Back to School

Are you headed back to school this autumn? ZDNET has researched and compared the top school supplies to consider. Whether it's a backpack or a laptop, our experts have curated all the must-have essentials so that you can quickly get what you need and focus on more important tasks at hand -- like decorating your dorm room, meeting friends, or studying for that first exam.

Looking for a cheap tablet? My top picks are all under $400

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a quality tablet. For under $400, the best cheap tablets offer high-end features like excellent retina display and battery life.

The best note-taking apps (and why you should use them on your iPad)

Forget the pen and paper: The best note-taking apps for iPad digitize your notes for school or work while keeping them all in one place.

April 27, 2023 by Lena Borrelli in Services & Software

The best stylus tablets for note-taking and drawing

Bring your note-taking and drawings to life with the best stylus tablets. The ones we chose feature fast processors, built-in stylus charging ports, and beautiful displays.

March 14, 2023 by June Wan in Tablets

From standard to scientific and graphing, these are the best calculators

Whether you need to do standard math or figure out more advanced graphing equations, the best calculators will provide the answers to your problems.

July 29, 2022 by Cynthia Bowman in Hardware

What are the best laptop stands and can they help your posture?

Do you have to crane your neck to see your work? A laptop stand will raise your MacBook or Chromebook up to 20 inches off your desk so you can take the strain off your neck and back and work more proficiently.

January 11, 2023 by Laurie Garrison in Laptops

The best large-screen tablets you can buy starting at $369

Not all devices need to be small and ultra-portable. Samsung, Microsoft, and Apple offer tablets with big screens, ample storage, and awesome performance.

April 20, 2023 by Jason Cipriani in Tablets

Students take note: We found the best graphing calculators

Whether you're taking algebra, calculus, or anything in between, the best graphing calculators will solve all your problems.

January 23, 2023 by Hedy Phillips in Home & Office

Roku Express is down to $25 and perfect for college students

If you're using your gaming monitor for your streaming, the Roku 4K Express will bring you your favorite titles for less than the cost of a TV.

July 29, 2022 by Rebecca Isaacs in Streaming Devices

Save big on Apple, Adobe, and GoPro with these student discounts

Your student ID and email are for more than just scanning into buildings and annoying emails all night and day - it can get you some of the best student discounts at places like Apple, Nike, Verizon, and more.

July 28, 2022 by Josh Slate in Computers & Tech

The 5 best back-to-school tablet deals available right now

Sometimes, you don't need a laptop. You just need a tablet to get those papers turned in. Here are the best deals we could find.

July 28, 2022 by Rebecca Isaacs in Tablets

These laptop backpacks will keep your MacBook or Chromebook secure

Protect your laptop while traveling with padded sleeves, spacious compartments, integrated chargers, and more in a laptop backpack.

July 28, 2022 by AJ Dellinger in Hardware