While a new year at school or college may seem stressful, technology can make your life easier. We’ve put together a list of must-have gadgets that will allow you to spend more time learning and making friends, rather than struggling with daily tasks.
Best wearables for exercise
No matter how busy you get, it’s still essential to make time for health. You may want to try a fitness tracker or smartwatch, depending on your budget. Here are your best options:
Apple Watch ($349) – For iPhone users, this is the best smartwatch around. It’s an exceptional activity tracker, lets you receive and respond to notifications, and encourages healthy routines.
Huawei Watch ($249) – This Android smartwatch packs all the same features as the Apple Watch, but with a timeless design, often confusing consumers that it is a traditional wristwatch.
Fitbit Charge HR ($124) – The wearable tracks activity, checks your sleep patterns, and is equipped with a heart-rate monitor.
Pebble 2 – While the wearable isn’t available at retail just yet, it may be something worth waiting for. The heart rate-enabled smartwatch is for phone-free running and is equipped with GPS, music, and Amazon Alexa.
Digital voice recorder and note taker
For college students, especially, you may want to record some of the lectures your professors give. For $77, you can get the Sony ICD UX553, which records stereo audio, has a notable display, and is powered by AAA batteries, as well as USB.
Another gadget that gets the job done is the LiveScribe Smartpen 3, priced at $139, which looks like a standard pen, but is actually packed with smart technology. It records audio clearly whenever you write something, allowing you to get the highlights and not miss a thing. Additionally, it sends your notes to its digital app, which converts the audio into text.
Calculator
Nothing will come close to Texas Instruments’ TI 84 Plus for $88. While it’s over a decade old, many colleges and schools recommend this as a must-have gadget. Check out why the TI 84 Plus holds a monopoly on classrooms, and why your smartphone or tablet isn’t the best option.
Ebook reader
As you’ll be doing a great deal of reading in school, you may want to pick up a solid ebook reader. For many students, the Kindle Paperwhite ($120) is the best option, balancing performance and features. It also lets you send any ebook document or article to it.
2-in-1 laptop
For those buying a new laptop for the school year, it’s best to go for a 2-in-1 hybrid: a laptop with a detachable screen that acts as a tablet (not a convertible). For a college student who is on a budget, the Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi ($499) is the best option, with its powerful Intel Core M processor and 12.5 Full HD touchscreen.
Laptop lock
While remote-wiping software can keep your laptop data safe, it will not stop the device itself from being stolen. And because of that, you will need tools to lock your laptop down, especially a security cable. Several laptops use a Kensington lock, but some models use different ones, which is why it’s best to look that up before you buy.
The simple Kensington Combination Lock for $20 stands out for its simplicity and price. It’s designed similarly to a bicycle lock, requiring you to tether it down to a secure and sturdy object such as a table.
Portable hard drive
Other than having a portable hard drive to back up your computer’s data, you’ll also want one as extra storage for your laptop, smartphone, tablet, and other devices. The best one currently on the market is the Seagate Wireless Plus, which has a better battery life than any of its competition. It is compatible with iPads, Android smartphones, Windows devices, and Macs. You can get up to 500GB of storage for $95, 1TB for $140, or 2TB for $180.
What other gadgets have you added to your shopping list for the new school year?
Source: MakeUseOf
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
