8/11/2019 Tools to help students make the grade

1/1JULY 2014 e Costco Connection 19

Questions about

electronics or computers

you purchased at

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connection@costco.com.

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Q&A with Marc Saltzman

The Costco Connection

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Marc Saltzman,

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the author of 15 books.Hes on Twitter at

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JOHNG

OLDSTEIN

STUDENTS WILL HAVE enough weighing ontheir minds this fall, so they shouldnt have to worryabout which tech tools are best for taking notes, writ-ing essays and researching homework assignments.

Fortunately, theres no shortage of options.Heres a look.

Laptops and desktopsIf you prefer a straightforward Windows-

powered computer, you have a lot of choices, includ-ing a variety of laptop models from your favoritemanufacturers, with varying specs and screen sizes(typically, 11 to 18 inches). The latest laptop trendsinclude thin and light designs, long battery life andtouch-screen displays. Prices typically start at $300.

If you dont need a mobile computer, desktopcomputers are also adding touch screens. Instead of aseparate tower and monitor, the trend is toward anall-in-one design, where the computer is built inbehind the screen to take up less space in the homeor dorm room.

2-in-1sSometimes referred to as

convertibles or hybrids, these2-in-1 devices are both a laptopand a tablet.

Usually powered byWindows 8 and an Intel proces-sor, 2-in-1s let you get rid of thekeyboard when you no longer needit. With some models, the screentwists back or folds down, so you can justuse your fingertips on the screen for a lean-backexperience as opposed to a lean-forward one.

Some 2-in-1s let you detach the screen alto-gether. A college student, for example, might keepthe keyboard in a dorm room and take only thescreenserving as a tabletto the lecture hall as aneasy way to take notes.

Aside from versatility, another great thing about2-in-1s is you can pick up one starting at about $300for an entry-level model. The high-end versions(some topping $1,000) feature faster processors,more memory and other bells and whistles.

ChromebooksInstead of a Windows-based machine, for a

variety of reasons many students are consideringa Chromebook-based laptop powered by GooglesChrome OS (operating system).

TheCostco

ConnectionCostco offers a variety of

computing devices for back toschool, along with accesso-ries such as backup drives,

in the warehouses andon Costco.com.

With prices starting at $199,Chromebooks are certainly moreaffordable than other laptops, yetyou still get fast performance,good battery life, a familiar clam-shell design and an 11- to 14-inchscreen, on average. Some evenoffer 4G (cellular) connectivityalong with Wi-Fi.

The software will be a littledifferent than what youre usedto, though. Be aware that youcant run most popular programs,such as Microsoft Office, iTunes,Skype, Quicken or Photoshop on aChromebook, nor can you easilysend work to a printer without jump-ing through a few hoops.

That said, Chromebooks do comewith a bunch of preinstalled Google

appssuch as Google Docs, GoogleDrive and a Chrome browser

some of which require an Internetconnection. Speaking of the Internet,purchasing a Chromebook usuallygives you an additional 100 gigabytesof cloud storage via Google Drive.

TabletsRanging in size from 7 to 10

inches, with some exceeding 12 inches(measured diagonally), tablets offer a

number of advantages over laptops: Theyreextremely thin and light; they boot up right awayand last all day on a single charge; using your finger-tips on a screen feels natural; and downloading apps(software) is simple and affordable.

Tablets are also more conducive to readinge-books (including digital textbooks) than a laptop;plus, they usually have a front and back camera fortaking pictures, shooting video and video chatting.

There are a few different operating systemsto choose from among tablets. Brand-name tabletsstart at $200, but you can expect to pay morefor bigger screens, more storage and cellular con-nectivity for on-the-go access to the Internet.

While tablets are popular among students, theydont fully replace a laptop. For many people a phys-ical keyboard is faster, more comfortable and moreaccurate than a touch-screen (virtual) keyboard. Awireless keyboard can help out here.

Also, laptops offer a larger screen (better formultitasking) and more storage, on average. As such,

many people find that a tablet is a supplement to alaptop or desktop, instead of a full replacement. Takea look at your individual needs, then choose theright device to be at the head of your class. C

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