The BYOD policy at Tenison Woods College allows parents and students to select a recommended laptop from the purchase portal, or use the below checklist to select something that is more customised, ensuring it meets the laptop minimum requirements.

Laptop lifespan

• Laptops normally last 3-4 years.
• 3 year warranty coverage guarantees the laptop to last at least this long and have any failures repaired. Further options can also include protection against accidental damage.

Checklist:

Look for:

• Windows 11 Home/Pro or Mac OSX.
• Screen size 11-14 inches.
• Mid-range processor such as Intel i3/i5 or AMD Ryzen.
• SSD storage - 256GB minimum.
• Memory (RAM) - 8GB minimum.
• Protective sleeve, case or bag.
• Warranty - ensure the laptop is covered for at least 3 years.

Avoid:

• Google Chromebooks or Windows '11S' devices.
• Larger screen laptops may be good for Graphic Design, but use more power and often have a much lower battery life. 
• Laptops with less than 256GB of storage may not have the capacity to install Music Studies, Tech or Graphic Design programs.

Budget

Sub $600 laptops

• ​Less expensive Google Chromebooks or Windows 11S laptops are not recommended. These are often restricted by storage, warranty and the ability to install programs, as only apps installed from their respective app store will work.
• They may not have the capacity to install needed software.

$800 - ​ A suitable price point for mid-school students.

• Purchase portal Windows laptops offer 3 year onsite repair warranty.
• 128GB storage is limiting for students undertaking electives that use specialist software e.g. Sibelius Music or Adobe Graphic Design software.
• Example - AMD Ryzen or Intel i3 processor/ 256GB SSD storage/8GB memory.

$1100 - A standard price point for all rounder/senior students.

• Standard mid performance laptop price.
• Purchase portal Windows laptops offer 3 year onsite repair warranty.
• Example - Intel i5/i7 processor/256GB SSD storage/16GB memory.

$1500+ 

• Higher specification/quality laptops that often include enhanced graphics capabilities for elective subjects, such as graphic design.
• Apple Macbooks have an additional charge to extend warranty past 1 year.

Home Internet access upgrade

As most services use the internet, consider an internet upgrade at home rather than a more expensive laptop.

Options:

• Microsoft Office is freely available for students and does not need to be purchased
• Insurance – separate, or adding to home coverage?
• Touchscreens – work well, but can significantly add to repair costs if damaged.
• Headphones - multimedia creation in class.
• Antivirus – your home subscription may have a multi device option available.

Click the image for a Microsoft/Intel comprehensive checklist

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