FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 26, 2024

Tech refreshes for a new school year: Digital notebook, memory storage, power banks and more

At the start of a fresh academic year, here's a timely roundup of affordable tools to support note-taking, projects, homework and comfort. They include portable chargers, a digital notebook, a laptop stand and a tech-tailored backpack. Students also can consider a free phone tool called the Five Star Study App that scans notes and handouts to create digital files for easy access to study materials. If users flag important terms and ideas in their notes, the app can automatically create digital flashcards.

The wireless MiniMag Power Bank ($50) is a slim battery pack that recharges a phone to 100 percent in two hours, twice as fast as other portable models. It attaches magnetically to the back of a phone and comes in pink or grey. Alternately, the Anker Power Bank 6.6K wireless charger ($40) brings an iPhone 15 from zero to 50 percent in 45 minutes. (It's also suitable for Android phones that support 15-watt wireless charging.) Another accessory is the Ostand R Magsafe Case ($40) for the iPhone 15, which has a 360-degree rotatable kickstand for use as a holding gadget and a stand in portrait or landscape mode.

Avoid scrambling to keep larger devices charged during and after classes by using a portable power bank. The CukTech 20 model can fully charge a MacBook Pro one and a quarter times or recharge a phone up to four times. It has three ports and a display showing battery level, power, voltage and current. It takes about two hours to refill from a wall outlet, and is a bit heavier and bigger than a phone charger.

These items also may support your experiences in classes and beyond:

• Digital notebook: The Rocketbook Core Smart Notebook ($34) has 32 reusable 8.5-inch by 11-inch pages that convert handwriting to digital text to allow cloud storage, retrieval, searching and organizing of class notes, outlines and drafts. Users wipe pages clear with a included microfiber cloth and reuse them.
• External memory: The new WD My Passport from Western Digital ($65) is a high-capacity portable external hard drive that's smaller than a deck of cards. It's a smart way to protect school docs, photos, videos, music and other data while freeing up laptop storage space. It's powered from the laptop's USB port and can be schedule automatic back-ups. Available in multiple colors, starting at $95 for 1 terabyte (about 1,000 gigabytes).
• Earbuds: The new Earfun Air Pro 4 ($118) have noise cancelling up to 50 decibels, which means that you can wear them in loud spaces and still be able to think. A multi-point connection makes it easy to connect to a computer and phone. A 10-minute charge gives two hours of playtime. (The previous Earfun Air Pro 3 model is less costly at $50.)
• Tech backpack: The Razer Rogue V3 Backpack ($80), with a slot for laptops up to 16 inches, is lined with scratch-resistant padding and has a mesh pocket. A larger, fancier version ($97) fits most gaming laptops and consoles up to 18 inches, including Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. It has a USB charging port and cable, as well as three sections wired for a power bank or external battery.
• Laptop stand: When working on assignments on a laptop at home, avoid straining your neck with a Kensington Universal Tabletop Laptop Riser ($52) that elevates the screen to eyesight level.

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.