Across the country kids are packing up the car and heading off to college. Today’s college campuses are all wired and having cutting edge tech toys can make the difference between struggling in a case or passing it easily.
Before heading off to college take a few minutes to go over this checklist of must have tech tools for school.
Laptop Computer
Does anyone bring a desktop computer to school anymore? Today it is all about mobility and wireless access, and that means laptop. Since you will be carrying your laptop from class to class, you need something that is light and durable. While we like Apple computers, it is still easier to work with a Windows based laptop.
Obviously, making sure your laptop has the right software packages is a must. Microsoft Office is a no-brainer, but extras like Adobe Photoshop can be helpful to have on hand if your major requires it. So is virus protection. You don’t want to see all your notes knavish because that file you downloaded from bittorrent.has a virus.
Some of the laptop brands computers we like include: Toshiba, Gateway and HP. All three brands offer a wide variety of laptops to fit any price point.
Flash Drive
The days of burning everything to back-up CD’s have long gone. Everyone today is using flash drives, portable hard drives that are often the size of your finger, to backup and transport data files. A flash drive can be plugged into a USB port on almost any computer and transfer files onto it to take with you wherever you need them.
Flash drives are also extremely inexpensive. You can get buy 1GB drives for under $40 and will often see 2GB drives for under $60.
An iPod
The MP3 Player of choice on most campuses these days is the Apple iPod. Music is an integral part of the college experience and teen years. An iPod makes the walk to class more fun and entertaining. The great thing about the iPod is that they are available at just about every price point now, making them within reach of anyone who wants one.
Digital Camera
While not a true education must have, digital cameras nevertheless allow you to record and share all those important (or embarrassing) college memories. Yes a cell phone can take pictures, but digital cameras offer higher resolution and are easier to upload pictures from.
Some of the digital camera brands computers we like include: Canon, Kodak, Sony, Casio and Olympus. All five brands offer a wide variety of laptops to fit any price point
Cell Phone
If you do not already have a cell phone, then you need to pick one up before heading to school. Cell phones allow you top keep in touch with roommates, classmates (and parents). Cell phones are often the main source of communication on college campuses. We find that many students opt to use only their cell as their main phone line when they decide to move off campus. When picking a wireless plan, make sure that your plan includes unlimited text messaging, If you have to pay 5-10 cents a text message, you will be broke before Thanksgiving.
When looking at wireless carriers you can look past the big three cellular carries (Verizon, Sprint and AT&T) and towards brands like Virgin Mobile and Skinit. Across college campuses these two are carriers are fast becoming the college student carrier of choice.
Adding these five tech tools to your back to school shopping list will ensure that you have everything you need to be successful in college from a technology standpoint.