The lucrative Back to School period is fast approaching, and with it comes a range of opportunities for retailers to make sure parents are equipping their kids with the very best tools to aid their education. Matt Grainger takes a look at some of the best products on the market?

Back to School hardware

Panasonic UB-T880 Panaboard
SRP: £1450.00
Distributor: Westcoast
They say: The elite Panaboard is an advanced eduational tool that helps you grab students’ attention. It makes it easy to create effective, eye-catching teaching materials and it promotes active, visual-based teaching and learning that makes the classroom fun for both teacher and student.
Specs: Multitouch interactive whiteboard, supports finger and pen, 77-inch diagonal dimension, five selectable e-pen colours, two USB 2.0 ports.

Livescribe Echo Smartpen
SRP: £179.99
Distributor: Gem
They say: At work, in class, or on the go, there’s an easier way to stay on top of all the information you need. Echo records everything you hear, say and write, and links your audio recordings to your notes. Find the most important information from your meetings or lectures just by tapping on what you wrote.
Specs: Micro-USB connector, integrated microphone and speaker, audio jack, LOED display, 8GB storage memory, replaceable ink tip.

Genius G-PEN F350 Graphics Tablet
SRP: £35.00
Distributor: Target Components
They say: The G-Pen F350 is an ultra slim, super compact portable tablet with a cordless, 1024 level pressure sensitive pen. The 2000 lines per inch resolution provides the accuracy required for a wide range of design, drawing and writing applications.
Specs: 3×5 inch working area, ultra-slim design, 2000 LPI high resolution tablet, 1024-level pressure sensitivity, compatible with Windows 7 and Vista pen-flick navigation and handwriting recognition.

Port Delhi Skin with Microsoft Express Mouse Bundle
SRP: £22.71
Distributor: Gem
They say: The Delhi range is a range of black neoprene sleeves with detailed colour trim, provides excellent protection against scratches and shocks, the twin rubber pullers enable quick and secure access to your laptop, the curved design of the sleeve provides a stylish solution when protecting your laptop and is ideal as an independent carry case or easily fits inside a bag. Comes bundled with a Microsoft Express Mouse.

Lapmotion 200
SRP: £21.99
Distributor: Meroncourt
They say: This Messenger Bag combines the convenience and protection of 16.4 inch laptop messenger bags with the durability and resistance of the best briefcases, blended together to make an elegant urban style bag.

Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD
SRP: £34.83
Distributor: Realtime Distribution
They say: The Live! Cam Socialize HD webcam delivers the best HD image quality in your video captures. Whether you’re video blogging, teleconferencing, or simply chatting with friends, you’re guaranteed to always look your best.
Specs: 800×600 image resolution with 30fps, smooth video playback‚ one-click upload to Facebook, YouTube and Photobucket‚ Live! Central 3 Lite software.

Cordless Presenter TC-140
SRP: £25.99
Distributor: Meroncourt
They say: Using this Cordless Presenter, you can step through your presentation from anywhere in the meeting room without having to sit at your computer or beside the beamer. And thanks to the built-in laser, highlighting items on your slide has never been so easy and clear.

Speedlink Arcus Graphics Tablet
SRP: £79.99
Distributor: Meroncourt
They say: The ARCUS XL Graphics Tablet is the ultimate input system for anyone wanting to let their creativity run wild. Whether you’re creating technical drawings or doing professional photo retouching, the ARCUS XL is the perfect tool for all your graphics projects.
Specs: Slim design, hard wearing, 4000 LPI, 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, adjustable input area, multiscreen compatible.

ADATA Superior Series SH93
SRP: £59.99
Distributor: VIP
They say: ADATA Superior Series SH93, the world’s first waterproof and shock-resistant portable HDD, is a heavily armored storage device designed especially for people with mobile and athletic lifestyles.
Specs: Rugged external HDD, waterproof and shock resistant, available in red, yellow or black, USB 2.0 connectivity, available with 320, 500, 640 or 750 GB storage.

Sanyo PLC-WL2500 Projector
SRP: £939.00
Distributor: Westcoast
They say: The PLC-WL2500 at full Brightness is 2500 ANSI with a reduction to 1500 ANSI using eco mode. The PLC-WL2500 ideal for Education and training environments where the short throw lens helps to minimise the on screen shadows which can affect longer throw projected images.
Specs: 2500 ANSI lumens, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, long life air filters, 10w integrated speaker, security bar.

Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2
SRP: £89.99
Distributor: Gem
They say: The Logitech Keyboard Case is the perfect on-the-go companion for iPad 2. Smart and sleek, The patent-pending, award-winning protective case design provides an extra measure of convenience and style, so the user and their iPad will never want to go anywhere without it.
Specs: Aircraft grade aluminium with anodized finish to match the iPad 2, military grade padding, integrated Bluetooth keyboard.

Samsung S2 External HDD
SRP: £75.00
Distributor: Target Components
They say: The compact S2 Portable is an ideal storage solution for those who want to carry massive amounts of digital content in their pocket. Easy to set up and use, simply plug it in and go. No CD is needed for installation and the S2 Portable is USB powered for your convenience and portability.
Specs: Portable 1TB hard drive, 2.5-inch, USB 3.0.

Hannspree SN22A1
SRP: £349
Distributor: Hannspree
They say: The new SN22A1 all-in-one PC is a sleek and modern interpretation of the bulky traditional PC. Its minimal fashionable form combined with state-of-the-art technology brings in a new evolution of desktop computing that wouldn’t look out of place in a Tom Cruise movie.
Specs: Intel D510 Atom processor, 3GB RAM, 320GB 5,200rpm HDD. Intel GMA3150 graphics.

SMARTboard 880 with UF65 projector
SRP: £2,700
Distributor: Steljes
They say: As part of the 800 series, the 885ix represents a new class of interactive whiteboard. This interactive whiteboard system features a powerful SMART Board interactive whiteboard, the SMART UX60 ultra-short-throw projector, an extended control panel and a modular pen tray.
Specs: Multitouch gesture support, object recognition, notebook uplink software, multiuser pen tray, modular design, SMART ink, centralised control, shadow and glare free.

Transcend JetFlash 500 USB
SRP: From £4.99
Distributor: EntaTech
They say: Thanks to its use of ultrasonic welding technology, the JetFlash 500 drive’s inseparable outer case not only makes the drive more solid and rugged, but also improves its tactile and visual appeal. With capacities ranging from 2GB to 32GB, the JetFlash 500 is a USB flash drive you will want to take out of your pocket and show off to your friends.

Tech Air Asymmetric Sleeve
SRP: £19.99
Distributor: VIP
They say: Modern and stunning design for a laptop or netbook sleeve with the addition of an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. Includes a soft touch lining to avoid scratches to the chassis of your laptop

Educational Combi Set
SRP: £16.99
Distributor: Computer Gear
They say: The educational combi set features a keyboard with visually contrasting colours to make the keys clearer for the visually impaired and an anti-bacterial coating inhibits the growth of bacteria helping to prevent the spread of germs.
Specs: Colour coded keyboard and mouse set, anti-bacterial coating, water resistant and spill proof, high resolution mouse.

Optical Mini-Mouse with Retractable Cable
SRP: £9.99
Distributor: Computer Gear
They say: This mini mouse from Computer Gear’s range of PC essentials utilises 3D optical technology and an innovative retractable USB cable.
Specs: Optical mouse, intelligent internet functions, retractible cable, USB and PS/2 connectors, 800 dpi resolution.

Sennheiser PC131 Headset
SRP: £29.99
Distributor: Realtime Distribution
They say: The PC 131 is an over the head, binaural headset. Ideal for gaming, voice recognition internet telephony and other voice over IP applications. The noise cancelling microphone ensures that you are always heard in superb clarity.
Specs: Noise cancelling microphone, stereo headset with single sided cable, robust microphone for high speech intelligibility, internet telephony compatible, voice recognition, in-line volume control and microphone mute switch.

Monarch Lapcabby Up-link
SRP: £2300
Distributor: Monarch
They say: The LapCabby Up-Link range features a Wi-Fi access point that enables the unit to be plugged into a school’s local area network. This provides a wireless link so that the laptops can easily and quickly connect to the Internet while being used in the classroom. This range also features a gigabit switch allowing the laptops to remain connected to the LAN even while charging, enabling schools to update software or data on their computers overnight.

Sandberg Mini Bluetooth Keyboard
SRP: £43.99
Distributor: EntaTech
They say: The Sandberg Mini Bluetooth Keyboard is a handy and time-saving solution for lots of different Bluetooth devices. Typing on the screen of a tablet PC, with the joypad for a games console or on a computer connected to the TV can be a slow process. This is the solution.
Specs: Bluetooth connectivity, three LED lights, one USB mini-B female connector for charging, integrated Li Ion battery,

Patriot Xporter Flex USB
SRP: from £5.69
Distributor: VIP
They say: The Patriot Xporter Flex drive is the ideal solution to transport important data. Small and lightweight, Flex also offers fast transfer speeds and is extremely durable and water resistant.
Specs: Available in sizes 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB.

Bac Pac Eco
SRP: £19.99
Distributor: Computer Gear
They say: The Bac Pac Eco is ideal for laptop users requiring a stylish lightweight backpack suitable for carrying a 17-inch laptop. With two side accessory pockets, and a high capacity document compartment, all your documents and accessories will be kept safe and organised.

Dicota Bounce Messenger Bag
SRP: £29.99
Distributor: CCI Distribution
They say: Carry your notebook in style with this functional messenger bag. The notebook is safely protected in the cushioned notebook compartment with notebook strap. There is also plenty of room for your accessories and other personal items in the spacious main compartment that can be closed with a durable hard plastic buckle.

Canon LV-8225 Projector
SRP: £550
Distributor: Direktek
They say: A high-performance WXGA projector, with extended lamp life and network capability. The LV-8225 combines high performance with low running costs. WXGA resolution, 2500 lumens and up to 6000 hours lamp life make this projector ideal for today’s business and educational environments.
Specs: Native WXGA resolution, 2500 lumens, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 1.2x lens, integrated 10W speaker, extended lamp life.

CONTACTS:

Gem: 01279 822 822
Target Components: 01977 739 300
Meroncourt: 01462 680060
Realtime Distribution: 01480 435 881
VIP Computers: 0871 622 7500
Westcoast: 0118 912 6000
Hannspree: 0871 666 0850
EntaTech: 0333 101 1000
Computer Gear: 0121 503 0666
Monarch: 0115 982 1771
CCI Distribution: 01423 704 700
Direktek: 01494 471 100
Steljes: 08450 747 001

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