Back-to-school tech: the school gadgets every student needs for the new term

Supercharge the new school year with the best laptop and smartphone deals 
StockSnap / Pixabay
Amelia Heathman3 September 2018

All the schools are going back this week, whilst students are currently gearing up for their new university term.

If you’re looking for a new laptop or smartphone then now is the time to take advantage of all the new back to school tech deals.

From the lightest laptops around to how to get free headphones, here’s what you need to know.

Acer: lightest 15-inch laptop

If it’s a new laptop you’re looking for then just last week Acer unveiled the lightest 15-inch laptop ever at IFA. The new Acer Swift5 gives you the full 15-inch screen experience but weighs a mere 990g.

Featured Intel’s new eighth generation chips, the Intel Core i7 and i5 processors, the Swift5 has up to 10-hours battery life and can process twice as fast as an older laptop. It will also connect to Wi-Fi better than other models, making it faster and easier to download files and content.

Really, the exciting part is you can carry this laptop around on your back all day for when you are going to classes and not suffer from laptop-induced back pain.

At the moment, Acer is offering 15 per cent off when you spend over £800 too.

Acer's new Swift5 laptop is the world's lightest 15-inch laptop
Acer

Apple: education discount and free headphones

Apple is well known for its Education Pricing, which can mean up to £270 off a brand new MacBook ahead of the new term.

As well as the education discount, you will also receive a free pair of wireless Beats headphones, either Beats Solo3 Wireless with a new MacBook or the Powerbeats3 Wireless with a new iPad Pro.

If you have an old Apple device, you can trade it in for money off your new one as part of Apple’s recycling programme. Check online to see if it your device is eligible for the service.

And don’t forget, all students can enjoy a discount on Apple’s streaming service Apple Music, down to £4.99 a month.

Apple offers education discount for its 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models 
Apple

Google: cheaper Pixelbooks and Google Home Minis

If you’re into the 2-in-1 laptop style, then Google is currently running a sale on its new Google Pixelbook range.

The sleek device can work as a laptop or a tablet, weighs a mere 1.1kg and has an extremely long-lasting battery, which is great for students.

Google's Pixelbook can function as a laptop or tablet
Google

It also has security built into the device, constant virus protection to protect all your files and was the first laptop to have Google’s AI built in.

Until 19 September, the device is available from £749, down from £999.

As well, the Google Home Mini is now a mere £39 from the Google Store and other retailers. If you want to practice your language skills during the new term, then the Google Assistant is now bilingual so you can practice different languages with your smart speaker.

But hurry, the Home Mini discount is only available until tomorrow (4 September).

OnePlus: bundles and discounts

After a new smartphone? OnePlus is offering exclusive deals for students to welcome in the new term.

The company’s Full Survival Kit sees OnePlus fans receive a free pair of its famous Bullet Earphones, alongside the new OnePlus 6 smartphone, for £469, down from £514.

Alternatively, the Tough & Smooth Bundle includes a free phone case to protect your shiny new smartphone, for £519, down from £543.

As well, if you sign up with student loyalty network Student Beans you can receive up to 10 per cent off any order with a student discount.

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