STACK #255 January 2026

BACK TO SCHOOL 2026

TECH FEATURE

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The end of the summer holidays are on the horizon, which means it’s time to sort out the tech your child needs for the upcoming school year. Words Scott Hocking to choosing the right laptop for school The parent’s guide

Photo by Maac India on Unsplash

W ith laptops central to digital learning in classrooms, picking the right one can feel like a big job, particularly if it’s your child’s very first device. But once you understand what schools actually expect and how to read the key specs, the whole process becomes a lot simpler.

hardware they require, how the device needs to connect to the network, and whether there are restrictions around charging or device type. Some schools offer a lot of flexibility, while others prefer specific devices or platforms. As these policies can change from one year to the next, it’s worth taking a moment to review the school website or parent portal before you buy. Making sure the laptop fits the guidelines means it will set up smoothly and connect to the right systems, avoiding any first-day surprises. What laptop specs really mean Laptop specs can look technical at first glance, but a few basics make it easy to compare models. The processor, or CPU, is the engine of the laptop. A recent-generation Intel Core, AMD

Ryzen, or Apple M-series chip helps apps open quickly and keeps the device running efficiently throughout the day. Memory, or RAM, determines how well the laptop copes with multitasking. Most students will work comfortably with 8GB, while high schoolers juggling big projects or specialist subjects may benefit from 16GB for extra breathing room. Storage is another big factor. A solid-state drive, or SSD, makes everything feel fast and responsive, from booting up to opening files. Some schools still accept 128GB of storage, but many now recommend 256GB because

Understanding BYOD and why it matters

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, is now standard in many schools, with students generally expected to have their own laptop from years five or six onwards. Each school sets its own rules, so the most important first step is checking your school’s latest BYOD guidelines. These will outline the operating systems they accept, the minimum

JANUARY 2026

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