Mega Back To School Buying Guide 2024

Perfect Picks For Primary Students

Tablets And iPads

Compact, lightweight and user-friendly, tablets and iPads make a great choice for early learners. Plus, they’re supereasy for small hands to manage and carry – just like holding a book!

Your ‘Buy Right’ Checklist For Tablets Or iPads

Look for a tablet or an iPad with the following:

• A minimum of six hours battery life
• Dual-band 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 (a must for little ones!)

Top Marks: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Wi-Fi 128GB – Grey

This slim but mighty Samsung tablet boasts a vivid 12.4-inch display and weighs in at just 620g, so it won’t overload their backpacks. It also scores an A+ for writing and drawing with the included S Pen, while Dolby Atmos surround sound will fully immerse them in all their favourite learning games and entertainment.

Shop More Top Tablets And iPads

Apple iPad (10th Generation) Wi-Fi 64GB - Blue

Lenovo Tab P11 11.5" (2nd Gen) 128GB + Pen Tablet

Smart Buys For Secondary Students

Laptops And 2-in-1 Laptops

High school 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 to a laptop or 2-in-1 laptop!

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 128GB storage but aim for at least 256GB to set them up for work and play
• Add-on virus protection software to safeguard their device

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.

Top Marks: HP Pavilion Plus 14" EVO i5 16GB 256GB Laptop

This sturdy, ultraportable laptop offers an A-grade user experience for older students with a stellar 2.8K OLED display, spacious keyboard, ample storage for videos and assignments, plus a premium Intel EVO platform for whip-fast performance.

Shop More Great Laptops

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5" i5 16GB 512GB Sandstone

Asus Vivobook 15.6" Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15" i3 8GB 512GB Laptop

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!

Armed with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, this convertible, touchscreen Lenovo laptop lets you switch effortlessly between work and play by bringing powerful performance and vivid visuals together in a compact, portable package.

Shop More Great 2-in-1 laptops

HP ENVY x360 EVO 13.3" i5 2-in-1 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 And Earbuds

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
• A good microphone – it’s important if your child does regular online lessons

Top marks: JBL JR310 Kids On Ear Headphones – Blue

Bright, light and custom-designed for feathery-soft comfort, these early-learner favourites ensure the volume never exceeds 85dB to protect their hearing. Kids can chat easily with friends or teachers with the built-in mic and personalise their head set with fun, reusable stickers.

Shop More School-Friendly Audio

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Sony Wireless Noise Cancelling headphones

Audio Technica Studio quality Bluetooth 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.

Top Marks: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 128GB – Graphite

With an epic rear camera offering a Wide 50MP lens, Telephoto lens and Ultrawide lens, this smartphone will help them nail their video assignments (and they’ll no doubt be the official snapper at peer group socials), while 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will ensure a fast, smooth performance.

Shop More Class-Act Mobiles

Motorola g84 12/256G Midnight Blue

OPPO A38 4G 128GB Glowing Gold

Apple iPhone SE 128GB Midnight 

Essential Learning Aids

Computer 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.

Top Marks: Cygnett iPad 10.2" TekView Keyboard Case (Grey/ Black)

Elevate their iPad experience and keep their device safe with this smart cover that also adds a handy Bluetooth keyboard for comfortable typing on the go. The versatile stand design allows them to prop their iPad in landscape or portrait mode, while the built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 100 hours per charge.

Shop More Study-Smart Accessories

Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse – Grey

Logitech Wireless Mouse & Keyboard MK270R

AGVA 15.6" Clamshell Laptop Briefcase

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!

Top Marks: LG Styler Clothing Care System

A steam closet that uses the power of steam to refresh, de-crease and sanitise garments between washes, this breakout laundry star can also gently dry clothes for best-in-class energy efficiency and fabric care. With 13 programs to tackle everything from their most worn outfits to non-washer-friendly blazers and delicates, the LG Styler is the next best thing to having a dry cleaner on demand!

Shop More Laundry Legends

Tefal Pure Pop Garment Steamer Marine Blue

LG 10kg Front Load Washer

LG 10kg Heat Pump Dryer

Pay Less On Back To School With The Good Guys

New year, new BYOD requirements? Trade-In to trade up to something new at The Good Guys and receive an instant gift card to spend on your next purchase. In four simple steps, you’ll get an online trade-in estimate and if you accept the offer, you’ll receive a trade-in eGift card on the spot, allowing you to upgrade to a new device right away.

Ready to hit the shops? Before you bag your Back to School 2024 tech, check out our device buying guides on our Back to School hub. Then, visit us in-store or online for the best advice on top of the class brands including Lenovo, HP, Dell and Acer.