Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (WACH) – If you’re looking to get the kids ready to head back to school, this weekend offers a tax-free way to do it.

The annual tax-free weekend starts Friday, August 5, at 12:01 am and runs through Sunday, August 7, at midnight.  Clothing, shoes, school supplies and computers are just some of the items that are tax-exempt during the weekend. 

It’s a great time to stock up on the essentials for students, but experts say be careful to get your money’s worth when buying the newest technology, like tablets and computers.

“Tablets are the new hot item, but be careful, many tablets offer entertainment, but productivity and multitasking can be limited,” said WACH Fox technology correspondent Stephen Miano of That Computer Store. “Good luck typing notes or doing a report on some of these items.”

Miano says it is always better to buy too much than too little with a new computer.  But, be careful of brand name confusion.  According to Miano, some manufacturers will gloss up old hardware with brand names.  Some must-haves if you are in the market for a new computer: 

- Beware the bargain computers, or the offers of three computer bundle deals
- If it's missing "KEY" bells and whistles, avoid it. (Webcam, expansion card slots, USB, video out)
- Current processor names. Phenom 2, Core i3, i5, i7, Atom, AMD Vision
- You want at LEAST 4 gigabytes of RAM
- Make sure you have at least one reliable flash drive

For more information on South Carolina’s upcoming tax free weekend click here.