| The world has changed and the needs of the college | | | | SD cards so that you can store even more |
| student have changed as well. It used to be that plenty | | | | information on your MP3 or iPOD. |
| of paper, pencils, notebooks and highlighters were all | | | | Preferred brands: Sansa, Apple iPod, Samsung, Phillips |
| that you needed to be prepared for college. But in | | | | and Zune. |
| today's fast paced technological world much more is | | | | Recommended stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office |
| needed to be successful. You need the right | | | | Depot, Office Max, and Circuit City. |
| technology. | | | | Price Range: $29 - $349 |
| So here are a few suggestions on what you will need. | | | | Note: If the budget can afford it, go for one that can |
| Laptop Computer | | | | download videos. |
| Today's college student needs the portability of a | | | | 2 - 4 GB SD Memory Cards |
| laptop, the desktop just doesn't cut it anymore. But, | | | | Invest in a couple of SD memory cards to store your |
| many of the features included in a laptop are not | | | | information on for easy access and portability. SD |
| absolutes and are negotiable. Different students will | | | | cards take up very little space and can be transported |
| require different memory, graphics and accessories. | | | | very easily from one place to another. |
| One feature that is negotiable is the memory. In most | | | | You might even consider getting a micro SD with an |
| cases, the standard ram and hard drive will be more | | | | adapter so that you can use it on your laptop, your |
| than sufficient for the average college student. | | | | mp3 player and your digital camera. |
| However, if your major is in computer graphics or | | | | Whatever you decide you'll be glad you invested in |
| programming you might require a more advanced | | | | some SD memory cards |
| memory system. Call your advisor or someone in the | | | | Preferred brands: SanDisk, Ativa and Kingston. |
| computer department and ask about your computer | | | | Recommended stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office |
| needs. | | | | Depot, Office Max and online. |
| The following are features that you definitely want to | | | | Price Range: $4.99 - $79.00 |
| include in your system: | | | | Graphing Calculator |
| - DVD R/RW | | | | If you are going to study science, mathematics or |
| - CD-RW | | | | pre-med you will need a graphing calculator. Don't |
| - Wireless | | | | waste your time with plain calculators or other scientific |
| - 4 - 6 USB Ports | | | | calculators. You need a graphing calculator. The best |
| - 1 SD Port | | | | graphing calculators for the money are the TI-83 Plus |
| - 1 Fire wire Port | | | | and TI-84 Plus. I prefer the TI-84 Silver Edition. |
| Preferred brands: Compaq, HP, Dell and Toshiba. | | | | Recommended stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office |
| Recommended stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office | | | | Depot, Office Max, Staples and ebay. |
| Depot, Office Max, and online. | | | | Price Range: $79 - $189 |
| Price Range: $399 - $1299 | | | | Wireless Printer |
| 1 - 8 GB USB Drive | | | | Although most colleges will have printers available, the |
| Although the USB jump drives don't have to be 8 GB, | | | | convenience of having a wireless printer in your dorm |
| it's a nice convenient size. The USB drive is going to be | | | | room is worth the investment. You can pick up a good |
| very useful for transferring data from one place to | | | | inkjet printer or even a laser printer for a very |
| another and will allow you to take information without | | | | reasonable price. Just shop around and compare. |
| taking the whole computer. | | | | TIP: If you share your printer with dorm mates have |
| Preferred brands: Lexar, Kingston, SanDisk, and Ativa | | | | them help buy ink refills. |
| Recommended stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office | | | | Preferred brands: Dell, HP, Lexmark, Epson and Canon. |
| Depot and Office Max. | | | | Recommended stores: Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office |
| Price Range: $29 - $79 | | | | Depot, Office Max and online. |
| MP3 Player or iPOD | | | | Price Range: $69.00 - $299.00 |
| An mp3 player can be a great success tool with | | | | Summary |
| many uses. The most important use being the ability to | | | | The above items will also require certain accessories |
| record lectures and then listen to them anywhere. You | | | | such as blank CD's and DVD's. You will want to get a |
| can also download music, data and videos. The | | | | good laptop case or carrier for transporting your |
| possibilities are endless. | | | | computer. Also, you may want to get a laptop mouse |
| If at all possible purchase a player that accepts micro | | | | if you have trouble using a touch pad. |