BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE GUIDE
EDUCATE ENRICH EMPOWER
EQUIPMENT GUIDE Device type and keyboard.
Touchscreens
The device type is not important but it must be a tablet, Chromebook, laptop or
A touchscreen is not required. However for some subjects a
hybrid and have a physical keyboard. An on-screen keyboard is not acceptable as it
touchscreen with a stylus is useful. See subject specific guidance
takes up too much of the screen. If a tablet or hybrid device is chosen it must have a
for details.
physical keyboard either attached or connected via Bluetooth. A smartphone is not a suitable primary device within the terms of BYOD, although it can be used as a
Camera
secondary device for media creation and communication.
Although a phone can be used for media creation as it typically has a better camera than a laptop or tablet device, a camera on
Battery life
these devices is useful for virtual conversations or recordings.
The device must have a battery life of at least 6 hours.There will be limited opportunities to charge it during the school day.The device must be fully charged
Up-to-date antivirus and operating system
overnight and have a fresh charge at the beginning of each day.
Keeping the operating system up to date and having antivirus software on the device will help keep not only the device safe, but
Memory For laptops a minimum of 4GB of RAM memory is required. Storage space For laptops a minimum of 128GB of Hard Disk or SSD storage is required. For tablets a minimum of 64GB of storage is recommended. For Chromebooks a minimum of 32GB recommended. Screen size For laptops a minimum size of 12� is required. For tablets a minimum size of 9� is required.
the network and other devices accessing it as well.
SUBJECT SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
DEVICE SECURITY
Mathematics, Science, Music and Geography
Accidental damage insurance is recommended and may be
In these subjects hand-writing of various symbols and annotating are key skills that aer
included on your home insurance policy. Devices should not be
difficult to do with keyboard and mouse. Having a stylus to write on a touchscreen
advertised unnecessarily, particularly travelling to or from school.
will be very useful in these subjects. If these are your option choices you may want to
A sturdy case is recommended, as is UV security marking of the
consider a device with a stylus.
device. Antivirus software must be installed.
DT, Computer Science and Art DT, Computer Science and Art sometimes use software that is only available for desktops and laptops . An iPad or other tablet or a Chromebook may not have the required operating system or computing power to use this software effectively.
DEVICE CHOICE at different price points
All these prices are for new devices in 2020. Refurbished devices from specialist sellers can typically reduce these prices by 25 to 35%. We do not advocate for any particular device. £200 - £300 Option 1 - entry level laptop Non-touchscreen, Windows 10, basic processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB hard disk. Option 2 - Chromebook Touchscreen, ChromeOS, 4GB Ram, 32GB storage. Option 3 - Samsung Galaxy Tab Touchscreen, stylus option, Android OS, 64GB storage. £400-£500 Option 1 - mid-range laptop Some have touchscreens, more powerful processor, Windows 10, 8GB RAM, 128 SSD storage. Option 2 - 10.2” iPad Touch Screen, stylus option, 32GB storage. Option 3 - Upper range Chromebook. Touchscreen, ChromeOS, 4GB Ram, 32GB storage. Touchscreen, convertible or flip option, stylus option, 8GB RAM, more powerful processor
£600-£1000 Option 1 - ultrabook or high-spec laptop Touchscreen, stylus option, Windows 10, convertible or flip option, 4-core+ processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB+ SSD storage. Option 2 - Macbook Air MacOS, strong and lightweight, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, long battery life. Option 2 - iPad Pro 11” Touch Screen, stylus option, very fast processor, 128GB storage. Over £1000 Option 1 - Macbook Pro MacOS, powerful processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB+ SSD storage. Option 2 - Top-spec ultrabook Touchscreen, Windows 10, powerful processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB+ SSD storage. Option 3 - iPad Pro 12.9” Large Touch Screen, stylus option, very fast processor, 128GB storage.
EDUCATE ENRICH EMPOWER CONTACT Plymouth College Ford Park, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 6RN T: +44(0)1752 505115 www.plymouthcollege.com