The Best Back-To-School Basics For Your Gear

With the school bells about to ring, it’s time you get your gear in order. This year, don’t settle for back-to-school basics when you can have the latest accessories and devices helping you perform at your best.Check in with this list of your gadget must-haves to get you ready for the new semester.

A new MacBook Air

Shopping for a new laptop is a challenge when you’re expecting to live off of Ramen noodles for the entire semester. As a student, you have a very limited budget for what you can afford on tech, even if it’s as something as important as your laptop. You’re probably tempted to save a few bucks by opting for a cheaper Chromebook, but when these gadgets promise to crash at the first hint of an all-nighter, you should reconsider your budget.

Though more expensive upfront, a well-made MacBook Air will last much longer than any cheap laptop. Since it’s not the newest Mac available, it’s more affordable than the other Macs in the Apple family, yet its 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor will keep up with every late-night study session and late-night re-binge watch of Luke Cage.

Every fall, Apple announces its plans to help students afford their expensive products. In the past, they’ve thrown in a complimentary item like an iPod or Beats wireless headphones with every back-to-school purchase. This freebie is in addition to their ongoing Education Pricing and Student Discount program, so you can purchase a brand new MacBook at a fraction of the original cost.

Portable charger

As far as laptops go, the MacBook Air has a stellar battery life. It lasted over 12 hours when tested by Trusted Reviews last year. That should last you for most of your classes unless you have a day that’s scheduled with back-to-back seminars from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can’t always expect to find an available outlet in every class — especially if your building hasn’t been updated in decades. You’ll want some extra insurance it won’t die on you during these hectic days.

A portable external battery charger banishes the stress of watching your battery dip below 2% when you aren’t plugged in. The ZeroLemonToughJuice V3.0 is as advertised — tough and full of juice. Its rugged anti-shock design can withstand getting carted around campus, and its lightweight design makes it easy to slip into your backpack. More importantly, its 30,000mAh power bank is capable of recharging your Mac at a moments notice.

Tailor-made skins for your devices

The student lifestyle can be cruel to your tech. Between lugging your MacBook from class to class and keeping up with the group chat wherever you are on campus, things can go wrong. Your iPhone could take a tumble, or you could spill your pumpkin spice latte all over your laptop. When you rely on these devices as much as you do for school, you can’t let a few bumps, bruises, or spills come in between you and your grades.

A skin can help your gear withstand the unique dangers of campus life. It adds considerable grip, so you’re less likely to drop your phone with an iPhone skin wrapped around it. It’s grime- and water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about spills or gross grease stains while you type your notes. And to top it all off, when you shop from a designer like dbrand, you can design a trendy uniform for all your gadgets. Check out their new iPhone 8 skins to see the latest textures. Whether you opt for rugged black camo, sophisticated mahogany, and geek-chic carbon fiber skins, you’ll have a tailor-made accessory that protects and personalizes your tech.

These gadgets aren’t foolproof; they won’t guarantee an A in each of your courses, but they’ll make excelling in your classes easier than ever before. Prepare for the most successful year on campus yet, and pack your backpack with essential gear.