Do you want a no fuss laptop that will last for three years?
Brisbane Bayside State College has selected a range of devices with a three-year warranty and $0 excess Accidental Damage Protection (ADP).
The ADP (Accidental Damage Protection) coverage allows one $0 Excess ADP claim to repair the device a year for 3 years.
For more information and educational pricing go to BYOD Portal Links.
To access the DELL BYOD Portal click here.
To access the JB HI-FI BYOD Portal click here.
The school code for parent access is BBSSBYOD2025
Selecting a device for schoolDo not purchase a Chromebook or Android/Galaxy Tablet as they are not compatible with the EQ Network.
Do not purchase a device without 5Ghz Wi-Fi.
Laptops equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM-based CPUs are not compatible with the Department’s Bring Your Own (BYOD) Program. While these devices can be enrolled in school management system, it’s important to note that Intune may have issues trying to deploy Company Portal due to missing dependencies at this time.
Minimum Laptop Specification
| Category | Good | Better | Best |
Use
Cases | Primary and junior secondary students
(Microsoft Office, online learning and web browsing) | Suitable for secondary and senior secondary students (excluding subjects where video and 3D modelling is required) | Suitable for high end media creation
(creating 3D modelling, Video, autoCAD) |
| Form Factor | Laptop | Laptop or Tablet |
| Processor Minimum | Intel Core i3
AMD Ryzen 3
Apple M Series | Intel Core i5
AMD Ryzen 5
Apple M Series | Intel Core i7
AMD Ryzen 7
Apple M Series or Apple M Pro Series |
Memory Minimum
(RAM) | 8GB | 8GB | 16GB |
Disk Minimum
Solid State Drive only
(SSD) | 250GB+ | 512GB+ | 1TB+ |
| Display | 10 -14" Screen, consider touch functionality | 12 -15" Touch Screen – Inkable for those who require to write to the computer with a pen |
| Warranty | 4 Years Onsite (preferred)
3 Years (if unavoidable) |
| Lifespan | 3-4 Years (4 preferred and more cost effective, should match warranty period) |
*The specifications above are a guide only. If you have a speciailised need or use case, please consult with your school's OC Holder or Regional System Technician (RST) before purchasing.
Accessories
To get the most out of your new laptop or tablet computer/s, you may wish to consider accessories that will improve the usability or overcome their form factor limitations.
Carrycase / Backpack/ Bag
| • | Ensure that the size listed matches the device it is being used for, the size of the laptop is generally measured by its screen size (e.g. 12.5" – 14.1" bag will not fit devices with a 15" screen) |
Keyboard and Mouse
| • | Wired accessories are preferred due to simplicity and cost, however, wireless options are available for a neater install |
| • | Wireless accessories usually run on AA or AAA batteries that need to be factored into the total cost over time |
| • | Ergonomic options are also available from some suppliers |
| • | Wireless accessories can be connected by USB "dongle" or Bluetooth
| • | Dongles can be lost over time and are often unique to the keyboard and/or mouse, keep them safe | | • | Bluetooth is more expensive and doesn’t require a dongle, but the computer you’re connecting to must have Bluetooth (normally available with a WiFi card, so laptops will normally have Bluetooth and desktops without WiFi normally do not) |
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Other Considerations for student devices
| • | Devices need to be assessed for robustness and transportability e.g. shock proof, handle, screen structure.
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| • | Blended learning requirements
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| • | Student engagement with devices e.g. colour choices, aesthetic |
| • | Consider the full details when purchasing Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) - some have a low purchase price but a high excess (cost to initiate claim), while others might limit the number of claims per period (i.e. 1 claim per year)
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We have identified 5 questions to ask when choosing a device.
Can it connect to the school network?
Devices must be compatible with a 5Ghz Wi-Fi Network, often called "Dual Band Wi-Fi"
We recommend Windows 11 devices over Apple devices on the EQ Network.
Never buy a Chromebook or Android devices as they do not operate on the EQ Network.
If in doubt, ask your retailer "Does this device run Windows 11 and will this device connect to 5 Gigahertz Wi-Fi?"
Will it last the whole school day?
Battery life can vary depending on usage and batteries degrade over time.
We recommend an advertised battery life minimum of 10 hours.
If in doubt, ask your retailer "Will this device last an entire school day, even after three years of use?"
Dose it have enough storage?
Our experience shows the two main indicators of BYOD performance is the number of CPU threads and SSD storage.
Never buy a device with an Mechanical HDD, always choose a 256GB or larger Solid State Drive (SSD).
Always buy a device with 4 or more CPU threads.
- If in doubt, ask your retailer "Is the storage drive a 256GB or larger solid state drive and does this device have four or more CPU threads?"
If it breaks, can it be fixed?
Technology fails and accidents happen. By choosing a device with more repair options
- Save money by repairing instead of replacing
- Reduce stress when accidents occur
We recommend choosing a 3 year Warranty and $0 excess Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) with your device.
Or, choose a device which can be repaired by your local laptop repair shop if it breaks
If in doubt, ask your retailer "What repair options do I have for this device if it breaks?"
What steps can I take to protect my laptop?
When not in use, always store your device in a hard case, often called an EVA Case.
Never put the device in a bag with a water bottle.
Identify your laptop with a security stickers or engraving.
Purchasing software
You do not need to purchase any optional software
(e.g. Microsoft Office) with your laptop, student are given a Microsoft software licence with their Student Email account.
We
do not recommend Using Trend Micro or McAfee anti-virus as they
often have issues on the EQ school Wifi network, the built in Microsoft Anti-Virus Solution is strong enough for student usage.
If you are unsure about what device to get please feel free to contact us below.
Please contact us with any questions at byod@brisbanebaysidesc.eq.edu.au