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For the past several months I have had several questions about the devices I use as a teacher, blogger, and TpT seller. This seemed like the perfect time to provide answers to all of your questions about my gadgets, devices, and favorite computer programs.
This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support the blog.
Since I spend more time on my computer than anywhere else, let’s begin with my laptop. I have a 15″ MacBook Pro, which I absolutely love. I it is portable as a laptop; but powerful enough to handle my photo editing, product creation, and everything else I do on my computer. The 15″ is heavier to carry around than the 13″, but this is my primary computer and I love having a larger screen while I work. My laptop is 2 years old. Since then, Apple had decided to only carry 15″ MacBooks with a retina display. This new line of MacBooks looks AMAZING.
If you have already upgraded to Mavericks (or if you intend to purchase a new Mac computer) this is the image for Pages you will see: It’s the same program. Just with a fancy new icon. And a few different features.
When I need to print classroom resources, I ALWAYS prefer to print on a laser printer. The colors are so much more vivid on a laser printer than an inkjet printer, and the price per page is SO MUCH CHEAPER. I have an inkjet printer in my classroom, but I made countless trips across the hall to my school’s laser printer each time I had something ink-heavy to print. In fact, I made SO many trips across the hall that I finally decided to bite the bullet and purchase a laser printer for my home office (which also doubles as my bedroom).
I personally own the Hewlett Packard M451DN Laserjet Enterprise 400 Color Printer
It’s not a network (wireless) printer, but I solved that issue by adding a signal boosting router to it, which gave me wireless printing ability. This wonderful machine has a second paper tray that makes printing on cardstock. labels, and specialty papers a breeze. It also prints duplex (2-sided pages). And I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the printer arrived with all four toner colors installed to get me started.
A wireless version
with all of these features is also available.
(black, yellow, blue, and magenta). I’m not gonna lie to you. The toner is expensive.
from Amazon. They are the cheapest and they work just as well as the name brand pouches.
I have already answered all of your camera-related questions in a previous blog post, but I can’t dish about my devices without mentioning my camera. People ALWAYS want to know what kind of camera I use to capture such memorable photos on the blog.
I shoot with a Canon Rebel T3i. I have owned my current camera for over a year and I absolutely love it. I occasionally use an 18-55mm lens (which comes standard with many Canon DSLR cameras) but most of my photos are taken with a 50mm lens. It has a 1.8f setting and I LOVE how opening the aperture gives my photos a nice blurry artistic quality.You can read more about my camera and my lens in this blog post.
I have so many wonderful tools to help me work, but even I have a wish list. At the top of my list is a MacBook Air. I don’t want it to be my primary computer, just the computer that I use when I travel. Right now I am living on a tight budget, so a Macbook Air is not in my immediate future.
Maybe next year…
I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)
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12 Responses
I love my Macbook Pro! Before I got it I never thought I’d be a Mac fan…boy was I wrong!
PC’s seem so clumsy and slow now. Thanks for all the great info Maria 🙂
Zoe x
Oh the Little Wonders
This post was a brilliant idea! I’m starting to be in the market for a new printer and I’m interested in exactly what you have, but really had no idea where to start as far as what kind to get, etc. This information is so valuable to me! My slowpoke inkjet that I got my Freshman year of college is no longer going to cut it. (Yes, I still have it and it still works!) And just my two cents on the macbook air– my aunt got one and 3 laptops later ended up just getting a Pro. She has problems with each one they sent her! And they were justified operational errors, not user error (hehe). But I know you do your homework before making big purchases.
Erin
Creating & Teaching
Thanks for doing this post. I was just wondering what you used last night when you posted the picture of the document you were working on. If your area does tax free shopping, that is the best time to buy a new mac. They also give teachers a discount!
Ms. King’s Kinders
Ouch! That printer is quite an investment. But you’re right, the colors look amazing. And I love my MacBook Pro…hubby bought it for me last year for my birthday. It’s incredible and worth every penny!! 🙂
Little In Betweens
Thanks for this post. I’ve been thinking it’s about time for a new laptop. I’m just not sure if I’m ready to make the switch to a Mac. When you create your resources on the Mac, do you have to make a separate version for your customers who don’t have mac?
Ohhhhh a laser printer would be so nice to have!! I also love my Canon Rebel! The picture quality is amazing! Thanks for sharing all of this info!
recipeforteaching
Thanks for this great informative post! I am so tempted to bite the bullet and get a laser printer for all the insane amounts of color printing that I do!
Thanks so much for sharing! Does your lens have the ability to zoom? I am in the market for a new lens. Right now, I have something similar to what you use, but I’m looking for a lens that zooms.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for inviting us behind the scenes!
I wish I could afford the printer! I would love to be able to print things without having lines through them! I have thought about getting an MacBook Pro! I have only had a PC and don’t know much about Mac’s! Maybe I should look into it and save up for a Mac!
I love that camera, I have one and it is so fun to play with!
Love your blog! LOVE this info. I think I need your printer. Great info!! Thank you!!!
Can I say I LOVE my Mac Air, I have 2. I bought my personal Macaroni 2 years ago and have been using it as my main comp with NO problems. Then the district replaced our older Macs with Airs’ too and I was so pleased. I promise when you get one you will ADORE how light it is.
thanks for the laminator reviews. I have been thinking of getting my own for a little bit now and it deff helped to know your experiences.
Mels