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Back-to-School Tech Tips: Kit Out Your Student Smarter, Not Newer

By Andrew Smith | Updated 18 Aug 2025

Back-to-School Tech Tips: Kit Out Your Student Smarter, Not Newer

Back-to-School Tech Tips: Kit Out Your Student Smarter, Not Newer

As the summer holidays wind down, the annual expense of kitting out your children for a new school or university year looms large. Technology, especially, has become a non-negotiable part of the kit list, from laptops for coursework to mobile phones for safety and coordination. The pressure to buy the absolute latest model is immense, but it doesn't have to be that way. The smartest approach is to focus on value, durability, and a bit of environmental savvy.

Essential Tech Checklist for the New Term

Before you rush out and spend a fortune, consider these crucial tips to ensure your student is prepared without breaking the bank:

  1. Prioritise Portability over Power: For most school and university work, a heavy, high-end gaming laptop isn't necessary. Focus on lightweight devices with good battery life. A mid-range refurbished laptop or tablet is often more than capable of handling essays, research, and video calls, and it’s much easier to carry between lectures.
  2. Invest in Good Audio: Noise-cancelling headphones or quality earbuds are an essential tool for focus. Libraries and dorm rooms can be noisy, and being able to block out distractions is key for effective study. Look for refurbished audio gear for a massive saving on premium brands.
  3. Power Up with a Power Bank: Students are rarely near a plug socket when they need one. A reliable, high-capacity power bank is a lifesaver for phones and tablets, ensuring they stay contactable and can keep working even when out and about.
  4. Turn Old Gadgets into New Funds: Before buying anything, look through your drawers. That old mobile phone, tablet, or smartwatch that’s gathering dust could be worth a significant amount of cash. You can easily sell your old devices to Envirofone, turning unwanted tech into funds that go directly towards the new term’s expenses.
  5. Get a Separate Study Device: If your child is constantly distracted by games on their main phone, consider getting a separate, reliable, refurbished tablet specifically for study apps, note-taking, and e-books. It separates work from play and is a smart use of budget.

The Smart Way to Buy Back-to-School Tech

Buying refurbished technology is the ideal solution for back-to-school. Every device sold through Envirofone is tested, certified, and guaranteed to work perfectly. You get access to flagship quality—like a previous-generation iPhone or a high-spec Samsung—for a fraction of the cost of a brand-new model. It’s better for your budget and kinder to the planet by extending the life of electronics.

To upgrade their handset affordably for the new term, you should always buy a quality refurbished smartphone. You’ll find that "like new" quality doesn't always come with a brand new price tag!

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