Premium tech gifts for back to school

Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:23PM EDT

See Comments (5)

Want to give your student the very best in tech this upcoming semester? Look no further than these six premium, high-tech gadgets that will complement any student's dorm room.

MacBook Pro: It's true: The computer is the centerpiece of any student's dorm room, and the MacBook Pro is a perfect fit. It's always been known as a great blend of cutting-edge technology and ultra-sleek design. The top-of-the-line 15.4-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM (up to 4GB), Geforce 8600M graphics technology, 250GB hard drive, DVD burner, webcam, OSX, and a slew of other niceties that will make any student's jaw drop. If you're looking for something more portable, check out the Lenovo X series or the Sony VAIO TZ series—they're both super slim and don't skimp on features. The MacBook Pro starts at $1999.

Apple iPhone 3G: The Apple iPhone 3G may not be the right phone for business users, but for students, there is no other. Safari is currently tops when it comes to mobile browsing, and for those on campus, web access is key. The ability to look up class schedules, on-campus events, maps, and other information on-the-fly is unbelievably handy, especially when you're feeling a little lost on a big campus. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that it's an incredible MP3/movie player, too? However, if you're an emailing/IMing/txting fiend that's in dire need of a keyboard, check out the BlackBerry Bold or the upcoming HTC Touch Pro. The iPhone 3G starts at $199 with two-year contract.

Sony Playstation 3 or Xbox 360: And the debate rages on. Each console has its respective strengths and weaknesses, but you really can't go wrong with either one. If robust online play is most important for you, go with the Xbox 360. If a solid home-theater experience is a huge deal for you, go with the PS3. But there's one thing that's certain: Both systems will provide a great gaming experience for you. Anyone up for some NCAA '09?

BlueAnt M1 Stereo Speaker: The BlueAnt M1 is a portable Bluetooth stereo speaker that is perfect for the frequently-moving music-aficionado. It features 28 watts RMS output, A2DP Bluetooth connectivity, an internal rechargeable battery, 3.5mm jack for wired devices, and a nifty carrying pouch that doesn't ever have to be removed. Since it's completely wireless, it's perfect for trips to the beach, picnic outings, or even when you're getting ready in the morning, and a single charge will last you up to 10 hours on medium volume. You can find it online for about $130.

Sennheiser PXC450: For your own peace and the respect of others, headphones are an absolute must in a shared-room environment. These Sennheiser headphones offer premium sound quality and comfortable fitting, great for those long study sessions. They also feature noise-cancelling technology (NoiseGuard 2.0), perfect for plane rides back home to visit the 'rents. The Sennheiser PXC450 is currently available for $399. Don't like big, bulky headphones? Try the Audio Technica Quietpoint earbuds or Shure SE310 earbuds.

Pioneer Kuro PDP-111FD: The second generation of Pioneer's popular Kuro HDTV line has gone on sale, and for about $4000, you can enjoy a massive 50-inch screen, ultra-deep blacks, vivid color, 1080p resolution at 120HZ, and 4 HDMI 1.3 connections. If 50-inches is too big for your dorm room (which it most likely is), the Sharp Aquos 37-inch LC37-GP1U offers great technology in a smaller form factor.

Got any good picks for this upcoming semester? Be sure to let me know if I missed anything.

Top 5 Posts

Uh oh! We're having server trouble.

Our team is on it and we should have everything back to normal shortly. Please come back soon.


My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.