iDrop News’ Exclusive 2016 Back-to-School Tech Products and Accessories Guide

Back to School Technology Guide
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As the summer slowly but surely draws to a close, and students from all across the globe gear up to jump headlong into yet another year of school, some might be wondering what kind of great tech products they can buy to help them excel this semester and beyond.

Whether this will be the often loathed first-year away from home for the college student in your life, or merely a continuation of semesters past, there’s no question that technology has emerged, especially in recent years, as a catalyst of academic success — both in the classroom, back at the dorm, and even during those late night crunch sessions at the campus library.

Apple, in particular, has placed a major emphasis on education and the advancement thereof in recent years. As a matter of fact, the company often rewards students who participate in its annual ‘back-to-school’ sales promotion generously — which is going on right now (through September 5th), just for your information! Under the terms of Apple’s inherent, 2016 promotion, eligible students can score some of the deepest discounts on the latest and greatest computers and tablets Silicon Valley has to offer — all on top of a few sweet incentives to help your favorite college student balance the sanity of everyday life on campus.

1. Apple’s MacBook Air, MacBook, or MacBook Pro

The MacBook, in any of its various forms, has become a staple of college lecture halls all around the world. Sure, some students might prefer to keep it old school, by going instead with a Windows-powered laptop; however, when you consider that your purchase is bound to last you through college, grad school, the start of your first job, and perhaps even a few years beyond, it doesn’t seem too unreasonable to consider dropping a couple extra bones — thereby securing yourself with a quality machine that’s built to last.

As part of Apple’s current ‘back-to-school’ promotion, the pot is now all the sweeter, as students can acquire an 11- or 13-inch MacBook Air, a 12-inch MacBook, or a 13- or 15-inch MacBook Pro — while scoring model dependent savings ranging from $50 to upwards of $250. What’s more, students will receive a free pair of Beats Solo 2 Wireless headphones on top of Apple’s Instant Education Savings for a limited time.

You’ll also receive deep discounts (and free headphones!) if you decide to purchase other Mac systems, too — such as the Mac mini, iMac, or Mac Pro. However, for college students always on the go, most of those desktop-type setups would hardly be ideal. You can, however, hook your shiny new MacBook Air, MacBook, or MacBook Pro up to an external monitor when you want to expand your workspace back at the dorm. My personal recommendation would be to keep it cheap and go for a high-quality, 3rd party monitor — such as one with USB-C input, and a crisp resolution that’s easy on the eyes.

Fortunately, thanks to recent advancements in technology, you can now pick up some (relatively) cheap, but nonetheless powerful, 4K-capable monitors online. I personally just picked up the 28-inch Samsung U28E590D, which is both 4K-capable, and also available in a 24-inch size — for $399 or $339, respectively, from Amazon.

You also might find value in a multi-port USB 2.0/3.0 wall adapter — into which you can plug all of your devices, including your MacBook charger, iPhone, iPad, and other gadgets that charge via USB. I personally use the RAVPower 50W 6-port USB 2.0/3.0 Quick Charge adapter, which is available on Amazon in either a 2-, 4-, or 6-port configuration, ranging from about $10 – $17, depending on the model of your choosing.

2. iPad & Extra Lightning Cables

Apple’s iPad has also become quite the hot ticket item in the classroom lately. And while it’s highly, highly unlikely — not to mention, strongly discouraged — that you’ll be able to get through school with just an iPad alone, Apple’s latest 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros are definitely powerhouses to be reckoned with. Throw in the $99 Apple Pencil, and you’ve got yourself a serious note taking, multi-tasking powerhouse — complete with all the storage space you’ll need for all those notes. Apps such as Evernote, for instance, provide a rich note-taking experience for those who’d like to choose between hand-written and typed notes.

Best of all, in accordance with Apple’s current ‘back-to-school’ promotional pricing, students can save between $20 and $100 — depending on their chosen model and storage capacity. In addition to that savings, you’ll also get a brand new pair of Beats ‘PowerBeats 2’ Wireless headphones, free of charge. Remember, any mention of ‘free’ headphones is pursuant with your purchase from the Apple online Education Store only. No 3rd party retailers are participating in Apple’s current ‘Back-to-School’ promotion.)

Of course, anyone with an iDevice — whether it be Apple’s iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch — will likely tell you that the Lightning cable included within the packaging is delicate and highly susceptible to breaking. And so, for that reason, I recommend the Armour Charge 100% Stainless-Steel Lightning cable for iOS Devices which is sure to last you for years to come.

3. Accessories

So you’ve taken the dive and purchased a Mac — and maybe even an iPad Pro, too. Good choice! Now you’ll be able to outfit your new device(s) with a swath of compatible accessories that are bound to make your life easier, keep your work flow up to speed, and your style factor on point. Check out our personal assortment of recommended accessories to help you in all of these areas and more!

For starters, you might consider investing in a high-quality desk lamp to keep your work area well lit — even during the wee hours of the night, when natural sunlight is clearly not on your side. I personally use the ‘LE’ brand LED dimmable desk lamp, which features 7 brightness settings controllable by the touch of your finger. I paid about $40, but it’s currently available on Amazon for about $25 in either black or white.

You also might consider investing in a quality case for your new MacBook or iPad Pro. Personally, I use the TwelveSouth BookBook case, which is available for both the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, as well as each of the MacBook models, respectively. It ranges in price from about $70 to $119 (depending on the model). What I personally like about this case, most of all, is that it’s extremely durable. It also looks like a vintage, worn-out book, which is quite stylish.

Lastly, any college student will likely tell you that a backpack on campus is a must-have. And while, depending on your course schedule, you’ll likely only have to carry one or two books with you at a time, you’ll probably need a safe place to store your iPad, MacBook, etc. And so, for that reason, I recommend what I used while in college: the Incase ICON ‘Slim Pack’, which is currently available on Amazon, in various colors and sizes, ranging from $79 to $119.

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