Device types and IT settings
Get the technical specifications of the laptops and tablets provided by the Get help with technology programme.
Contents
Laptops and tablets provided from October 2021 onwards
The Get help with technology programme is providing Windows laptops and tablets, Google Chromebooks and Apple iPads.
Devices are provided with factory settings and do not include content filtering and safeguarding software. Your organisation will need to configure them at your own cost before lending them to children and young people. This means installing your preferred safeguarding measures and bringing them into an existing device management framework to ensure the devices are safe for children to use.
Devices provided from October 2021 onwards meet the following minimum technical specifications:
Minimum specification
| Microsoft Windows laptop | Google Chromebook | Microsoft Windows tablet | Apple iPad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis type | Clamshell II – Business grade | Clamshell – Education grade | Tablet | Tablet |
| Minimum screen size | Minimum 11 inch screen | Minimum 11 inch screen | Minimum 10 inch touch screen | 10.2 inch multi-touch screen |
| Resolution | HD (or better) | HD | Minimum 1280 × 720 | 2160 × 1620 |
| Processor | Intel or AMD Integrated Graphics | Intel or AMD Integrated Graphics | Intel | Apple A10 Fusion – 64-bit |
| Memory | Minimum 4GB | Minimum 4GB | Minimum 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | Minimum 64GB | Minimum 16GB | Minimum 64GB | 32GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi to 802.11ac | Wi-Fi to 802.11ac | Wi-Fi to 802.11ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Audio | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Ports | USB | USB | USB 3.0 | Lightning and Smart Connector |
| Input | Standard UK keyboard | Standard UK keyboard | N/A | N/A |
| Video port | HDMI | Yes, through USB-C | Yes, through USB-C or mini HDMI depending on model | |
| Multimedia | Webcam | Webcam | Webcam | Rear and front cameras |
| Audio ports | Headphone and microphone socket | Headphone and microphone socket | Headphone socket | Headphone socket |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Pro Education | Chrome OS | Minimum Windows 10 Professional Education version 2004 or 20H2 for devices available before October | iPad OS |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Security | TPM 2.0 | Google Security Chip H1 | Bitlocker encryption as standard | |
| Battery life | 7 hours | 10 hours | 7 hours | 10 hours |
| PSU | Fitted with UK 3-pin plug as standard | Fitted with UK 3-pin plug as standard | Fitted with UK 3-pin plug as standard | Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system |
Education software
Microsoft Windows devices do not have Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) applications installed, but users will be able to use Microsoft 365 online if their school has an active subscription. A child or young person not in school (such as a care leaver) can make use of their own preferred online system.
Schools can apply for government funding to get set up on Microsoft 365 Education. Microsoft 365 Education includes Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint as well as many mobile device management features.
A Chrome Education Upgrade is offered with every Google Chromebook.
Pre-issued devices
In addition to brand new devices, we may offer ‘pre-issued’ devices. These meet the minimum technical specifications and have been distributed as part of the Get help with technology programme, then returned. They may or may not have been used, and may have residual asset labels, external scratches, smart water application, etching or writing on the exterior of the device.
Our delivery partner completes the following quality checks for each used device:
- it is visually inspected, and where possible any labels (such as asset tags) are removed
- it switches on and powers up
- the screen, CPU, RAM and HDD are tested
- the device is reset
Pre-issued devices come with any remaining manufacturer’s warranty.
Laptops and tablets provided before October 2021
Previously, organisations could choose to have Windows devices delivered as ‘standard’, or they could opt for devices with ‘DfE settings installed’. This included content filtering and mobile device management software:
- Microsoft Intune – device management software that prevents users from installing unauthorised software or making changes to files and settings
- Cisco Umbrella – content filtering software that blocks a range of illegal and inappropriate content and limits searching to the ‘Safe Search’ provided by popular search engines
This software was due to expire on 30 September 2021. To ensure devices remain safe for children and young people to use, we’ve extended licences until 30 September 2022. You’re still required to reset Windows devices and apply your own safeguarding settings as soon as possible.
Chromebooks came with the option of using a web filtering solution called Cisco Umbrella free of charge. Licences were due to expire on 30 September 2021 and, although we’ve extended licences until 30 September 2022, you are encouraged to remove Cisco Umbrella from Chromebooks and put your own web filtering in place as soon as possible.