BYOD Specifications

Hardware Specifications

Having a device that meets these requirements ensure seamless connectivity and optimal functionality with our department wireless network (detnsw) and educational software used by our teachers.

There is no specific recommendation for Windows or Mac based devices, both operating systems work equally within our school network, however Chromebooks and Microsoft Copilot+ PCs are not recommended as they cannot support running apps such as Adobe Premiere or Photoshop if students in Year 9 and 10 choose to undertake Information and Software Technology (IST), Visual Arts (VA) and/or Photography and Digital Media (PDM).

To access the school wireless network and participate fully in classroom activities, student devices are required to the following technical specifications.

Form Factor

• Laptop, hybrid (touch screen notebook) or tablet device

Note: Tablets or hybrids are highly recommended to have a physical keyboard attachment with separate keys for A-Z and 0-9, which physically move when de-pressed.

Physical Dimensions

• Minimum Size: 11.5"
• Maximum Size: 14"

Operating System

• Microsoft Windows 10 or 11
• Apple MacOSX 10.1.3 or newer

Battery Life

• Advertised battery life of the BYOD device should be at least 6 hours.

Wireless Compatibility

• 802.11 n/ac wireless capabilities (5 GHz)

Note: This may be advertised as: “WiFi 6 or WiFi 5, Dual Band Wireless”, “802.11ac” or “Gigabit Wireless”.

2.4 GHz WiFi will not work with CHS Wireless Network.

Additional Requirements

• Students in year 9 and 10 undertaking elective Information and Software Technology (IST), Visual Arts (VA) and/or Photography and Digital Media (PDM) are required to have a device with a Windows 10/11 or Mac OSX 10.13 (or newer) operating system to allow installation of required software.

Storage Recommendations

• Minimum Storage: 256GB
• Recommended Storage: 512 GB or more (highly recommended for Yr 9/10 IST/VA/PDM subjects)
• Disk configuration : Solid State Drive (SSD)

Memory (RAM) Recommendations

• 8 GB minimum
• 16 GB recommended for Yr 9/10 IST/VA/PDM subjects

Additional Recommendations

• Maximum weight: 2 KG
• Accidental loss and breakage insurance

Software Specifications

General Education Software

• Microsoft Office

  • Students can download Microsoft Office 365 (at no cost) for Windows and Mac OSX from www.office.com
  • Instructions on how to do this are available here

• Google Suite

  • All students have a Google Apps account linked to their student portal account, which includes basic office software including Google Docs and Sheets.

• Minecraft Education Edition

  • In Year 7, students participating in our Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) program gain exclusive access to Minecraft: Education Edition - a specialised version of this popular game designed specifically for educational use

Elective Education Software

• Adobe Creative Cloud

  • Adobe Creative Cloud is provided (at no cost) to Year 11 and 12's as part of their student account, more information about Adobe Creative Cloud is available here

    Instructions on how to sign into Adobe Creative Cloud are available here**.

Security Software

We recommend using reputable and current antivirus software to protect your device. Options include Microsoft Defender (available free), as well as popular paid alternatives like Bitdefender, Norton, and McAfee (not required but highly recommended).