These are unprecedented times, and countless parents across Australia are now finding themselves with a new job title teacher.
Although schools in some states are still open, a growing number of parents are choosing to keep their kids at home to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.The prospect of becoming your childs teacher can be daunting, but if youre ready for the challenge, TheIndianSubcontinents Australian team is here to help you find tech resources you may need to help homeschool your children.To help you get started, weve handpicked a range of laptops, 2-in-1s, printers and more, with choices catering to a variety of budgets so anyone can access learning at home.Laptops(Image credit: Dell)Dell XPS 13 (7390)The flagship laptop to go the distance View at DellThe Dell XPS 13 has long been our favourite laptop at TheIndianSubcontinent, and from a bang-for-buck perspective it remains one of the best you can buy.
This sleek machine gets our vote because its lightweight, slim and ultra portable, while also being pretty powerful.
The XPS 13 rips through daily computing tasks with ease, and the all-important battery life in the 2019 model has improved over its predecessors.
If you dont want it to drain throughout the day, wed recommend opting for the Full HD display configuration rather than a 4K panel.(Image credit: HP)HP Chromebook 14Balancing value and design View at BJ's Wholesale ClubThe main difference you need to know when comparing a Chromebook to a Windows PC such as the Dell XPS above, is that a Chromebook runs Googles Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system that aims to get you online as easily as possible.
Chromebooks also dont usually feature very powerful specs, and as a result can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than their Windows counterparts.
So if your home schooling will mostly be based online and youre not too fussed on battery life, the HP Chromebook 14 is an excellent option.
Its one of the few Chromebooks available in Australia and it carries an affordable price tag.Discover more student laptops2-in-1s(Image credit: HP)HP Envy x360 13HP gives its slimline laptop an AMD upgradeFor a convertible, this 2-in-1 feels solid and sturdy despite its rather slick-looking aluminium chassis.
Its battery is capable of up to nine hours of video playback, and the AMD chip under the hood will keep performance running smoothly for most schoolwork requirements.
Theres versatility in this machine, as the 360-degree hinge allows you to convert its 13-inch Full HD touchscreen display into tablet mode.
All in all, the HP Envy x360 delivers the feel of a high-end portable at a competitive price point.(Image credit: Microsoft)Microsoft Surface GoThe tablet that makes the perfect 2-in-1Its technically a 10-inch tablet, but add a Type Cover and it becomes a very compelling 2-in-1 option.
While it doesnt have the powerful components of more expensive 2-in-1s, Microsoft designed this good-looking device to be mighty enough for schoolwork.
Despite the additional cost of the Type Cover something wed recommend getting if youd like to use it as a convertible the Surface Go still comes in cheaper than many other 2-in-1s.
For the price, youre also getting an incredibly colour-accurate display and surprisingly powerful speakers.Discover more 2-in-1sMice(Image credit: Logitech)Logitech MX Master 2SThe ultimate mouse for productivity View at Office DepotThis wireless mouse is more expensive than most, but its a highly customisable pointer thats been designed with productivity in mind.
Its sensor works incredibly well, so whether your homeschooling setup looks like a wooden kitchen table or glass outdoor furniture, this little beauty will perform with precision.
Lefties wont be able to use this mouse, though, but if your child is right-handed, then this is an ergonomically designed pointer that can be used on up to three computers at the same time.(Image credit: Microsoft)Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600It's cheap, it's cheerful, it lasts foreverIf you just need a reliable mouse without the bells and whistles of the option above, this is an inexpensive option.
Its wireless, has two straightforward buttons and is comfortable to use whether your child is right- or left-handed.
Theres no real fancy features to speak of, just a dependable pointer from a brand you can trust.Discover more micePrinters(Image credit: Epson)Epson Ecotank Expression ET-2750Refillable ink tanks for cost effective printing View at Office DepotWhile this printer has a high upfront cost, in the long run, youll likely save significantly on the cost of replacement ink.
This is a cartridge-free printer that already comes with plenty of bottled ink right out of the box Epson says its enough to print 5,200 colour pages and can last up to two years before it needs replacing.
It can automatically print double-sided if necessary, and of course, has all the basic functions of copying and scanning, and can be used remotely from your smartphone or tablet thanks to its Wi-Fi connectivity.(Image credit: HP)HP Envy 5030Student-friendly all-in-one with all-round appealThis is an excellent all-rounder for printing out any assignments you may have set for your child.
The HP Envy 5030 is an inkjet device that can print, copy and scan documents, and it automatically prints on both sides of paper to minimise wastage.
In addition to the USB port, you can also connect through Wi-Fi, allowing you to print directly from a smartphone if you wish.
Its worth noting though that while the upfront cost of this printer is low, the ongoing price of ink and toner can be relatively high over time.Discover more printersUSB-C hubs(Image credit: Elgato)Elgato Thunderbolt 3 DockStylish, powerful and comprehensiveUltra-thin laptops are a pleasure to have and hold, until you find yourself needing more ports than they can provide.
Many modern laptops come with the faster USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, making it harder to connect to devices that still use the older USB 3.0 cables for example.
And the newer MacBooks are no exception.
If your child is using one of Apples latest, its worthwhile getting a USB-C hub tailored towards Thunderbolt connections.
This Elgato dock offers a range of high-speed port options for external monitor support, and also has ports for headphones and a mic, along with a single USB on the front.
All other ports are available at the rear to keep this stylish package neat and tidy.(Image credit: Vava)Vava 8-in-1 USB-C HubFor a cheap and cheerful USB-C hub, the Vava 8-in-1 is worthy of your consideration.
It includes an Ethernet port for faster data transfers and better security than most wireless connections, while the HDMI port allows for 4K and Full HD video to project on a secondary screen without lag.
Youll also have three USB 3.0 ports for connecting flash drives, a keyboard or a mouse, plus separate card readers for both SD and microSD, ensuring all your bases are covered.Discover more USB-C hubsAntivirus software(Image credit: Bitdefender)Bitdefender Total Security 2020Loaded with features, giving you rock-solid protectionTeaching methods are evolving and a lot of the work can now be done online.
Unfortunately, that opens up your devices to harmful malware, and software like Bitdefenders Total Security 2020 can keep them at bay.
Bitdefender has some of the best antivirus packages and the Total Security option looks after Mac, Windows, Android and iOS devices, removing the need for separate security software for different gear.
However, if you only need to protect a Windows machine, Bitdefenders Antivirus Plus 2020 is available for slightly less.Discover more antivirus softwareOffice suite(Image credit: Microsoft)Microsoft Office 365 HomeTheres a good chance youve found yourself needing an office suite while homeschooling your child.
After all, assignments and homework may need to be written out on a document, or older students may find they need to make a presentation.
One of the most widely used office suites is Microsofts Office 365 Home, which includes all the essentials of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Theres 1TB of cloud storage available with the package, in case your childs work needs to be backed up, and it also comes with Skype very handy during times of self-isolation.
Its compatible with both Windows PC and Mac, and is available to share with up to six people in your family, making it a good value choice.ikcBZCYzjuVSuivpS7TVWf.jpg?#