As the school year kicks off, it’s time to think about the essential tech that can make a real difference in your child’s learning experience. This year, focus on powerful laptops, versatile iPads, and reliable security solutions that not only enhance education but also keep your child safe. Let’s dive into some of my top picks for this school season.
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Educational toys
GeoSafari Jr. Rocknoculars
The GeoSafari Jr. Rocknoculars from Educational Insights is a hands-on STEM toy that encourages young learners ages 4+ to delve into the world of geology. With a 3x magnification eyepiece and a convenient rock storage compartment, it’s perfect for budding geologists to explore and learn about the natural world. Priced at $14.57, it’s an affordable way to introduce STEM concepts to children. At the time of publishing, it had over 100 global reviews, with 56% of them giving it 5 stars.
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Tablets and laptops
iPad Air for Apple AI
Credit: Apple
The iPad Air is a versatile device equipped with the M2 chip, making it ready for future Apple Intelligence updates. With its sleek design and impressive performance, the iPad Air is perfect for both classroom learning and creative projects, ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed. Ideal for students and educators, it comes with educational discounts and a limited-time $100 gift card offer at the Apple Educational store. The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $551, and the 13-inch iPad Air is $749. At the time of publishing, it had over 400 global reviews, with 87% of them giving it 5 stars.
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ASUS ProArt P16 laptop
Credit: ASUS
The ASUS ProArt P16 laptop is a powerhouse for students heading back to school. Featuring GeForce RTX 4060 graphics and an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, it supports AI-enhanced creative programs like MuseTree and StoryCube, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to elevate their projects. Its 16-inch 4K OLED touchscreen ensures precise color accuracy, which is essential for content creation. With its certified color-accurate display and intuitive ASUS Dial for precise control, this laptop is designed to meet the demanding needs of students tackling creative assignments and projects this school year.
In addition to this laptop, we found ASUS has basic back to school laptops starting at $379 on Amazon.
Back to school essential: Strong antivirus software
TotalAV Pro won our top choice for 2024 Antivirus protection and rightfully so. It has the leading ransomware protection, and antivirus protection, detects and eliminates malware, and protects against phishing scams, adware & spyware, and more.
Best is that it works on all devices including Mac, PC, Android, and iPhone & iPad. Special deal $19 first year up to 5 devices (save $80 off today)
TotalAV Pro offers robust antivirus protection, including ransomware protection and malware detection. It supports multiple devices, ensuring comprehensive security for students’ digital activities.
Every student of any grade or college level should have antivirus protection on their computer, tablet, and smartphone. Strong antivirus protection is essential, in addition to keeping all technology updated with the latest operating systems.
Special for CyberGuy Readers: My #1 pick is TotalAV, and you can get a limited-time deal for CyberGuy readers: $19 your first year (80% off) for the TotalAV Antivirus Pro package.
Find my review of Best Antivirus Protection here
As a bonus, here are answers to our most popular questions regarding Total AV
- our easy-to-follow guide making it easy to know how to install antivirus protection.
- Does my iPhone need antivirus protection?
- How to run a virus scan on your computer (Mac | PC )
- Free Antivirus Software: Should you use it?
Back-to-school security essentials
AirTag for your backpack
Credit: Apple
The AirTag is a handy device for tracking personal items like keys or backpacks, making it a must-have for students this school year. Using the Find My app, you can easily locate misplaced items, ensuring your child never has to stress about lost belongings. Plus, it can be shared with up to five family members, making it a practical tool for busy households. Available for $24.99 each or $79.99 for a pack of four, this simple yet effective tracker adds a layer of security to your back-to-school preparations, giving both parents and kids peace of mind. At the time of publishing, it had over 5,600 global reviews, with 84% of them giving it 5 stars.
Silent Beacon Panic Button
The Silent Beacon Panic Button is a safety device that is especially beneficial for back-to-school, empowering students to send alerts and GPS locations during emergencies. It features two-way phone call capabilities and can connect to any phone number, including 911. This innovative device not only transmits your location in real-time but also allows students to customize the contacts they wish to alert, ensuring that help can reach them quickly and efficiently. With an impressive battery life of 42 days on a single charge, this reliable personal safety device is available for $59.95, making it an essential tool for students and parents seeking peace of mind as the new school year begins. At the time of publishing, it had 72% of people giving it 5 stars.
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MORE TECH PRODUCTS FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION
Reolink 4K Security Camera
The Reolink E560 4K Wi-Fi Security Camera is an excellent choice for parents looking to enhance home security as kids head back to school. With high-definition 4K resolution and remote control via a user-friendly app, this camera provides peace of mind, allowing you to monitor your home from anywhere. Currently, on sale, it offers an affordable solution for keeping an eye on your property and ensuring your children’s safety while they are at school. Investing in this security camera helps create a secure environment, making it a smart addition to your back-to-school preparations. The Reolink E560 is on sale at Best Buy right now for $50 off and discounted at Amazon. At the time of publishing on Amazon, 75% of people gave it 5 stars.
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MORE OF OUR BEST HOME SECURITY PRODUCTS
Kurt’s key takeaways
As parents or grandparents, equipping your child or grandchild with the right tools can profoundly impact their educational journey. Whether it’s inspiring creativity with cutting-edge tech gadgets or ensuring their safety with reliable security devices, these products are designed to support students in every facet of their school life. As you gear up for the new school year, consider these innovative options that not only enhance learning but also provide you with peace of mind. Investing in these essentials will empower your child to thrive in their studies while keeping them safe and secure.
How do you involve your child in the decision-making process for selecting their school supplies? Let us know in the comments below.
More:
- Is your child’s data up for grabs? The hidden dangers of school tech
- Top 4 Child Monitoring programs 2024
- Best back-to-school laptop deals
- 5 expert hacks to save on Back to School essentials