B2S Tech Essentials for College Students

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B2S Tech Essentials for College Students

Summer is going to wind down here in a few weeks, which means it is high time to catch all of those awesome back-to-school sales.

Technology is a very fickle industry since what you pay for is not always what you get, especially with items like laptops, backpacks, and headphones. If you are heading off to college, it’s likely you have a pretty big list of items and you’re looking for deals to fit your college budget.

But, that great deal isn’t such a great deal if it breaks halfway through the semester. I’m heading into my 4th year of college, and I’ve had my share of good and bad deals. This is my list of B2S tech essentials, specifically for incoming college students.

Looking for some great apps for college students? Be sure to check out the 20 Best Apps for College Students

B2S Tech Essentials for College Students

1. Laptop

The Acer Chromebook CB3-131-C3SZ 11.6-inch laptop does not boast the fastest processor, greatest graphics, or the most RAM. However, when you are in college, you DO NOT need a MacBook Pro with a quad-core i7 to run Microsoft Office or school software.

I made the mistake of blowing most of my budget on an $800 (discounted from $1200) Toshiba with an i7 my freshman year of college and, well… I hate it. The Acer is a modest $169.99 on Amazon and will perform just fine for classroom functions.

If you want a computer with killer performance, build a desktop for gaming, video editing, and Photoshop. You will save money, and it will run better than that MacBook Pro, Dell Inspiron, or Asus Predator you’ve been saving for all year.

2. Backpack

The Kopack TigerNu is a steal at $36.99 on Amazon. While it is slimmer than most college backpacks, the TigerNu is awesome for the tech-minded college student. It has ample room for your Acer Chromebook and a few textbooks.

In college, you do not normally need your textbooks for class, or you can get the eBook versions for much cheaper. This means you don’t need a massive backpack to load your 75 pounds of books into.

The TigerNu has a front storage compartment for pencils, pens, and little knickknacks, a central storage compartment for a tablet and a few books, and a laptop compartment. It also has a water bottle holder on the side if you’re into that sort of thing. It comes in grey and black and will fit all genders.

3. Headphones

If you find yourself needing to drown out your annoying roommate, or just want to jam out on your way to class in the morning, we have two great headphones for you. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are over-the-ear headphones that provide great sound quality for just $99.99 on Amazon. They boast a ridged construction and come with a hard case.

If you’re not into over-the-ear headphones, consider the Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth headset. Again, for $129.99 on Amazon, these earbuds are well priced for the quality. They do not have a neck hangar, and they have wings on the buds that keep them in place while you’re moving, which makes them great for workouts. They are sweat-proof and have an 8-hour battery life from a 15-minute charge. You can also use the MySound app to customize your listening experience.

4. Tech survival kit

If you watch YouTube tech channels, you may be familiar with UrAvgConsumer. He shows a tech survival kit that he made, which is a must-have for college students. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been in class with a dying phone and no charger.

This kit features a pair of backup headphones (if you run out the door and forget yours), a power bank for on-the-go charging, a mini surge protector, a screen cleaner, a USB data hub, a mechanical pencil, and more.

You obviously do not need to include all the items on this list, but I recommend having the power bank, surge protector, screen cleaner, the USB hub, and the 6-in-1 USB charging cable. This should cover most of your bases for a tech emergency.

Items

• BAGSMART Travel Case– $25.99 on Amazon
• Chafon 6-in-1 Multi USB Charge Cable (has type C, mini, micro, and lightning)- $8.99 on Amazon
• USB Cable Premium Quality USB 3-in-1 (has USB type C, lightning, and micro)- $7.99 on Amazon
• G-Cord In-Ear Ceramic Earphones– $14.99 on Amazon
• Avantree Headphone Splitter– $6.99 on Amazon
• Uni Mechanical Pencil Kurutoga Roulette Model– $9.23 on Amazon
• Anker 4-port USB 3.0 Data Hub– $9.99 on Amazon (this will go well with the Acer Chromebook, since it only has one USB port)
• Alpine Innovations Spudz Microfiber Cloth in Black Pouch– $7.99 on Amazon
• Belkin 3-Outlet SurgePlus Mini Travel Swivel Charger– $17.40 on Amazon
• 1byone 10,000 mAh 2-port External Battery– $16.99 on Amazon

5. TV

Since you saved all that money by buying a Chromebook, you can afford to put down something for the dorm room. The TCL 43in 4K Roku Smart LED TV is listed at $349.99 on Amazon, which is almost robbery for a 4K TV. You can also get it for under $400 at Target or Walmart. The TCL uses a Roku OS, so you can watch your Netflix, Hulu, or whatever else on the stunning 4K display.

With the Roku included, you have the benefit of getting updates regularly and you save money. The TCL is a great bang for your buck, since the average 4K TV will run almost double what this one does.

6. Alarm clock

I go to school in North Dakota where average temperatures in January hover in the -30 degree range. Getting out of bed in the winter can be a real struggle for me. The Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock is only $32.99 on Amazon and offers a few cool features like a light that activates when the alarm goes off. This simulation of sunlight helps your body wake up.

There are also a variety of natural sounds like birds, forest, and waves, in addition to the traditional beep. This means you won’t have to be jolted awake by an obnoxious high-pitched beep. The Mosche Sunrise alarm clock has a sleek design that will fit into any dorm décor style.

If you’re a tech geek, like myself, these B2S tech essentials are must-haves. Not only will these tech items save your bank account, they will also help you have a productive year at college! So keep on teching!

 

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Kaleb Nieman is a college student, entrepreneur, and tech geek. He is going into his senior year at the University of North Dakota, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history. Kaleb owns a startup called Brandstorm Marketing, which manages social media and content curation for businesses. He loves technology and gaming, and spends his free time researching tech and gaming on his self-built PC. Upon graduation, Kaleb hopes to take Brandstorm to the next level by making it a large social media management agency located in Peoria, Illinois.