Back to School Essentials

Whether you’re going back to face-to-face classes or online classes, you have to bring out your ‘A’ game and be prepared. Getting the right gadget can make learning a little bit easier.

 

Here is our back to school gadget essentials that you can include on your list:

 

1. Laptop

 

Choosing the right laptop can be hard and tricky. You need something that is durable and trustworthy that can do all your schoolwork. Here are some things that you can consider before getting one:

 

• Budget - laptops can be pricey so you have to decide on a budget and work from there. If you’re tight on a budget, you have to keep in mind that you don’t need the fanciest laptop out there, just the one that offers what you need. Having a budget also helps you decide among the different laptop categories and types.
• Weight - If you’re having online classes, then the weight wouldn’t be a problem since you won’t be moving around that much. But, if you’ll be going back to campus, you might want to consider the weight of your laptop.
• Processor and Ram - You can also decide on what laptop to buy depending on the tasks you’ll be doing. If you’re just going to do simple tasks, you can go for a lower processor, while those who’ll be doing heavy programming will need a higher processor.
• Keyboard and Touchpad - Take note that you’ll be using these 2 often, so check how the keyboard and touchpad work. Does it have good ergonomics, long key travel, or a smooth touchpad?

 

2. Webcam

 

Chances are your laptop already has a built-in camera, which can make you think that you no longer need a webcam. So, why get one? With a built-in camera, you don’t have any choice if you want to upgrade its features and resolution.  But, with an external webcam, you can look for one that caters to your needs specifically. Here are some things to check before getting one:

 

• Light sensitivity - Consider a webcam that can handle low light. You want to be sure that the class can see you clearly - that you don’t appear too dark or too bright. 
• Video resolution - Light sensitivity won’t matter as much if you appear pixelated to the whole class. Get yourself a webcam with a high resolution. The higher the better.
• Field of view - If you’ll be presenting something and would need a wide range to cover all angles, you might want to consider the webcam’s field of view (FOV). A wide-angled lens can give you a broader view. 

 

If you still haven’t got one. Check this 2K Webcam from Elinz. This webcam will automatically upgrade from 1080P to 4MP 2K when you connect it to your computer. Its 15 Frames Per Second provides you with crystal-clear true HD-quality. It also has an automatic low light correction and automatic white balance and colour correction feature, so it automatically adjusts the image during your call. This helps you look your best even in dim light. Its 90° wide-angle captures high definition video without any distortion. Plus, you can also adjust the camera 30° up or 30° down to get the angle as you like.

 

You don’t have to worry about installation. This USB webcam is very easy to use, just plug the USB cable into your PC’s USB port, no additional driver required. Its universal clip design also lets you easily install it on computer monitors, laptops, desktops, Mac, PC, LCD monitors, and even other flat surfaces.

 

3.  Headset

 

The demand for earphones and headphones grew ever since work-from-home and online classes were introduced. Simply because they are useful for Zoom meetings and that they help you connect better with your class and help you focus more on class. You are also sure that your ideas are presented clearly by getting a good-quality headset. Since it’s easy and common to just get one, you might overlook some minor details that make or break a good-quality headset. Here are a few things to check before purchasing one:

 

• Compatibility - Check for the headset’s compatibility with your device. Consider getting one that is compatible with different operating systems so you won’t have any problems connecting it with your other devices. 
• Sound-quality - this is really important. Before purchasing the headset you have to check the sound quality. You would want something that has a clear and precise sound so you can hear what your professors and classmates are talking about. 
• Comfiness - chances are you’ll be wearing this headset for a long period of time. And when you buy a headset that’s not a proper fit and uncomfortable to your ears, this can cause ear fatigue. So, look for a headset with cushioned ear cups or earbuds with several silicon tip sizes. 

 

If you’re looking for the perfect back to school earphones you can check this Elinz Wireless Headset Earbuds. It’s compatible with Android and iOs so you don’t have to worry whether you can pair it with all of your devices. It also powers on and pairs to the mobile device once picked up, avoiding the hassle of manual boot up and pairing. It’s True Wireless Stereo (TWS) so you can enjoy true stereo sound quality without the hassle of cables and wires. The audio quality is also improved, making the voice audible on both sides of the earbuds, unlike lower Bluetooth standards. Lastly, it comes with an extra earbuds cover so you can choose which fits your ears perfectly. 

 

4. Portable Storage Drive

 

We all know how useful it is to back up our important documents. Whether you’re a student or a professor, you need a trusty device that can store all your files. Although you can go for cloud storage, a portable storage device is better to store all kinds of files - documents, lecture videos, films, photos, and more. Things to keep in mind before buying a hard drive:

 

• Storage - check what storage capacity works for you. If you’ll be storing large documents, you better opt for a hard drive with a large storage capacity to ensure that it can back up all your important documents.
• Transfer Speed - If your laptop or computer has a 3.0 port, it is advisable to buy a hard drive with a USB 3.0 connection. A hard drive with a USB 3.0 is the fastest in terms of transferring speed. You can check for the revolutions per minute (RPMs), the higher the RPM the faster it is in transferring data to and from the hard drive. 
• Cache Space - If you’re looking for a hard drive that’s fast and efficient, you can check for its cache space. This cache’s purpose is to keep some data and move it to and from the drive which then increases the speed and efficiency of the disk to transfer data. If there’s a large cache this can enable the data to transfer faster because more information can be stored at a time. 

 

5. Power bank

 

I guess we can all agree that power banks are one of the handiest and most useful gadgets we can ever own. They can give most of our gadgets and accessories a boost anytime and anywhere. If you’re running late to class and forgot to charge your phone, just connect it to your power bank and you’re good to go. The same goes for our wireless earphones, smart watch, and tablet. Even if you’re taking classes online a power bank can still come in handy. Especially if you’re busy and would like to keep your gadget at your side, just grab and connect it to your power bank in the meantime. Things to consider before getting one:

 

• Size - If you’re the type of person who always uses their gadgets, chances are you’ll probably bring a power bank with you all the time. So, make sure that you choose a power bank that is small, lightweight, and slim so it wouldn’t be a hassle to bring it around. 
• USB Ports - The more USB ports the better. Why? This comes in handy when you need to charge 2 gadgets at the same time. You can also share it with your friends!
• Capacity - The capacity that you need depends on the device that you’re using and how long you’ll be using it. So basically the higher the capacity, the more times that the power bank can charge your devices. 

 

This Maxxlee 2000 mAh portable power bank is just what you need. This power bank can charge 3 devices at the same time and its quick charge 3.0 ports can charge those devices 4x faster than conventional charging. The digital display enables you to monitor the amount of power available in the power bank. Comes in 3 colors - black, blue, and pink. This large-capacity power bank is more than enough for your long time travel.

 

However, if you’re looking for a wireless charging power bank, you can also check the Maxxlee 1000 mAh wireless power bank. Just like the previous power bank mentioned above, this power bank can charge your device at high speed, has quick charge 3.0 ports, and a digital display to monitor the amount of power available in the power bank. However, unlike the previous one, this power bank supports charging up to 4 devices simultaneously! The great thing about this is its wireless charging capability. Just place your device on top of the power bank and you’re good to go!

 

 

 

“You’re off to great places. Today is your first day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss