While most of us may have well-adjusted to our current new way of life, there are still some trying to find a better way to sync into their new routines — especially families with children that are going through Home-Based Learning (HBL). Teething problems, technical issues, and even a shortage of computers at home can be rather stressful when parents are working from home.
With the latest announcement regarding the extension of the government-mandated Circuit Breaker to 1 June 2020, there’s no time like now to find a solution that can work best to help tide you through this period. Instead of having to purchase a new computer that might be too expensive, you could consider more cost-effective tech gadgets, such as refurbished units, that check all the basic requirements for your child’s home-based learning.
For the uninitiated, refurbished refers to computers, laptops or tablets that have been restored to like-new working condition with an upgrade of the internal hardware or operating system. To help families get easier access to digital tools for online learning during this period, we’ve compiled a list of affordable tech gadgets that are more than good enough to assist students with their Home-Based Learning, and are available for delivery straight to your doorstep.
LAPTOPS
HP Chromebook 13 G1, $350
Small and compact — the HP Chromebook 13 G1 has a 13.3-inch display and is powered by the Intel Core M7-6Y75 (6th Gen) processor with 16GB of RAM and 32GB of SSD storage. It runs on a Google Chrome operating system with an Intel HD 515 graphics card to manage average graphical functions which are more than good enough for your child’s daily schoolwork.
Originally released: 2016
OS: GOOGLE CHROME 64
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: 1 MONTH (with the local seller)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The HP Chromebook 13 G1 ($350) is available for purchase at Lazada online through Subhara Singapore.
HP Elite X2 Detachable 2-in-1 Business Tablet Laptop, $598
The HP Elite X2 Detachable 2-in-1 Business Tablet Laptop delivers impressive PC performance as both a laptop and a tablet with touchscreen abilities that makes navigation slightly easier. Constructed with an Intel Core m7-6Y751.10 GHz Processor, the hybrid runs on Windows 10 Pro 64-bit and features a 12″ FHD UWVA eDP ultra-slim 1920 x1280 display that’s made with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 — which is designed to be thin, light and damage-resistant.
Originally released: 2016
OS: WINDOWS 10 PRO (64-bit)
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: 1 MONTH (with the local seller)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The HP Elite X2 Detachable 2-in-1 Business Tablet Laptop ($598) is available for purchase at Lazada online through Xinshi Computers.
Acer Travelmate P455-MG, $425
Designed to handle commonly encountered tasks in home-based learning, the Acer Travelmate P455-MG and its 15.6-inch display is more than capable of helping your child with her schoolwork. Equipped with an Intel Core i5-4210U processor and a ComfyView anti-glare, matte LED screen, you don’t have to worry about your child tiring their eyes out after using the computer for some time.
Originally released: 2014
OS: WINDOWS 10 PRO (64-bit)
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: NOT AVAILABLE
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The Acer Travelmate P455-MG ($425) is available for purchase at Lazada online through Subhara Singapore.
Toshiba Portégé R30-A (13.3-inch), $290
Toshiba’s Portégé R30-A ultrabook comes equipped with the 6th Generation Intel Core Processor on a lightweight platform that can fulfil your child’s every need. Complete with a range of ports, DVD Drive, Toshiba EasyGuard technology, and a battery life of up to 9 hours, it’s a good enough laptop to help your child with their schoolwork during this period.
Originally released: 2015
OS: WINDOWS 10 (64-bit)
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: 1 MONTH (with the local seller)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The Toshiba Portégé R30-A is available for purchase at Lazada online through Subhara Singapore.
TABLETS
Microsoft Surface Go, $600
Microsoft’s Surface Go is a compact and lightweight tablet that works just as well as a laptop in terms of performance and portability. With a 10-inch screen and its versatile capabilities, the Surface Go is able to help your child learn and accomplish tasks well — be it to read or watch, click or type, or to write and draw.
Originally released: 2018
OS: WINDOWS
Type: NEW
Warranty: 1 YEAR (with the local manufacturer)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The Microsoft Surface Go ($600) is available for purchase at Lazada online through Bloomstore INC.
Huawei MediaPad T5, $298
The Huawei MediaPad T5 is a tablet with a premium, refined design that is both sleek and lightweight. It comes with a 10.1-inch display that delivers excellent detail in 16:10 aspect ratio alongside an eye-comfort mode, which reduces harmful blue light to create healthy reading conditions that are ideal for student learning. The MediaPad T5 also runs on the fast and intuitive EMUI 8.0 for a smoother, more intelligent and intuitive user experience where apps load faster without sudden pauses.
Originally released: 2018
OS: EMUI 8.0 / ANDROID 8.0
Type: NEW
Warranty: 1 YEAR (with the local manufacturer)
Return policy: 15 DAYS FREE RETURN
The Huawei MediaPad T5 ($298) is available for purchase through Huawei’s official store on Shopee.
Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite, $388
Featuring a 10.1-inch 1080p display with Huawei ClariVu technology, the Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite is also equipped with a long battery life to ensure that lessons run smoothly for your child during their home-based learning. The tablet also offers an enhanced eye-comfort mode which effectively reduces harmful blue light and even provides smart reminders when the device is too close to your child’s face, or when your child is reading while lying down.
Originally released: 2018
OS: EMUI 8.0 / ANDROID 8.0
Type: NEW
Warranty: 1 YEAR (with the local manufacturer)
Return policy: 15 DAYS FREE RETURN
The Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite ($388) is available for purchase through Huawei’s official store on Shopee.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, $589.90
Lightweight and slim, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e weighs in at about 400g with a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display, alongside the One UI feature which helps to minimise display clutter by curating content that is most relevant to you for an optimised tablet experience. It also comes with a quick-charging battery that delivers up to 15 hours of battery life — ideal for the current online school curriculum.
Originally released: 2019
OS: ANDROID P
Type: NEW
Warranty: 1 YEAR (with the local manufacturer)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to merchant)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5 ($589.90) is available for purchase at Lazada online through eConcepts Pte Ltd.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A, $379.90
Built with a vivid 10.1-inch display, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A delivers stunning colour reproduction and optimal screen brightness levels that allow your child to get more out of the content they may be browsing. The tablet also includes Samsung Kids which gives your child unlimited access to a curated library of games, books, movies, and TV shows — a fun place to continue learning outside of the curriculum.
Originally released: 2019
OS: ANDROID
Type: NEW
Warranty: 1 YEAR (with the local manufacturer)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to merchant)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A ($379.90) is available for purchase at Lazada online through eConcepts Pte Ltd.
ALL-IN-ONE PC
Dell Inspiron 3475, $499
This all-in-one computer comes with a 23.8-inch Full HD display with an AMD Dual-Core A9-9425 accelerated processor that helps you to get every project finished faster with its snappy performance. It also runs on Windows 10 and is built with 802.11 AC wireless technology which allows you to enjoy reliable internet connection from anywhere in the house without the need for cables.
Originally released: 2019
OS: WINDOWS 10
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: 1 MONTH (with the local seller)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The Dell Inspiron 3475 All-in-One computer ($499) is available for purchase at Lazada online through Crescendo Laptops.
Dell Optiplex 7440 AIO, $599
Powered by the 6th Generation Intel Core processors and running on Windows 10 Pro, the Dell Optiplex 7440 AIO offers a 23.8-inch display with Full HD for rich visuals as well as an ergonomic stand that fits easily into any home environment for your child to start using immediately.
Originally released: 2016
OS: WINDOWS 10
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: 3 MONTHS (with the local seller)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The Dell Optiplex 7440 AIO ($599) is available for purchase at Lazada online through Casterly Laptops.
Apple iMac 21.5-inch, $249
The refurbished 2010 Apple iMac is built with a 21.5-inch Full HD display, Intel Core i3, 500GB HDD, and 8GB RAM. It has been upgraded to run on the Mac OS High Sierra alongside Microsoft Office 365, which makes this set a great all-in-one computer for families with children that are currently having classes at home.
Originally released: 2010
OS: MAC OS HIGH SIERRA
Type: REFURBISHED
Warranty: 3 MONTHS (with the local seller)
Return policy: WITHIN 7 DAYS (direct return to the merchant)
The Apple iMac 21.5-inch ($249) is available for purchase at Lazada online through UB18 Cmputers Pte Ltd.
To find more options for affordable computers to get under $600, click here or here.
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