Evolve Top Picks
By: Evolve Tech Expert Lisa Chang
From back-to-school to Boxing Day, people of all ages are looking for ways to make life more productive, efficient, and fun through the tech and gadgets that they rely on. As back-to-school begins, chances are that you will discover what your tech needs are for yourself and your family as the weeks go on.
Whether for work, school, or leisure, we must ensure our tech is “future-proofed. ” After all, these are investment purchases, and we want to ensure they last for years to come. “Future-proofed tech is up to date with the latest software, can handle heavy demand and stand the test of time, can multitask, and is sustainable.
Here’s how to balance your back-to-school technology requirements with smart spending on the right technologies to give a student the best chance of success.
1). Printers:
We may be living in a digital world, but printers are still must-have tools when it comes to school. Whether printing out that first-grade school report or that mammoth college thesis, owning your printer sure beats making multiple trips to the local print shop or school library to get work done.
The HP Smart Tank 6001 was my top pick for the BEST OVERALL.
Here’s why:
- High-capacity, fast and high-quality – print, scan and copy
- comes with two years of ink in color-coded mess-free bottles that are included with the purchase
- Seamless wireless printing, start to finish
- Bluetooth connectivity—the HP Smart App allows you to send a printing request remotely from the palm of your hand. The app also allows you to scan on the go, monitor ink levels, and print from anywhere, anytime.
- Sustainable design—HP Smart Tank is also made from recycled content. In fact, in 2022, HP used over 32 tonnes of recycled content in its products, which is equivalent to 15% of its overall plastic use.
- Even the HP ink bottles can be recycled through HP Planet Partners.
2). Computers and Tablets:
To start selecting the right laptop, clarify with your teachers what’s required; a computer, tablet, or both. If you need both, consider a machine that combines the two technologies rather than buying them individually. Next, start hunting for promotional deals throughout the next two months: online or in-store retailers aggressively price until mid-October.
My top pick for the best overall LAPTOP is the HP OmniBook
Released earlier this year, the HP OmniBook X is a next-generation AI PC with a 14-inch touchscreen designed to empower students to work smarter and faster.
AI PCs are becoming a student’s new best friend, and for good reason, given their lightweight portability, long-lasting power, and built-in software, which gives students the tools they need to make their lives easier.
- Increase productivity with the help of AI: My son is one of many children who are continuing to wrap their heads around artificial intelligence. So what I love about this laptop is seeing the AI in action, such as its Copilot+PC integration. For those who may not know, Copilot+PC is an AI-powered, integrated software that works alongside you when drafting documents, presentations, and more to get your tasks done more efficiently, work faster, and intuitively provide you with the correct information based on your needs.
- Longevity and lightweight: It has the longest battery life ever in an HP laptop, lasting up to 26 hours, so students can stay powered longer and more productive while using their laptops between classes and completing their assignments. It also weighs under 3 lbs, so it’s portable and easy to transport between home/dorm/classes.
- Sustainable design: The HP OmniBook is responsibly built and part of the world’s most sustainable PC portfolio, with 50% recycled aluminum in the covers and 100% sustainably sourced materials for packaging. We know Gen Z and millennials are more conscious about their purchases, and they can feel good about using a device built with sustainability in mind.
My top pick for the BEST 2-in-1 COMPUTING SYSTEM was the LENOVO ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 Intel (14″). It offers optimized processing, performance, style, versatility, and more.
- Boasts exceptional AI capabilities.
- It is equipped with robust Intel® Core™ Ultra processors and combines the power of neural processing to expedite AI tasks.
- Whether writing code or making presentations — you can take full advantage of accelerated AI to improve your productivity.
- Plus, enjoy multitasking with superior battery performance that keeps you on the go all day and rapid charging when you need juice. Get ready to enjoy the best AI PC experience.
- Lenovo Slim Pen – a stylus that magnetically attaches to the side of the keyboard
- Whether using it as a laptop or a tablet, you can easily control tasks like sketching, note-taking, navigation, or even signing a document with a bigger and more comfortable stylus.
- See and feel the Extraordinary—The ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 laptop’s hidden hinge design offers an immersive audio-visual experience.
- This multi-use laptop boasts several intelligent meeting features like auto-framing, noise cancellation, blur background, and more
- audio supported by Dolby Atmos®, and exudes a classy appearance
- A spacious key layout ensures faster and more accurate typing while also being highly resilient against dirt and spills
- Designed to be Future-Proof – a convertible laptop is an ideal choice for small-to-mid-sized businesses handling enterprise-level tasks
3). Phones and Staying Connected:
Staying connected as a student and family is a way of life. It’s no longer a luxury but rather a necessity. But what isn’t necessary is having to buy the top-of-the-line $2,000+ phone.
My top pick for BEST PHONE WITH AI FEATURES is the MOTOROLA RAZR+ FLIP PHONE
- Make the school year a success and keep the family connected in style with the new Motorola Razr+ and Family Space app
- The new Motorola Razr+ is not only a reimagination of the iconic RAZR, but it’s also the ultimate back-to-school smartphone. Through its cutting-edge design, technology, and family-friendly features, it effortlessly blends innovation and practicality.
- With its sleek, compact, foldable design, the Motorola Razr+ seamlessly fits into a pocket or backpack, making it perfect for students on the go.
- The device features the industry’s largest 4.0” external display, which is fully functional and provides quick access to notifications, messages, and apps without the need to open the phone—perfect for students who need to stay organized and responsive throughout their busy day.
- Plus, with impressive battery life, the Motorola razr+ ensures you can power through a full day of classes, extracurriculars, and social activities without needing a charge.
- AI! The Motorola Razr+ also boasts advanced AI capabilities, including access to Google Gemini directly from the external display, to offer a smarter and more intuitive experience. Whether you’re getting instant answers to questions, organizing your schedule, or receiving personalized study tips, Google Gemini enhances productivity and supports learning with ease.
- Motorola’s unique Family Space app adds another layer of convenience and helps parents stay connected with their children while ensuring a safe digital environment. The app offers location tracking, screen time management, and content filtering, giving parents peace of mind while your student explores the digital world.
4) DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS
Gone are the days of lugging around ten textbooks in your bag. In fact, technology has come such a long way that you can now fit over 24,000 books into one device or even sign out e-resources from your school library.
Stay organized and save your back with my TOP E-READER CHOICE – the KOBO Libra Colour
- You can pair this with the Kobo Stylus 2, an excellent tool for annotating pages and highlighting critical passages directly in your eBooks. It also boasts integrated notebooks, letting you effortlessly jot down your thoughts in color. All this is backed up on the Kobo cloud with a seamless connection to Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Another standout feature on this eReader (and all Kobo devices!) is the ability to borrow eBooks from most public libraries and read them directly on your Kobo Libra Colour.
- Wishing everyone a successful BACK TO ROUTINE season!
- The newly-released Kobo Libra Colour has become my go-to eReader and is a must-have for students and readers alike. It features a vibrant 7-inch color screen that brings textbooks, novels, and articles to life with stunning clearly.
