If you're heading to college for the first time, congratulations! Here's some tech-tools that will hopefully make things a big easier for you as you take on third level education.
The smartphone plays an important role on campus, but it's important to have a device that will get you through the day and is easy to use. This own-brand device from Vodafone is a solid option. It's the Vodafone Smart Ultra 7 and costs €199.99 on pay as you go.
Vodafone have been knocking it out of the park in recent times when it comes to producing their own-brand devices. The Smart Ultra 7 ticks so many boxes and is an excellent option for any Vodafone customers looking to get a new device, without having to part with too much cash.
Your laptop will be your best friend during your college years. It's important to get something that is powerful, portable and not a pain in the face to use. There's so many offers out there at the moment, but this one from Lenovo is definitely worth checking out.
It's called the Lenovo Ideapad: 15.6-inch screen and costs €349 from Harvey Norman.
Accessories:
Aside from the big items mentioned above, there's a host of accessories worth investing in. First up: an external mouse. Even if a laptop has a great track-pad, there's no denying that an actual mouse is more comfortable to use for long periods of time.
This is the Microsoft Mobile Mouse 1850 and costs less than €17. This is a great companion for any laptop, but it's worth noting that it does require a small USB adaptor. This isn't the end of the world, but matters if you only have one USB port on your laptop.
If you can stretch to an extra few quid, look at the Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse. This is €40 and so very comfortable to use.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a phone that will last an entire day, so a backup charger is always a good investment. Trust Urban Revolt Portable Charger costs €25 at Harvey Norman and is a good buy. It's a 4400mAh backup, meaning it'll charge the average smartphone a few times over.
Apps:
Transport for Ireland: If you're moving to a new city or are unsure of how you'll commute from X to Y, this app is a must have. It's free to download and will make the life of any commuter easier.
Evernote: Evernote is basically a cloud based notebook that makes note-taking that bit easier. It's possible to search through every note for terms or names. It's free to use and is available as a website or mobile application.
2048: Let's call a spade a spade here, you'll have some time to kill. Whether it's waiting on a bus or in between lectures. 2048 is a free game that will help pass those hours.
