Back to School Gadget Guide from bizrate.com

Lots of computers to choose from Even if you already have an older computer there are lots of reasons to buy a new computer for school. Not only can you get a lot of computing power for your money these days along with the latest operating systems but there are many new types of computers to choose from including Chromebooks, convertible laptops and tablets.
Desktops Are Still a Good Choice Although you can’t take a desktop to a lecture hall or the library, a desktop computer offers lots of value for students with powerful graphics engines, lots of memory and storage, the ability to use multiple monitors or a “real” keyboard, mouse and don’t forget all other accessories you can add like a good pair of speakers. The big question for a desktop will be whether to go with Apple or Windows. You typically get more for your money with Windows but Apple provides an easy to use interface and comprehensive eco-system. Shop For Apple Desktops Shop For Windows Desktops You still pay a premium for Apple desktops but you get a beautifully designed machine like the very large 27-inch Apple iMac which will cost you around $1800, the $2500 quad-core Mac Pro desktop or you could wait for the brand new space age looking new Apple Mac Pro due out later this year. Our recommendation is, unless you’re doing creative work like producing something with Photoshop, you’d probably be better off with an iMac. On the Windows side you can get an all-in-one PC like the 27-inch, $1500 Lenovo IdeaCentre A730 Desktop that does an iMac one better with its touchscreen which makes using Windows 8 more fun. For more value look for desktops like the Dell XPS 8700 for around $800 or the Gateway DX4860 for around $500.	Thin and Light Laptops Your choice here, again is Apple vs. Windows. Apple provides a friendly ecosystem that ties together other products like iPads and Apple TVs along with backups to external hard drives or the Cloud. MacBooks range in price from the 13-inch $1200 MacBook Pro and 15-inch $1800 MacBook Pro to the 13-inch $1700 MacBook Air with Retina display. You typically get more for you money with a Windows laptop and you can still get something thin and light like the 13-inch Sony VAIO Pro for around $1249, the $1120 14-inch Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon or the more affordable $800 14-inch Toshiba Satellite. For the Best of Both Worlds Consider a Convertible There’s a new category of laptops called convertibles that offer features of a laptop and tablet in one device. You get a touchscreen display and a “real” keyboard” in a device that converts from one mode to the other like the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga with its swiveling display or the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 that has a detachable touchscreen display. Shop For Laptop Computers Chromebooks Are Another Laptop Option Chromebooks lack some of the components of laptops like a large hard drive and a full blown operating system like Mac OS or Windows but you get a light and cheap laptop with a long battery life and a 10 second boot-up time that needs to be connected to the Internet in order to function fully. There are still only a handful of Chromebooks to choose from but if you’re looking for a trouble-free and inexpensive alternative to a laptop, Chromebooks are an option worth considering. You can pick up a Samsung or Acer Chromebook for around $250 - $300.
Microsoft Chip In Program Helps Students Buy Computers Microsoft has been offering a “crowdsourcing” program called Chip In to help students purchase a Windows computer. Students set up a funding page convince friends and family to contribute and then select a computer with a 10% discount that comes with a copy of Office 365 University.
Tablets There probably isn’t a student who wouldn’t want a tablet to take to school but we’re not sure every student actually needs one. Tablets can come in very handy for reading and looking up information. They can also be very handy for wasting time playing games or watching movies and YouTube videos. Furthermore, without an add-on keyboard we don’t see a tablet being a great note taker. On the other hand, there are plenty of apps that could come in handy for school work so if you’re convinced a tablet makes sense for school be prepared to spend over $500 for a large 9.7-inch iPad, $329 for a 7.9-inch iPad Mini or something on the Android side like the $400 Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1-inch. The new and improved Nexus 7 with some impressive new specs is about to go on sale for $239 for the 16GB version. Shop For Tablets Computers
Accessories your student may need Once you've taken care of the big ticket item like a computer you'll want to consider some of the accessories.
External Monitor Boosts Productivity We think adding an extra monitor to a laptop or a desktop makes a lot of sense. Most computers can accommodate a second screen allowing you to view more things at the same time like a web page on one screen and a Word doc on the other. High resolution monitors can also serve as high definition TV screens for watching movies or playing games. Widescreen monitors are not even that expensive with the 22-inch ViewSonic VG2236wm-LED costing around $200 or the 27-inch ASUS VE278Q at $275. Shop For Monitors	Cases and Backpacks to Hold Laptops Although a laptop case can be a tipoff for a thief on the lookout for a laptop to grab, they can still protect a laptop against damage. There are plenty of laptop cases to choose from including Belkin’s stylish quilted Notebook Carrying Case which goes for around $30. The Pegasus SwissGear Backpack can hold up to a 17-inch laptop and gets high marks for durability. Shop For Laptop Cases Shop For Laptop Backpack
Tablet Keyboard Makes For Better Note Taking Some tablet owners have become proficient on the soft keyboards found on tablets and smartphones but generally a physical keyboard makes for faster and more accurate typing. Bluetooth keyboards for laptops are very common and don’t cost all that much money. You can but the Logitech Tablet Keyboard that connects to Apple products or Android devices via Bluetooth for around $70. Shop For Tablet Keyboards	Keep Your Students Laptop Secure We know students have a lot on their minds and are always leaving their laptops in places where they can be easily stolen. To help keep laptops from being removed you can buy cables like the $45 Kensington ClickSafe Keyed Laptop Lock that attaches to laptops with the T-Bar™ locking mechanism found in most laptops. To help recover a lost or stolen laptop you can install a product like LoJack which can also be used on smartphones to help police locate missing units. Shop For Laptop Security Cables
Smartphones and Phablets Combine Lots of Gadgets An Android, iOS, Windows or other smartphone can be a wise investment for a student. Not only can they be used to take photos and videos, help find the way with its GPS, serve as a clock radio, or voice recorder but there are plenty of useful academic-type apps that can help any student with schoolwork. You’ll have to balance the expense of the phone and service with the value your student gets out of one but we think it’s a good investment. The hot smartphones today are the Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One or the soon to become available 5-inch waterproof Sony Xperia Z. Shop For Smartphones There is a new class of smartphones that have very large screens and even a stylus, called phablets (phone + tablet). If you don’t think holding something the size of a thin paperback book up to your ear to make a call, a phablet with its increased viewing area might make sense. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with its large 5.3-inch AMOLED display is a popular phablet with many others to choose from. The rumored 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 3 is supposedly waiting in the wings. The 5.5-inch 440 ppi LG Optimus G Pro is another popular phablet. For more phablet news, check out this article on Retrevo.	Smartphone Accessories Along with a smartphone or phablet, there are lots of accessories to consider. Although some new phones with their Gorrilla Glass screens are pretty rugged, a case like LifeProof Frē iPhone 5 case will probably be one of the first things to buy not only for protection against bumps and drops but to “personalize” it with colors, textures and designs. Some phones now claim to be water resistant but you can also send a phone out to companies like Liquipel, HzO, Neverwet and P2i who offer similar nano-polymer coatings that repel water. A Bluetooth headset will not only keep your student from getting in trouble when using their phone in the car but can be useful for hands-free calling. You can get a Bluetooth headset like the Plantronics Voyage Legend or a Bluetooth speaker like Jawbone’s Jambox for around $200 or JBL’s Charge with a 6,000 mAh rechargeable battery for around $150. Shop For Bluetooth Headsets Shop For Bluetooth Speakers
A Slingbox Can Make Your Kids Call Home We know of at least one clever parent who set up a Slingbox at home and let their son access it to watch sports and other programming on his computer at school. Whenever they wanted to get him to call home all they had to do was change the channel and a second later the phone would ring. When you’re not using your Slingbox to get your kids to call it can come in handy for watching whatever is on your TV anywhere you happen to be in the Internet with a device that can access the Slingplayer.
E-book Reader for Textbooks and Reading Assignments An e-book reader like the $119 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite that has a soft backlight so you can read in low lighting without a lamp or $99 Barnes and Noble NOOK Simple Touch™ with Glowlight could be a reasonable alternative to buying paperback books for an English class or even reading a textbook. Shop For E-Readers	Smart LED Desk Lamp We thought we’d end with a fun gadget that every student could use and it’s a high tech desk lamp. The Satechi Smart LED Desk Lamp should last a long time and provides different color temperature light for different tasks like reading or relaxing. One handy feature is the USB port on the back of the base that you can use to charge you phone or other device. Shop For LED desk lamps

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