Friday, March 29, 2024

Back to school tech guide 2015: the definitive gadget list for work and fun

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Summer is coming to an end soon, and it’s that time of the year when young minds around the country mentally prepare for the change from lazy summer days to getting ready for that 8 AM course that you know you should not have taken. It is also the time to splurge on your essential, and not so essential, back to school shopping.

When it comes to your tech needs, we’ve got you covered! Ranging from devices that are a necessity to those that will help just to have some fun, here is our round up of the best back to school tech you can find.

Media streaming

Google Chromecast

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The Google Chromecast HDMI streaming stick lets you stream your online video and music to your TV from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, with support for Android and iOS devices and Chrome for Mac and Windows. Setup is very easy, and all you need to do is plug the device into the HDMI port of the TV, connect it to your Wi-Fi network and follow some very basic setup instructions. There’s also a number of great services that offer support for Chromecast, with tons of new apps and services adding support all the time, and it’s affordable price point of $29.99 currently makes it one of the best media streaming options available.

SEE ALSO: 22 best Chromecast apps for Android

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Nexus Player

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The Nexus Player is Google’s full-fledged Android-powered set-top box, going beyond what the Chromecast offers. Running the new Android TV platform, this device gives you access to movie, TV, and gaming recommendations based on your history. You can use the included remote to navigate through the menus, or simply voice search from the remote to find what you’re looking for. This device comes Google Cast ready, and if you don’t have your remote, you always have the option to just use your phone. Streaming content also syncs across your phone, tablet, and Nexus Player so you can start a movie on your TV, then finish it in bed on your phone or tablet later. The Nexus Player is currently priced at $69.99.

SEE ALSO: Nexus Player review

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Roku 3 (2015 model)

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Unlike the other media/gaming devices on the list, the Roku 3 isn’t Android-powered but it does integrate with services like Google Play Movies & TV and arguably provides the very best selection of streaming entertainment anywhere, including both popular premium services as well as free entertainment options. The Roku 3 features an enhanced remote with built-in headphone jack for those times when you want to listen to your shows without interrupting others around you. The Roku 3 enhanced remote also features motion-sensing technology that lets you play games with a simple flick of your wrist, along with game-ready buttons. The Roku Android app lets you use your smartphone or tablet as a remote, and with some devices, also stream local media. A new very useful addition with the 2015 model is voice search, to make navigating through everything much easier.  The Roku 3 is priced at $99.

Buy now on Amazon

Smartphones

Moto G (3rd Generation)

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The latest edition of the Motorola’s affordable smartphone retains some of what made its predecessor so popular, such as its very smooth software experience, while adding a few great extras, including its IPx7 rating for water resistance, better camera, slightly different design elements, and what will likely be its most popular aspect, the ability to customize the device using Moto Maker. The Moto G (3rd generation) is available in two iterations, with the cheaper $179.99 version coming with 8 GB of on-board storage and 1 GB of RAM, with the 16 GB version with 2 GB of RAM setting you back an additional $40, with an additional expense of you are hoping to add an engraving to the device.

SEE ALSO: Moto G (3rd generation) review

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Customize using Moto Maker

Axon Phone by ZTE

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Chinese OEMs are slowly but surely breaking into the competitive US market, with some great devices offering excellent bang for your buck. One such smartphone is the Axon Phone by ZTE. While its beautiful design, gorgeous Quad HD display, smooth performance, high-end specifications, fluid software experience, and decent camera isn’t above and beyond what is expected from a current generation high-end flagship, the fact that it is significantly cheaper than the devices it directly competes with, at a price point of $449.98, is what makes the Axon Phone by ZTE a no brainer.

SEE ALSO: Axon Phone by ZTE review

Buy now on Amazon

ASUS Zenfone 2

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There has been a big focus in the Android world on affordability without compromise, and a great example of this is the ASUS Zenfone 2. The Zenfone 2 caught everyone’s attention with its beautiful Full HD display, solid specifications that offer a smooth and fluid experience, customizable software, and fantastic design and build quality, all at an extremely affordable price point. $199 will get you the version with 16 GB of on-board storage and 2 GB of RAM, but if you’re looking for more, the 64 GB version that packs a whopping 4 GB of RAM is priced at just $299.

SEE ALSO: ASUS Zenfone 2 review

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Samsung Galaxy S6

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Samsung introduced a major change in terms of design and build quality with its latest S series flagship smartphone, moving away from plastic and going to a beautiful metal and glass unibody design. The device is an absolute powerhouse with its in-house processing package, with the smooth performance helped along by the toned-down software experience. Everything Samsung is known for makes a return here, such as its fantastic Quad HD Super AMOLED display, and one of the best camera experiences around on a smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S6 is certainly expensive, available at a full price of $599, but you do get to take advantage of the standard subsidized rates with a 2-year contract from the various network carriers in the US.

SEE ALSO: 

  • Samsung Galaxy S6 review
  • LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 camera shootout

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Protective cases and covers

If you are paying a premium for your smartphone, it’s natural that you’ll want to keep it in a pristine condition for as long as possible, and regardless of what mobile device you have, an extra layer of security is never a bad idea to keep it safe from scratches, and accidental bumps and drops. If you decide to pick up any of the smartphones listed above, you can find great cases for them in the links below, and for any other device, don’t forget to check out our growing database of best cases currently available for a variety of smartphones and tablets, which you can find here.

Moto G (3rd generation) cases
ZTE Axon Phone cases
ASUS Zenfone 2 cases
Samsung Galaxy S6 cases

Android Wear smartwatches

Sony Smartwatch 3

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Sony decided to go with Android Wear with its latest smartwatch offering, the Smartwatch 3. What makes the Sony Smartwatch 3 stand out is its onboard GPS module, that lets you track your activities without needing a smartphone, its IP68 rating for resistance to dust and water, and the use of a transflective LCD display, which helps a lot with outdoor visibility. While the device maintains a sporty look and doesn’t try to be like a traditional watch like some other smartwatches out there, this device is ideal for active users who are looking for a simple way to keep a track of their fitness activities. Priced at $173 currently, the Smartwatch 3 is also one of the more affordable options available.

SEE ALSO: Sony Smartwatch 3 review

Buy now on Amazon

Moto 360

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The Moto 360 was one of the first Android Wear smartwatches announced, and, while it took Motorola more than half a year to release it, the sleek circular device has been well received. Featuring a large circular screen, a sleek brushed metal build, and several replaceable bands, the Moto 360 will look good in just about any occasion. On the inside, the processor is older than the competitors’, while the battery is on the small side, but the device will last a day of usage for all but the most active users, and you get one of the better charging implementations around. The Moto 360 is a great choice if style is your biggest priority, and is currently priced at just $149.

SEE ALSO: Moto 360 review

Buy now on Amazon

LG Watch Urbane

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LG has been at the forefront of the Android Wear smartwatch evolution, starting from the reference model-like nature of the LG G Watch, to its first round face smartwatch, the G Watch R, culminating to its latest, and most expensive, offering, the Watch Urbane. Featuring a premium design and build quality that gives this device a certain luxury appeal, the Watch Urbane also brings with it improvements in other key areas, like battery life. If you’re looking for a stylish device that is as close to a traditional watch as possible, the LG Watch Urbane is the one for you. The most expensive of the lot, the Watch Urbane is currently priced at $302.

SEE ALSO: LG Watch Urbane review

Buy now on Amazon

Fitness trackers

Fitbit Charge HR

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The Fitbit brand is popular for a reason, and that’s because their products are extremely great quality. The Fitbit Charge HR is an accurate fitness tracker that gives you useful information like distance traveled, step counts, calories burned, stairs climbed, and much more, while also allowing for continuous, automatic, monitoring of your heart rate. It’s made of a high quality rubber material that won’t wear down over time. It features a small OLED display that gives you notifications, phone calls, and basically anything else that you need to see on your phone. Priced at under $150, the Fitness Charge HR is a great choice to help you stay on top of your fitness activities.

Buy now on Amazon

Tablets

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4

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Most of us use tablets for watching movies, reading, and playing games. So it makes sense to go for the very best display you can get, and it’s hard to find anything better than the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. The Tab S 8.4 is one of the few tablets with an AMOLED screen and a super crisp Quad HD at that, with an excellent 359 ppi pixel density. Being AMOLED, the screen will show deep blacks and vivid colors, perfect for games and movies. The portable Tab S 8.4 combines the portability of smaller devices with the screen real estate afforded by larger tablets. If you’re looking for everything that Samsung has to offer in an affordable package, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is the best choice for you.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 review

Buy now on Amazon

Nexus 9

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The Nexus 9, from Google and HTC is an Android fanboy’s dream, with it running the purest, most recent version of Android, and always being one of the first to receive future software updates, for at least two years. There are no OEM additions (though stock Android may be a little too minimal for your taste) and therefore nothing to bog down the user experience.The Nexus 9 is just as impressive on the hardware side, featuring 64-bit Tegra processor, a beautiful 1536 x 2048 pixels screen, stereo front speakers (disguised under the protective glass) and a big battery. The device features a utilitarian, yet elegant design, with an aluminum frame that gives it rigidity without adding much heft. The Nexus 9 is still one of the best Android tablets currently available, and is currently priced starting at $349.

SEE ALSO: Nexus 9 review

Buy now on Amazon

All-new Kindle Paperwhite

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The all-new Kindle Paperwhite may not offer as much terms of features and functionality as the other tablets on this list, but this e-reader lets you do one thing incredibly well, and that is read books. With features that include a higher resolution display with no screen glare, a built-in adjustable light for day and night time reading, and a battery that lasts for weeks instead of days, this is certainly one of the best if you’re in the market for an e-reader. The new Kindle Paperwhite is also priced starting at just $119, making it a very affordable option if all you really need a tablet for is to read books.

Buy now on Amazon

Chromebooks

Toshiba Chromebook 2

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The successor to the original Toshiba Chromebook brought with it some refinements to the overall design with a sleeker look and a lighter body, a Full HD display, and 4 GB of RAM.  The device Powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron processor (with fanless design), and other specs that include a battery rated for 9 hours use, 16 GB storage with 100 GB Google Drive space, and a Skullcandy-branded audio experience. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 may be considered expensive given its competition, but at $279, is still a very budget-friendly option.

Buy now on Amazon

Acer Chromebook 15

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It is quite difficult to find a Chromebook with a large display, but that search has become a lot easier with the Acer Chromebook 15, with its large 15.6-inch display. The base model, priced at just $219.99 is powered by an Intel Celeron processor and comes with 2 GB RAM, a battery that is rated for 11 hours of use, but the display experience is also hindered by a relatively low 1366 x 768 resolution. You also have the choice to upgrade the processor, and the RAM to 4 GB, which also bumps up the display resolution to Full HD, which would be the better way to go, but will of course, cost more money.

Buy now on Amazon

ASUS Chromebook Flip

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Finding an inexpensive, capable Chromebook isn’t too difficult nowadays, but if you’re looking for a little more functionality, the ASUS Chromebok Flip could be the device for you. The Flip sports a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, 2 or 4GB of RAM, an aluminum chassis, and a battery that’s supposed to last up to nine hours on a single charge. It also weighs under 2 pounds, measures just 0.6-inches thin and comes with 16GB of on-board storage, which is quite standard fare. The big story with this Chromebook is its ability to be used as a notebook computer or a tablet just by flipping the keyboard around. If you’d like to use it as a tablet, flipping the keyboard around to the back will automatically pull up the on-screen navigation buttons. It’s small display size may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for an affordable 2-in-1 device, the $229 price of this chromebook is ideal.

Buy now on Amazon

Bluetooth speakers

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While it doesn’t offer the bells and whistles that many of its competitors do, the SoundLink 3 seems to adhere to the philosophy of doing one thing well, when it comes to sheer volume and sound quality, this one is tough to beat. While lack of bass is a common complaint when looking at Bluetooth speakers, that isn’t the case here. This isn’t going to blow a full hi-fi system or car stereo out of the water, but given the size, the depth and presence of the bass is impressive. If you’re looking for a speaker to fill the room at a party, this is going to be your best bet. The only downside here is the price, with the device priced at $299.95.

SEE ALSO: Bose SoundLink 3 review

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Creative Sound Blaster Roar

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Not only is the Creative Sound Blaster Roar SR20 cheaper than the Bose SoundLink 3, it is absolutely packed with features as well. Apart from just playing music over Bluetooth but it also has a built-in microSD card slot that allows it to function as a standalone music player, a 6,000 mAh battery that can charge your mobile devices, and a voice recorder function. Even with this feature set, the Creative Sound Blaster can be found for a somewhat reasonable price of $149.99.

SEE ALSO: Creative Sound Blaster Roar review

Buy now on Amazon

Anker MP141

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While Anker is a fairly recognizable brand name, the company has its hands in so many areas that you might not know them for the audio products. It may not stand toe to toe with the other Bluetooth speakers on this list, when it comes to sound quality, given the tiny size and low price, the Anker MP141 is definitely worth a mention. While the heavy-duty look and small size might not be for everyone, the price certainly is, and the 20 hour battery life is another plus, and priced at just $39.99, it’s a no-brainer.

SEE ALSO: Anker MP141 review

Buy now on Amazon

Headphones

Bose Quiet Comfort 25

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One of the best features of the Bose Quiet Comfort 25 is the active noise cancellation that it offers, and Bose finds the perfect mark between it not working that well, or otherwise resulting in a hissing sound when the noise cancellation is too overbearing. In terms of sound quality and comfort, the QuietComfort 25 is on par with other Bose headphones, which is to say their fairly well balanced, but they don’t go overboard on bass. One common complaint about Bose products is that they’re expensive, and that is certainly the case here with its price tag of $299, but you certainly get what you pay for.

SEE ALSO: Bose Quiet Comfort 25 review

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Audio Technica ATH-M50X

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Audio Technica is the first name that comes up if you’re looking for precision sound that doesn’t sacrifice an enjoyable listening experience for the sake of accuracy. While some color choices run more expensive, the base models of the ATH-M50x clock in at under $200, and the combination of price, sound quality, and build quality come together in a pair of headphones that are more than the sum of their parts. If you’re looking for some more features, like active noise collection, the headphones listed above may be the better way to go.

SEE ALSO: Audio Technica ATH-M50X review

Buy now on Amazon

Monoprice 8323

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Like the ATH-M50x headphones, the Monoprice 8323 doesn’t offer much in the way of features, but what they lack in fancy looks or included remotes, they make up for in sound quality. Obviously, to keep the price low some sacrifices had to be made. For example, the build quality isn’t exactly rock solid, but given its price point of of just $33, this is an absolutely great deal for the audio quality you get to enjoy.

SEE ALSO: Monoprice 8323 review

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Earphones (Sports)

Jaybird Bluebuds X

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One big issue with all earbuds is getting a good fit and this earphone aims to fix that by including a couple of different sized ear tips and wing tips for you to mess around with until you get the fit that’s most comfortable for you. Since their release, the Jaybird Bluebuds X have been the standard for what Bluetooth earbuds should do. They offer about 8 hours of battery life, and on the wire connecting the two buds are the buttons that control everything from answering calls to skipping tracks. With its price point of $143, these earphones are certainly expensive, but worth it, helped along by the lifetime warranty that is available.

SEE ALSO: Jaybird Bluebuds X review

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Jabra Sport Pulse

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While the other earphones listed are ideal for wearing at the gym, they don’t have any exercise-specific features outside of not falling out of your ears. This pair of earbuds on the other hand, take sport-focused earbuds to a whole new level. Starting with the sound, the Jabra Sport Pulse offers great audio quality – it goes a step beyond, however, in that not only are they sweat-resistant, but they actually have a built-in heart rate meter to track your workouts as you wear them. While on the more expensive side, with its price point of $199, the additional fitness tracking feature may be what you are looking for.

SEE ALSO: Jabra Sport Pulse review

Buy now on Amazon

Sol Republic Shadow Wireless

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The Sol Republic Shadow Wireless is another great choice if you’re looking for Bluetooth earphones, and along with the availability of 8 hours of battery life, they also sound really good. The Shadow Wireless have Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX which enables them to stream high quality music from your device from up to 30 feet away. Sol offers free ear tip replacement for life. The earphones have three buttons for volume up, volume down, and play/pause/answering phone calls right on the neckband as well. The Sol Republic Shadow Wireless earphones are priced at $99.99.

Buy now on Amazon

USB chargers and cables

Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 charger

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Officially licensed and certified to use Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 Technology applied to one out of the 5 available ports, the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 USB Wall Charger allows you the option to charge compatible devices up to 75% faster than a standard charger. Multiple built-in safeguards are available to fully protect against over-current, overcharging, and overheating for safe and fast charging. Of course, this charger can be used to charge older devices as well. While the version with 5 ports is priced at $29.99, and 3 port iteration is also available for a cheaper $22.99.

Buy now on Amazon

Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 car charger

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Like the wallcharger, the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 car charger is also officially licensed and certified to use Qualcomm’s fast charging technology, if you do have a device that can take advantage of it, and an additional port is also available two charge two devices simultaneously. Once again, multiple built-in safeguards are available to fully protect against over-current, overcharging, and overheating for safe and fast charging. This car charger is currently priced at $16.99.

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Anker tangle free USB cable

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This Anker USB cable addresses a few issues users generally have with such cables, keeping them tangle free, and offering some durability, with its nylon braided cord. Anker also claims that this cable allows for charging by up to 7% faster than standard cables, as well as allowing for transfer data speeds up to 480 Mbps. The Anker tangle free USB cable is priced at $5.99.

Buy now on Amazon

External Battery

Lumsing 10,400 mAh battery bank

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The Lumsing battery bank offers a very high 10,400 mAh capacity, which should be enough to charge your smartphone multiple times, and you can charge two devices simultaneously as well. 4 LED indicators are present to show how much charge the device still holds, and there are protections available to avoid overcharge, overvoltage, overcurrent, and short circuits. Despite the capacity this device offers, the Lumsing battery bank is currently priced at just $19.99.

Buy now on Amazon

Anker 2nd generation Astro Mini

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The Anker Astro Mini is a very portable, lipstick-sized, battery pack, and is the perfect device to have when in a pinch. It doesn’t offer the highest capacity, but 3,350 mAh should be more than enough to get at least close to a full charge with most smartphones. The Anker Astro Mini is also available with a great deal right now, with the black version of the device priced at just $9.99, with the other color options setting you back an additional $10.

Buy now on Amazon

Expandable storage

SanDisk Extreme

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The SanDisk Extreme is the USB flash drive for you if you’re device has a USB 3.0 port, allowing you to enjoy fast read and write speeds, ideal for any big file transfers. While the write speeds seem to vary from 55 Mbps to 190 Mbps depending on the capacity, you do get read speed of 245 Mbps across the board. The Extreme is certainly a bit pricey when it comes to flash drives, with the device priced starting at $16.99 for the 16 GB variant, but it is worth it for the extra speed.

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SanDisk Cruzer Blade

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The SanDisk Cruzer Blade is the cheaper option, if you’re looking for lower capacity options, or if you don’t have a USB 3.0 port to take advantage of. The read and write speeds are admittedly slow, but that is understandable. Starting at just $5.95 for the 4 GB variant, the Cruzer Blade is a great flash drive choice, and with a hole for a keychain ring, you won’t have to worry much about losing it.

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Lexar microSD card

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The Lexar high-performance microSD card is the premium memory solution for sports camcorders, tablets, and smartphones. It quickly captures, stores, plays back, and transfers media files, including 1080p full HD, 3D, and 4K video, with a transfer speed up to 95 Mbps. While comparatively a bit pricey, with the 32 GB version priced at $24.99, this is ideal for use with devices like GoPro Hero 3 and others. 

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SanDisk Ultra microSD card

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The SanDisk Ultra microSD card is a cheaper alternative to the option above, and is ideal for smartphones and tablets. You get p to 80 Mbps transfer speeds, and it allows for Full HD video recording and playback. The microSD card is temperature proof, shock proof, X-ray proof, and magnet proof, and there is also the Memory Zone app, that lets you auto-manage media and memory for peak phone performance. The SanDisk Ultra microSD card starts at price point of $6.51 for the 8 GB version. 

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There you go! Our definitive list of gadgets for a great back to school season! Have some suggestions? Drop us a line.

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