Every student is on the go - whether it's to class, a party, or home on the weekends to do laundry. That's why the following items are perfect for any student who isn't a prisoner of his or her dorm room.
1. Amazon Kindle - this device is an eBook/Word doc/PDF/anything else reader. Sony makes something very similar, but this is where Amazon edges out the competition - free wireless downloads. Amazon uses what they call "Whispernet," which allows you to download new books, blogs, newspapers, and magazines over a wireless EVDO network and best of all - it's free! (*NOTE: the wireless service is free, however books, newspapers, and magazines all cost money). Imagine carrying digital copies of your textbooks in something the size and weight of a paperback book, or for those English majors, downloading all your novels for a much cheaper price than those in the campus bookstore! The Kindle features an SD card expansion slot so you can carry thousands of books/newspapers/etc... The device is about $360, so put it on your lists now.
2. iPhone 3G - The iPhone is arguably the best selling phone in history, beating out the RAZR and outselling BlackBerries as of late. By combining a very user friendly interface with 3G download speeds, an iPod, Email capabilities, and an endless supply of apps at your fingertips, this device is perfect for those who need to stay in constant contact. As an added bonus, AT&T just announced that they will soon allow tethering on the iPhone 3G, thus letting you use it as a modem when you can't get a WiFi signal on your laptop.
3. Netbook - there are a variety of models out there, from brands like Acer and HP, but just the concept of a netbook should strike glee into the hearts of students. They're not built for gaming or holding your 1-million-song iTunes library. They're made for surfing the internet, checking email, and taking notes on a 10-inch screen. The HP mini 1000 netbook is ideal for that last item - it boasts the closest thing to a full-size keyboard for a netbook. Click the link below for a list of features on HP's site.
HP mini 1000 netbook
In part II of my "Adorn" series, I'll tackle the less-portable items you may be interested in. Stay tuned.
PS: There are hundreds - if not thousands - of other portable items out there that I know I missed (hell, the list only has three products on it!) Post a comment and let everyone know what your favorite is - maybe you'll turn someone else onto it!
