Below is a list of specifications that should be considered when deciding what device to purchase. You can take these specifications to your local computer hardware store and they should be able to recommend a good device for you.
BYOD Recommendations for 2024
Minimum Recommended Specifications
All Students | PC and MacBook
| Processor: | 11th Generation Intel i5, AMD Ryzen 5 (Equivalent or better) |
| RAM: | 8 GB (minimum) |
| Screen: | 13" to 15" (Best compromise between portability and useability. Larger screens found on high end gaming computers often cause high battery drain and excess weight) |
| Battery: | 7 hours (minimum) |
| Antivirus: | Recommended (Windows 8 onwards has preinstalled antivirus) |
| Operating System: | Windows 11 / MACOS Big Sur (or better) |
| Hard Drive: | 240GB or larger (we recommend any SSD of this size or greater before a larger HDD) |
| Inbuilt Wireless connection capable of 802.11ac (802.11a, b, g, n are slower) | |
Gleeson College does not support or recommend Chromebooks, Android tablets or Apple iPads.
NOTE: Laptops that have Snapdragon (ARM) Processors may be supported, but there are application limitations. Eg. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro and AUTODESK Fusion 360 are currently not able to run on ARM Processors. If you intend on purchasing a laptop with an ARM Processor like Snapdragon, please research that all applications required for school work are supported.
Specific Subjects | PC and MacBook
Gleeson College recommends a device of higher specification to cope with the greater demands of the advanced software used in the following subject areas:
| Digital Design | Year 9 |
| Music | Years 10 - 12 |
| Digital Technologies | Years 10 - 12 |
| Information Processing and Publishing | Years 10 - 12 |
| Visual Art - Design | Years 10 - 12 |
| Design and Technologies, CAD/CAM, Engineering | Years 10 - 12 |
The following upgraded specifications should be used for students intending on enrolling in these subjects.
| Processor: | 11th Generation Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (Equivalent or better) |
| RAM: | 16GB (minimum) |
| Graphics Card/GPU | 4GB of discrete/dedicated RAM for graphics |
| Screen: | 13” to 15” (Best compromise between portability and useability. Larger screens found on high end gaming computers often cause high battery drain and excess weight) |
| Battery: | 7 hours (minimum) |
| Antivirus: | Recommended (Windows 8 onwards has preinstalled antivirus) |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 / MACOS X 10.14 (or better) |
| Hard Drive: | 240GB or larger (we would recommend any SSD of this size or greater before a larger HDD |
| Inbuilt Wireless connection capable of 802.11ac (802.11a, b, g and n are slower) | |
Questions? More information?
Please don't hesitate to contact us via byod.feedback@gleeson.catholic.edu.au
