Need advice on what to take to university or college?

Misco can help you to decide on the right products for your needs. Check out our student buyers guides. From all the basics of university life to choosing the right laptop, we've got tips to help you prepare for uni.

What are the basics I need for uni?

Getting the right computer...

Taking into consideration that typical university education will last from two to four years, it's worth getting the right tools from the start. As all ex-students can testify, money can be tight during these times, so it's essential to begin with equipment that's not only durable, but will still be relevant for the future. Your IT purchases represent an investment, one that should be as important as your decision to go into further education.

With a computer by your side, university and college work isn't the chore it is when you're stuck with a pen and paper. A computer can assist in research, creating and editing documents and presentations, graphics, audio/video editing and production. What's more, it can double as an entertainment centre in the evenings!

A laptop is the obvious choice for mobility, but if you look at a desktop PC with similar specifications, it can work out much cheaper.

Laptops have competition in the form of tablet PCs, which have found themselves popularised thanks to Apple introducing the iPad to the market. Naturally, competitors have brought out similar devices, such as tablets running the Android operating system that is currently revolutionising the smartphone market.

Get online...

A computer or tablet is only of limited use without an internet connection. Luckily, many universities have internet access as standard in classrooms and even lecture theatres, with modern facilities offering the convenience of wireless connectivity in the form of a Wi-Fi service.

We'd recommend a computer with an Ethernet (LAN) port and 802.11 wireless connectivity to keep you covered for both wired and wireless networking. Thankfully, almost every new computer comes with these features as standard. Don't worry if your PC lacks them, Misco also sell devices that connect to USB ports that effectively give your computer wireless access.

A modem is needed if you're living off campus or in halls of residence with no internet access. We recommend a broadband modem-router if you have a desktop PC, or are planning to share the Internet Service Provider costs with friends.

Saving and printing your work...

A big essential is a printer, obviously for turning your written work into printed form, ready to hand in to your lecturer.

A simple colour inkjet printer can be yours for under £40. The compact design takes up little space, and producing razor-sharp text and vibrant images are simple tasks.

For a printer that can copy and scan, you don't have to shell out a lot more. With Misco, all-in-one printers start from around about the same price. The integrated scanner works to produce digital and paper copies of originals, and having PDF copies of work you've handed in can be highly convenient for reference purposes.

Lugging around huge folders of paperwork is not a chore anyone looks forward to. Why not keep your work on a portable hard drive? Take your documents to any computer! It’s the very essence of convenience.