Which ones to buy and why? Must-have offers
The countdown to back to school is fast approaching for European students, and as every year, parents and children keep an eye on the list of items needed to tackle the school year. In addition to pens, pencil cases and bags, the focus is on computers and tablets, which have become travelling companions for millions of students. Precisely to win customers’ trust, all brands offer a series of promotions every late summer, thus expanding the choice for those searching for a new device.
Laptop: Six different alternatives for power, autonomy and price
The object of desire for families is the laptop, which, over the years, has become an indispensable tool for doing homework assigned by teachers. Choosing which model to buy for a teenager or university student is difficult, as usage and price must be considered before plumbing the long list of proposals. A first must-have choice is the MacBook Air M1 2020, not Apple’s latest model but with everything a student needs on board, as it combines power, autonomy and lightness (1.29 kg) to ensure excellent performance and not too much strain on the back.
The 13-inch version with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage is available here for €899, a bargain to grab before stocks run out. For many years, Apple has also been offering a series of discounts for university students, to whom the Education section is dedicated (also applies to teachers), which allows savings on the purchase of Macs, iPads and their accessories. Here are a few examples? MacBook Air with M2 chip from €1249, iMac from €1519, iPad Air from €719 and iPad Pro 11 offered at €999. In all these cases, moreover, the purchase of a product includes a 100 or 150 euro gift card, which can be spent to buy other Apple devices or accessories.
On the Windows side, there are plenty of purchase possibilities. There is a no-compromise notebook like the LG Gram 17, which combines a large 17-inch screen with a low weight of 1.35 kg, plus the power of Intel Core i7 processors, 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. A bargain buy if you have the budget to spend €1,299. If you are content with a few limitations in the (still very good) specifications, two other reliable options come from Asus and Honor.
Back to school
In the first case, there is the Vivobook 16X at a discount of €549: an excellent choice for a model with Windows 11 Home, 16-inch display and 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD memory, Asus Ergosense chiclet keyboard with numeric keypad, flat hinge to rotate the display up to 180 degrees, weight 1.88 kg and 19.9 millimetres thick.
Honor is offering the MagicBook X16 until the end of September for €699.90 in Mystic Silver and Space Grey colours. It features a fingerprint sensor, a 60Wh battery for 9-hour battery life, dual SSD slots to expand storage space and the ability to switch from Smart to High Powered mode to operate at full power of 45Wm instead of the Smart version’s 35W. There is also the e-book functionality that relieves eye fatigue while working or reading for an extended period of time.
The Chromebook is the best answer for those who rely on Google services and are looking for a cheaper model. Based on the light and energy-efficient ChromeOS operating system, these computers ensure lightness and good autonomy. One example is HP’s Chromebook 15A, which includes a 15.6-inch display, Intel Celeron N4500 processors, 8GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD memory, and a battery life of 11 hours, which can be purchased for €449.
Tablets, four different options for school and beyond
Useful for reading, doing online research, using apps and watching videos, the tablet is the other tech device that made it onto the list of tools for school. Although the segment is less productive and profitable than laptops, here, too, there is quality to be found in every price range. In addition to the already mentioned iPads, an ideal choice for those who intend to equip themselves with MacBooks or iPhones to take advantage of the various functionalities that allow them to work on the same project on different iOS devices, there are at least three models to consider among the tablets.
The first is the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, the flagship of the latest series launched by Samsung in three models: Standard, Plus and Ultra. The latter is the best Android tablet on the market, combining power, versatility, autonomy and creative freedom thanks to the included S-Pen. Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for the Galaxy, a 14.6-inch Dynamic Amoled 2X display that improves colour rendition and vision, IP68 protection and 120 Hz refresh rate, the Ultra model allows up to three apps to be displayed on the screen. It is a feature-rich tablet that costs quite a lot because prices for the Wi-Fi version with 256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM start at €1369.
Back to school gadgets
Among the cheaper alternatives is the Lenovo Tab P12, which features a 12.7-inch display (resolution 2944 x 1840 pixels) with four JBL speakers and Dolby Atmos for a premium audio experience. Compatible with Lenovo’s Tab Pen Plus and ThinkPad keyboard, it is a good choice for students because it allows multitasking with access to four split-screen apps and five floating windows. It has a 10200 mAh battery worth 10 hours of battery life. The reading mode with background music is interesting, while there is a 13MP front-facing camera, which is also useful for video calls and online classes. Lenovo Tab P12 with stylus included is on sale for €449, while adding the keyboard increases the price to €589.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 and the Oppo Pad 2 are two other Android options. Compact and with an 11-inch display, the former is versatile enough to add a stylus and a physical keyboard, to be purchased separately, to extend productivity. With a 7-level 144 Hz variable refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, 8849 mAh battery with 33W charging and dual cameras (front 8MP, rear 13MP), the Xiaomi tablet is a complete and reliable device that can be bought on offer for less than €400.
Higher price, €599, but with a richer package for the Oppo Pad 2, which in the back to school promo includes the Stylus Pen and Smart Keyboard, two accessories that extend the tablet’s user experience. Based on a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, Oppo’s tablet has an 11.6-inch IPS display, refresh rate of up to 144Hz, four speakers with Dolby Atmos and 9510 battery with 67W fast charging. A convincing list of details to get you through the school year and beyond.
