Yo-yos. Mini skateboards. Pokémon Go. Schools and colleges are hotbeds for the latest gadgets, games and apps. They always have been. The younger generations love getting hands-on with new technology. They’re fascinated by it.

But that doesn’t just apply to playground fads. The devices you use in the classroom can be just as inspiring, engaging and tactile. It makes sense to choose technology that students will want to play with. Because the digital skills they learn today will prepare them for the workplace of tomorrow. And getting them involved is the first step to making your lessons stick. Have you ever wondered how effortlessly your lessons would run if the technology you used was as entertaining as, say, a fidget spinner?

All Windows 10 in S mode Laptops make learning fun and teaching easier. But each model offers different benefits. So, to help you choose the right devices for your students, here are a few affordable choices for each age group. Select primary, secondary, or college to skip ahead to the relevant products.

Laptops for primary schoolers

By the time they start primary school, many children already have a huge interest in technology. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the typical pre-schooler spends over eight hours a week online. It certainly didn’t surprise us. So, to make the most of this natural fascination, you should be looking at laptops that make learning easy and fun. While keeping curious students safe online.

HP Stream 11

Top features:

• Superior security – you can stop worrying about data protection thanks to Windows 10 in S mode security.
• Light weight – even your youngest students can get to grips with this lightweight laptop.
• Fanless design – this laptop keeps quiet, so your class can stay focused on their studies.

Great for: teaching vital early skills without worrying about security, weight or distractions.

Asus VivoBook

Top features:

• All-day battery – no need to charge between every lesson thanks to this model’s long battery life.
• Portable – students can take this laptop anywhere, so you can get them working outside the classroom more.
• 180-degree hinge – your students will love sharing and working in a group thanks to this laptop’s hinge and reinforced edges.

Great for: holding lessons in and out of the classroom, and getting your students to work together.

Laptops for secondary students 

At this age, your students are developing their interests, skills and preferences. But they’re also running around in corridors, moving from classroom to classroom, and sharing funny videos with friends. Safe to say, they’re an expressive bunch. Which is why they’re fascinated by technology that can help them express their brightest ideas. So, look for laptops that are smart enough to boost your students’ digital skills, but tough enough to handle their (sometimes chaotic) lifestyle. Read on to learn more about our top suggestions.

HP Probook 11 X360

Top features:

• 360-degree rotation – this gives your students the freedom to learn and work how they want.
• Dual camera – your class can create images and video content, which will speed up project-based learning.
• Scratch resistant – you’ve got enough things to worry about in the classroom, but a badly scratched laptop screen shouldn’t be one of them.

Great for: giving students more freedom, and boosting engagement through image and video.

Acer Travelmate Spin B118

Top features:

• Four function modes – students can choose from flat, tent, tablet or laptop modes to work in whichever way feels comfortable.
• Active stylus – students get a natural, pen-on-paper experience thanks to this comfortable stylus.
• Durable – this laptop is great for rucksacks and can withstand knocks and spills.

Great for: guiding your students through the hectic school day, and flexible, engaging learning.

Laptops for college kids

The skills your students learn at this age will prepare them for the workplace. In fact, research shows that those who learn with Microsoft Office have a higher chance of attracting attention from employers. Because knowing how to use our software is one of the top five requested job skills.[2] But how can your students benefit from our top picks today? First of all, they can work better as a team because our laptops let them co-author documents in real-time. What’s more, they can access their work wherever they are, meaning they can get stuck into things that fascinate them at home, in the library, or on the go. Read on to learn more.

HP Probook 11 X360

Top features:

• Windows Ink – students can write, draw, solve problems and take notes quickly with this user-friendly handwriting tool.
• Best-in-class performance – this high-performance laptop works as quickly as your students do.
• 3D tools – from Paint 3D to PowerPoint to Windows Mixed Reality, your students will love learning with a range of 3D tools.

Great for: giving students the perfect platform to complete their coursework, whatever the subject.

Acer Travelmate Spin B118

Top features:

• Long battery life – your students can get out and about and work wherever suits them, for as long as they want.
• 180-degree hinge – they’ll get a flexible screen that can lie completely flat on a desk or a bed.
• High definition touch screen – your students can really get to grips with the material they’re studying.

Great for: intelligent students with big ambitions, who don’t like to be limited in how they learn or work.

As you’ll see, we offer laptops to inspire every age group. Better still, they’re available from just £249. That means you can feed your students’ fascination and make lessons more hands-on, for less than you may have thought.

To browse our full range of Windows 10 in S mode laptops, visit our online shop. Or, to explore your favourite model in greater depth, head over to our device guides.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/childrens-media-use

[2] https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2016/06/new-research-highlights-most-in-demand-job-skills/