Back-To-School Tech Tools

I’m a sponsored blog partner with Walmart and Microsoft and participated in their Connected Campus Experience to bring you this article on Back-to-School tech.

It’s already Back-To-School time, where did Summer go?  In our city, school starts at the end of the month, but as I talk with other parents, we are already feeling like Summer is nearly over with the pressure to buy school supplies, clothes, and electronics.  What happened to the lazy days of Summer?

This year, I bought some of our school supplies and kids clothing online, taking advantage of Walmart’s Back-to-School clearance sale.  I have really appreciated not having to drive all over town for things.  Purchasing needed items online saves time…and I found it saves money too.

When it comes to back-to-school electronics, sometimes shopping can be a little daunting for parents.  Especially for those parents with high school seniors or students about to enter college.  Where do you go to buy a laptop and what features are important?

You may be asking, what about a PC?  Yes, this is also an option, but with today’s mobile society, kids do not like to be tied down to their desks.  They need mobile, untethered options to have their technology be where they are, whether they are at home, school, the library, or a friend’s house.  They were raised this way if you think about it.  They have used mobile smartphones or tablets…or have used yours, for much of their lives.

Back-to-School Tech Decisions

I know many parents are nervous about damage, loss, or theft when sending their child off to college with a new laptop.  Parents want to send their child off to school prepared, but at the same time, they don’t want to spend a fortune on laptops that may not last the whole four + years.

Although tablets are helpful for reading eBooks, the laptop will remain paramount in college students’ busy  lives.  Laptops help students to:

• take notes
• create documents on PowerPoint, Word, and Excel papers for class
• manage documents
• take online classes (which are becoming more prevalent)
• participate in video conferences and SKYPE using the built-in webcam
• even produce videos

Laptops have a lot of power – both in processing power and in lasting battery power.

Laptop Features to Look For

Speaking of power, let’s talk specifically about some of the basic requirements any laptop you purchase for your senior/college student should have:

1. Hard Drive Space – you need a minimum of 500GB – this will last your student a long time.
2. RAM – 4 GB RAM should be fine for most students, although if you anticipate your child will be doing a lot of video editing…or playing PC Games on his/her laptop, you should opt for more.
3. Dual-core Processor – whether Intel or AMD, a dual core processor allows your student to multi-task with a number of programs open at the same time, without the laptop slowing down.
4. Screen Size – a 15-inch + size laptop is recommended for students.  I’ve worked on screens smaller in size and you waste a lot of time scrolling up and down.
5. Battery Size – the most basic laptops start with a 4 cell lithium-ion battery, which lasts 6 hours through straight use – and much longer when in standby mode.
6. Windows 8.1 Operating System – most new PC’s and laptops have Windows 8.1.  It gives students the option to have a working machine while allowing them to use familiar apps too.
7. Webcam – a built-in webcam is a must for online classes, Google hangouts, SKYPE sessions with fellow students…and family!

Benefits of Using Microsoft 8.1

Pretty much all laptops sold these days are sold with Microsoft 8.1 Operating System. There are many benefits of Microsoft 8.1 enabled devices.  You can…

1.  Add familiar software like Microsoft Office (Windows, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, One Note) to use for documents, which are widely used throughout colleges and businesses

2.  Use a split screen so your student can research the Internet while writing a research paper

3.  Use or play familiar and popular apps such as Angry Birds, Where’s My Water, Kindle, Dropbox, eBay, maps, even XBox

4.  Have 15 GB of free cloud storage on Microsoft’s OneDrive, allowing your student to access their files from anywhere and on any device

5.  Utilize multiple profiles –   great if sharing a laptop or tablet across multiple family members – each person get’s their own desktop, view of their documents, etc.

6.  Print to most wireless printers, no extra software required

7.  Use programs like Skype, iTunes, Photoshop, Quicken, video editing, and more.  Other operating systems, like Chromebook, cannot

Microsoft choose a few of it’s lower priced laptops to allow college students to try out.  Students were impressed.  See their reactions to these economical versatile laptops at Microsoft’s Connected Campus…

Walmart.com is a great place to buy back-to-school tech tools.  Their prices are reasonable and I love their free shipping policy on items over $50.  Here are 4 reasonably priced laptops to consider in preparing your student for Back-to-school this year.  It’s hard to believe that Walmart has two 15.6 inch Windows 8.1 laptops for only $250…but do they work well?  We’re going to find out…we are testing one this week and will let you know our thoughts next week.

WIN!

Could you use some extra cash?  Microsoft is giving away a $500 Walmart gift card to help with your technology purchases.  Sign up here!

 
Microsoft Connected Campus $500 Gift Card Sweepstakes

In the meanwhile, see our College Back-to-School board with tips and tricks to help your student prepare for college.  Have questions about the right laptop for your child?  Leave us a question and we’ll answer it for you.

*  Student picture courtesy of Microsoft Office.   The rest of the pictures and video owned by Microsoft.

**  Microsoft Connected Campus partnered with bloggers like WellConnectedMom for their program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. Microsoft and Walmart believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Microsoft and Walmart policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.