Whether your kids are in primary school or high school, these days going back to school means making sure they have access to technology. For many Australian children, that means bringing their own tech to class, known as BYOD. (If you’re wondering about the BYOD meaning, it stands for bring your own device, and sometimes can be called BYOT, where ‘T’ stands for technology.)
There are many factors to consider before buying your child’s BYOD laptop, 2-in-1 or tablet: your budget, the schools’ specifications and what your child is mostly using the laptop for.
A good first port of call for buying high school BYOD is Officeworks’ BYOD Tool. Then it’s just a few simple steps to find devices suitable for your child.
Step 1: Click on the link to access the tool.
Step 2: Enter the name of your child’s high school and the grade they’re commencing, then you’ll be given three options that meet the school’s specific requirements: best allrounder, best value, best performance.
Step 3: Consider accessories your child might need, such as protective sleeves and backpacks, headphones, power banks or a stylus, anti-virus and other software and even an external monitor, keyboard and mouse for home use.
Step 4: You can then make your purchase online or head in store with your list of options to discuss them further with a team member
Looking for some more ideas? These devices (and accessories) will give you even more ideas for a starting point as to which device might be right for your child.
SEE ALSO: The Best Routines for Back to School Stress Relief
Top Tips for Choosing the Right BYOD Device
Need some more guidance about BYOD in schools? In addition to the specific requirements from your child’s school, these four things should be top of mind to help you find the right device
Weight: Choose a device that’s not too heavy. The upper limit for teenagers should be 2kg, but for children in primary school, for example, think about lightweight tablets that won’t weigh them down.
Screen size: A good recommendation is a minimum 10” display.
WiFi connectivity: One of the most important factors when choosing a device for your child is ensuring it has dual band WiFi and is 5GHz capable (the WiFi connection at many schools). Look for one that has WiFi5 or WiFi6.
Longevity: If you want BYOD longevity, look for one with a solid-state drive (SSD), which can handle a few more knocks than internal hard drives and is also faster and more energy-efficient.
Battery life: It can be hard to charge devices at school, so it’s important to choose one that has a battery life of at least six hours. Make popping it onto its charger one of the final chores before going to bed each night – maybe just before they clean their teeth to tie it to another habit. A good tip is to have that charger in a different room from the bedroom, so kids get used to not having the temptation of screens in their place of sleep.
Try This Tablet for Primary School Kids: Lenovo Tab M10 3rd Gen
If the littlest learners in your family are on the BYOD bandwagon, then this Lenovo tablet packs in the features and is great for those on a budget, too. Lightweight yet sturdy (add a cover for extra protection from bumps and knocks), the device also boasts an Octa-core processor, keeping things operating smoothly and quickly. An all-day battery life will get them through the school day with juice to spare and, for a spot of play after all that work, the device comes with an in-built library of curated kids’ content that you can further manage, such as setting screen-time limits, through the parental controls. In addition, the special Reading Mode mimics the colours of pages in a book, meaning less eye strain during screen sessions.
Battery life Up to 14 hours
Weight 0.465kg
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1
Screen size 10.61”
What To Try
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen 10.61" 2K 4/128GB Android Tablet
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen Folio Case
- Staedtler Noris Digital Stylus
SEE ALSO: The Best Routines for Back to School Stress Relief
An Allrounder BYOD for Primary: Acer Aspire 1
This Acer Aspire laptop is a great BYOD option if you want something that’s powerful and responsive, but won’t break the bank. With 128GB, it has enough storage for young students, plus comes with 4GB of RAM and you can choose to bump that up to 8GB. This device also comes loaded with Windows 11, features an integrated webcam and boasts a blue light shield, which allows the amount of potentially harmful blue light emitted by the screen to be adjusted so you can lessen the strain on young eyes. It even includes a one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365. Don’t forget to add a laptop sleeve to give the device added protection from inevitable drops and scrapes when transporting it to and from school.
Battery life Up to 8 hours
Weight 1.45kg
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Ethernet
Screen size 14”
What To Try
- Acer Aspire 1 14” Celeron 4/128GB Laptop
- J.Burrows Diamond Laptop Sleeve 14" Pink and Purple
- Studymate 14" Colour Block Laptop Sleeve
SEE ALSO: How to Save on Back to School Supplies
BYOD for Students Starting High School: ASUS Chromebook
If you’re worried about the treatment that’s going to be dished out to a device that gets lugged from home to school and back again, this Asus Chromebook might be the answer. The chassis is structurally reinforced and the keyboard has been put through extensive durability testing, so you don’t have to worry about everyday bumps and accidents. That sturdiness does make it a bit heavier, so it’s better suited for an older child. Like all Chromebooks, this one uses Google Workspace and connects to any app on Google Play. Not only that, but the keyboard is full-sized and ergonomic, so it’s comfortable to type out those lengthy essays, plus there are numerous ports, including two USB-C and a microSD card reader, for maximum convenience.
Battery life Up to 10 hours
Weight 1.74kg
Connectivity WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Screen size 15.6”
What To Try
- ASUS 15.6" Chromebook CX1 Celeron 8GB/128GB
- J.Burrows 14" Neoprene Sleeve Pink
- TRUNK Neoprene Laptop Sleeve 14" Black
SEE ALSO: How to Help Your Child When They’re Starting High School
Lightweight Device for High Schoolers: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i
If you’re looking for an inexpensive BYOD option but don’t want to sacrifice performance, this Lenovo laptop could be the solution. Lightweight and slim at less than 20mm thick, it’s handy for overstuffed school bags and won’t weigh them down, either. As for battery life, this model offers rapid-charging technology to provide two hours of juice on a super-speedy 15-minute charge. It’s also TÜV Low Blue Light Certified, so kids’ eyes won’t get tired easily after making it through all that extra reading material. And, as an added eco-friendly bonus, the device is built from post-consumer recycled contents to minimise its environmental footprint. Add a bluetooth mouse for comfort and added convenience.
Battery life Up to 11 hours
Weight 1.65kg
Connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0
Screen size 15.6”
What To Try
- Lenovo 15.6" IdeaPad Slim 3i Laptop i5 8/512GB
- Logitech M650 Wireless Mouse Grey
- Bellroy Transit Workpack Ranger Green
SEE ALSO: Study Tips and Back to School Hacks for High School Students
Best for Busy Senior Students: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
If your teen is heading into their senior years, needs a device for their out-of-school personal life too, and you’re prepared to invest a little more, then this Microsoft Surface Pro 9 could be the ticket. This 2-in-1 device offers older kids the flexibility of a tablet, yet the performance of a laptop, so they can enjoy fast, reliable multitasking, web browsing and streaming. With an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on a solid-state drive, it boasts smooth and speedy performance to help them stay focused on the task at hand. For maximum efficiency (and enjoyment), pair with a compatible keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 for note-taking and sketching.
Battery life Up to 15.5 hours
Weight 879g
Connectivity WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1
Screen size 13”
What To Try
- Microsoft 13" Surface Pro 9 EVO i5/8GB/256GB Graphite
- Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2 Black
- Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Keyboard Black
- Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Keyboard + Slim Pen 2 Black
Trade in Your Old Tech
If you have old devices that are still in usable condition, consider trading them in for an instant Officeworks gift card. With just a few questions, you can assess the value of your old phone, tablet, laptop or smartwatch, then receive a digital gift card for the agreed value to spend on whatever you like, in-store at Officeworks. To find out more check out the Officeworks Trade-in page.
If your old device is not suitable for trade-in, you can recycle all kinds of tech in-store at Officeworks.
SEE ALSO: Let the Geek Guide You: Tech Advice for Common Computer Issues
*Battery life quoted are results of benchmark testing by brands. Battery life will vary depending on various factors including loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage.
