Back to school laptop shopping?

Once relegated to the corner of the classroom, computers have become increasingly important for students of all ages. Today’s PCs not only serve as a great way for children to write projects or essays, but also as a powerful tool for research and a way to communicate with teachers and collaborate with other students.

If you’re looking for a computer for school work, though, it can be hard to know where to buy. You'll want to be sure that you're getting the right computer for your child at a great price, but also that the laptop you buy this summer will still be up to date and ready for school or college in September.

The solution, though, is simple. This summer This summer Tesco has over 100 PCs to choose from including laptops, netbooks and desktops. There is a range of leading brands with great deals - a exclusive trade-in offer that can help you recycle an old computer into big discounts and in-store advice to help choose the right laptop for you.

Get the right Spec
Computer specifications can be baffling, but it's vital to make sure that the one you buy has everything that a student will need. With that in mind, Tesco has picked out a range of PCs including one to suit just about any kind of school work.

So, what should you look for? For starters, if the computer needs be moved between locations then you need one that's light and portable enough to carry around – whether that's to school and back or around the house – and with a battery that won't give up at the wrong moment.

It's also important to make sure your new computer has a wireless connection, allowing it to get the most from the internet at home, school or out and about. All the laptops on sale at Tesco are wireless ready, and some include the latest 802.11n wireless technology for the fastest possible connection.

And of course you'll need the latest software. Every back-to-school laptop listed here includes the latest and best version of Windows, Windows 7, so you're ready to work with any new software you choose. It's worth noting that Windows 7 includes powerful but simple parental control tools so you can ensure the laptop is used for work at the appropriate times, and not just games.

Many of our special back-to-school deals include a free trial of Microsoft Office so you can get started straight away, and some also include a complete copy of Microsoft Works. And of course whatever you need there's a wide range of software on offer both via Tesco Direct and in store.

Impartial Advice
If you're not sure which of these deals is the best buy for you then don't panic as there's plenty more help at hand. Speak to onf of the Tesco Tech Support team in Tesco Extra and Homeplus stores for free and impartial advice on which computer, printer or software best suits your needs.

If you want to check something out before heading to the shops there's help to be found online, too. You'll find a complete buying guide to computers, including netbooks, laptops and desktop PCs along with a guide to software and other technology products, all at Tesco Tech Support.

Trade in your old laptop and save £50
If you have an old computer that needs replacing then don’t simply leave it to gather dust in a cupboard – why not recycle it, helping the environment and getting yourself a huge discount at the same time?

This summer Tesco has teamed up with Toshiba to give you an extra £50 discount off a brand new back-to-school laptop. All you have to do is trade in your old one, which will be sent for re-use or recycling.

To get this great discount simply bring your old laptop, along with its power adapter and any accessories, to a Tesco store. Our staff will check that it’s working before giving you a £50 discount off a new Toshiba laptop. See Tesco's Toshiba Trade In website for full details, terms and conditions.

Pick the Perfect PC
Aside from making sure you find a laptop that's portable, wireless-ready and running Windows 7, though, choosing the right PC is a matter of picking the computer that suits both how you plan to use it and, of course, your budget. With that in mind, Tesco offers a range of laptops from several leading manufacturers: everything from the incredibly portable to the super-powerful.

For the ultimate in stylish portability, try the Dell Mini 1012 N450. This smart netbook can run for nine-and-a-half hours between charges and weighs just 1.3kg, but packs in a bright 10-inch display and wir eless networking. It offers plenty of storage space with a hard disk capacity of 250GB. Also part of the deal is a full copy of Microsoft Works, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet application and a calendar to keep your children's school day organised.

There's an Intel processor inside, and it runs the Home Premium version of Windows 7. It costs just £269.99 and is available in four colours: black, red, pink or blue.

If you’d prefer a larger screen and keyboard, take a look at

the Toshiba Satellite C650-194. This smart laptop comes with 1GB of memory and a 250GB hard disk. It costs just £319.99 but includes a DVD writer and a 15.6-inch widescreen display. With an Intel Celeron processor, disc-creating software and a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office it's an ideal computer for research, work, email and surfing the web.

Alternatively, Dell's Inspiron 15 Sempron V120 includes a webcam for chatting online, the fastest wireless network connection and a complete copy of Microsoft Works for homework. All this is packed into a slim and stylish silver and black case, and the price of the Inspiron has just been slashed from £429 to £379.

If you want a computer ready to take on multimedia tasks just as easily as written homework, though, take a look at the Toshiba Satellite C650-15U. This stylish laptop has a 15.6-inch widescreen display that's ready to make the most of movies, and packs in a powerful, dual-core Intel Pentium T4500 processor.

It also includes a 320GB hard disk with enough room to store a huge collection of music, photos and video files, a built-in webcam, a dual-layer DVD writer for saving schoolwork, research or presentations and 802.11n – the faste st type of wireless network connection currently available – all for just £449.99.

Give your child the best
Tesco has a deal for everyone who wants to make sure their budding academic has the right tools. With a £50 discount on a new Toshiba when you t rade in an old laptop, and a great range of prices on other big-brand computers and accessories, parents can buy with confidence. And don't forget that if you have any questions about laptops, peripherals or software, our team of experts at Tesco Tech Support has the answers, in store and online.