As an employee of leading
low-voltage design and multifamily technology company Infinisys, Elisa Smith
knows a thing or two about the technology demands of college students. The firm’s work in designing technology systems
for student housing has been nationally recognized.
So, it should be no surprise
that her recent trip to Best Buy to purchase a new WiFi adaptor for her son’s
computer was a little more than just a quick “back-to-school” shopping
trip. She used her knowledge of the
space to bring back some thoughts for Infinisys’ clients.
“I thought that there would
be a lot of bells and whistles because of the students preparing to go back to
school,” Elisa said. “However, all I saw
in regard to that were a lot of pre-packaged deals — with laptops paired with
software and accessories to make buying more simplified.”
With technology becoming such
an important part of students’ lifestyles and education, the retailers’ focus
on bundling the products reinforces the current trend: students are connected all of the time
through multiple devices.
Students want small and
adaptable. That’s the way technology is
heading, so tech savvy college students want something that they can bring with
them wherever they go and it won’t take up too much room.
“I have been hearing that a lot
of people are seeing laptops as somewhat old fashioned, because they are big
and bulky,” Elisa said.
Basically, the tablet is
quickly replacing the laptop as the standard for on-the-go productivity. However, the sleek and aesthetically pleasing
versions of these portable units can be expensive, which causes some people to
hesitate before purchasing. Students especially
have to weigh their choices between functionality and cost. But, the idea of lugging around a backpack
filled with books and a laptop is not appealing to the modern student, which is
why tablets have become popular.
This increased connectivity –
and portability – increases demands on student housing developers as tenants
are expecting to be able to maintain those connections, through multiple
devices, at all times. As technology
manufacturers and retailers continue to make the devices more and more
affordable, this trend will only continue.
Developers need to focus on staying ahead of this trend by giving
careful consideration to low-voltage design options that allow for growth and
flexibility.
