Before your student takes on the classroom, why not equip them with some awesome tech to give them an assist? Here are four great devices to help them cram for midterms and unwind after class.
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Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation)
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/amazon-echo-dot-2nd-generation/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 5.0 stars out of 5 (Spectacular)
The good: The second-gen, mini-sized Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker is just as smart as the first at nearly half the cost, and it’s better at hearing you, too. It’s also the only Echo product you can connect to an existing audio setup.
The bad: Amazon’s Echo products still can’t offer audio that syncs across multiple devices in multiple rooms.
The cost: $49.99
The bottom line: The new and improved Echo Dot takes Amazon’s best-in-class smart home speaker and wraps it in an ultra-affordable package.
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iPad Pro (10.5-inch, 2017)
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/apple-ipad-pro-10-5-inch-2017/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: Excellent display, upgraded storage options, faster processor, better cameras and a bigger display in a still-compact size. Faster refresh-rate display also means faster Apple Pencil responsiveness.
The bad: Most of the cool new software features require iOS 11, which isn’t coming until September. No newly imagined accessories and the ones you need (Pencil, keyboard) drive up the cost to laptop levels.
The cost: $639.00 to $649.00
The bottom line: Apple’s 2017 iPad Pros improve on already excellent drawing, video and photo capabilities, but its true potential won’t be seen until iOS 11 hits later this year.
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Chromecast Audio
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/chromecast-audio/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: Google’s ultra-affordable Wi-Fi music dongle streams anything from an Android device and many top iOS apps as well. It supports multi-room audio, digital and analog outputs and — with Google Home — voice control.
The bad: Some notable music services, including iTunes, Apple Music and Amazon Music, are not supported on iPhone and iPad. You need to supply the speakers.
The cost: $35.00 to $35.99
The bottom line: The phenomenal Google Chromecast Audio should be your starting point if you’re looking into multi-room wireless audio.
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Samsung Chromebook Pro
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-chromebook-pro/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: A very long list of features for the price, including a QHD touch display, hybrid hinge and included stylus. Adding support for the Google Play app store means this Chromebook can access a wide range of software.
The bad: The keyboard and touchpad both remind you this is a budget laptop, and the accelerometer is way too touchy. Running too many apps and browser windows at once eats up the RAM quickly, leading to slowdown.
The cost: $547.99 to $549.99
The bottom line: The Samsung Chromebook Pro will make a believer out of many Chromebook skeptics by offering great value, features and performance for a budget-priced laptop.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Section Editor Dan Ackerman, Senior Associate Editor Ry Crist, Senior Associate Editor Ty Pendlebury, Senior Editor Scott Stein and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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