KENYA STANDARD      KS  2416-1.2: 2023  
 ICS 35.160; 35.240.99 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information technology — learning, 
education, and training — Computer 
hardware intended for eLearning — 
Specification 
 
  Part 1.2: 
  Laptop computer  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 2023  Second Edition 2023 
 
 
 KS 2416-1.2:2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved     ii TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee: 
 
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology — JKUAT 
Elimu Holdings Ltd. 
Kenya Private Sector Alliance — KEPSA 
Commission of University Education  
Daystar University  
Development Bank Kenya Limited  
Esri Easter Africa  
Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition — GODAN  
ICT Authority  
Inable Kenya  
Intelligent Technologies  
Kenya Industrial Research Institute — KIRDI 
Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board — KETRB 
Kenya National Library services  
Maseno University  
MTECH Communications 
Multimedia University  
Nakuru Training Institute  
National Industrial Training Institute  
Spring Training and Consulting 
Sunshine Secondary School 
University of Embu 
Vision Fund Kenya 
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS 
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2023 
  
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001 of the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Standards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director. 
 
 
 
  KENYA STANDARD      KS  2416-1.2:2023 
ICS 35.160; 35.240.99 
iii  © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information technology — Learning, 
education, and training — Computer 
hardware intended for eLearning — 
Specification 
 
 
Part 1.2: 
  
 Laptop computer  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS) 
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi-00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020) 604031 
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region    Lake Region      Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa-80100  P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu-40100 P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru-20100 
Tel.: (+254 041) 229563, 230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396  Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254 041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814 
 KS 2416-1.2: 2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved     iv Foreword 
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Information Technology for Learning, Education and 
Training under the guidance of the Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the 
Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
Since early 2020 when the pandemic disrupted learning globally, education systems have rolled out emergency remote 
learning strategies at an unprecedented scale. Studies have shown that remote learning requires three complementary 
elements: effective teachers, suitable technology, and engaged learners. 
Kenya stands to gain tremendously by fully digitizing its educational system, now and even post Covid-19 crisis. Decision-
making at the policy-making level will significantly improve thanks to data analytics capabilities that global tech partners 
bring to the table 
The Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) that has currently earned a brand name “DigiSchool” was borne out of the 
Government’s vision to equip pupils with relevant skills needed in today’s digital world. It is pertinent that all the target 
schools be connected to power grid before and quality devices that can last for a long time should be procured and 
distributed to the schools 
Many schools continue to face challenges as they take steps to transform their delivery models to extend and deepen 
student learning, while integrating use of the technology. Planning for online learning should be closely aligned with its 
technology infrastructure investments and its school improvement planning process.  
As such, KS 2416 is a multi-part standard intended to set minimum requirements for ICT infrastructure intended for 
learning education and training (eLearning) under the general title, Information Technology — Learning, Education and 
training —   
This part 1.2 of KS 2416 defines the minimum requirements for laptop computers to establish a solid technical platform 
for efficient delivery. This Second edition of the standard cancels and replaces KS 2416-1.2:2013 that has been technically 
revised  
The following subparts have been developed to define minimum requirements for computer hardware intended for 
eLearning: 
 
Part 1.0 — Terms  and definition  
Part 1.1 — Desktop Computers — Specification   
Part 1.2 — Laptop Computers — Specification  
Part 1.3 — Tablet Computers — Specification   
Part 1.4 — Servers — Specification  
Part 2 of KS 2416 specifies the minimum requirements for application software intended for on-line learning.  Applications 
software for learning, education and training includes tools and systems that can be used alone or in combination to 
implement a computer-based learning program  
Part 3 of the standard specifies the minimum network requirements to support e-Learning.  
 
KS 2416 Part 4 specifies  the minimum requirement for computer peripherals necessary to support the effective use of 
IT in Learning, Education and Training  
 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following documents: 
 
i) Non-proprietary performance description of Desktop PCs, Guideline, version 3.4, BITKOM. 
ii) Non-proprietary procurement specifications notebooks, Guideline, version 2.1, BITKOM. 
iii) www.bapco.com  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from these sources. 
 
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD KS  2416-1.2:2023 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  1  
Information technology — Learning, education, and training — 
Computer hardware intended for eLearning — Specification 
 
Part 1.2: 
Laptop computer 
 
1 Scope 
 
4.1 This Kenya Standard specifies the minimum requirement for laptop computer necessary to support 
the effective use of IT in Learning, Education and Training (IT LET). 
 
It defines the technical requirements for basic hardware devices (e.g., monitors, processors, RAM, hard  disks 
etc.) that any computer-based, web-based or online learning program must implement to establish a solid 
technical platform for efficient delivery. 
 
4.2 IT LET applies to: 
 
i) online and digital teaching and training resources 
ii) social, collaborative and content creation applications 
iii) virtual classrooms and communication tools 
iv) audio and/or video player 
 
4.3 This standard applies to both new and refurbished computer hardware. 
 
2 Normative references 
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this Kenya Standard. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
 
KS 2416-2,  Information technology — Learning, education and training — Part 2: Software intended for 
eLearning 
 
KS 2416-3,  Information technology — Learning, education and training — Part 3: Network components to 
support eLearning 
 
KS ISO 2382-1,  Information technology — Vocabulary Part 1: Fundamental terms 
 
KS ISO 2382-36 , Information technology vocabulary Part 36: Learning education and training  
 
 KS IEC 60950-1  Information technology equipment — Safety — Part 1: General requirements 
 
ISO IEC 11889, Information technology -- Trusted Platform Module  
 
KS EAS 495-1:2008, 13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units - Part 1: Specification for 
rewirable and non-rewirable 13 A fused plugs.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 2416-1.2:2023 
 
2 © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved 3 Definitions 
 
For the purposes of this standard, the definitions in part 1.0  of this standard shall apply.  
 
Additionally, ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses: 
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/   
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
 
 
4 Requirements 
 
4.1 General requirements  
 
All computers shall have the following general requirements: 
 
4.1.1  All computers shall have protective hard cover casing free from sharp edges that are likely to cause 
injury to the user as defined in Clause  5 of the standard and in KS IEC 60950 Part 1. 
 
4.1.2 Information on the product’s energy consumption and, where applicable, its related energy modes 
shall be made available to the user. In the product user documentation in either printed or electronic form. 
 
4.1.3 All used/ refurbished computers shall have warranty of not less than six months and 1 year warranty 
for new computers. 
 
4.1.4 The system shall run genuine operating system software as detailed in Part 2 of this standard.  
 
4.1.5 All refurbished computers shall have a test certificate as evidence that all components have been 
tested; defective or substandard parts are replaced, and the system has gone through basically the same test 
cycle as a new computer.  
 
4.1.6 There shall be evidence that the equipment less than 4 years old. 
 
4.1.7 While the functional specifications aim to act as a guide, it is worth remembering that the inclusion 
of products and company names does not imply approval by Kenya Bureau of Standards nor does the 
exclusion imply the reverse. 
 
4.1.8 Under normal or overload conditions, no output shall continuously provide more than 240 VA under 
any conditions of load including output short circuit, per the requirement of KS ISO IEC 60950. 
 
4.2 Performance requirements 
 
 
The following performance benchmarks and industry standard are recommended for reference: 
 
i) BAPCo_SYSmark25_user_guide_v1.1 
ii) NOVABENCH January 2021 
iii) PRIME 95 
iv) PC MARK10 
 
4.3 Functional requirements 
 
Functional specifications for laptop computers shall be as defined in Table 1 and Table 2.KS 2416-1.2:2023  
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved               3 Functional specifications for desktop computers shall be as defined in Table 1. 
Table 1 — Requirements for new laptop/notebook computers 
 Hardware 
property Primary/ 
Elementary Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
 
Display 
4.3.1 
Display size 
in inches 14” or less 14’’ or less 14’’– 15.6’’ 14’’– 15.6’’  Non-glare display 
 
 The higher the 
native (i.e., actual, 
physical) resolution, 
the smaller the 
display (font size, 
icons, etc.).  
 
 Also note that 
displays can only be 
run optimally at their 
native resolution. 
Changing the 
resolution entails 
loss of display 
quality. (This cannot 
be compensated for 
by changing the font 
size). 
 
 The combination of 
luminosity, contrast 
and dependency on 
the angle of view is 
more important than 
exact compliance of 
measured values. 4.3.2 
Display 
resolution WXGA 1280 x 
800 to HD (1366 x 
768) WXGA 1280 x 800 to 
HD (1366 x 768) WXGA 1280 x 800 to 
HD (1366 x 768) 
at 15’’ optional higher 
resolution  WXGA 1280 x 800 to 
HD (1366 x 768) 
at 15’’ optional higher 
resolution  
4.3.3 Contrast 200:1 200:1 200:1 200:1 
4.3.4 Luminosity 
(cd/m²) 200 200 200 200 KS 2416-1.2:2023 
 
4        © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  Hardware 
property Primary/ 
Elementary Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
4.3.5 Weight in kg Max 2 Max 2 14“: Max. 2,5 kg 
 
15“: Max. 3 kg 14“: Max. 2,5 kg 
 
15“: Max. 3 kg  
 Graphic accelerator, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) 
4.3.6 Graphics:  
PCle  256 MB 
integrated or 
shared RAM 
 
 DirectX 10.1 
support 
  256 MB integrated„ 
 
 DirectX 10.1 support 
 
  256 MB (shared 
RAM). 
  256 MB integrated„ 
 
 
  256 MB (shared 
RAM). 
  256 MB integrated  
 
 DirectX 10.1 support 
 
or 
 discrete 512 MB and 
graphics card with PCI 
Express (16-line bus 
width) Graphics resolution for 
external displays: must 
be compliant to the 
VESA specification. 
 
 Main Memory 
4.3.7 Memory size 
(RAM) 2 GB  4GB  4 GB  8 GB  32-BIT OSs are only 
able to address up 
to 3 GB RAM. In 
order to use more 
than 3 GB RAM a 
64-BIT OS must be 
used. 
 KS 2416-1.2:2023  
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved               5  Hardware 
property Primary/ 
Elementary Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
 
 
 
4.3.8 Technology SODIMM SODIMM SODIMM  SODIMM   Use of 1 x 2 GB to 
be able to upgrade 
by 1 GB to a 
maximum of 3 GB 
without de-
installation of 
memory. 
 
 Storage, Hard Disk /Secondary memory 
4.3.9 Size/ 
Capacity 500 GB 500 GB 1TB 1 TB  Hard disks are 
currently offered 
with the following 
rotational speeds: 
─ 5400U/min 
(Standard) 
─ 7200U/min 
 
 A higher speed (with 
the same capacity) 4.3.10 
Hard Drive 
Interface SATA  SATA  SATA  SATA  
 Optical Drives 
4.3.11 SATA 
Interface Optional DVD 
Multi 
Norm Burning 
Device Optional DVD Multi 
Norm Burning Device DVD Multi Norm. 
Burning Device DVD Multi Norm. 
Burning Device  All internal drive 
types are currently 
connected via 
SATA. 
 
 Optical drives are 
being offered as: 
Internal fixed,  
Network Interface KS 2416-1.2:2023 
 
6        © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  Hardware 
property Primary/ 
Elementary Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
4.3.12 Network 
connection 10/100 
WLAN/Bluetooth/
Ethernet 10/100 
WLAN/Bluetooth/Ether
net 10/100/1000 
WLAN/Bluetooth/ether
net 10/100/1000  
WLAN/Bluetooth/Ether
net  Optional given to 
safety requirements: 
 
─ WLAN IEEE 
801.11 a/b/g/n 
─ UMTS integrated 
or as plug-in 
module. Watch 
out for provider 
dependencies! 
─ Bluetooth 2.1 
 
 It should be possible 
to disable wireless 
communications 
interfaces by means 
of mechanical keys 
or switches. 
 
 The notebook 
should support 
“Wake on LAN” 
(WOL) and Pre-boot 
Execution 
Environment (PXE) 
(network boot 
capability). 
 4.3.13 
connectors RJ 45/ PCIe 
integrated/  RJ 45/ PCIe integrated  RJ 45/ PCIe 
integrated  RJ 45/ PCIe 
integrated  
 Interfaces (External I/O Ports) 
4.3.14 USB 3 x USB 2.0 3 x USB 2.0 3 x USB 2.0 
 
1 x USB 3.0 3 x USB 2.0 
 
1 x USB 3.0  Possible interfaces: 
 
─ USB – 2.0 (up to 
4) 
 
─ Graphics: There is 
DVI-I und DVI-D. KS 2416-1.2:2023  
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved               7  Hardware 
property Primary/ 
Elementary Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
4.3.15 
Graphics VGA or digital 
interface VGA analogue 
At least 1 digital 
interface (DVI, HDMI or 
Display port VGA analogue 
At least 1 digital 
interface (DVI, HDMI or 
Display port VGA analogue 
At least 1 digital interface 
(DVI, HDMI or Display 
port The DVI-I 
interface is a 
combination of a 
(digital) DVI-D 
interface and an 
(analogous) VGA 
interface. 
 
 The above-
mentioned individual 
requirements can be 
implemented by 
means of adapters, 
port replicators or 
docking stations.  4.3.16 Firewire optional optional optional FireWire 800 or 
thunder bolt or USB 3.0  
4.3.17 Sound 1 Audio Out port, 
1 MIC-In port 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port 
 Power 
4.3.18 
Power supply  Mains side 220-
240 V; 50-60 Hz 
 Mains side 220-240 V; 
50-60 Hz 
 Mains side 220-240 V 
50-60 Hz 
 Mains side 220-240 V; 
50-60 Hz 
  Battery charging 
times depend on the 
power supply‘s 
maximum 
performance. 
 
 During operations, a 
battery that is 
almost empty 
should be charged 
to ~ 90% of its 
maximum capacity 
within 3 hours. 
  Identical power 
supplies for docking 
station and direct 
connection are 
recommended. 
 
 4.3.19 Power plug KS EAS 495-1:2008   
  
4.3.20 Energy 
Efficiency KS 2880 — Information technology equipment — Computers — Minimum Energy Performance 
Standards (MEPS) Part 1:   Specification. 
KS 2879 —  Information technology equipment — Minimum Energy Performance Standards — 
Computer monitors Part 1:  Performance and energy rating requirements  
 KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
8   © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved 4.4 Additional requirements for lower primary education 
 
Table 2 — Additional requirements for Primary education 
 
Sl no. Property  Specification  Test method and recommendations  
4.4.1  Durability i) easy-to-clean and dust 
dustproof 
 
ii) Durable chassis Drop test 
when dropped from a minimum height of 
70 cm no part of the laptop shall break or 
come dismantled 
4.4.2  Keyboard damage i) Liquid-resistant 
keyboard,  
ii) the keyboard shall be 
easily replaceable when 
damaged i) Spill proof-test  
When a minimum of 50 mL of water is 
poured onto the keyboard, functionality of 
the laptop shall not be reduced  
i.e., computer should respond to keystrokes 
normally and there should be no electrical 
short circuiting i.e., sparks and burning 
smell 
 
ii) Key board durability 
Keys should be designed in such a way that 
they cannot be easily removed e.g., by 
scratching the keyboard 
4.4.3  Mobility It shall have a carrying case and 
built-in handle The handle shall be made of durable 
material 
4.4.4  Ergonomics Keyboard shall be ergonomically 
designed for young learners Keys spread a bit farther apart allowing for 
easy movement and touch between keys 
4.4.5  Device security TPM Hardware-based theft 
deterrent The device should provide for a trusted 
platform module (TPM) security function as 
defined in KS ISO IEC 11889 
4.4.6  OS & Software It shall have suitable genuine 
software intended for learning, 
Education and training As specified in Part 2 of this Kenya 
Standard, KS 2416- 2  
 
5 Recycling and disposal of obsolete equipment 
 
When ICT equipment reaches its end-of-life it shall be recycled or disposed of in the following ways: 
5.1 In accordance with standards, laws and regulations specified by the Kenya Government. This may 
include guidelines provided by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and any other 
applicable regulations. 
5.2 Through asset management and recovery programs within the institution. 
5.3 By contacting your computer supplier or retailer and request information on their recycling schemes, 
leasing and take back optionKS 2416-1.2:2023 
9         © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved