Technologies

CNET Survey: 78% of US Shoppers Are Stressing Out Over Back-to-School Tech Purchases

Nearly half are worried about finding quality purchases at an affordable price — adding another strain to school shopping this year.

Back-to-school shopping is underway, and the supply list isn’t like it was when I was a kid.

More schools and colleges are leaning on technology for educational purposes, and some of those costs could fall on US shoppers. Big-ticket purchases, like laptops and tablets, can be a strain on your finances, especially when juggling other back-to-school items and everyday expenses.

CNET’s new back-to-school survey dives into just how much US shoppers are concerned about making tech purchases ahead of the school year starting back. One point is clear: 78% of back-to-school shoppers are worried about affording tech purchases.

Between tight budgets, potential tariff price hikes and the possibility of shortages, buying a new laptop or tablet can be stressful, to say the least. Here are the survey findings and what CNET tech experts recommend when shopping for back-to-school supplies.

Back-to-school shopping is taking a toll on finances

The average US shopper will spend $328.68 on back-to-school shopping. Even though that’s less than last year, it still may be a lot to cover with tighter budgets and higher prices on some supplies compared to last year.

Nearly 1 in 3 are worried about affording tech purchases

Affording tech purchases is one of US shoppers’ top concerns this back-to-school season.

That could be for a few reasons, including tighter budgets and higher-than-expected prices on tech gadgets. Josh Goldman, managing editor and laptop reviewer at CNET, recommends comparison shopping by starting with the everyday price, then looking for sales at your favorite stores and manufacturers. Especially if you’re looking for a computer.

«HP, Dell, Lenovo and others frequently have the best deals and also offer student discounts. You might want to actually give them a call, too, tell them your situation and see what’s possible,» said Goldman.

Goldman and other CNET experts also recommend buying used, refurbished tech from reputable places. Before you buy, see if there’s a rating system to help understand the device’s condition. And check for any return policies and warranties in case you’re not satisfied.

Lastly, Goldman recommends checking with family and friends who may have aging devices that can save you money on a new one. «While it might not meet their needs anymore, it could be just enough for a student,» said Goldman. «Also, if it’s a bit too old even for your student, there’s a chance it can be traded in for a discount on an upgrade.»

Close to 1 in 4 are concerned about unexpected tech fees, too

Beyond buying the hardware, 23% of shoppers are concerned about additional tech fees and subscription costs.

Some learning management systems are free or included in the course, while other apps and services with upgraded features can add up. For example, some educational app subscriptions, maintenance fees and even e-book rentals are required but cost.

To trim that cost, some schools offer special codes or discounts to lower how much you’ll pay. I also recommend checking online student forums for students in higher grades who have completed the course but still have access and for any unused offer codes.

1 in 5 are concerned about managing expenses without credit or BNPL

CNET found that 1 in 5 (20%) are concerned about managing expenses when using credit or Buy Now, Pay Later to afford tech. Yet, juggling expenses and debt can be detrimental to your finances and can lead to interest and fees if you’re unable to pay the statement balance in full and on time.

If you need to lean on financing to cover back-to-school costs, try setting aside any amount you can to help finance less of your school supply list. You may also look for deals to pay less than the sticker price and save money, or hold off on a few purchases for now.

If you have to make a big tech purchase right now, try to cut or hold off on other back-to-school items for now. For example, holding off on shopping for new clothes or reusing some supplies from last year can help cut costs for now.

Back-to-school shoppers are concerned about tech purchases

Gone are the days of only needing pencils, pens and paper. More schools are using technology for educational purposes. Now, there’s a need for laptops, tablets and headphones. And the price tag of these big-ticket items is a concern for shoppers. Here’s a closer look at shoppers’ top concerns.

Nearly half of shoppers are worried about tariffs and rising prices

Which products will be impacted by tariffs has been a hot topic for months now. Earlier this summer, CNET found that 64% of shoppers are rushing to buy tech to dodge price spikes and shortages. It’s a fair concern considering some tech companies, including Microsoft and Acer, have stated that tariffs will push prices on tech higher.

By the numbers, nearly half of back-to-school shoppers (46%) are concerned about rising prices and tariffs. We haven’t seen the impact yet due to the reciprocal tariff agreement pause, and tariffs don’t change prices for items in stock overnight.

But if more tariffs go into effect, price hikes are likely at some point. Therefore, if you know you’ll need a laptop for the upcoming school year and you’re worried about costs going up, Goldman recommends buying one sooner rather than later if you can. On the other hand, if you can wait until holiday sales in the fall, you still may be able to score a good deal depending on the impact of tariffs and US product availability, Goldman added.

Half of shoppers are worried about finding quality, affordable tech

Besides being able to afford tech, half of shoppers are concerned about finding quality technology at an affordable price. Buying the lowest-priced laptop or tablet may not be worthwhile if you’ll pay more in repairs. That’s another reason why our experts recommend shopping for high-quality second-hand tech.

«Woot.com is a good place to find reconditioned laptops and school tech,» said James Bricknell, CNET’s senior shopping editor. «You don’t always need brand-new tech for school, as the latest processor and graphics card aren’t really needed for the average school classroom.»

Our editors also recommend the Amazon Renewed Store, Apple Certified Refurbished and eBay Refurbished as a few trusted retailers for secondhand tech.

Other ways to save on back-to-school tech this year

Here are a few other ways CNET experts say you can save money on must-have tech this back-to-school season.

Shop deals and sales

Some states have tax-free weekends to help you save money by excluding tax on select items for a few days. Coupling this weekend with sales and deals can help you save money on your shopping list.

Bricknell pointed out that even though big sale events, like Prime Day, are great times to get deals on tech before school starts, you may be able to score savings around Black Friday if you’re able to wait until later this year.

Track prices

CNET’s experts are still tracking plenty of tech deals to scout out the real savings based on their recommendations, but no matter how sweet the savings may seem, CNET senior editor and computer expert, Matt Elliott, recommends being patient and tracking prices.

«Be patient and track the price of a product and then do what stock traders do and ‘buy the dip.’ Online retailers are constantly rotating discounts, so it pays to wait for a sale price to land on the product you are looking to buy,» said Elliott.

Elliott added that you’ll see the price fluctuate over a few weeks, so you’ll get a sense of when to buy quickly. Some websites and browser extensions can help you track prices, too — like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel.

There may be other options if a tech must-have isn’t within your budget. Bricknell recommends checking with your school for programs to still get what you need at a fraction of the cost or for free, in some circumstances. For example, some schools may loan laptops for a school year or semester, but eligibility requirements may apply.

Trade in old devices

If you have old tech that you’re no longer using, it may be worth some money that you can use to buy a laptop or tablet you need now.

«Companies like Swappa can give you cash for your old tech, but keep in mind that the more used your tech, the less cash you’re likely to get,» said Bricknell.

Before you sell your old devices, check several retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal before selling. How much you get back can depend on the condition of your device, how old it is and the demand for it.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,601 adults, of whom 689 have gone or are planning to go back-to-school shopping. Fieldwork was undertaken July 16 to 18, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18-plus).

Technologies

Google races to put Gemini at the center of Android before Apple’s AI reboot

Google is using its latest Android rollout to position Gemini as the AI layer across phones, Chrome, laptops and cars.

Google is using its latest Android rollout to make Gemini less of a chatbot and more of an operating layer across the phone, browser, car and laptop, just weeks before Apple is expected to show its own Gemini-powered Apple Intelligence reboot at WWDC.
Ahead of its Google I/O developer conference next week, the company previewed a number of Android updates, including AI-powered app automation, a smarter version of Chrome on Android, new tools for creators, a redesigned Android Auto experience, and a sweeping set of new security features.
Alphabet is counting on Gemini to help Google compete directly with OpenAI and Anthropic in the market for artificial intelligence models and services, while also serving as the AI backbone across its expansive portfolio of products, including Android. Meanwhile, Gemini is powering part of Apple’s new AI strategy, giving Google a role in the iPhone maker’s reset even as it races to prove its own version of personal AI on the phone is further along.
Sameer Samat, who oversees Google’s Android ecosystem, told CNBC that Google is rebuilding parts of Android around Gemini Intelligence to help users complete everyday tasks more easily.
“We’re transitioning from an operating system to an intelligence system,” he said.
As part of Tuesday’s announcements. Google said Gemini Intelligence will be able to move across apps, understand what’s on the screen and complete tasks that would normally require a user to jump between multiple services. That means Android is moving beyond the traditional assistant model, where users ask a question and get an answer, and acting more like an agent.
For instance, Google says Gemini can pull relevant information from Gmail, build shopping carts and book reservations. Samat gave the example of asking Gemini to look at the guest list for a barbecue, build a menu, add ingredients to an Instacart list and return for approval before checkout.
A big concern surrounding agentic AI involves software taking action on a user’s behalf without permissions. Samat said Gemini will come back to the user before completing a transaction, adding, “the human is always in the loop.”
Four months after announcing its Gemini deal with Google, Apple is under pressure to show a more capable version of Apple Intelligence, which has been a relative laggard on the market. Apple has long framed privacy, hardware integration and control of the user experience as its advantages.
Google’s Android push is designed to show it can bring AI deeper into the device experience while still giving users control over what Gemini can see, where it can act and when it needs confirmation.
The app automation features will roll out in waves, starting with the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this summer, before expanding across more Android devices, including watches, cars, glasses and laptops later this year.
The company is also redesigning Android Auto around Gemini, turning the car into another major surface for its assistant. Android Auto is in more than 250 million cars, and Google says the new release includes its biggest maps update in a decade and Gemini-powered help with tasks like ordering dinner while driving.
Alphabet’s AI strategy has been embraced by Wall Street, which has pushed the company’s stock price up more than 140% in the past year, compared to Apple’s roughly 40% gain. Investors now want to see how Gemini can become more central to the products people use every day.
WATCH: Alphabet briefly tops Nvidia after report of $200 billion Anthropic cloud deal

Technologies

Waymo recalls 3,800 robotaxis after glitch allowed some vehicles to ‘drive into standing water’

Waymo issued a voluntary recall of about 3,800 of its robotaxis to fix software issues that could allow them to drive into flooded roadways.

Waymo is recalling about 3,800 robotaxis in the U.S. to fix software issues that could allow them to “drive onto a flooded roadway,” according to a letter on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.
The voluntary recall is for Waymo vehicles that use the company’s fifth and sixth generation automated driving systems (or ADS), the U.S. auto safety regulator said in the letter posted Tuesday.
Waymo autonomous vehicles in Austin, Texas, were seen on camera driving onto a flooded street and stalling, requiring other drivers to navigate around them. It’s the latest example of a safety-related issue for the Alphabet-owned AV unit that’s rapidly bolstering its fleet of vehicles and entering new U.S. markets.
Waymo has drawn criticism for its vehicles failing to yield to school buses in Austin, and for the performance of its vehicles during widespread power outages in San Francisco in December, when robotaxis halted in traffic, causing gridlock.
The company said in a statement on Tuesday that it’s “identified an area of improvement regarding untraversable flooded lanes specific to higher-speed roadways,” and opted to file a “voluntary software recall” with the NHTSA.
“Waymo provides over half a million trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments across the U.S., and safety is our primary priority,” the company said.
Waymo added that it’s working on “additional software safeguards” and has put “mitigations” in place, limiting where its robotaxis operate during extreme weather, so that they avoid “areas where flash flooding might occur” in periods of intense rain.
WATCH: Waymo launches new autonomous system in Chinese-made vehicle

Technologies

Qualcomm tumbles 13% as semiconductor stocks retreat from historic AI-fueled surge

Semiconductor equities reversed sharply after a broad AI-driven advance, with Qualcomm suffering its worst day since 2020 amid inflation concerns and rising oil prices.

Semiconductor stocks fell sharply on Tuesday, reversing course after an extensive rally that had expanded the artificial intelligence investment theme well past Nvidia and driven the industry to unprecedented levels.

Qualcomm plunged 13% and was on track for its steepest single-day decline since 2020. Intel shed 8%, while On Semiconductor and Skyworks Solutions each lost more than 6%. The iShares Semiconductor ETF, which benchmarks the overall sector, fell 5%.

The sell-off came after a key gauge of consumer prices came in above forecasts, and as conflict in Iran pushed crude oil higher—prompting investors to shift away from riskier assets.

The preceding advance had widened the AI opportunity set beyond longtime industry leader Nvidia, which for much of the past several years had largely carried the market to new peaks on its own.

Explosive appetite for central processing units, along with the graphics processing units that power large language models, has sent chipmakers to all-time highs.

Market participants are wagering that the shift from AI model training to autonomous agents will lift demand for additional AI hardware. Among the beneficiaries are memory chip producers, which are raising prices as supply remains tight.

Micron Technology slid 6%, and Sandisk cratered 8%. Sandisk’s stock has surged more than six times over since January.