Laptop Requirements for Upper Secondary

Starting from upper secondary (5th year / 9th school level), students need their own notebook for classes. Here you will find the official minimum requirements of the school and a buying guide.

Minimum Requirements

MacBooks — Allowed, but with Limitations

Apple MacBooks are generally allowed, however the school partially uses Windows-exclusive software. If you use a MacBook:

• You may need to set up a working Windows installation (dual-boot or virtualization via Parallels / UTM) — this is not mandatory, but may be necessary for certain Windows-exclusive software
• Setting this up is the responsibility of the student — teachers will not assist with this
• Next-Exam has its own macOS version (Intel + Apple Silicon)
• Microsoft 365 runs natively on macOS

Why These Specifications?

Buying Guide — What to Look For

Display

• 14 inches — Best compromise: large enough to work on, light enough for commuting to school (approx. 1.3-1.5 kg)
• 15.6 inches — More room for split-screen, but heavier in the backpack (approx. 1.7-2.0 kg)
• FullHD (1920x1080) is a must — HD (1366x768) is too low for productive work
• IPS panel preferred (better viewing angles and colors than TN panels)

Battery

• At least 8 hours of battery life, so a school day without a power outlet is possible
• Pay attention to manufacturer specifications and independent reviews
• USB-C charging is convenient — one charger for laptop and smartphone

Keyboard

• German layout (QWERTZ) — important for touch typing and umlauts
• Backlit keyboard is a plus for dark classrooms

Ports

• Many current laptops have almost only USB-C — a USB-C hub/adapter (for USB-A sticks, HDMI/projector) may be needed
• A 3.5 mm headphone jack is handy; otherwise connect headphones via USB-C or Bluetooth
• Prefer USB-C charging — one charger for laptop and smartphone

Accessories (Recommended)

• External mouse (wireless or USB) — more precise than the touchpad
• Headphones — for video conferences and language exercises
• Laptop bag or sleeve — protects the device in the backpack
• USB stick — for quick file transfers
• External DVD drive (optional) — modern laptops have no built-in drive

Recommendations by Budget

School Offer: Notebook via eduabo (School Year 2026/27)

You do not have to research a suitable notebook yourself: for the 2026/27 school year, the school and the provider eduabo jointly offer a pre-approved device. You only choose between two options — subscription rental or one-time purchase — and the notebook is delivered to your home: immediately when you buy, and in time for the start of school when you subscribe.

The Device on Offer

One model, agreed with the school management, is offered: the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Gen8, a slim all-rounder for everyday school use. The table shows how it compares against the school minimum requirements listed above:

The Two Options Compared

The All-Round Protection Package

The all-round protection package goes well beyond the statutory warranty. It covers exactly the situations that actually happen at school: the notebook falls out of the backpack, a drink spills, or the device is stolen. The protection period automatically matches the contract term. It is included with the subscription and can be added when purchasing.

Advice: Rent or Buy?

The school offer is an option, not an obligation. You are equally free to buy your own notebook as long as it meets the minimum requirements above — for example using the education discounts in the next section. The following points are intended to make the decision easier.

Arguments for the subscription:

• If you want damage covered: drops, water, theft and battery wear are all insured — precisely the risks that are realistic across four years of school
• If downtime would be a problem: during a repair your child receives a loan device directly at school and loses no lesson time
• If a large one-off payment is difficult: around 21 euros a month instead of almost 600 euros at once — and with no credit check, so the offer is open to every family
• If a change of school is possible: the subscription can be cancelled when leaving the school

Arguments for the one-time purchase:

• If you do the maths: at EUR 599 the purchase is around EUR 367 cheaper than the 46 monthly instalments (EUR 965.54) — provided nothing breaks and you do not add the protection package
• If the device should stay with you: it is yours immediately and also after upper secondary — as a second device, for siblings, or to resell
• If you want to choose the protection yourself: you can add the all-round protection package deliberately — or deliberately go without it

How to Order

Note: the device selection was agreed with the school management. However, the contract is concluded exclusively between you and eduabo — the school is not a contracting party and accepts no liability for prices, delivery or processing. Prices and availability may change at any time.

Education Discounts When Buying a Notebook

Upper-secondary students can use education discounts at many retailers — savings of several hundred euros depending on the device. Almost all programmes require proof of education status (e.g. a student ID stamped by the school or a school attendance confirmation).

Note: This overview is for orientation only. The school does not recommend or favour any particular retailer; offers, prices and eligibility may change at any time.

Important: Personal Responsibility

• Antivirus: Is the responsibility of the student (Microsoft Defender is pre-installed in Windows 11 and sufficient)
• Backups: Back up regularly! OneDrive (5 TB) syncs automatically, but also back up local data separately
• System configuration: Teachers do not perform system or hardware configurations for liability reasons
• Software installation: You need local admin rights to be able to install school software

Legal Sources

• § SchUG, BGBl. Nr. 472/1986 i.d.g.F. — § 43 Abs. 1 (duty to cooperate: keep work tools in proper working condition)