Tech Accessories Every ASU Student Needs for Class
The actual tech accessories that help in ASU classes — not a generic list, but specific to Canvas, MyASU, and what Tempe campus life demands.
What ASU's Tech Environment Actually Requires
ASU runs on a few core platforms you'll interact with constantly: Canvas for course materials and assignments, MyASU as the central hub for everything else (schedules, financial aid, degree audit), Zoom for remote sessions and office hours, and Microsoft 365 (free for all ASU students) for documents.
A lot of generic tech advice doesn't account for how these platforms work or what the physical environment of ASU Tempe demands. This list is specific.
Non-Negotiables
A Reliable Laptop Charger + Backup Battery
This sounds obvious, but it's the most commonly regretted gap. ASU classrooms vary wildly — some have outlets at every seat, some have zero. Lecture halls in the older buildings (Coor Hall, WXLR) often have limited power access.
A compact 65W USB-C charger is worth owning as a dedicated backpack charger separate from your desk setup. Something like the Anker Nano II or similar takes almost no space and ensures you're never that person asking to borrow a charger.
For longer days, a 20,000mAh power bank can charge a laptop once and a phone several times. Essential during finals week when you're on campus from 8 AM to midnight.
Wired Earbuds or Budget Over-Ear Headphones
AirPods are everywhere at ASU, but there are real classroom and library use cases where wired earbuds are better. Proctored testing environments (ASU has specific rules about Bluetooth devices during exams) sometimes prohibit wireless earbuds. Wired is always safe.
For studying: a decent pair of over-ear headphones with passive noise cancellation makes a meaningful difference in Hayden Library, the MU, or crowded study spaces. Sony's WH-1000XM line is the standard recommendation; for budget options, the Sony ZX series at $25–$30 does the job.
A Portable Mouse
Working on a laptop trackpad for hours in Canvas — navigating assignments, reading PDFs, scrolling through LMS content — is slower and more tiring than using a mouse. A basic Bluetooth mouse (Logitech M705 or similar) costs $25–$35 new and makes a genuine quality-of-life difference.
This is one of the most common items sold on the ASU List, often for $8–$15.
Highly Recommended
USB-C Hub
Modern MacBooks and many Windows laptops have limited port selection. A USB-C hub that adds HDMI, USB-A ports, and an SD card reader is essential for presentations, connecting to external displays at ASU's computer labs, and general connectivity.
Anker and Baseus both make reliable hubs for $25–$45. Buy once, use for your entire college career.
Blue Light Glasses
ASU's courseload involves a lot of screen time — Canvas has reading assignments, Zoom office hours, and digital submissions for almost everything. Blue light glasses are not a miracle solution, but students who use them report less eye strain during late-night study sessions. Available for $15–$25 from Amazon or cheap from the ASU List.
Portable SSD or Large Capacity Flash Drive
ASU's Microsoft 365 subscription gives you 1TB of OneDrive storage, which handles most cloud needs. But for large files — video projects in Herberger, CAD files in Fulton Engineering, audio projects — local storage matters. A 256GB USB-C flash drive ($25–$35) or a small portable SSD ($50–$80) is valuable for transferring large files between campus computers and your own machine.
ASU-Specific Considerations
Download the apps. ASU has a suite of apps that are actually useful: the ASU mobile app (links to Canvas, schedules, grades), the Tempe campus interactive map, and the ASU Recreation app for SDFC capacity. All are free and save real time.
Canvas offline access. The Canvas Student app (not just the browser) allows offline viewing of course content. Downloading readings and lecture slides before going somewhere with spotty WiFi (ASU WiFi in older buildings can be inconsistent) saves frustration.
Multi-factor authentication setup. ASU requires MFA for MyASU access. Set up both your phone authenticator and a backup method (physical key or second device) before you lose access to your primary device during finals.
What to Buy Used vs. New
Buy used: Portable mice, USB hubs, power banks, headphones, keyboards, monitors. These don't have software dependencies and hold up well secondhand.
Buy new or refurbished-certified: Anything with a battery (laptops, earbuds) where battery health matters. ASU's Apple Store in the MU sells certified refurbished MacBooks with warranties. ASU's technology purchasing program also sometimes offers discounts on new devices — check MyASU for current offers.
Check the ASU List first for all accessories. Students graduate and sell complete tech setups regularly — it's often possible to buy a mouse, hub, and monitor stand together for less than buying each piece new.
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