School device & booklist requirements for Junior, Middle and Senior Years.
Junior School – Years 4 to 6
Junior School students are required to use an Apple MacBook. Families purchasing a new device can choose between the minimum requirement and our recommended device.
The MacBook Neo provides an affordable option for everyday classroom activities, while the MacBook Air offers additional performance and storage to support students throughout their schooling.
Apple MacBook Neo
Minimum requirement
Years 4–6
An affordable entry-level MacBook suitable for everyday learning, research, classroom activities and general schoolwork.
Specifications
- Apple A18 Pro processor
- 8GB unified memory
- 256GB SSD storage
- 13-inch Liquid Retina display
Best suited for: Students requiring a reliable device for general classroom use.
Apple MacBook Air M5 – 13-inch
School Recommended Device
Years 4–6
Our recommended choice for families seeking a higher-performance device with additional storage and greater capacity to support learning over several years.
Specifications
- Apple M5 processor
- 16GB unified memory
- 512GB SSD storage
- 13-inch Liquid Retina display
Best suited for: Families seeking additional performance and longevity.
Middle and Senior School – Years 7 to 12
Students in Years 7 to 12 may use a supported Apple MacBook or Windows laptop.
The MacBook Air M5 is our recommended standard device for Middle and Senior School students. For students undertaking subjects requiring more advanced processing and graphics capabilities, particularly Digital Media, Visual Art and Engineering, we recommend considering the MacBook Pro.
Apple MacBook Air M5 – 13-inch
School Recommended Device
Years 7–12
A versatile laptop offering excellent performance for classroom activities, research, productivity, collaboration and creative applications.
Specifications
- Apple M5 processor
- 16GB unified memory
- 512GB SSD storage
- 13-inch Liquid Retina display
Best suited for: Most students in Years 7–12.
Apple MacBook Pro M5 Pro – 14-inch
High-Performance Recommendation – Selected Senior Subjects
Years 10–12
Designed for students undertaking subjects involving demanding creative and technical applications, including Digital Media, Visual Art and Engineering.
Specifications
- Apple M5 Pro processor
- 15-core CPU
- 16-core GPU
- 24GB unified memory
- 1TB SSD storage
- 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
Best suited for: Video editing, digital design, 3D modelling, engineering applications and other resource-intensive activities.
Windows Laptop Requirements
Windows laptops are supported for students in Years 7 to 12.
While Apple MacBooks are the school's recommended devices, families may choose a compatible Windows laptop.
Recommended minimum specifications for new Windows laptops:
- Operating system: Windows 11 Home or Pro (S mode not supported)
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5, AMD Ryzen 5 or equivalent
- Memory: 16GB RAM
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13 inches or larger
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or later, supporting 5GHz
- Battery: Sufficient for a full school day
Students studying Digital Media, Engineering or other technology-intensive subjects may benefit from higher-performance devices.
Unsupported Devices
To ensure compatibility with the school's learning environment, the following devices and operating systems are not supported as primary BYOD devices:
- Chromebooks and ChromeOS
- Android devices
- Linux and Unix operating systems
- Tablet devices, including Windows and Android tablets
iPad Transition
iPads have now been phased out as an option for new devices in St Hilda's School's BYOD program.
Families purchasing a new device must select a supported laptop rather than an iPad.
Students who already own an iPad may continue using their existing device, provided it remains in good working condition, meets the school's minimum technical requirements and is capable of supporting the applications and learning activities required for their year level.
When an existing iPad no longer meets these requirements or needs replacing, families will be required to transition to a supported laptop.
Existing Devices
The recommended specifications primarily apply to new device purchases.
Students with an existing MacBook or supported Windows laptop may continue using their device provided it remains compatible with the school's software, security and learning requirements.
Where to purchase
JB Hi-Fi offers a portal with recommended devices and education pricing.
Website: https://www.jbeducation.com.au/byod/
School code:
SHS2027
We strongly recommend that protection plans and extended warranties be purchased for all devices.