Remember when your biggest back-to-school shopping challenge was finding your elementary student the coolest pair of sneakers and trendy T-shirts?

Now they’re high-school or college bound.

It’s a lot more complicated.

Today, shopping for school means making sure they have all the technology they’ll need to make it through the school year. But before you buy, make sure you do your homework and know what kids really need to succeed.

“Computers in school are now as commonplace as computers in homes,” says Paul Ewert, executive vice president and general merchandising manager of CompUSA. “Parents and educators have come to rely on technology as an important tool to enhance learning for children.”

Preparing your children in terms of technology requires more than just making sure their laptop is in working order.