It’s that time of the year again, when fresh young minds merge into the world of education, while returning students continue to take on the real world in the coming years.
Packing the right tech goes a long way to making your life easier and, of course, more fun when you go back to school, but there are gadgets that we buy that we could’ve survived without.
In the August issue we had a look at some must-have back-to-school apps, which should make school life easier. Moving forward, in this edition let’s have a quick look at certain gadgets that just aren’t worth the money and space they’ll occupy.
So, here are some devices you can forgo this back-to-school season.
Printers
Having your own printer may be convenient, but it isn’t necessary. Sure, you can buy a wireless all-in-one printer for as little as $100, but online programs are decreasing the need for hard-copy assignments. Students can submit papers and assignments to their professors online, and professors can edit documents or add feedback to send back to the student. That doesn’t mean you won’t need to print documents occasionally, but the printers in your school’s libraries or labs should do the trick.
Voice recorders
Voice recorders can be crucial for saving lectures and research interviews, but if you own a smartphone you won’t need a dedicated recording device. Basic 2GB digital voice recorders can cost between $30 and $100, but there are several free recording apps. Smart Voice Recorder, for example, records content and allows users to easily share clips via email, WhatsApp, and Dropbox. The app also performs voice recording in the background, so you can use other apps or turn off your display to save battery power while recording.
Digital camera
This generation of smartphones has undoubtedly seen an upgrade in camera quality, with 13MP sensors quickly becoming the norm. A smartphone can’t compete with a DSLR and wouldn’t suffice for a photography course. But if you’re looking for a simple point-and-shoot to snap and share photos, your smartphone will definitely do the trick. Plus, newer smartphones come with robust built-in photo editing and sharing features that you won’t find on basic digital cameras, such as the ability to add sound to your images, create GIFs, and shoot using the front and rear cameras at the same time.