This Las Vegas third grader has a Chromebook, but not all students are so lucky. | Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Students are going back to school — but they may not have everything they need to learn.

This year’s back-to-school shopping list might have a new entry: a laptop, needed for the upcoming months (or more) of remote learning. Not only might it be the most expensive item on your list, it may also be the hardest one to find.

As students begin the new school year, some who will be attending virtually are scrambling to find the necessary equipment to do so. Shortages of laptops and tablets have caused delays that will stretch weeks — even months — into the school year. This could force children from households that can’t afford the devices to go without, widening the already