• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer, August 13, 2012

According to a new study by Newegg, conducted by Wakefield Research, students are most interested in buying laptops and large televisions to take with them as they begin college life. According to the results, other technology products that are popular among students ages 18-24 include tablets, printers, smartphones, speakers and the latest software.

While 92% of students consider a laptop a necessity, 36% of college students who started school with a laptop admitted they were not completely happy with it throughout the academic year.

Although many businesses tout “paperless” offices, college students still consider a printer a necessity for their college years, says the report. Two in three students need printers for term papers or documents required by their classes.

The findings show that buying tech devices and software programs for college should be a joint purchasing decision between students and their parents. The survey illustrates that one in three students have an item purchased by a parent that they don’t like or use. Students also want to provide their input when it comes to buying printers (53% say they don’t trust their parents to select the right one), or software (70% want to pick what programs to buy).

Bob Bellack, CEO of Newegg North America,  “... a survey of college students... insight into which technology products are in high demand... ensure(s) our website caters to student needs... (with) a broad selection of quality items that will help them succeed in college.”
The survey found that college needs are shifting toward products that provide the latest features in mobility and convenience:

• More than one in four students believe tablets will help their grades
• Most college students can identify at least one way they would use their tablet for class (researching leading the charge with 61%, followed by reading textbooks with 60%)
• 50% of college students said that a big television is essential for the “fun” freshman dorm room
• 48% of respondents also say that price is not the most important characteristic to consider when choosing a television for college

Maintaining ties with family and friends back home is also important for students, especially for first-time freshmen, but they no longer rely on landline phones. 73% of them say to leave the landline at home and use their smartphones to connect with those who matter to them.

For more information from Newegg, please visit here.