Ten Best Tech Items for College Students

Robert_Stark

Going through your first year in college might feel like a whirlwind, especially if you live away from home. It's not just about finding your way to classes and completing your assignments – you might also have to handle cooking and keeping your space tidy. Luckily, there are many tech accessories to help you ace studying and manage your newfound independence.

Anything that'll increase your focus and reduce stress levels has to be good, so having the best gadgets in your college arsenal can make life smoother and more efficient. For instance, why waste time waiting for buses to arrive when you can get to college on an e-scooter?

1) Powerful laptop: Swift X 14 

Acer Swift X 14 is a powerful laptop combining portability and top-notch performance. It's perfect for students who need a reliable laptop for virtual learning, note-taking, and collaboration.

Owning a laptop means you can take it to your classes, and it's ideal for virtual learning. Because it's next to you, you can type or record notes directly into it and avoid transcribing handwritten notes later.

Laptops let you email extra notes to yourself or others. At the same time, they're fresh in your mind, and you can join video chats with other students to enhance learning – no matter where you are.

Acer has the perfect machine to take you into your study years: Swift X 14 Laptop. It has a 14.5" screen, 3 USB ports, plus 1 HDMI. These are the other specs you'll want to know:

• Operating System:  Windows 11 Home 
• Processor:  Intel® Core™ i7-13700H processor Tetradeca-core 2.40 GHz 
• Display: 14.5" WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) 16:10 120 Hz 
• Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 with 6 GB dedicated memory 
• Memory:  16 GB, LPDDR5 
• Storage: 1 TB SSD 
• Price: $1499.99 

2) A great monitor: 31.5" Nitro XV2 Gaming Monitor

You haven't lived until you've used at least two monitors simultaneously. Reading information or watching a video on one screen and seeing your typing appear on the other is brilliant for learning.

Acer's technology is second to none, so it's no surprise that Acer came up with this excellent monitor: 31.5" Nitro XV2 Gaming Monitor.

The Nitro XV2 series has super smooth visuals because its refresh rate is synched to the computer's frame rate. This is why it provides stunning visuals:

• Screen: 31.5" 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 144 Hz 
• Panel Technology: IPS (178°x 178°) 
• Response Time: 1 ms 
• Brightness: 400 Nit 
• USB Type-CPort: 1 x USB 3.1 (Type-C) port (Gen 1 up to 5 Gbps) supporting data, power (65W) and DisplayPort over USB-C 
• VideoPorts: 1 x Display Port 1.4 and 2 x HDMI 2.1 (Supports PS5 and XBOX: 4K UHD@120Hz) 
• Price: $599.00

3) A silicone keyboard for peace of mind

Who can study without nibbling on something when you get stuck? Instead of staring at the screen, dreaming of potato chips, a silicon keyboard will let you eat them without worrying about crumbs dropping between the keys. It doesn't matter if you spill coffee or soda on a silicon keyboard because it'll wipe off as it's waterproof and dustproof.

Roll it up when you want to take it with you, and they look pretty cool because they're often non-standard colors.

But they aren't everyone's cup of tea. You might find yourself typing slightly slower with a different touch, and they don't always have media keys. Make sure you try before you buy, or you can return it if necessary.

4) Laptop stand: Elevate your workspace

A laptop stand is possibly the most helpful tech accessory you'll own. It empowers study time in two significant ways:  

1. Hunching over a computer often causes muscle stiffness and pain, hampering study time 
2. Reduce the likelihood of laptops overheating.

A laptop stand protects your posture because the top of the screen can be raised to around eye level, making you less likely to have neck, back, or shoulder aches. And the best part is that you're in the productivity zone when you're comfortable. Say goodbye to fatigue and hello to laser-focused concentration.

Laptop stands help keep your computer cool. We're all aware that computers hate being heated up. It puts the brakes on processing speed and leads to frustrating crashes. In the worst-case scenario, it might just give altogether.

Raising your laptop off the desk and onto a stand further enhances cooling. Keeping your computer cool should lengthen its life and make it a more reliable machine for work and play.

A third bonus of a laptop stand is that you can create your own stand-up desk without spending a dime. Standing up while working is like a secret recipe for banishing back pain, and a stand-up desk lets you switch between sitting and standing whenever you like. By placing some books or a box under the stand, you might be able to hoist the screen to the right height for watching videos, reading online, or typing up a storm while standing tall and relaxed.

5) Tablet for portable study: Acer Iconia Tab 10 Tablet

Already equipped with a desktop computer for college? Add a tablet to your tech arsenal for on-the-go learning. 

Acer, known for its reliable and innovative technology, offers a standout tablet that's designed to elevate your study experience: The Acer Iconia Tab 10 Tablet.

At an affordable $149, this sleek and powerful tablet is packed with features that make it an ideal companion for classes, study sessions, and entertainment:

• Android 
• MediaTek MT8183C Octa-Core ARM Cortex-A73/A53 Multi-Processor 
• 10.4" 2K (2000 x 1200) IPS multi-touch display with Integrated graphics 
• 4 GB LPDDR4 memory 
• 64 GB Flash Storage 
• Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 & GPS

Whether you're jotting down notes, watching educational videos, or collaborating on group projects, the Acer Iconia Tab 10 Tablet is a versatile tool that fits seamlessly into your academic life. 

6) External storage: Make sure you always have space

You're a student, and your work is precious. Losing it? Not an option. Here's a quick rundown of your best bets for backing up that all-important data.

Flash Drives: Small and Speedy 

Need to grab and go? Flash drives are your pocket-sized lifesavers. They're cheap, fast, and perfect for those on-the-move moments. 

External Hard Drives: More Room, Less Zoom 

Got a ton of data? External hard drives have the space with 500GB - 8GB options but are more expensive. 

Cloud Storage: Everywhere, Anytime 

Free or cheap, cloud storage puts your data at your fingertips wherever you've got a solid internet connection. Group project? Share and collaborate with ease.

The Golden Rule: Triple Save 

Every storage type can fail. So save your work in at least three different spots. Three weeks into an assignment, and your computer dies? You'll be ok if you've followed this rule. Read our best ways to back up your data.

7) E-Scooter: Your eco-friendly ride 

E-scooters are like a breath of fresh air in urban mobility. First, they're incredibly convenient – no more waiting for public transport or dealing with traffic jams. No parking – fold it up and take it inside. They're eco-friendly, running on electric power and reducing your carbon footprint. They're also budget-friendly and small enough to take on public transport at the other end of the journey. But the real kicker? They're fun!

The Acer ES Series 5 eScooter is just the thing to take you back and forth to college, friends' houses, shopping, or anywhere else in your neighborhood. 

Priced at $650, this e-scooter is packed with features that ensure a smooth and safe ride:

• Build & Design: Aluminum chassis with 10" inflatable foam tires and a 36V/350W hub motor, offering durability and a comfortable ride. 
• Brakes & Suspension: Front electric and rear disc brake, along with rear suspension and 4.33" clearance, providing optimal control and stability. 
• Speed & Range: 3 speed modes, with a max speed of 15.5 MPH and an impressive range of up to 37.28 miles per charge, giving you the freedom to explore. 
• Weight Capacity: 220 lbs. max capacity, accommodating various riders. 
• Safety & Convenience: LED Headlight & reflectors for visibility, and LED Display & App controls for easy monitoring and customization.

8) Surge protector: Essential shield for your gadgets 

Any power strip can add extra outlets to a room, but a surge protector safeguards against unexpected voltage spikes that can damage your tech or even start a house fire. Unlike a standard power strip, a surge protector absorbs common household surges before they reach your gadgets, preventing damage and potential disasters.

Investing in a surge protector is a wise move for any college student. It's a small cost that can save you from the significant expense and frustration of replacing damaged devices. Make it a priority in your tech toolkit, and enjoy the peace of mind it brings.

9) Noise-canceling headphones: Focus and serenity 

In a world filled with distractions, noise-canceling headphones are a game-changer. They'll help you study or sleep in noisy rooms. Not being bothered by noise encourages focus, avoids arguments, and reduces stress. Stress is a big blocker for learning, so reducing stress should be encouraged.

When things are too quiet, are you distracted by anything and everything? Maybe you've already found listening to alpha-wave music helps you learn new information? Listen to online lectures, music, or podcasts when you're literally on the run. Invest in a pair and embrace a world where you control your life’s soundtrack.

10) Fitbit or smartwatch: Your personal health and wellness coach 

In the hustle of daily life, keeping track of your physical health can be a challenge. A Fitbit or smartwatch are the best gadgets for keeping track of your physical health, which will help your mental health – both are extra-important. These gadgets track your sleep patterns, how far you've walked today, and your heart rate. Stay well and be well!

The list of tech accessories to help you manage your next chapter in life could continue. For instance, a power bank you've been carefully charging will help when you forget to charge your phone; while you're aiming to be paperless, having a printer on hand for when digital just won't cut it will save a trip to the library; a headlamp to let you read when you're in bed, a multiport adaptor get all your accessories attached to one port of your computer... Good luck with your study.