Back-to-school shopping used to be a much simpler affair before we needed tech in the classroom. We just wanted the coolest markers, the most exclusive pencil case and a shiny new backpack. Long before COVID, laptops, and tablets were already part of the educational system, and we’re grateful for the addition. Kids don’t need to carry back-breaking bags and a ton of books every day, and we’re using less paper. But choosing the right laptop can be tricky. Our friends at X-cite have shared their most loved products with us, that have served students well over the years.
YOUR MAIN MACHINE
While most laptops look similar, the electronics under the proverbial hood make the real difference. Before you decide on RAM. Storage space or screen size, consider what you need this shiny piece of tech to do. Will you only be using it to take notes, research and do homework, then you don’t need as much speed and processing power as the engineering student who will be running power hungry software or compilers. Form is another important factor as well. Some students need the flexibility of a touch screen and pen so they can draw or take handwritten notes. The sales associates at X-cite can also help you figure out the best machine for you.
New MacBook Air M2: perfect for people who are already comfortable in the Apple ecosystem, focus on creativity and graphics, or need a light laptop that has great battery life.
Lenovo Convertible Laptop: the best of both worlds, a built-in keyboard and also the ability to transform it into a tablet.
Samsung S8 with Android: tablets are the new laptops with better dictation software and great Bluetooth keyboards on the market, skipping a laptop altogether. Opting for this beautiful Samsung S8 might just be the smartest choice for students who just need to take notes and do homework.
SOFTWARE SECRETS
We know, your cousin has probably told you that he has a guy who knows a guy who can get you a cracked (stolen) version of Office. Please don’t and just get MS Office the legal way. Even if you are using a Mac that already has the iWork Suite which includes Pages and Keynote already pre-installed, you might still need Word and PowerPoint to conform with your school rules. A Microsoft 365 subscription gives you the latest premium productivity apps, 1 TB of cloud storage and advanced security, so you can access your work from any device, whenever you need to.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
You need proper headphones. They will help you when you’re trying to watch the educational video, jump on a zoom class or even get some quiet focus time when you’re studying. Ditch the wires and scratchy old earphones of yesteryear and get a comfortable pair, that offers high quality sound, has great battery life and make you look cool and unapproachable when you have them on. The AirPods 3rd Gen True Wireless are perfect for Macbook users since they will seamlessly work with all of your Apple devices straight out of the box and offer impeccable sound. Or go for the Sony Wireless On-Ear Headphone, that affordable and mighty.
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENTS
You wouldn’t just throw your laptop or tablet in your backpack without padded protection, would you? Even though they’re sturdier than ever, tech is still sensitive to bangs, drops and water. A good quality bag is not an option, it is a necessity. Make sure you buy one that is big enough for your laptop, is water resistant, has padded straps and enough pockets or compartments for your daily essentials. We love the Riva Laptop Bag, an ultra-slim, compact bag, compatible with laptops with a screen up to 15.6’-inch and is super comfortable to use.
CAN YOU PRINT THAT FOR ME?
We have been slowly moving away from having to lug around reams of paper but we still need it. And now we sometimes also need to scan documents or quickly copy a couple of pages of notes. The HP All-in-One Printer, is ready for it all, from scanning documents and emailing them to your address easily.
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