around the iBooks centre just announced.

However, how much did Apple actually lose in that monetary award? They earn back $287,400 on the current 600 iPad units purchased, another $383,200 for the 800 units later, provided the $479 price tag continues, plus $15, minus the educational discount that might apply, for every textbook purchased – and remember: Parents may rent textbooks from the school district, but the district must purchase at least one textbook per student -slash – iPad, plus teacher’s editions. If parents rent for the same purchase price, the school comes out even, but Apple still profits.

Over time, with replacement costs and upgrades, plus textbooks, just how much did Apple really lose?