Back to School 2025: The Easy Guide To Your BYOD List

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What Is BYOD?

It stands for ‘bring your own device’ and is a non-compulsory school policy that asks parents to buy a digital device for their child to use at school. You might also see it referred to as BYOx.

On this list, your school might provide a selection of approved devices for you to choose from. Alternatively, it might leave the tech choice to you and simply supply a list of specifications that must be met, for example minimum battery life, a specific operating system and required storage capacity.

Computer Tech Glossary

Need help decoding your Back to School 2025 tech list? Here are the basics:

Laptop and Tablet

We're sure you're familiar with laptops and tablets - these are the most common devices that you'll see on your child's BYOD list. Expect your budding Einstein to use a laptop for word processing, class assignments, researching on the internet and accessing school-approved educational programs. While tablets are more often a requirement for younger students – thanks to their user-friendly touchscreens and intuitive, simple functions such as taking photos and handwriting directly onto the screen. Most iPads and tablets weigh less than 500g, making them a breeze for little learners to transport and carry in schoolbags.

2-in-1 Laptop

These are a clever combination of a laptop and a tablet. With a 2-in-1 laptop, kids can take notes and complete exercises on the laptop’s keyboard, then quickly convert to tablet mode when they’re away from their desk, or for better accessibility when using apps.

Chromebook

A Chromebook is a laptop that uses Google’s ChromeOS operating system. That means the majority of its functions and uses are centred around the Chrome web-based browser – think Gmail, Google Docs and Google Drive.

Operating System

This is the main program that runs a digital device’s memory and processes. It determines what software and apps are compatible with the device. The most prominent operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

CPU/Processor

The Central Processing Unit is essentially the brain of a computer that tells it what to do and when. It enables all functions and programs to run quickly and effectively. The more modern and advanced the CPU, the more features you can expect, and the faster and more responsive your tech will be.

RAM

This stands for Random Access Memory, which allows a computer to seamlessly switch between tasks, such as surfing the internet, loading an application and editing a document. The larger your computer’s RAM, the more programs it can run at once without slowing down.

Dual-band Wi-Fi

For seamless internet access at school and at home, you’ll need a device with dual-band Wi-Fi. This allows it to access two Wi-Fi frequencies – 2.4GHz and 5GHz – depending on whether range or speed is needed most.

Cloud Computing

The process of storing and accessing data over the internet without the need for a physical hard drive.

Storage Explained

Your school's BYOD list will most likely specify the speed and storage requirements for your child's device. High school students often need more space for saving assignments or storing games, photos and videos. Here are the most popular storage solutions:

USB

A pocket-sized device that plugs into a laptop port to save and transfer data. USBs are standard for saving school assignments that can be easily transferred between digital devices for editing, printing or presenting.

Portable Hard Drive

A large-capacity external storage device that can be wireless or attached to your computer through a USB. Saving large or bulk files to a portable hard drive frees up space on your device so it can operate faster.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

This is similar in function to a portable hard drive but with no moving parts, for increased speed and hardy storage. Most are 1TB or 2TB.

Security Digital (SD) Card

Also called a memory card, this is a small, flat card that’s inserted into a mobile phone, laptop or tablet to boost memory and speed, and store digital data. Large-capacity cards are available to create super storage space on the device for videos, photos, apps and games.

Blitz their Back to School BYOD list and find all the best gold-star computer tech in-store or online at The Good Guys.