Toshiba C50D-B-120
Our pick of low-end laptops is the Toshiba C50D-B-120, which is one of four models from different manufacturers that sell for just €299 from Tesco. The Toshiba comes with a fast processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard disk (that’s more than 140,000 digital photos or 125,000 MP3 songs). What’s more, you get a good-sized 15.6in widescreen display which is nice and bright.
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HP Pavilion 15-p248sa
A step up from entry-level models, HP’s Pavilion 15-p248sa is a popular mid-range machine that comes in a choice of colours. It’s powered by Intel’s i3 processor, with a slightly extra punch – 8GB of RAM for extra performance, double the typical 4GB of most notebooks in this price range. It has an 1TB hard drive, a 15.6in screen and built-in Beats Audio enhances the sound quality. At €489 from PC World, this is a sound investment.
Apple Macbook Air 13.2
A big seller at the top end of the market is Apple’s Macbook Air 13.2, which is probably best suited for older students. At €1,179 from PC World (also available online), it’s not cheap, but the unit’s build quality shows where your money goes. It’s got a 13.3in screen and runs Intel’s Core i5 processor. It’s lighter than a standard laptop thanks to its solid-state drive but the trade-off is lower storage capacity of just 128GB. However, if this laptop will be going into a schoolbag on a regular basis, the lighter weight could be a deal breaker.
LeapFrog LeapPad
There’s a big focus on literacy at primary level, so why not combine your child’s learning with an early familiarity with technology? Suitable for kids aged three and up, LeapFrog’s latest child-centred touchscreen device is the LeapPad Platinum. It’s sturdier than many tablets because it’s built for kids and will withstand the occasional fall. Parental control is built in, to keep kids safe when online. The tablet comes with pre-loaded apps, and you can also set it up with multiple profiles for brothers and sisters of different ages. The Platinum Pink model is on offer at €139.99; the green version costs about €149 from Smyths Toys.
Samsung Galaxy Tablet 4
Tablets based on the Android operating system, like Samsung’s Galaxy Tablet 4, are popular thanks to the wide selection of apps and reasonable prices. The Galaxy 4 has a 7in display and comes in black or white, selling for about €139 at Smyths (white model) and €165 from Tesco. PC World sells the slightly larger 8in black version for €219.99, which has a higher resolution display and runs the intuitive KitKat version of Android.
Samsung E1200
Mobile phones can be a fraught subject where school is concerned. Each school sets its own mobile phone policy, and most of these tend to be strict – which could dictate the type of phone that’s most suitable for your child. For a basic model, Samsung’s E1200 is a serviceable handset for making calls and sending text messages. It weighs just 65g and costs €19.99 from Vodafone and €39.99 from Three. It’s got rubberised anti-dust keys and best of all, it will last for days on a single charge.
Sony Xperia E1
Retailers say Android phones are more popular than their Apple equivalents because there’s a wider choice of apps to download. The phones also tend to be cheaper, which never hurts. Android smartphones start from as little as €49.99, like the Sony Xperia E1 available through Carphone Warehouse on eMobile, Meteor or Vodafone networks. It’s a budget model, without feeling cheap. Its 4in screen is a good size and it’s got enhanced audio features for music aficionados.
Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard
Useful and slick, this is a full-sized keyboard that’s compatible with most smart devices, from iPads and iPhones to Android devices, Windows tablets and Windows Phone. It connects wirelessly over Bluetooth, and will work with two devices simultaneously, switching between them with a single touch. Its built-in rechargeable battery keeps it running for up to three months, and when not in use, it folds away into a neat package the size of a CD case (be prepared to explain to your kids that a CD is something people used back in the last century to listen to music). It costs €99.99 from www.microsoftstore.com.
Osmo
Osmo achieves the neat trick of turning your iPad into a learning tool that encompasses physical play beyond the screen itself, with shapes, word blocks and drawing. Its reflective camera fits to the top of an iPad, capturing what it ‘sees’ on the table or workspace in front of it so that everyday objects like pens can become part of the game. It works with all iPads including the Mini and the iPad 2, and the games are designed to nurture a range of skills like drawing, spelling, puzzles and creative problem solving. Shipping to Ireland is a very reasonable $20, so the whole package will set you back $99.99 (€89.12). www.playosmo.com
Apps
Google Play and Apple's App Store have loads of great free and paid apps with educational themes, so it's worth experimenting to see which ones your child responds to most. For younger kids, Endless Alphabet (€6.99, Android and iOS) is a good way to start your child on the path to knowing their ABCs and building up a store of words. Each word has its own puzzle and animation.
I'm Ready to Spell comes from a well-known name, Ladybird, and is aimed at kids between six and eight years old. It uses games based around a space theme to help improve spelling, and it lets you add the words your own child is learning at school. It costs €3.99 on iOS and Android, or comes as a bundle with Perfect Phonics practice for €5.99.
Secondary students looking to polish their French, German or Spanish will get great use out of Duolingo. It's a free app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone that sharpens language skills by a series of rapid-fire repetitive tests to help learners grasp grammatical rules and pick up useful idioms for daily speech. It's even got an Irish language version. If you prefer to keep it local, Cúla4 Caint from our own TG4 has more than 100 words as Gaeilge, covering weather, animals, vehicles and parts of the body.
For concerned parents, there are a range of apps to monitor your child's behaviour online and ensure they're not accessing inappropriate content. ParentKit (iPad and iPhone only) lets parents schedule when and for how long they can browse the web, or blocking apps and TV shows based on their age profile. It's free for the first month, or about €37 for a year's subscription.
Handily, parents can manage it from their own phone. A similar feature is available on Net Nanny (€26.68 online) which has a raft of novel features for protecting kids, such as censoring swear words in YouTube's comments section. It's easy to use and gives a comprehensive picture of what your child is browsing online.
Mobile Guardian lets parents or guardians block a smartphone's camera function, which would comply with school guidelines that forbid using a phone's camera at all times. It also has anti-cyberbullying features. It's €2.95 per month or €28.95 per year.
