Well its almost that time again and parents everywhere are likely breathing a sigh of relief as their little one becomes someone else’s responsibility for at least a few hours of the day. Of course given what has been going on in some schools that may not be as deep a sigh as it once was. Time to think about equipping this young warrior with the tools he, or she, will need to best tackle the ever more challenging world of education in this technology age.

Laptop Computer

This is the laptop age, even if they won’t be required to initially have a laptop computer they will eventually and its probably time you went down that path. First stop remains the school itself where there may be group buying programs that could substantially reduce your costs and aggravation. Many schools don’t support Apple anymore and there are a few that favor that vendor’s products still and it is best to have hardware the school will support otherwise you’ll have a new job that I doubt you’ll find particularly fun or interesting (though it is a good way to force that weekly phone call with a child boarding away from home).

There are two form factors that should cover the needs of someone in school (including adults going back to school and seeking another degree). 14” wide is the more versatile of the two these are typically below 6 pounds and very portable, they can be used in planes (unlike most other form factors today) and the panoramic screen is great for research where you can bring up the reference material next to your writing material. This is the size I personally prefer and there is one product that I believe stands out as both a value and a good object lesson to kids.

14” Widescreen Laptop: The HP Livestrong is a unique laptop in that it has a good balance of price, performance, and exclusivity often favored by kids. The purchase also creates a donation to cancer research which showcases community responsibility which should be part of every child’s education and a good reminder to adults as to what is important. While you can buy this stripped for $899, suggest you opt up for the slightly better processor 64-ML 30 ($25), the Brightview screen ($25), the 80 GB drive ($50), the DVD Recordable drive ($50), and the 12 Cell battery ($25). For a total of $1,074 at list.

http://www.shopping.hp.com#P5309B#ABA

17” Widescreen Laptop: Once you get above 14” wide you might as well jump to 17” wide which is better then most desktop screens. Advantages include much higher performance and a much more workspace. You generally pay for this in weight, reduced battery life, and cost. Sill if your child is doing work in graphics, photography, or modeling this is the size you want. Apple led in this class but their offering is now dated and expected to be replaced shortly. The Gateway M680 is the newest of these we have tested and it has a as configured price range of $1,300 to $2,100 and is best mid-range, the top has more then you’ll likely need but the base line product lacks a large enough drive, or DVD recordable drive (backing up remains very important for everyone).

http://www.gateway.com

Backpack:

You need to carry your stuff and an ergonomic backpack remains a good choice for everyone who is lugging a laptop and books. BOLBE-E remains one of the best in this category, they make both hard and soft shell backpacks with accessories that were originally designed as summit packs for mountain climbers and then converted for notebook use. They spread the weight well, protect the notebook, and look cool (they were a regular prop for the latest Star Trek TV show).

http://www.boblbee.com

They start at around $160 and come in a variety of colors.

As an alternative Targus makes the TSB700 which also roles taking the weight off the shoulders. It costs a more reasonable $70.

http://www.targus.com

Security

Laptops have a tendency to grow legs and it is best to lock them to something when they are left unattended. Heavy locks will probably be left unused at home so the better choice is the Targus PA400U Defcon 1 Ultra Computer Security System. This includes a light cable lock and an alarm that will go off if someone tries to swipe the notebook. It is only $50 and well worth the investment.

http://www.targus.com

For security software it is best to use what the school recommends here as their systems will best integrate with it. When in doubt the Norton Internet Security 2005 is a good comprehensive choice, it tends to be a little intrusive but it does do the job. It sells for about $63 at www.amazon.com.

A nice inexpensive solution to Spyware is the Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware product. It is still in Beta (pre-release) but it was a fully released product before Microsoft purchased the company. It is also free to any registered owner of Windows.

http://www.microsoft.com

Sunbelt’s CounterSpy is generally believed to be best in class right now and sometimes it is good to have best in class particularly when we are talking about our children (you can also use both the Microsoft product and Counterspy for better coverage). Many of us use two products because no one does the whole job. This costs $20 at www.amazon.com.

Video Conference Camera

When the child leaves the nest there is often a high degree of separation anxiety on both sides. Increasingly parents and children are finding video conferencing the best way to get over this. These remain a great way to feel like you are in touch. Best camera right now is the Logitech QuickCam Fusion. It can be used on a notebook computer (in fact is designed for that use or a LCD screen) and is very easy to use. It costs $100 but you will likely find it on sale for less. (This uses the new Logitech Video Effects technology which allows you to change your image and is very effective if you haven’t done your hair, makeup, or if you are not dressed appropriately).

http://www.logitech.com

Headset

I’ve recently fallen in love with the Logitech Headset 350 myself, speakers can be disruptive to roommates and neighbors (not to mention family in the same house), and this one is perfect for video conferencing, voice over IP (VOIP, most commonly Skype) and for gaming. At $50 they won’t break the bank either.

http://www.logitech.com

We’ll hold off on entertainment products until it gets a little closer to Christmas, here is hoping you can survive until school starts in a few weeks.