Shopping for school supplies? As digital learning becomes a more integrated part of school studies, it is important you are choosing the right digital devices and accessories, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. With so many different products on the market, where do you even start? And how do you make the difficult decisions around how much to spend and which brands are best? We asked Anthony Liberto, Merchandise Business Manager at Officeworks, to guide us through the often intimidating world of kids tech.   

Laptops and Notebook Computers

Many students, particularly high school students, are now required to supply their own device for school, known as 'Bring Your Own Device' or BYOD. Officeworks has a BYOD tool that offers suggestions of particular devices that might be suitable to your child. But here are some more points to consider.

For word processing, online research and editing photos and videos on the go, a traditional laptop can’t be beat. For this reason, most high schools recommend students invest in a quality laptop or notebook to see them through their secondary studies. But there are hundreds to choose from and prices vary widely. 

Your first step should always be consulting with the school, or its booklist. “All schools make their own choices in terms of what devices they want to use within their own network. It’s so dependent on what the school chooses,” says Anthony. If the school suggests a particular brand or model, great – the guesswork is done for you. If not, here’s Anthony’s hot tip: “All the major brands have appropriate hardware for any school-age requirements. It’s really about what’s right for the student, and their schooling needs.” 

As for budget, Anthony says that performance is closely linked to price; powerful devices can handle complex workloads, however there are some great-value options available, like the Acer Swift. Before you make a purchase, keep in mind battery life and wireless capability. “From a battery perspective, it needs to last a minimum of six hours; it’s got to get through the whole school day without needing to be recharged,” says Anthony. “And it needs to have dual-band WiFi. That makes sure the device will connect with whatever WiFi frequency the school operates on.” 

Other considerations in the decision-making process are size and portability, particularly if your kids are catching public transport. And you might want to check if the new laptop you are purchasing already has Windows 11 or will soon be eligible for the upgrade to the new Windows operating system, to ensure the laptop will go the distance and be compatible with the latest software.

What To Try

Back to school tech for learning: the best laptop brands and devices to buy for kids include Acer and Lenovo.

Tablets

Consider WiFi connectivity and battery life when buying iPads and tablets as back-to-school tech for kids.

Primary schools are leaning towards tablets as ideal multi-use devices for younger kids, says Anthony. “They’re lightweight and intuitive, so it’s easy for the kids to engage with far less intervention from the teacher.” 

When choosing a tablet for school, it’s essential to keep battery life and WiFi connectivity in mind, as well as a weight and size that are manageable for your child. “You don’t want them loaded up with a device that’s too heavy, particularly if kids have got a reasonable commute on buses and trains or even walking,” advises Anthony. 

For younger children, looking after an expensive digital device might be a challenge, so don’t scrimp on purchasing a protective case, which Anthony believes is an essential for any kids tech. “It’s super-important to have some kind of protection for the device. There are so many cases out there, even waterproof ones. I highly recommend a rugged case that can withstand knocks and bangs, as well as accidentally getting knocked off the table in class.”

What To Try

SEE ALSO: BYOD at Any Budget: Find the Right Device for Your Child

Chromebooks

If you’re not a techie, you may not have heard of a Chromebook. But according to Anthony, these Google-based devices have taken off in the past few years, especially in primary schools, thanks to their lower price points and streamlined functionality. “They run on the Google Chrome operating system and work very differently to Windows devices,” explains Anthony “Everything’s cloud-based on a Chromebook, so the device doesn’t need to have as much storage on board or as much computing power.” 

The benefits are pretty clear; Chromebooks are mega-efficient and tend to have a longer battery life. And because you’re always working in the cloud, you can log on to any device using your Google account and all your work is instantly available. 

Most of the Google apps allow for real-time collaboration, too, which makes it hugely beneficial as a kids tech device for class group work or receiving teacher feedback. “Many schools are choosing Chromebooks and using the Google classroom environment because it’s a really simple way to manage students’ work and the submission of homework,” says Anthony. 

Concerned about online computing? Fortunately with a Chromebook, you can chip away at your to-do list even when you don’t have Wi-Fi. Your recent documents, spreadsheets, presentations and emails are all available when you enable offline access.    

What To Try

[ALT TAG] A chromebook can be an affordable BYOD option for back-to-school kids tech.

SEE ALSO: Let the Geek Guide You: Buying a New Laptop Computer

2 in 1 Devices

Can’t decide whether a laptop or a tablet is a better choice for your primary-schooler? You don’t have to. 2 in 1 devices are a handy hybrid, boasting the creative benefits of a tablet combined with a fixed keyboard for a more traditional computing experience.

“The right 2 in 1 device could give you that stretch and longevity in terms of transitioning into high school,” explains Anthony. “If you pair a 2 in 1 with a stylus, it allows for more creative use with freehand drawing and sketching and you can take physical handwritten notes as opposed to always typing on the keyboard. It’s a really good way of bringing those two worlds together.”             

What To Try

A 2-in-1 device combines the best features of a laptop and a tablet and can be a good choice for BYOD.

SEE ALSO: Real Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i

Smartphones and Mobile Phones

Investing in a smartphone for your child? It’s an often-contentious issue, but there are no hard and fast rules. Some parents may not see the need; others may think it’s a convenient way to keep tabs on kids once they start travelling solo to and from school. 

If you’ve decided to take the leap, Anthony has some useful advice. “There’s so much value that’s available across the Android ecosystem. You can pick up a Nokia mobile phone for under $200. It obviously doesn’t have all of the amazing features that the big flagship Samsung and Google phones might, but it provides the basic functionality that parents are looking for when they’re getting the kids their first mobile phone.” 

Brands such as Opel, TCL, Motorola and even Samsung offer smartphones for under $400. And when you’re ready to go, remember Officeworks offers affordable mobile phone plans with no lock-in contracts.

What To Try

Smart Watches

If a smartphone isn’t the ideal investment for your primary-school student, a smart watch could be a happy middle ground: a portable, wearable kids tech device that keeps them happy (hello step-counting and activity tracking!) and also gives parents peace of mind about keeping kids safe and in touch. 

“The Spacetalk smart watch is definitely the best option for young kids. It’s a smart watch, but it has restrictive capabilities [that allow you to] pre-set the phone numbers, so kids can call Mum and Dad, grandparents or the neighbour,” explains Anthony. “It’s also got in-built GPS, so you always know where your kids are when they're on their commute to and from school.” 

For older kids and teenagers, it makes sense to choose a smart watch that links back to their mobile or tablet device. “There are so many products available from Fitbit to Garmin to Samsung. Most products are fantastic and have similar functionality, from activity tracking to GPS to managing calls and reminders,” says Anthony. 

What To Try

Back to school tech devices for kids: keep them safe with a smart watch

Accessories and Extras

Expert advice on the best kids' tech devices and accessories for school students

Before you finish shopping, consider all the extra tech gear kids may need to get optimum functionality of their tech set-up. 

Headphones are practically an essential nowadays, with students and parents working and learning from home together. “I’d suggest on-ear or over-the-ear headphones – they’re more comfortable than earbuds for long periods of time,” says Anthony. “Choose a pair that’s got an inline microphone because kids will often need to use that, particularly [for] remote learning. There's a need for them to be able to communicate through video platforms.” And a need for you and the rest of the family to be able to concentrate on your own work without eavesdropping on an English lesson! 

Another essential purchase is protective accessories, such as screen protectors and grips for smartphones and cases and sleeves for laptops and tablets. “These help keep devices safe, particularly when your kids are in transit to and from school. They can help avoid those accidental mishaps,” says Anthony. 

If you’re purchasing a tablet to be used at school, a powerbank is a wise investment, too. “These provide portable power and they’re handy to have as part of the kit just in case your kids forget to charge a device and they need to top up the power at school,” says Anthony.

What To Try

Headphones

Powerbanks

Cases and Screen Protectors