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Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!

Ready to pack away the swim trunks and sunscreen and head back to school? If you're a lucky winner of our annual back to school sweepstakes, you'll surely be itching to make the return to campus. With last year's contest deemed an incredible success, we're stepping up the offering for 2012, adding higher-end devices in almost every category. There's an Ultrabook from HP, Sony's new mirrorless camera and a Samsung Galaxy S III, just to name a few. If your name is drawn, we'll be shipping you an overstuffed Engadget-branded Timbuk2 messenger bag, filled with prizes worth more than $3,000 in all. And to increase your chances of winning, we'll be giving away a total of 15 identical bags! That means 15 laptops, 15 cameras, 15 smartphones and 15 very happy Engadget readers. So what are you waiting for? Jump past the break to see the prizes, and be sure to enter in the comments below, and another 14 times on each of our back to school category pages, launching throughout the month.

To reiterate, all of the giveaways will be identical, so feel free to enter by leaving a comment at each of our back to school posts (not including the back to school hub). (Note: you'll only be allowed to win once and multiple comments on a single post will not increase your chances of winning.) Please confirm that your commenting account includes an email address as well -- that's how we'll be contacting the winners. Good luck!

Laptop



There's no shortage of Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks to choose from this season, and HP's 14-inch Envy is among the best-equipped. This super-slim model packs a 14-inch display, 4 gigs of RAM and a battery that promises to keep you going for up to eight hours on a single charge, giving you plenty of time to surf the web during lectures and catch a flick once you're home.

Key specs: 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor, 14-inch, 1,366 x 768 display, 4GB RAM, 4.5 lbs.

Price: $827 on Amazon

Digital Camera

Sony's NEX-F3 may not be an enormous improvement over last year's C3, but one of its banner features -- the front-facing LCD -- is sure to be a hit at parties on campus. That 921k-dot screen can also flip back for normal operation, and you can add on an EVF for even more flexibility. The camera kit includes an 18-55mm interchangeable lens, with the option to swap in your own Sony optics to boost image quality and focal range.

Key specs: 16.1-megapixel stills, 1080/24p video, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, 3-inch front-facing display.

Price: $598 on Amazon




Tablet


An Ultrabook will get you connected when you're able to grab a table and chair, but how will you keep in contact as you queue up for class or hang out on the quad? Samsung's latest Tab delivers seven inches of Ice Cream Sandwich in a package that weighs just 0.76 pounds. It also serves as a universal remote, courtesy of the Smart Remote app and built-in IR blaster.

Key specs: 7-inch, 600 x 1,024 display, front and rear cameras, 8GB storage, 1GHz dual-core processor.

Price: $249 on Amazon


Smartphone

Smartphones don't get much better than this. Samsung's Galaxy S III has made its way to the US, and it's sure to be one of the hottest devices on campus. This AT&T model offers up to 9.2 hours of browsing and talk time and LTE connectivity -- assuming, of course, that it's available on campus. There's also an 8-megapixel camera with plenty of software enhancements, including Samsung's S Beam app for sharing content with other S III owners with a tap.

Key specs: 4.8-inch 1,280 x 720 display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB built-in memory, Android 4.0 ICS.

Price: $189 on Amazon




E-reader




Tablets and smartphones can sub in for good ol' paper in small doses, but if you plan to spend an afternoon reading by the rec center pool you're gonna need a Nook. Barnes & Noble's latest e-reader offers a unique backlight feature to boot, letting you catch up on Cuckoo's Nest while your roommate's fast asleep.

Key specs: 6-inch touchscreen, 1-month battery with GlowLight on, adjustable fonts, weighs 7 ounces.

Price: $139 on Barnes & Noble


Headphones

With a few earbud options bundled with your other BTS devices, we figured you might appreciate some full-size cans as well. Denmark-based AiAiAi's Capital headphones are manufactured to withstand the rigors of college life (along with snow and rain), thanks to a reinforced fiberglass shell and foldable design.

Key specs: Weather-resistant design, 40mm drivers, folding function, in-line remote.

Price: $100 on Amazon



Hard drive



You have a laptop with USB 3.0, so you're going to need a hard drive to go with it. Western Digital's My Passport is small enough to stay with you, and USB 2.0 compatibility means you'll be able to transfer docs between your own computer and those aging machines in the lab. It's also equipped with hardware encryption, so you can keep those party pics away from prying eyes.

Key specs: USB-powered, 1TB of storage, USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatibility, hardware encryption.

Price: $96 on Amazon


Laptop bag

Made in San Francisco, Timbuk2's new Commute Messenger has made its way to the company's customize tool, and we've built one just for you! Your TSA-compliant bag will arrive with blue fabric and an embroidered Engadget logo front and center. You won't want to carry all your winnings around campus, but it'll certainly accommodate all of the essentials.

Price: $119 on Amazon




Accessories




Flying Alarm Clock
Getting out of bed is never fun, but waking up can be. When this alarm sounds, it launches a propeller-equipped key, which you'll need to pop back in place before you can snooze.

$20 on ThinkGeek



AOC 16-inch USB Monitor
With power outlets often few and far between, you'll love the convenience of a USB-powered external display. This 15.6-inch AOC LED panel will effectively double your desktop.

$120 on Amazon




Spotify Premium (1-Year)
Spotify has enjoyed a very successful first year in the US, and its streaming music service remains one of the best. You'll receive a subscription code, valid for a full year.

$120




Satechi Energy Station
You should be covered for a full day on campus, but it's never a bad idea to carry some backup juice. Satechi's 10,000 mAh Portable Energy Station will charge you up, and fast.

$60 on Amazon




Edifier Tick Tock
We hate to say it, but it's only a matter of time before your Flying Alarm Clock takes to the air for the very last time. When that time comes, Tick Tock will get you up, with Bluetooth audio to boot.

$52 on Amazon



Satechi 12-port USB Hub
That AOC monitor is certainly slick, but you'll need two USB ports to power it up. For those times when an outlet's nearby, this powered hub's got your back -- it'll deliver 12 ports of data and juice.

$30 on Amazon




NuForce Cube
AiAiAi will keep you jammin' solo, but how will you share those tunes with your friends? This portable speaker packs big sound in a tiny Cube and offers up to eight hours of playback with each USB-fueled charge.

$119 on Amazon




Withings WiFi Scale
Freshman 15? Yup, it's quite real. Thanks to on-board WiFi and social media integration, your friends can watch you grow in realtime, padding the surprise before you head back home for the holidays.

$159 on Amazon




Powermat 24-Hour System
Inductive charging on campus? Perhaps if you bring your own. Duracell's Powermat 24-Hour Power System ships with the standard mat and iPhone case, but also adds a 1,850 mAh battery to boost your juice away from home.

$100 on Amazon



Carbonite Backup (1-Year)
There's a terabyte of capacity on your WD hard drive, but backing up to the cloud is never a bad idea. Carbonite's here to get you started with a year of completely automated backups and unlimited storage.

$59




AViiQ Ready Clips
Replacing ink with electronic exams and note taking? You can fill those unused pen slots with Ready Clips, which are roughly the size of a standard writing implement. Mini and micro-USB are supported, as is Apple's 30-pin dock connector.

$11 and up from Amazon



Targus Defcon 1
Now that you have a bag full of toys, you'll need a way to keep them secure. Targus' Defcon 1 lock includes a retractable cable, four-digit combination and an audible alarm that activates if someone cuts the restraint.

$36 on Amazon


Do we have your attention? Now, assuming you're a legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec), and you're over 18, all you need to do is read through our official rules (down below) and leave a comment. Make sure the email address on your Disqus account is correct, since that's how we'll be getting in touch. And again, don't worry if you don't win this time around, as we'll be hosting a total of 15 identical giveaways over the next month -- yes, that really does mean complete back to school kits for 15 of you! You'll be able to enter in the comments section on each of our back to school posts, including those from earlier this week. Good luck!


Engadget's Back to School Giveaway
Official Rules
No Purchase Required to Enter or Win


Eligibility: Engadget's Back to School Giveaway (the "Giveaway") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older. Employees of Weblogs Inc. LLC, AOL Inc., their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaways, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Giveaways (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. All U.S., federal, state and local and Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void in Quebec, Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

Sponsor: The Giveaway is sponsored by Weblogs Inc. LLC, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 ("Sponsor").

Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

Giveaway Period: The Giveaway begins at 12:00 pm ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12:00 pm ET on September 7, 2012 (the "Giveaway Period"). The Giveaway Period shall be divided into fifteen (15) separate Entry Periods:

Entry Period 1 begins at 12PM ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 2 begins at 1PM ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 3 begins at 12PM ET on August 7, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 4 begins at 12PM ET on August 8, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 5 begins at 12PM ET on August 9, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 6 begins at 12PM ET on August 10, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 7 begins at 12PM ET on August 13, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 8 begins at 12PM ET on August 15, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 9 begins at 12PM ET on August 17, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 10 begins at 12PM ET on August 20, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 11 begins at 12PM ET on August 22, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 12 begins at 12PM ET on August 24, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 13 begins at 12PM ET on August 27, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 14 begins at 12PM ET on August 29, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 15 begins at 12PM ET on August 31, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.

Entry: During the Giveaway Period, go to engadget.com/2012/08/06/back-to-school-giveaway and follow the instructions to submit your entry. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

Drawing: At the conclusion of the Giveaway Period, Sponsor will select the name of one (1) Grand Prize Winner from each of the fifteen (15) Entry Periods in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the applicable Entry Period. Potential Winners will be contacted via email and asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Non-winning entries from one Entry Period do not carry over into subsequent Entry Periods.

Requirements of the Potential Winners: Except where prohibited, the potential winners will be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the "Affidavit/Release") and IRS W-9 form within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release and W-9 form within the required time period, an alternate entrant may be selected in his/her place in a random drawing of all entries received. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use winner's name and likeness for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. In the event the potential winner of any prize is a Canadian resident, he/she will also be required to correctly answer a time-limited mathematical question to be administered by email, mail or phone to receive the prize. Limit one (1) prize per household.

Prizes: Fifteen (15) Grand Prize Winners will each receive a Back to School Prize Pack containing the following items: HP Envy Ultrabook 4, Sony NEX-F3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T), Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, AiAiAi Capital headphones, Western Digital My Passport (1TB) hard drive, Timbuk2 Commute Messenger laptop bag, Flying Alarm Clock, AOC 16" USB monitor, Spotify Premium subscription (1 year), Satechi Energy Station, Edifier Tick Tock, Satechi 12-port USB hub, NuForce Cube, Withings WiFi Scale, Powermat 24-hour system, Carbonite Backup (1 year), AViiQ Ready Chips, and Targus Defcon 1 lock. Approximate Retail Value of each Prize Pack is $3,203. Subscriptions are subject to issuer's terms and conditions. Activation fees and monthly service fees not included with any smartphone/digital devices. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize or portion of a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release, defend indemnify and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action, including without limitation, any third party claim, arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.


TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PRIZES AND ALL ELEMENTS THEREOF ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of implied warranties. In such jurisdictions, some of the foregoing disclaimers may not apply to you insofar as they relate to implied warranties.

Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Giveaway Results: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Engadget Back to School Giveaway Winners, 770 Broadway, Attn: J. Turi, New York, NY 10003. Requests must be received by September 30, 2012.

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