ARTICLE
Mega Back To School buying guide
February 24, 2025-3 min read
Got your hands on the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) list for but can’t decide which laptop, tablet or 2-in-1 laptop will best suit your little (or rapidly growing) learner? Keen to kit out your kids with the best buys for the classroom?
To help you buy right, we’ve scouted the most efficient, reliable and future-proof tech, along with the latest accessories to power them up for learning and play, every day.
Want more study buddy inspo? Visit our Back to School hub for top tech advice – and everything you need to set your child up for success.
You Might Also Like ...
Top Ways To Save On Back To School Supplies
How To Choose The Best Tablets And iPads For Students
Top 2-In-1 Laptops For Students
Best Back To School Headphones For Students
Top Grade Tips
Identify Your Tech Needs
The best tech study setup varies depending on your student's grade, courses, and specific school requirements. Before shopping, consider:
Device requirements - Some schools require specific devices, while others allow flexibility with laptops or tablets.
Course-specific needs - Older school students who study specific subjects, such as Engineering, art, or programming, might need higher processing power or special software.
Portability - For students who move between classes, a lightweight device might be a priority.
By narrowing down your needs, you can focus on essentials without overspending.
Choose the Right Device
The right device—laptop, tablet, or hybrid—can impact productivity and convenience. Here are the top considerations:
Laptops are versatile and powerful, great for multitasking, running complex programs, and research-heavy courses. Popular options include the MacBook Air for its balance of power and portability, or Chromebooks for an affordable, browser-focused experience.
Tablets like the iPad or Microsoft Surface are highly portable and ideal for note-taking, sketching, and light tasks. Pairing them with a keyboard case makes them a strong laptop choice.
2-in-1 devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro or Lenovo Yoga, combine the best of laptops and tablets, offering flexibility with both typing and touch-screen functions.
Consider Essential Add-Ons
Once your student has their device, it’s worth considering extra add-ons to help them get the most out of their device and stay organised.
External storage - A USB drive or external hard drive can back up important files and free up space on a main device.
Noise-cancelling headphones - Headphones help with focus, especially in busy environments. Look for options with good battery life and comfort.
Portable charger - Keeping a portable power bank handy ensures your devices stay charged on the go.
Keyboard and mouse - For tablet users, adding a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse can improve productivity and typing speed.
Keep reading below for great accessories!
Perfect Picks For Primary Students
Having the right school tech can help primary-age kids develop confidence and make learning more engaging and fun. Compact, lightweight and user-friendly, tablets and iPads are often the must-have devices for early learners. Plus, they’re super easy for small hands to manage and carry. Here is a quick checklist and the top tablets to consider if your child is ready to upgrade their tech.
Your ‘Buy Right’ Checklist For Tablets Or iPads
Look for a tablet or an iPad with the following:
A minimum of six hours of battery life
Strong Wi-Fi access for seamless internet access at school and at home
A minimum 10-inch screen on a device that weighs less than 1.6kg for optimum portability
A good quality case and screen protector (to help protect the device from any little accidents!)
Shop Top Tablets And iPads
Apple iPad (10th Generation) Wi-Fi 64GB - Blue
Lenovo Tab Plus 11.5" 2K + Folio Case Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Wi-Fi 128GB Graphite
Smart Buys For Secondary Students
High school often means more homework, and students will need a device with an in-built keyboard, more storage for saving assignments, and a powerful processor to run more complex programs. So it’s probably time to upgrade that laptop or 2-in-1 laptop!
Laptops
A portable version of a desktop computer, with similar functionality and performance, laptops for school are essential tech for study, gaming and streaming. They’re fairly robust too, so can stand up to knocks and scrapes in the schoolbag or laptop bag.
2-in-1 Laptops
Want the multi-tasking power of both a laptop and touchscreen tablet for your high-schooler? With a flexible 2-in-1, your child can take notes and complete exercises on the laptop’s keyboard in the classroom, then quickly convert to lighter-weight tablet mode for streaming on the bus. Bonus points for great value!
Your ‘Buy Right’ Checklist For Laptops And 2-in-1 Laptops
Look for a laptop or 2-in-1 laptop with the following:
A processor that’s compatible with your school’s specific BYOD requirements, whether that’s Pentium, Intel, Core i7 or M1
8GB RAM or higher, for best performance
A Windows-based operating system (most high schools run Windows-based programs, which can be configured on any laptop) – our in-store tech experts can help you get it done
A minimum of 128GB storage (ideally 256GB) to set them up for work and play
Add-on virus protection software to safeguard their device
Shop Top Laptops & 2-in-1 Laptops
Acer Aspire GO 15" i3 8GB 512GB Laptop
HP Pavilion Plus 14" EVO i7 16GB 512GB Laptop
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 15.6" i5 16GB 512GB Laptop
A-Grade Audio For Safe Sound
Headphones
With headphones now a mainstay on many BYOD lists, you’ll want to ensure you buy the right style with the right fit and features for your young learner or teen. Whether they’re for the school day or the train ride home, or for unwinding with gaming and tunes after hours, every kid these days needs a quality set of headphones or earbuds.
Your ‘Buy Right’ Checklist For Headphones
Look for headphones with the following:
A child-friendly volume limit to protect developing eardrums
Noise cancelling tech to reduce the need for little ones to turn up the volume, to hear over background din
A snug fit and adjustable band to ensure ear pads cover small ears
Good battery life to last the whole school day
Shop School-Friendly Audio
Sony Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Keep Them Connected
Mobiles
Has the time come to set your child up with a phone? Maybe they’ve started doing after-school activities and need to be able to ring you in an emergency; or perhaps you want to know you can reach them if you’re running late for pick-up. Not only are the latest smartphones super-durable against life’s knocks and bumps, they also come with more built-in security software and parental safety options than ever before.
Shop Class-Act Mobiles
Motorola g84 12/256G Midnight Blue
OPPO A38 4G 128GB Glowing Gold
Don't Forget Accessories
Level up their study form at home – or in the library – with some practical accessories, such as spill-resistant keyboards with whisper-quiet keys, clever device carriers and laptop bags, and reliable wireless mice with long-life batteries.
Shop Study-Smart Accessories
Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse – Grey
Logitech Wireless Mouse & Keyboard MK295
Generation Earth Foldable Backpack (Black)
School Uniform Care Made Easy
Back To School Laundry Stars
Longing to tame that endless pile of dirty uniforms? Consider a laundry upgrade as your pet back-to-school project! We’ve got everything you need to help conquer school uniform chaos, get more wear out of their kit – and save precious time, money and energy. Great-value garment steamers that refresh whiffy blazers and wrinkly trousers in a flash? Tick! Clever washing machines and heat pump dryers with advanced tech to help you economise, while gently caring for your garments? You bet! You’ll even find a next-gen Styler to set you up for stress-free uniform maintenance all year long. What a class act!
Shop Laundry Legends
Tefal Pure Pop Garment Steamer Marine Blue
Hisense 7.5kg Front Load Washer
Tefal IXEO Plus All In One Solution
LG Styler Clothing Care System
Ready to hit the shops? Before you bag your Back to School tech, check out our buying guides plus our Back to School hub for more great tips and top-grade picks. Then, visit us in-store or online to shop for the best brands, including Lenovo, HP, Dell and Acer.
