College Tech

You don't need a $2,000 machine to survive college. Here's how to pick a student laptop by major, budget, and battery life — plus the specs that actually matter.

The 2026 back-to-school tech rundown: which laptop, tablet, headphones, printer, and dorm gadgets are actually worth it — and exactly where to save without regretting it.

A no-fluff 2026 dorm tech plan: laptop, tablet, Wi-Fi, printer, headphones, and the one surge protector that saves your devices. What to buy, what to skip, and how to set it up on move-in day.

Printers are the most over-bought dorm appliance. We break down when a printer is worth it, when the library is free, and which model to get if you do pull the trigger.

A tablet won't replace your laptop, but for note-taking, reading, and annotating PDFs it's the best $300–500 you'll spend. We compare iPad vs Android and pick the best by major and budget.

Dorm Wi-Fi is notoriously weak — crowded networks, thick walls, and one sad router for a floor. Here's when a router or extender helps, and which to buy without violating residence-hall rules.

A head-to-head of the best college backpacks — comparing comfort, laptop protection, capacity, and price for everyday campus life.

We tested the top student laptops of 2026 and picked the best by major, battery life, and budget — from engineering rigs to lightweight note-takers. Here's what's actually worth your money.

The best noise-cancelling headphones for college life — focus in a loud dorm, quiet on the bus, and comfort for all-day study sessions.