College Must-Haves Dug Up

By RYAN REYNOLDS Features editor 464-7686 or reynoldsr@courierpress.com

My early experience as a technology geek was in high school, when moving up to a higher-level math class meant I’d get to use a graphing calculator.

Nowadays, those Texas Instruments specials are pretty low on the food chain for most students – bumped out of the way by laptop computers, tricked-out cell phones and touch-screen iPods.

So amid the stacks and stacks of gizmos out there just begging to be bought and tossed into a dorm room for the first day of college classes, telling the “must-haves” from the “well, that’d be nice” items can be difficult.

Here are four items I’ve come to adore and, if I were a college student, I’d make sure to get hold of before heading to campus.

(One note: I intentionally didn’t tackle cell phones and laptop computers. Finding the right item in those categories has been discussed in this space in previous months.)

Sony Digital Voice Recorder

ICD-UX70

What it is: A digital recorder, good for recording lectures for later review. It records up to 290 hours of audio.

Great features: Hooks up directly to a USB outlet with a pop-out connector on the bottom of the recorder. It works with both Mac and Windows operating systems, and has “drag and drop” capability for easy file transfer. More good news: There’s no software needed for the PC version, so there’s no CD to lose.

Price: $99

More information: www.sony.com

Canon Pixma iP100 printer

What it is: A mobile inkjet printer – basically, you can move it around to different places (say, a dorm room and home) without having a lot of heavy, cluttered hassle.

Great features: Cnet.com made the Canon Pixma iP100 an editor’s choice back in April, and the printer’s still a popular pick. The Web site noted “high-resolution ink nozzles produce excellent prints; significant speed improvements over previous model; retains familiar design.” Can print seven pages of text per minute.

Price: Averages $199, with higher and lower prices available depending on outlet and sale specials.

More information: www.usa.canon.com

Targus laptop backpack

What it is: An over-the-shoulder carrying case for notebook computers and other devices.

I bought the CityGear model, which has three large compartments inside, plenty of room for a laptop, books and binders.

Great features: Plenty of padding to protect the computer, as well as

padded straps for protecting shoulders.

I also love that there’s a little mesh pocket on one side (perfect fit for a cell phone) and a small zip-up pocket on the other (great for my car keys). Also boasts a key clip, which I removed from the one I’m using.

Price: Range depending on the model. The CityGear runs about $79.

More information: www.targus.com/US/

Laptop Desk Futura

What it is: A product of LapWorks, which bills itself as the “market leader in ergonomic and heat reducing laptop desks, stands and accessories.” Basically, these portable surfaces give you a way to better balance a laptop computer in front of you. As a bonus, they also help better distribute the heat from the computer’s internal parts.

Great features: The rubber on the bottom keeps the Futura secure on your lap. You also can adjust the cooling vent areas by sliding parts of the surface around. The incline works in five different positions, so you’re bound to find a setting that feels comfortable. The company warns that some widescreen laptop models with “protrusions” on the underside of the machine may not work well with the Futura.

Price: $29.95

More information: www.laptopdesk.net

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