Micro Center's 2024 Back-to-School Guide: Essential Tech for Students
From laptops to backpacks to power banks, our experts pick the best gadgets to gear up for the new school year.Buying Guides
Image: ChatGPT; Prompt: Dan Ackerman
Summer is starting to wane and now is the time to plan for the new school year. Whether your student is heading to college or just starting elementary school, Micro Center can help they’re ready for whatever this year may throw at them.
At the very least, a good-performing laptop is a must for high school and college students, and even grade schools sometimes require them now, with remote classes on snow days and tools like Google Classroom for assigning and turning in homework. We've provided several suggestions to get you started, from a basic MacBook, which is the default college laptop for many, to an inexpensive 17-inch gaming laptop, which can work as a big-screen desktop replacement as well as a video production studio and a gaming device.
Other suggestions, from 3D printers to battery packs are below, and if you have questions or need specialized buying advice, leave a comment below and we'll help out.
Laptops
Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - $999.99
The Microsoft Surface Pro offers versatility with its 2-in-1 design. Perfect for note-taking and creative projects, this device combines the functionality of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet.
Apple MacBook Air - $989.99
The Apple MacBook Air remains a top choice for students, blending sleek design with powerful performance. The unibody aluminum construction makes it practically bulletproof, and it can easily last all four years of college.
Dell Inspiron Plus 14- $999.99
The Inspiron 14 Plus is a bit of a sleeper. Despite its unassuming looks and modest price, it included an AI-ready Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, 2.8K display, 32GB of RAM (important for local AI) and a 1TB solid state drive. Read a full review of the Dell Inspiron Plus 14 here.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i - $749.99
The Lenovo IdeaPad line is one of our favorite budget laptop lines. This Flex model has a 360-degree hinge, which means you can fold it all the way around to either stand up like a table tent, or fold flat like a big Windows tablet.
HP 14-ep0063cl 14" Laptop Computer (Refurbished) - $239.99
Computers aren’t just requirements for college students anymore. Homework and assignments are online for students as young as kindergarten age. The HP 14-ep0063cl is a great option for anyone looking for an inexpensive option for their kids to use and abuse throughout their school year.
Acer Nitro 17 - $899.99
For a desktop replacement, this big 17-inch laptop can handle more complex school tasks like photo and video editing, but also doubles as an inexpensive gaming PC with an NVIDIA 4060 graphics card and a big 1TB hard drive.
Maker
Bambu Lab A1 Mini - $199.99
Photo: Micro Center The Bambu Lab A1 Mini, available for $199, is an affordable entry into 3D printing. Ideal for students exploring STEM fields, this compact printer offers a hands-on way to bring creative projects to life, and can be paired with an accessory that lets you print in four colors at once.
Thames And Kosmos Easy Electric Circuits - $31.99
Our maker department isn’t just for the kids-at-heart. We’ve got a wide range of child-friendly maker projects, like the Thames and Kosmos Easy Electric Circuits. This at-home kit is a great way to give any to-be engineer plenty of fun projects to help them learn without even realizing it.
Accessories
Anker Soundcore Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Bluetooth Wireless Headphones - $49.99
Photo: Micro Center A good pair of headphones can be a life saver. Whether you’re a high schooler trying to study or a college student trying to sleep in a bustling dorm, finding peace is important and a good pair of noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver. Anker’s Soundcore Q20i offers great sound and noise cancellation at a great price.
Anker 737 Power Bank - $119.99
More than a simple portable battery, with its high-capacity battery and fast charging capabilities, the Anker Power Bank can charge laptops or tablets a couple of times, or your phone up to a half-dozen times.
Razer Rogue V3 Backpack - $132.99
This premium backpack has got padded straps for carrying hefty laptops and other tech gear, with a plush lined and padded sleeve built in to protect your laptop. It's got a breathable padded back, and I like the interior is bright green, instead of black, so you can actually see what's inside.
Photo: Dan Ackerman Crucial X9 Pro and X10 Pro Portable SSD - $97.99 and up
Logitech C270 HD Webcam - $29.99
For any college student studying away from home, a good webcam is a must have for those weekly calls. Logitech’s C270 is a great affordable option that delivers on solid resolution and keeps family calls from looking like a video game from 1990.
Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator - $19.99
As the parent of a new 8th grader, I was surprised to see a standalone scientific calculator on my son's school supplies list. But with more and more schools banning mobile phones in schools and trying to keep smart devices out of class, it makes sense!
Micro Center 32GB SuperSpeed USB 3.1 (Gen 1) Flash Drive - $3.99
And don’t forget a flash drive!
