Posts Tagged: Students
Figma is now free for all US school students
Instead of pen and paper, many students are now carrying a laptop with them, using it for everything from taking notes to doing research. Companies are responding with programs designed for tech-centric learning, including Figma, a cloud-based design tool. The company has announced that Figma is now free for all US students in K-12, in partnership with Google for Education. The initiative started in beta last year, with 50 high schools across the country getting free access to Figma and FigJam, a collaborative whiteboard.
While Figma offers a free version, it only allows users to have three files for each program. Instead, schools can access the company's most advanced tier, Figma Enterprise, for free (typically $ 75 per person monthly). It includes unlimited files, individual and shared project options, dedicated workspaces and more sophisticated design features, among other perks. Schools will need Chromebooks to utilize the program, but they can apply for access if they have non-Google systems. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 94 percent of schools provided devices like laptops and tablets to students who needed them for the 2022 to 2023 school year.
Figma's fate is a bit up in the air after Adobe entered into an agreement to buy the competitor in September 2022 for $ 20 billion in cash and shares. Regulators across the US, UK and EU are investigating whether the deal violates antitrust policies, with the first barrier emerging in February with reports that the US Justice Department was preparing an antitrust lawsuit to block the deal. The UK followed in May with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announcing it was launching an inquiry into the agreement. Most recently came reports that European antitrust regulators plan to initiate an investigation into the merger later this year.
As for free Figma access for students, the initiative holds promise, with the company sharing positive reviews from educators involved in the beta program. Educators can now sign up to bring Figma to their schools in the US — plus, the company is taking its Chromebook partnership global, starting with Google schools in Japan.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/figma-is-now-free-for-all-us-school-students-105514037.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
The best laptops for college students
Whether you’re heading to a physical campus, taking classes online or a mix of both, a laptop is sure to be the control center for your studies. Getting a new machine can better help you stay on top of your schedule and handle your furious multitasking with dozens of tabs devoted to research while you write your essays. Given we’re still dealing with ongoing inflation and the global chip supply shortage, you might be concerned about rising prices or what might be in stock. The good news is, companies are still making a ton of new notebooks, and there are plenty of models with great functionality and battery life for you to consider. We compiled this guide to help you choose the best laptop for college.
What to expect
Since the introduction of Apple’s M1-powered MacBooks and Windows 11, not much has changed significantly. Apple unveiled its new M2 system-on-chip (SoC), alongside two laptops that are equipped with it, including a redesigned MacBook Air. Meanwhile, new PCs keep getting announced, with the latest models typically powered by 12th-gen Intel processors or the latest AMD Ryzen chips.
Though the shift to ARM-based systems has been successful for Apple, the PC industry is still struggling to keep up, and Windows on ARM is still tough to recommend. Snapdragon laptops may look and feel sleek, offer excellent battery life and built-in cellular radios, but they typically carry a higher price tag, especially considering their limited app compatibility.
Speaking of, most laptops with top-of-the-line specs can cost you around $ 1,800 to $ 2,000 these days. For most college students, though, a midrange machine might be enough. Depending on your field of study, you could get by with an Intel Core i3 processor or equivalent, with at least 6GB of RAM. If you need to run specialized software for design or programming, consider upgrading to a beefier system with more memory. On the other hand, if you do most of your coursework online or in a browser, getting a Chromebook could save you a lot of money.
You’ll also want to pay attention to a device’s weight. There are a lot of premium ultraportables in the 13-inch category, with chips like Intel’s Core i3 or i5, that cost around $ 1,000. And if that’s too expensive, you’ll still have respectable options in the $ 600 to $ 800 price range, but they might be heavier and use older, slower processors. I’ve included our favorite budget laptop in this college guide but we also have more affordable top picks that you can check out as well.
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With some laptop makers deciding to get rid of headphone jacks this year, it’s important to check specs lists when you’re shopping for newer machines. If you don’t have wireless headphones or use equipment that plugs into the 3.5mm jack, you’ll want to steer clear of devices like Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus.
Finally, while most laptops in 2022 offer WiFi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, the compatible routers or other devices that would enable those faster connections aren’t very prevalent yet. Chances are, your campus WiFi might still be stuck on an older setup, so it’s not crucial that you get a system with the latest standards yet. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to get a laptop that’s future-proof, but just know that of all the things to look out for, WiFi 6E shouldn’t be a dealbreaker in your decision-making process.
Best Apple: MacBook Air
It's hard to beat Apple's MacBook Air if you want a powerful machine for college that won't weigh you down. You actually have two good options this year — the new M2-powered MacBook Air and the MacBook Air M1. The M2 laptop earned a score of 96 from us for its impressive performance, gorgeous 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and its refined design that's even thinner than the M1 machine that came before it. Our biggest gripe with this laptop is its price tag — the M2 MacBook Air will set you back $ 200 more than the M1, so you're looking at spending at least $ 1,199 if you want the latest and greatest from Apple.
However, even though it’s older, the Apple M1 MacBook Air is a solid machine, outperforming many PCs while maintaining a fanless design. You’ll still get a great keyboard and long battery life, along with a nice Retina display. Of course, it uses a 720p webcam, while the new model has a sharper 1080p setup housed in a notch. The latter also has thinner display bezels that make it look more modern, as well as a MagSafe port that lets you keep charging while still having access to the device’s two USB-C ports. But if you’re already living a largely wireless life and don’t mind a not-so-great camera, you might find the M1 MacBook Air is a better deal.
Read our Full Review of Apple MacBook Air M2
Best Windows: Dell XPS 13 Plus
The best PC has long been Dell’s well-rounded XPS 13 series and I still recommend it to anyone that doesn’t want a Mac. Yes, the new XPS 13 Plus lacks a headphone jack, and we haven’t got one in to test yet. But the XPS 13 is a well-rounded machine and reliable workhorse that will get you through classes and late-night writing sessions without breaking a sweat.
Like its predecessors, the XPS 13 Plus offers a lovely OLED screen with impressively thin bezels and packs a roomy, comfortable keyboard. It also features a new minimalist design that looks more modern. I’m not sure about the row of capacitive keys at the top in lieu of traditional function keys, but from our time with an early sample, they at least worked.
If you don’t like the changes Dell has made to the XPS 13, or if you definitely need a headphone jack, the older generations are still solid options. There’s also the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro series, which feature beautiful OLED screens and sharper webcams in thin and light frames. I also like Microsoft’s Surface Laptops, and the most recent edition offers great performance and battery life, albeit in an outdated design.
Read our Full Review of Dell XPS 14 Plus Laptop
Best for gaming: Razer Blade 15
Just because your laptop might primarily be for coursework doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a gamer, too. Those looking to game on their machines should prioritize responsive screens and ample ports for their favorite accessories that can best help them defeat their virtual enemies. If you’re considering a gaming-first machine that you can use for school, check out our guide to buying a gaming laptop. It covers details about different CPUs and GPUs, minimum specs and more. Our favorite gaming laptop is the Razer Blade 15, which has an Intel Core i7 processor, and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics for $ 2,500.
It’s the most expensive item on this list, but you also get a 15-inch quad HD screen that refreshes at 240Hz. Different configurations are available, depending on your preference, including a Full HD 360Hz and a 4K 144Hz version. The Blade series is also one of the most polished gaming laptops around, and Razer consistently updates it with the latest processors, graphics and other hardware advancements. If you really want to go all-out, you could consider the new Razer Blade 16 that has NVIDIA's RTX 4060 or 4070 GPUs.
Students and gamers looking for something cheaper and more portable should consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which was our favorite model last year. The main reason it got bumped down a notch is because the 2022 refresh is almost $ 600 more expensive. It’s still a solid gaming laptop though, with an excellent display, roomy trackpad and plenty of ports in spite of its thin profile.
Read our Full Review of Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
Best Chromebook: Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
If you can do most of your schoolwork through web-based apps, a Chromebook is worth considering for your college laptop. Sure they don’t generally look fancy, nor have high-end specs. But they’re often more affordable and have longer battery life. Our favorite Chromebook is Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook, which Engadget’s resident Chrome OS aficionado Nathan Ingraham described as “a tremendous value.”
This laptop nails the basics, with a 13-inch Full HD touchscreen, a fantastic keyboard and a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage may sound meager, but in our testing the Flex 5 held up in spite of this constraint. It’s also nice to see one USB-A and two USB-C ports, eight-hour battery life and a 360-degree hinge that makes it easy to use the Flex 5 as a tablet. That’s a bonus, especially now that Chrome OS supports Android apps.
Though the Flex 5 is almost two years old by now, it’s a solid device for around $ 400. In fact, you can sometimes find it on sale for as little as $ 300, making it a great option for a student looking for a basic browser-based machine on a tight budget.
Read our Full Review of Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
Best budget: HP Pavilion Aero 13
If you’re looking for a sturdy student laptop under $ 800, your best bet is the HP Pavilion Aero 13. For an affordable price, you’ll get a Full HD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and surprisingly thin bezels, as well as a comfortable keyboard and spacious touchpad. Importantly, the Aero 13 provides relatively powerful components compared to others in this price range, with an AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor and Radeon graphics. Plus, it has a generous array of ports and enough battery life to last you a full day and then some.
Read our Full Review of HP Pavilion Aero 13 Laptop
Best Convertible: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
For those who need their laptops to occasionally double as tablets, the Surface Pro series is a no-brainer. Compared to notebooks or 2-in-1 laptops with rotating hinges, tablets with kickstands are often much slimmer and lighter. The Surface Pro 9 is the most recent model and it features Microsoft’s sleek design with a thinner profile and minimal bezels. The Pro 9 also has a 120Hz display that makes scrolling long documents or spreadsheets feel much faster, and you can drop the refresh rate down to 60Hz if you want to conserve battery life.
We also like Microsoft’s Type Covers and the Surface Pens, though it’s worth noting that they’ll have to pay extra for both if you want them. Unless you’re bent on sticking to Apple’s ecosystem, in which case an iPad Pro would suit you best, the Surface Pro 9 is arguably the best convertible laptop around.
Read our Full Review of Microsoft Surface Pro 9
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-laptops-for-students-130054631.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Raspberry Pi’s Build HAT helps students build LEGO robots
Raspberry Pi has launched a new product that would make it easier to build robots out of LEGO components. The Build HAT (or Hardware Attached on Top), as it is called, is an add-on device that plugs into the Pi's 40-pin GPIO header. It was specifically designed to make it easy to use Pi hardware to control up to four LEGO Technic motors and sensors from the the toy company's Education Spike kits. Those sets are meant as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) learning tool for young students. The HAT also works with motors and sensors from the Mindstorms Robot Inventor kit.
In addition to the Build HAT itself, the company has created a Python library that can help students build prototypes using a Raspberry Pi and LEGO components. Plus, Raspberry Pi designed a $ 15 power supply for the HAT that can also power the motors and sensors attached to it. The Build HAT will set buyers back $ 25 each, and it works with all 40-pin GPIO Raspberry Pi boards, including the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi Zero.
Those who want to make sure that their LEGO components will work with the HAT can also check out Raspberry Pi's handy list of compatible components. Finally, those who need a bit of help to get started can try follow one of Pi's project guides, which include a DIY game controller, a robot buggy that can be controlled via Bluetooth and a robotic face.
US government drops online class restrictions for international students
The Trump administration has backpedaled on a policy that would have forced international college students to leave the US if their fall courseload was entirely online. A federal judge in Boston announced that the Department of Homeland Security has…
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Google’s Chromebook App Hub for students and teachers is live
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Snapchat is a popular source for news among college students
A number of studies have shown that people turn to social media for news, and of all of the social networks out there, Facebook consistently leads the pack in this regard. But a new study from the Knight Foundation has turned up a surprising finding…
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Ask Engadget: Where can I find tech deals for students?
The support shared among readers in the comments section is one of the things we love most about the Engadget community. Over the years, we've known you to offer sage advice on everything from Chromecasts and cameras to drones and smartphones. In fac…
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One small sip for man: Engineering students aim to brew first beer on moon
Conducted as part of TeamIndus’ Lab2Moon competition, a group of engineering students at UC San Diego hopes to become the first to brew a batch of beer on the moon. The project also intends to study yeast’s reaction in space.
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More than 20 million students using Chromebooks
Today is World Teachers’ Day and Google is marking the event with a new hashtag – #ItTakesATeacher. The idea is to build excitement and interest around teachers who have inspired students by sharing stories of how that happened. This will all lead up to another Education on Air event on December 3rd. Until then, Google […]
Come comment on this article: More than 20 million students using Chromebooks
Danish students take to the seas in floating shipping container apartments
By making use of modular shipping container homes in Copenhagen’s urban harbors, Urban Rigger and architecture firm Bjarke Ingels have reinvented student housing and offer units for just $ 600 per month.
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Apple Music just became the best option for students looking for cheap music
Streaming music services are already one of the best options for students looking for a lot of music for not much money, but Apple Music just became a more attractive option, offering students half off the normal monthly fee.
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MIT students win Hyperloop pod design competition
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25 awesome laptop bags for every owner, from students to globetrotters
Choosing the right laptop bag is no easy feat. No one likes to second guess themselves. Here are some of the best laptop bags on the market — from backpacks to sleeves — so you can get it right the first time around.
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AT&T invests more than $20 Million to help aid students and teachers
AT&T’s Aspire program is designed to bring students and teachers over $ 20 Million in benefits across 25 different states.
AT&T hopes the program will teach students how to be more productive with mobile learning. Teachers will be able to share content with their students easier and hassle free. Its new ‘Text to help’ will give answers to questions students may have, when applying to different colleges and universities. The program will also give students hands-on time with people in career fields they might be interested in. This will all be run by a new online platform designed specifically for students and faculty. AT&T is strongly committed to creating a better tomorrow. Here are all the details on AT&T’s new program.
AT&T Kicks Off School Year with More Than $ 20 Million Investment in Students and Teachers
Funding to Support Education organizations in California
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — AT&T is kick starting the 2015-2016 school year with $ 20 million in contributions to education organizations through its AT&T Aspire program. Students and teachers in California, and more than 25 other states, will benefit. This back to school investment is just one of the ways that AT&T is using the power of its network to build a better tomorrow.
“As students head back to school, we want to make sure we’re doing our part to help them succeed,” said Nicole Anderson, Executive Director of Philanthropy, AT&T Services, Inc. “We’re collaborating with organizations that help students of all ages access mobile learning, mentors and the skills they need to hit the ground running beginning this fall and well into their futures.”
Nationwide, AT&T is supporting innovative organizations that are helping students by:
- Mobilizing Learning: Enables students to learn wherever they are – at school, at home or anywhere in between. AT&T is supporting organizations that use mobile technology to provide new educational content and academic support. These organizations include Curriki, where teachers can create and share content, and the Get Schooled “Text to Help” program that helps answer students’ questions about applying to and paying for college.
- Powering Career Skills: AT&T is also funding organizations that help students find future careers and get hands-on work experience. Some of these organizations include Roadtrip Nation, Jobs for America’s Graduates and Urban Alliance. Programs likeCode.org and Black Girls CODE help students develop computer science and coding skills.
- Making Connections: AT&T is also connecting mentors with students through secure online platforms working with organizations like We Teach Science and iCouldBe. In addition, organizations like Communities In Schools and Junior Achievement will provide face to face mentoring opportunities.
Through AT&T Aspire, AT&T drives innovation in education to promote student success in school and beyond. By investing in new tools and solutions that leverage our unique technologies and capabilities, AT&T helps personalize and mobilize learning for students of all ages and backgrounds.
About Philanthropy and Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. In 2014, nearly $ 127 million was contributed or directed through corporate-, employee-, social investment- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature education initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We’re helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage. We’re improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T’s mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
© 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere. Global coverage claim based on offering voice and data roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offering the most wireless smartphones and tablets that work in the most countries.
Come comment on this article: AT&T invests more than $ 20 Million to help aid students and teachers
Best Wearable Technology For Students
Heading back to school and want a new piece of wearable tech? There’s a lot of choice out there, so to help out, here are our five wearable picks for 2015, based on functionality, style, and price.
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