Be Back-To-School Ready with Technology from Staples {Toshiba C855-S5350 Laptop Review}

Somebody pinch me; summer is halfway over already, how in the world did that happen?

It feels like only yesterday we were making plans for vacations, camps, lessons and activities to keep us occupied during the summer months... and suddenly, here we are already thinking about going back to school. How is it that, as a child, June, July and August felt sooooo long, yet as an adult the same three months are a whirlwind?

Therefore, no matter how much we may or may not embrace it, planning for back-to-school is already a topic that needs to be addressed. When I was young, that meant a new pack of markers, checking the straps on my backpack for frays and crossing my fingers that I'd get a new pair of shoes. What more could a kid need to be ready to learn?

These days, it's all about technology. Let's face it, as kids begin to use computers and tablets pretty much from infancy, knowing the ins and outs of a laptop continues to move higher and higher on the scale of importance. As for high school and college-age, it's a definite must!

Fortunately, there's no need to worry or stress, as all of the back-to-school technology you could need is available easily, conveniently and without breaking the bank. Just head to Staples and Staples.com!

As the world's largest office products company, Staples knows a thing or two about serving the needs of business customers. But if you've only thought of visiting when you're in need of office supplies, you've been missing out on the wide range of other product categories this store (and their website) has to offer. 

Because when it comes time to transition from summer fun days at camp to shopping for back-to-school, Staples has it all. Educational toys, textbooks, backpacks, uniforms, calculators, supplies for teachers, and much, much more.

As for technology, why go anywhere else?

Due to their amazing selection, Staples makes it quick and easy to find the best deals on laptops and tablets of all kinds. Netbooks, Ultrabooks, touch screen, Windows 8, gaming models... all from brands like HP, Toshiba, Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, Dell and more.

Plus, due to offering the ultimate assortment of laptops — over 140 of the fastest, sleekest, most powerful models available — shopping at Staples makes it easy to save money on a new machine or find the lowest price on a refurbished model as well.

My family has long visited Staples for many of our supplies and technology needs and have always been impressed with everything from the selection to the prices to the friendly service. Therefore, I had no doubt that the arrival of the Toshiba Satellite C855-S5350 Laptop was going to be just the addition that our home needed to be ready for fall (and beyond)!

Featuring a 15.6" widescreen, blazing fast internet speeds, a dual-core processor to let you do more at once, a 6-Cell battery pack for staying connected longer while on the go, Toshiba's PC Health Monitor for alerts before they become problems, and more, this laptop will easily allow me to blog, my kids to play educational games, and my husband to browse the internet!

I love that this computer comes nearly ready to go right out of the box. Simply unpack, plug in, press the power button and follow the on-screen instructions.

While it is taking me some time to get used to Windows 8, the Toshiba C855-S5350 has been meeting and exceeding all of my expectations with its performance and features.

The built-in webcam makes it easy to video chat with family as well as take part in video conferences, the touch pad provides the quick ability to pinch, swipe, rotate or scroll...

...the separate number pad (a must-have, for me) allows for even faster typing and calculations...

...and the variety of included ports and memory card reader ensure that I can always plug in or transfer files at a touch of a button.

As the icing on the cake, the Toshiba C855-S5350 Laptop has an MSRP of $499.99 but, due to Staples' discounts, savings and rebates, it was recently listed on their website for around $379.99! Who doesn't love a deal like that?

It is never too early to think about back-to-school and integrating technology with learning, so head to your nearest Staples location or online at Staples.com to find everything you need to be prepared. From full-featured to light and simple, their laptop computer deals are ones that you won't want to miss.

Be sure to keep up with the latest and greatest that Staples has to offer by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter as well so you too can soon be saying, "That was easy!"

Full disclosure: Staples.com provided me with this product for review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own. Feel free to shop their entire line of laptops online.