MacBook Program
What are the required specifications when purchasing a student MacBook?
We recommend any of the current MacBook Air, MacBook or MacBook Pro models. The Hard Disk size must be minimum 256GB. We recommend a Hard Disk size of 512GB.
The recommended MacBooks for 2020-2021 are:
- 13-inch MacBook Air (256GB Storage)
○ https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (256GB Storage)
○ https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (512GB Storage)
Are there any other items I should purchase?
It is recommended that students purchase an external hard drive (500gb) for performing regular updates. It is also recommended that students purchase a hardcover for their MacBook to protect against wear and tear. If your new MacBook has only USB-C ports, you are required to purchase a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter to provide video out, legacy USB support, and SD card access.
Where can I buy a MacBook?
You are welcome to purchase the MacBook from your preferred vendor. We do ask that your MacBook meets the minimal specifications noted above.
You may choose to purchase from Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji. Ofis Iletisim and Aynet Teknoloji are two different brands under one company. Their retail shop is named Ofis Iletisim, they do not have online sales at this time.
Please contact our representatives below at Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji Isa Keskin: +90 212 219 88 72 – Ext. 1052, isa@ofisiletisim.com Sukur Yildiz: +90 212 219 88 72 – Ext. 1100, sukur@ofisiletisim.com
Web Address: www.ofisiletisim.com/iletisim or www.aynetteknoloji.net/
Shop Address: Büyükdere Cad. Raşit Rıza Sk. No:4/1 Mecidiyeköy-Şişli/İstanbul
Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji offers a discount to IICS families. See below for details.
Does IICS have any discounts with a local provider?
IICS Parents and Students can go to Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji to purchase MacBooks
and accessories at a discounted rate. You may choose to pay by bank transfer or by mail
order on the phone. IICS discounts are as follows:
- On computers 8%
- On iPads and accessories 8%
- On iPad Pro and accessories 8%
- Other Apple accessories 10%
- On third party accessories 15%
If you would like to make in-store purchases, to receive the IICS discount, you need to prove
your child is a student at IICS. The IICS Admissions Department will provide you with this if
you email admissions@iics.k12.tr with a request.
– have with you the ‘Aynet Teknoloji (Apple) Discount Letter 2020-21’ you can view and
download here.
If you are not able to visit the store, you can contact Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji, and place
your order by phone or email.
Please contact our representatives below at Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji
Isa Keskin: +90 212 219 88 72 – Ext. 1052, isa@ofisiletisim.com
Sukur Yildiz: +90 212 219 88 72 – Ext. 1100, sukur@ofisiletisim.com
Web Address: http://www.ofisiletisim.com/iletisim.html or http://www.aynetteknoloji.net/
Shop Address: Büyükdere Cad. Raşit Rıza Sk. No:4/1 Mecidiyeköy-Şişli/İstanbul
Can I buy a MacBook online and have it delivered to me, rather than going to the store?
Online purchase is not supported at this time, however, you are welcome to contact Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji directly by telephone to have your MacBook delivered to your address. Please note that mail order purchases may require a Turkish credit card or debit card.
Can I purchase insurance for my MacBook?
Contact Ofis Iletisim / Aynet Teknoloji for details.
What if I want an English QWERTY keyboard and not a Turkish QWERTY keyboard?
Please note that Apple’s MacBooks in Turkey come with a Turkish QWERTY keyboard, which is just like an English QWERTY keyboard but also has the Turkish characters ğ,ü,ş,ı,ö,ç on the right side of the keyboard.
English QWERTY keyboards are not available in Turkey, but you can use stickers over the keys to denote the English letters/punctuation marks.
When did IICS 1:1 laptop program begin?
In 2010 IICS began a 1:1 laptop program. In 2013 the program shifted to Apple MacBook Pros and MacBook Air laptops as the preferred device. As of August 2013, all Grades 6 to 12 students have been expected to provide their own laptop computer as an integral part of their daily studies at IICS.
Which IICS grades have a 1:1 laptop program?
Students in Grades 6-12 have their own laptops. Students in grades 2-5 share a laptop in a 2:1 MacBook program. Students in Early Years 3 – Grade 1 use iPads. All Grades 6 to 12 students must provide their own Apple laptop (MacBook) as an integral part of their daily studies at IICS.
Who provides the laptop?
Students in Grades 6-12 are required to bring their own Apple MacBook to school. Your child is welcome to bring either a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air. Just as books have been a necessary part of facilitating education, in our current digital age, a laptop supports and facilitates a student’s learning in many critical ways.
Is it mandatory for my child to have a MacBook?
If your child is enrolled at IICS in Grades 6 through 12, then he or she will need to have a MacBook of the specification listed on this page.
IICS faculty use Apple MacBook laptops, as do all of our students in Grades 2-12. Our research shows that the MacBook is the device that best serves the needs of our students across all grade levels and subject areas. A PC with the same software capabilities and hardware specifications would be far more expensive. In addition, MacBooks are less susceptible to viruses and they have the capacity to run both Windows-based and Apple- based software. Being a single Apple ecosystem creates a low barrier for teachers to instruct, IT office to support, and ensures we are all speaking the same technical language efficiently and effectively.
What if I have just purchased a laptop for my child that is NOT a MacBook?
We know from experience that trying to support non-compatible devices and platforms in our classrooms interferes with both teaching and learning. Additionally, our IT Department does not have the resources to support multiple devices and platforms. Consequently, all students at IICS must use Apple MacBooks. Exceptions are made for incoming 11-12th graders.
Can I use a MacBook we already own?
Parents can provide a MacBook for their children from any source. We recommend minimal specifications for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops, which are entry level device that will do all of the tasks required of IICS students.
What is the software that the school will provide for students?
IICS will fund and provide access to the following Apple MacBook software: MS Office, iLife (iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand, etc), iWorks (Keynote, Pages, Numbers), Adobe Creative Cloud (including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and Acrobat Pro) for student use. This educational licensing means that these software programs will remain on the student’s MacBook as long as they are enrolled at IICS.
Do we have to purchase any software programs?
All student MacBooks must be configured by IICS’s IT Department so that your child’s MacBook can access IICS network and have the software recommended by our faculty.
There are no additional technology fees for the software or configuration. When your child leaves IICS school-owned software will be removed from the MacBook’s hard drive.
Please note: our default computer set-up for Grade 6 students restricts them to the User level, not Administrator. Parents and the IICS IT Department will have Administrator rights (so that we can support your child while at school). Grade 7 students become Administrators of their MacBooks.
How will IICS configure our MacBook?
All MacBooks will be configured by our IT Dept in September. If your child/ren join IICS after the start of school, their MacBooks will be configured when they start school.
Who manages and administers the Apple MacBook?
IICS IT Department will create their own administrator account on all MacBooks used by students. This will allow the IT Department to support, service and provide security for the laptops, our network, and for all students. Grade 6 students are set to User access and students from Grade 7 to 12 have full administrator rights on their MacBooks. IICS and parents will work together to modify administrative rights on a per-child basis.
Is a used MacBook or one purchased outside Turkey be acceptable?
Yes, but please to ensure the laptop is a current model as explained above. The IICS IT Department is set-up to provide support for all MacBooks as all MacBooks must be configured to IICS network and provided with IICS software.
What happens when a student graduates/leaves IICS for their next school?
IICS will remove its administrator account on your child’s MacBook when they leave the school. Due to our educational licensing agreements, we are legally obliged to remove IICS licensed software from student MacBooks when they leave.
I have more questions that are not addressed here. Who do I contact?
If you have any questions specifically about the MacBook configuration or our laptop program, please contact Director of Education Technology,