Brothers Roman, 12 (left), and Eli, 15, are at the same school but need different devices in class. Photo / Michael Craig
Brothers Roman, 12 (left), and Eli, 15, are at the same school but need different devices in class. Photo / Michael Craig
School’s nearly back and if you haven’t already, it’s time to ensure your child is prepared with the right device. It’s no longer just about pens and pencils with chromebooks, laptops, and tablets essential classroom tools. Kirsty Wynn reports.
Plenty of research and careful budgeting ensured Auckland parentsMichelle Clarke and Nathan Gallagher didn’t go into debt when sourcing devices for their sons Eli, 15, and Roman, 12.
With costs ranging from $350 to $2000, buying a device can be a financial burden at the start of the year, especially when families are still recovering from the holiday season and juggling other back-to-school expenses like uniforms, fees and stationery.
Both Gallagher boys are at St Peter’s College in Epsom, where students in Years 7-10 use a mix of iPads and Samsung tablets.
“They get a hard life in school bags and class so a good case is essential,” Clarke said.
“We haven’t had any problems with them being lost or broken.”
Eli’s laptop was the most expensive purchase but Clarke said they knew the cost was coming so budgeted for it.
With a price tag of around $1000, Clarke said it was hoped the device would see Eli through into university or be passed on to his brother.
“He’s a keen gamer and this one was recommended as being good for gaming as well – and we got in on sale from PB Tech,” Clarke said.
Clarke was concerned about the length of time her boys spent on devices and said one of the benefits with Apple products was the ease of setting restrictions for her younger son Roman.
“Apple enables parents and guardians to set usage controls and this has been super useful,” she said.
“I can manage apps and the settings from my phone. It also gives insight into which websites they’re spending their time, so you can set time limits or block.”
Nate Gallagher and Michelle Clarke with their sons Eli (left) and Roman.
Clarke had set time limits for the holidays so there was no device use between 9pm and 7am and also set time limits for apps like social, YouTube and Roblox.
Other parents spoken to by the Herald were paying up to $2000 for devices for their senior school children and said finance or monthly payments were the only option.
“With the start of the year, everything has come at once and I’ve had to put my son’s device on finance with the Q card,” one mum said.
“We got a deal and so don’t have to pay anything til the middle of the year when we have got through all the other expenses.”
Budgeting advisors warned against taking out loans or using finance options for laptops and said there were other options to avoid getting into a cycle of debt.
Claudette Wilson, general manager at North Shore Budgeting Services, said interest-free deals seemed attractive but usually came as a credit card – often with a limit of up to $6,000.
Before spending large on a laptop or tablet, find out exactly what your child needs. Photo / 123rf
The temptation to use Gem Finance or Q Card to cover other expenses was high, Wilson said, and lead to even more debt.
“For families where money is tight, that is a real issue, especially when the interest-free period runs out and the interest rate is close to 30%.”
Wilson suggested struggling families should talk to schools early to see if other expenses such as sports fees could be paid off throughout the year.
“Some schools also have devices they can lend out or we can often help desperate families,” she said.
The service worked with different charities to help those most in need.
“We can approach Variety and J.R. McKenzie Trust to see if a device through them is an option.”
Tips before buying
Check school requirements: Some schools have specific device recommendations or guidelines for the type of device (eg laptop, tablet) or operating system (eg Windows, MacOS, or ChromeOS).
Focus on durability: Choose a device with a robust build to withstand daily use, accidental drops, and general wear and tear.
Consider battery life: Look for a device with long battery life (ideally 8+ hours) to get through a full school day without needing to charge.
Prioritise storage and performance: Ensure the device has enough storage and processing power to handle schoolwork, apps, and software without lagging.
