The Best Tech for Back to School
If you have a son or daughter heading back to school or university in September, it is important to ensure they are equipped with the right tech for the year ahead. Things have changed a lot since most of us were at school and these days almost everything is done using a computer, whether it’s researching, creating presentations, writing up coursework or just collaborating with fellow classmates on a group project.
Laptops for kids, don’t necessarily mean cheap and basic. You must consider other aspects such as battery life, screen size, performance, even the weight, if you’re expecting your child to carry it round in their backpack all day.
You might also want a device that can be used by the whole family. Maybe you like to do a bit of online shopping, stream the latest films or just want to be able to jump on a Zoom call and catch up with friends and family that you haven’t seen for a while.
Taking all this into consideration and with such a wide range of laptops and tablets now in the market it can feel a daunting task trying to make a decision, which is why put together this helpful guide to some of the best tech available.
Microsoft Surface Go 2
- 10.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display
- Up to 10 hours battery life
- Windows 10 operating system
- 2-in-1 laptop and tablet
- Super lightweight – 544g
The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the smallest and lightest Surface device in the range, making it ideal for carrying around and it is the most affordable. This 2-in-1 computer offers amazing versatility, allowing you to use it as a laptop with a full keyboard, but also as a tablet by removing the detachable Surface Go Type Cover and tapping directly on the responsive 10.5-inch touchscreen. It runs on the full Windows 10 operating system, so it’s more capable than other tablets as far as what applications you can use. Plus, it has up to 10 hours of battery life, which is more than enough to last a full school day. If you decide you need more power or a larger screen, try looking at the Surface Pro 7.
As with all Microsoft devices, you have the ability to create a parent-managed account so you can set screen time limits, set spending controls and also block inappropriate content, keeping your family safe.
And when you’re ready to unwind in the evening, built-in Dolby® Audio is perfect for listening to music, podcasts, audio books or streaming your favourite programmes.
Lenovo Chromebook S345-14AST
- 14-inch Full HD display
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Runs on Google Chrome OS
The Lenovo Chromebook is the perfect starter laptop. Its low price makes it an ideal computer for students and school pupils looking for a laptop that can cope with day-to-day tasks. Running on the lightning-fast Google Chrome OS, it boots up in seconds, updates automatically, has built-in virus protection and is powered by a speedy 7th Generation AMD processor, meaning it can handle multiple applications at the same time without a hitch. And, like the Surface Go 2, it also has up to 10 hours of battery life.
It looks the part too, with a slim 180-degree hinged chassis and stunning 14-inch Full HD display. If you already have an Android phone or tablet, you can simply log in to your Google account and access your files anywhere, even if you don’t have the laptop with you.
Sure, there are other laptops out there that offer increased performance and advanced capabilities, but for a basic laptop and value for money you won’t find much better than this.
Apple MacBook Air
- 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina display
- All day battery life (up to 12 hours)
- Runs on MacOS
- Secure Touch ID technology
As the name suggests, the MacBook Air is Apple’s thinnest, lightest MacBook and remains a popular choice with students. The latest model has fixed a lot of the problem issues that its predecessors suffered with, namely a problematic keyboard, which has been replaced with a much-improved Magic Keyboard, that’s designed to make typing faster and quieter – getting homework finished in double quick time.
It also packs in up to twice the performance, with faster graphics and double the storage capacity. The breath-taking 13.3-inch Retina display has a resolution of 2560×1600 for over 4 million pixels, resulting in exceptional levels of detail and super vibrant colours.
A big worry for parents sending their kids to school with expensive laptops is theft. With Touch ID technology, MacBook Air can only be unlocked using your fingerprint, so all your files and data are secure. You can also checkout your online shopping using just one touch – no more entering card details and shipping info.
And for those who like to do their bit for the environment, the MacBook Air is created from 100 per cent recycled aluminium, making it the greenest Mac ever.
This really is the perfect laptop for the whole family and can do just about anything.
Apple iPad Pro
- 11/12.9-inch Liquid Retina display
- Up to 9/10 hours battery life (depending on model)
- Runs on iPad OS
- Powerful A12Z Bionic chip
- Compatible with Apple Pencil
In recent years, tablet devices have been rapidly making up the ground on laptop and desktop computers, with some now claiming to offer even more power and performance and Apple’s latest iPad Pro model might just be the best in the market right now.
iPad Pro can do just about everything your everyday laptop can do… and more. It has a stunning 11 / 12.9-inch (dependent on model) edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display and a new advanced camera system, perfect for high-quality video calls. It is powered by a A12Z Bionic chip, which is so fast Apple claim it can outpace most PC laptops, and the 8-core graphics processor make 4K video editing and 3D design a piece of cake.
And now, it floats! Well, not quite, but the new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically to the iPad acting as a stand and a full keypad, allowing you to type up coursework or write out emails with ease. Plus, for those more creative minds, Apple Pencil allows you to take notes, sketch ideas and mark up documents, as well as a whole host of other great features.
So, maybe the perfect laptop for back to school isn’t actually a laptop at all!
So, how can you easily get the latest tech?
Through the Let’s Connect Technology Benefit employees can access a wide range of laptop and desktop computers, iPads, wireless printers and more that can help aid home education and digital skills. The benefit allows you to spread the cost of expensive tech with convenient monthly payments through your salary, making it a more manageable and cost-effective way of purchasing new equipment. If your organisation is running this benefit already, have a browse on your order site and see about getting some new tech for all the family today!
Or as an employer, if you’re interested in offering an engaging and rewarding benefit for your employees, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
