Welcome to the 2024 Laptop Mag Back to School Issue
At Laptop Mag, we're keeping up with the times — and the back-to-school checklist has changed.
![Back to School 2024 Laptop Mag Logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kM2tdDbqNNwCx3ZnKA4thZ-320-80.png)
I’m Hilda Scott, veteran bargain hunter and deals editor here at Laptop Mag, your source for buying advice and savings on back-to-school tech.
Once upon a time, I, too, was a student, and I remember when dial-up internet was the norm and how I would crank out term papers on my relic Compaq Presario. I didn’t own a printer, so I would have to hustle to the school library or Kinko’s to have someone print it for me.
Laptop Mag is here to help you make the most of your back-to-school experience.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the college student experience has completely evolved. Professors now accept term papers via email or a shared file. Long gone are the days of lugging around heavy textbooks and flipping through World Book encyclopedias. Now, students can access their entire library on a mobile device. Plus, the convenience of online shopping makes it easier than ever to find the best deals on everything from laptops to dorm room essentials.
At Laptop Mag, we're keeping up with the times — and the back-to-school checklist has changed.
Back to School Issue: Table of Contents
- You need a VPN for school, here are 3 services we recommend
- Don't spend over $100 on your laptop bag: 3 excellent backpacks for back-to-school
- 5 best back-to-school Flexispot standing desk deals I can get behind
- The best back-to-school laptop accessories for nontraditional students
- If I were going back to school, I would buy one of these 3 affordable AI PCs
- The 8 longest-lasting back-to-school laptops — no more outlet hunting
- 5 Dell monitor deals in time for back-to-school shopping
- The Apple iPad 9 just hit a new price low, snag it now for just $199
- Best AI PCs in 2024: These laptops are optimized for the latest AI-powered features
- Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus crashes to $479 in back-to-school tablet deal
- Amazon brings the noise with these 5 great Jabra earbuds deals — ideal for students heading back to school
- 59 best back-to-school sales 2024: Up to 70% off laptops, more
- 7 best back-to-school laptop backpack deals I recommend
- The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED drops to its lowest price yet in this incredible back-to-school laptop deal
- Best Buy's back-to-school sale knocks up to $500 off HP 2-in-1 laptops. Here are my 5 favorite deals
- Build a dream back-to-school desk setup for $212 with these MSI laptop accessory deals
- The excellent OnePlus Buds 3 hit record-low price in limited-time back-to-school offer
- 27 best back-to-school laptop deals of 2024: Save up to 70%
- Top 5 back-to-school deals on study headphones: Up to $170 off Beats, Bose, and more
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon with Intel Ultra 5 CPU drops 50% in exclusive back-to-school deal
- New Dell XPS 13 Snapdragon X Elite laptop drops $200 in back-to-school deal, students take an extra 10% off
- Skip the iPhone for your kids — this new Apple Watch SE could be perfect for back-to-school
- Lenovo back-to-school sale 2024: Save up to 70% sitewide
- 5 Vizio back-to-school TV deals from as low as $123
- Amazon knocks $100 off Apple Watch Series 9 just in time for back-to-school
- 5 back-to-school deals on laptops for kids
- 11 best back-to-school deals at Target this week, students save 20%
These days, students need to be prepared with an arsenal of gadgets to keep up with the demands of their busy lifestyles. That's where Laptop Mag swoops in like a dream team of superheroes wearing tech-savvy and bargain-hunting capes.
As Laptop Mag’s resident deals guru, I aim to make your back-to-school shopping easier and, most importantly, more affordable. I know college students juggle a lot, from class schedules to setting into new housing to balancing a tight budget.
Whether you're a freshman moving into your first dorm or apartment or you’re a seasoned senior due for a study setup upgrade, we've got you covered. We'll assist you in finding the perfect laptop for your needs without overstretching your finances. Need a standing desk to combat those afternoon slumps? We've got you. Want a smart alarm clock that can wake you up with your favorite tunes and remind you of your upcoming assignments? We’ve got you on that, too.
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Let’s face it: Student life primarily revolves around classrooms, lecture halls, homework, midterms, and final exams. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t stress the importance of relaxation. When you’re not heads-down in studying, there’s nothing better than unwinding with a good movie, binging a series, or jumping into an adventure with a video game. That's why we're also sharing deals on gaming consoles, streaming services, and even TVs to make your dorm room feel more like a home theater.
Laptop Mag is here to help you make the most of your back-to-school experience. Stick with us, and your transition to college life is as smooth and comfortable as a broken-in gaming chair.
Apple MacBook Air M3: $1,099 $849 @ Amazon
Lowest price! At $250 off, the latest MacBook Air M3 is at a stellar price. In our MacBook Air M3 review, we gave it a high rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's the Editor's Choice best overall laptop for outstanding battery life and powerful performance. If you're looking for a portable and reliable daily driver you can't go wrong with the MacBook Air M3.
Features: 13.6-inch (2560 x 1664) 500-nit Liquid Retina display, M3 8-core processor, 8-Core GPU, 16-core neural engine, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three-mic array with directional beamforming, Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, quad-speakers with Spatial Audio support, macOS
Price check: Apple Education Store: $899 + FREE $150 Apple Gift Card | Best Buy $899
Apple MacBook Air 15 M3: $1,299 $1,049 @ Amazon
Lowest price! Save $250 on the 15-inch MacBook Air M3 at Amazon. This marks a new all-time low price for Apple's latest 15-inch size MacOS-powered laptop.
Base Features: 15.3-inch (2880 x 1864) 500-nit Liquid Retina display, M3 8-core processor, 10-Core GPU, 16-core neural engine, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three-mic array with directional beamforming, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, six-speakers with force-cancelling woofers, macOS
Price check: Best Buy $1,099
Asus TUF Gaming A15 RTX 4060: $1,399 $994 @ Amazon
Lowest price! Save $405 on the Asus TUF Gaming A15 RTX 4060 Gaming laptop. Although we didn't review it, Asus TUF Gaming A15 reviews from Amazon customers average 4.5 out of 5 stars Proud owners praise the laptop's sleek design, speed, gaming performance, and great battery life.
Features: 15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) 144Hz display, AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 8-core CPU, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB VRAM, 1TB SSD, Windows Home 11
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 RTX 4070: $1,999 $1,699 @ Best BuyOne of the best gaming laptop deals right now knocks $300 off the 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. In our Asus Zephyrus G14 (2024) review, we rated it 4 out of 5 stars for its sleek compact design, strong performance, and long battery life.
Features: 14-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) 120Hz display, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS 8-core CPU, 32GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU w/ 8GB VRAM, 1TB SSD storage, customizable RGB backlit keyboard, Windows 11 Home
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024): $329 $209 @ Amazon
Lowest price! This limited-time Amazon back-to-school deal knocks $120 off the 2024 Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite from Amazon. Samsung's refreshed Galaxy Tab S6 Lite packs an Exynos 8-core processor and runs on Android 14 and One UI 6.1. It also ships with an S Pen which makes it great for sketching, jotting down notes and so much more.
Features: 10.4-inch WUXGA+ (2000 x 1200) TFT display, Samsung Exynos 1280 8-core processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB of storage (microSD-expandable up to 1TB), 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, AKG-tuned dual speakers, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v 5.3, 7,040mAh battery, up to 14 hours of battery life, One UI 6.1, Android 14
32" Samsung Odyssey Neo G7: $1,099 $599 @ SamsungFor a limited time, save $500 on the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G7. Plus, score extra savings via the Samsung Education Offers Program. This 32-inch, 4K curved gaming monitor will level up the immersion of your gaming setup without costing you a fortune.
Features: Samsung's Odyssey Neo G7 offers a spacious 32-inch screen real estate rendered in sharp 4K Ultra HD with HDR 2000. It also has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, making it one of the fastest, clearest gaming displays you can buy.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 w/ USB-C: $249 $189 @ AmazonOne of the best AirPods deals right now knocks $60 off the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for a limited time. Apple's 2nd generation Pro series earbuds feature adaptive audio, active noise-cancellation, 3D sound, conversation awareness, and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. For worry-free everyday use, the AirPods Pro 2 are dust, sweat, and water resistant.
Price check: Best Buy $189 | Walmart $189
Beats Studio Pro x Kim K: $379 $299 @ AmazonCurrently, $70 off with Apple Care included, the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian Special Edition headphones are the best AirPods Max alternatives to buy. For less money, Beats Studio Pro headphones offer better sound, battery life, and enhanced compatibility. In our Beats Studio Pro review, we rated them 4 of 5 stars citing their decent ANC, balanced sound, good call quality and improved battery life over the previous-gen Beats Studio headphones.
Features: Bluetooth connectivity, active noise cancelling (ANC), personalized spatial audio, Apple and Android compatible, lossless audio via USB-C, 3.5mm port, up to 40 hours of battery life on a full charge.
Sony LinkBuds S: $199 $128 @ AmazonSave $42 on the excellent Sony LinkBuds S with this back-to-school headphones deal. These wireless earbuds feature Sony signature sound, superb noise-cancelling and useful features for the price.
Price check: $129 at Best Buy
Logitech Pebble Mouse 2: $29 $22 @ Amazon
Save $7 on the quiet and sleek Logitech Pebble Mouse 2 M350s with Amazon's on-page coupon. Enjoy silent clicking and scrolling with the perfect portable mouse for minimalists. It works with Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS, and Android devices.
Lenovo 300 FHD Webcam: $49 $22 @ AmazonSave $27 on the Lenovo 300 FHD Webcam. It features a 080P 2MP CMOS lens for clear video calls with friends, family, and colleagues. Featuring full stereo dual-mics, this webcam delivers reliable, loud, crisp two way audio.
Hilda Scott uses her combined passion for gadgets from laptops to TVs and her bargain-shopping savvy to bring you the best prices on all things tech. She has a bachelor’s degree in film and media studies from Hunter College and over a decade of experience in tech journalism. Her work has been featured on Tom’s Guide, iTechPost, Examiner.com, Parlemag, Enstars, and Latin Times. When she's not scouting for the best deals, Hilda’s catching up on her favorite TV series and combat sports.