It's that time of year again -- back to school has arrived. Plenty of you will be shoving off to college for the very first time, and Engadget's here to help you out. In the emotionally uproarious time that is now, you've probably realized there's truly an upside to higher education: it's a great excuse to get some new gear. And that's where we come in. No matter what your budget, we've got you covered, with recommendations and options galore. Whether you're going to be a new student in the brilliant world that is academia, or you're the proud parent / guardian of one, we've done some leg work to make the transition a little bit easier. We decided that choosing gadgets in three "budget" ranges would be most helpful to you, the reader, and we've chosen a kit of gear we think any student would do well to grab up for each -- covering laptops, netbooks, mobile phones, e-readers, laptop bags, and so on. Knowing that our readers re not one-size-fits-all, however, we've also chosen some alternate options in the categories where choice makes sense -- choice is, after all, part of what we love about gadgets -- without providing an overwhelming list. Of course, our choices aren't meant to be all-encompassing, but we think they'll provide a pretty good place to start your shopping!
Read on for our recommendations -- we promise, they're very very, helpful. Oh -- did we mention we're going to be giving away a bunch of this gear, too? Keep your eyes on the site in the coming days for more on that, and hit the links below for our guide.
Back to school guide: on the cheap
Back to school guide: mid-range
Back to school guide: money's no object
posted August 20th 2009 12:30PM
for "Money's no object," I'm shocked they didn't include a digital SLR. Really Engadget? Are you not sponsored by Canon or something?
we decided to stick with just point and shoots for clarity's sake, though there are certainly plenty of those we could have recommended, too. But we DID recommend a few Canons!!
You...are aware that MOST of schooling is grade school, not college? And that the phrase "back to school" really isn't conventionally used to refer to college?
easy Scooter
Engadget is well-aware. Spoil 'em while they're young.
aroCOMMENT, That's why I have a real, working TI-89 calculator at home (used by my sister in her classes), otherwise it would be illegal for me to use the TI-89 ROM on my PDA. Then when I have a test, I borrow the TI-89 to use, since tests only come up every so often, hopefully not overlapping my sister's tests, so far that's never been a problem.
Anyway I save $150 from buying a second TI-89 calculator. I find some of these calculators for over $180 new at a lot of retail stores, and around $90 used, but regardless they all hold decade-old technology while a PDA is far more interactive and has far more uses, such as a calendar, or Pocket SNES!
@The Weekly MANcast Dave
The Toshiba NB-205 probably has one of the cheapest chicklet keyboards ever produced. Read some reviews, everyone mentions the horrible flex.
While a netbook is a sensible second machine, the screen size, processor and so on can have an impact on your area depending on your area of study. Running Atlas Ti plus word plus a library search and so on such an machine does not seem particular sensible. Most students would be better off with a luggable around campus.
FYI if you go with the Dell Studio 15 in the mid-range section, choose the last option on the page (STUDIO 15
Upgraded Graphics Card & Faster Processor!) because it has the highest discount & will be less even if you set it with all the same options as the middle selection.
I'm gonna be starting college this monday --First time freshman.
This was very useful :D Thanks guys
Intel Canada has a back-to-school campaign going on right now.
http://www.globecampus.ca/intel/
http://www.greatcomputing.ca/
http://www.facebook.com/intelcanada/
Find the most suitable laptop! :-)
@ On the cheap:
You could also just purchase an HD monitor which functions with TV signals as well. That way you could use it to hook up your netbook/laptop to a nice big screen while at home, while still being able to watch television.
i totally disagree with all of the tvs here. look at the samsung tochd monitors. there are a number of sizes, and they have a ton of inputs like 2x hdmi, dvi, vga, hd tuner, ect... and the 26" version has a native resolution of 1920x1200. Its now running like 300-350 or so, I paid more, but so worth it. my only issue with it is the contrast ratio when watching blurays, but when hooked up to a set of logitech z5500's in a dorm room, its not that noticeable
Where is the "bunch of this gear" that they were going to be giving away?
i need it
kewl stuff
FREE?..... Yes please!
I'm a broke college student like everyone else, but I hope I'm considered for the prize, it would be nice to be able to have some new tech for school!!!
These guides have been great and really helped me see what's available to a broke university student, thanks.
Pickkk me!!!! I've had nutn but set backs this year!! Hopefully I get randomly picked
Arrghh school again on thursday....
I'm about to get a netbook for the new term, should be useful for taking notes in lectures etc. I need a graphical calculator too.. briliiant...
Feel free to take a look at my site, if you like: http://www.myfreegadget.co.uk/
pick me!!
I want to WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd say buy a netbook. Very useful appliance.
I am happy to see Zune, however, I'd expect it to be introduced at the mid-range level, not the money's no object level. It's not out of league and priced over the iPod imho.
Great giveaways, hope I win something this time.