BYO for High School

ICS recommends laptops which tend to be smaller in size and weight; screen sizes of 13” and 14” are recommended for durability and convenience.

In terms of Apple support, there is none here in Addis Ababa. The closest place for support is in Dubai (highly recommended) or Nairobi. Dell and HP have authorized dealers but support and parts are expensive.

Student must purchase a laptop bag or backpack designed for a laptop to protect their device. Laptop sleeves are not acceptable.

Laptop Specifications

Windows

HP and Dell brands are recommended based on repair services, warranty and parts availability in Addis Ababa
Operating System: Certified Original Windows 11 Education Edition recommended & Home Edition
Screen Size: Minimum of 13”, not recommended to go more than 15” for weight and durability
Memory/RAM: 16GB Recommended minimum 8G
Hard Drive (Storage): 128 GB minimum, flash or solid state drive (SSD) for best performance
CPU: Intel Core i5 processor, minimum - do not recommend Celeron processor
Wireless adapter - 802.11a/b/g/ax wireless network adapter; minimum 802.11ac is also supported
Condition: Machine must be in good working condition (no cracked screen or missing keys) and battery must at least hold a charge for one class period (90 minutes)
Earbuds or headset with microphone
Students must have administrative access with the ability to install software, remove software, and change all system settings

Mac

- Apple laptop: MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
- Operating System: macOS Sonoma 14.4 or Higher
- Minimum screen size of 13”, not recommended to go more than 15” for weight and durability
- Memory/RAM: 16GB Recommended; minimum 8G
- Hard Drive (Storage): 128 GB minimum, flash or solid state drive for best performance
- Wireless adapter - 802.11a/b/g/ax wireless network adapter; minimum 802.11ac is also supported
- Condition: Machine must be in good working condition (no cracked screen or missing keys) and battery must at least hold a charge for one class period (90 minutes)
- Earbuds or headset with microphone
- Students must have administrative access with the ability to install software, remove software, and change all system settings

Recommended Accessories

HDMI dongle
Laptop bag / case
USB/flash drives
Mouse if preferred by student

BYOL FAQs

Can my HS student bring a tablet or Chromebook instead of a laptop?

No, ICS requires a laptop for school work; a tablet is a companion device that can be used along with a laptop if a student chooses but his/her primary school device must be a laptop. Chromebook will not meet HS requirements.

What happens if my student’s laptop is lost, stolen or breaks during the school year?

ICS will have a limited number of “loaner laptops” that can be checked out and used for up to one month; the loaner laptop requires a 10,000 birr deposit, and an agreement signed by the parent and student that includes an end date for the loaner in the agreement. If an extended arrangement is required, the parent and student must meet with the Principal and Director of Technology for approval.

What technical support will the school provide for personal devices

ICS will continue to troubleshoot non-hardware related issues that students have with their laptops such as software installation issues, wifi connection issues and login issues. ICS will not support hardware issues or have spare parts for laptops such as power adapters, screens, hard drives or laptop hinges. ICS is exploring tech partnerships to have on-campus support from local companies to provide technical assistance for hardware.

Does this mean that students can use their laptops any way they want?

No. All students will continue to sign in and be monitored on the ICS network according to the ICS Addis Responsible Use Agreement (HERE) and and abide by that agreement.

What software will we need to purchase?

ICS will provide all required software for classes including MS Office software and Kaspersky Anti-virus software.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

For any questions or concerns, please email ithelp.desk@icsaddis.org

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