The leaves are turning, and the pumpkin spice lattes are out in full force, which means that Back to School season is officially upon us. If you’re a college or university student, you may be preparing for the semester ahead – which will almost certainly include lectures.
Back in my uni days, I spent far too much money on stationery and notebooks, which were often redundant as I couldn’t read my horrific handwriting. Now, with over five years of tech journalism under my belt, I know of many products that would have been on my desk if I was still studying to make lectures easier to digest and reflect on.
I’ve included a range of items at different prices, so anyone can take advantage – even if this season’s loan is already being blown on Freshers Week. With that in mind, here are the tech products that you should seriously consider getting for your lectures.
Don’t forget that you can often get major discounts in the US and UK on tech products if you’re a student, so always check the retailer before purchasing to see if you can save a little.
iPad Air 6
Back in 2014, I bought an iPad Mini 2. However, I certainly didn’t make the most out of it – I mainly used it to watch stupid videos on YouTube in my dorm. Plus, that tablet simply didn’t have the capabilities that the current iPad Air 6 has.
There are two sizes available (11-inch and 13-inch), and four colours. Both have support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, which will be key for taking notes. Plus, the new M2 chipset ensures that performance will be fast, in case you’re running any software to help you with your education.
Petter Ahrnstedt
Petter Ahrnstedt
Petter Ahrnstedt
There’s a 12Mp rear camera for snapping any photos of slides, and support for Live Text on the latest OS, which you can use for further research on any photos or videos you find related to your subject. With its slim and light build, it’s easy to transport to and from lectures with minimal effort.
The iPad Air 6 starts from £549/$549 for the 128GB Wi-Fi-only variant with an Education discount – you can also get an £80/$100 gift card. You could save some more money by opting for the last-generation iPad Air 5 (starting from £439/$399).
If you’re an Android user, then we have a list of alternatives in our best tablet chart.
Microsoft OneNote/Apple Notes/Google Keep
Even if you don’t have the space or money for a laptop or tablet, a note-taking app is crucial for lectures. As they’re cross-device, they sync your work in the cloud, so you can quickly jot down notes on your smartphone and then edit them later on a more powerful device – even if that’s on a PC library.
I’ve included options for Windows, Apple and Android users – though OneNote and Google Keep can be used across all three. Plus, they’re all completely free to download and use – save that money for a pint, instead.
Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft
All these apps also include recording software, so you can have an audio copy of your lectures. Google Keep, Apple Notes and OneNote even include a transcription option, which is very handy if you struggle to quickly jot down notes from fast-talking lecturers bombarding you with information.
Google also offer more advanced transcription AI software, though this isn’t embedded directly in the Keep Note apps at the time of writing. Other third-party options include Otter AI and Evernote.
Acer Aspire 3
Most universities and colleges offer Microsoft 365 for free (which includes OneNote), so a cheap Windows laptop can be a valuable investment – I had one myself, though I quickly overloaded it by installing far too many expansion packs for The Sims 3.
Robert Strohmeyer/Foundry
Robert Strohmeyer/Foundry
Robert Strohmeyer/Foundry
If you avoid doing that, then an affordable laptop will be a great companion for your lectures. You can have your note-taking apps, documents, slides and email all in one place – and it may be preferable to those who don’t like the smaller keyboards that come with tablets.
The Acer Aspire 3 ticks all the boxes for a student. It’s got a spacious keyboard, an all-day battery life and impressive performance for the price. It’s certainly a bit heavier than a tablet, but that’s the trade-off for a more versatile device.
It’s currently available for as low as £369/$329.
Charmast 10,400mAh Power Bank
It’s all well and good having this tech, but sometimes you may forget to charge it. While some lecture halls offer USB outlets and sockets, many are quite old and basic (I’m speaking from experience here).
Simon Jary / Foundry
Simon Jary / Foundry
Simon Jary / Foundry
Fortunately, you can avoid a dying battery by keeping a power bank on hand. This model from Charmast is one of our favourites and comes in at a very affordable price of £18.99/$22.99. It has two full-size USB slots, plus a USB-C PD port that can act as both input and output. All three support 18W fast charging technology, though only with one device at a time.
Just remember to charge your bank first! This takes about 3.5 hours with a Quick Charge/PD adapter and around 5.5 hours with a standard 10W charger. Plus, there’s an LED display so you know how much juice you have remaining.
Trust Lisboa Backpack
Once all your notes are transcribed and/or jotted down (coherently or otherwise), you’ll need a comfortable bag to carry around everything safely no matter the weather – with room for extra things such as your lunch, your varsity hoodie and the three million freebies you’ll have picked up around campus.
I reviewed this Trust Lisboa Backpack and was very impressed with its capacity, number of compartments (including a 16-inch laptop sleeve) and comfort for hours on end. Plus, it comes in three colours – so you can find the option to suit your preferences. Not to mention that it’s water-resistant, so safe from the elements.
Best of all, it’s a steal at £34.99 – though it’s not available in the US at the time of writing. If you want more alternatives, including more premium options, then check out our list of the best laptop bags.
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