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GET TECHNICAL: Five gadgets all students need

Every college student should get their hands on these five necessities.

Laptop

Several people argue that students can get through college without a laptop by using the library and computer labs, but it makes college easier.

Users don’t have to worry about what time labs or libraries close, you can save and download anything of choice, and laptops come in all sizes, so portability isn’t a concern.

Of course, laptops aren’t only for school, so there are many other uses.

USB drive

For those who haven’t figured out what all the jazz is about these gizmos, it’s pretty simple.

For all of those times that students need to transport data from one computer to another, but can’t email it because the internet in the library is ‘unstable,’ a USB drive comes to the rescue.

Students simply plug in, save and safely remove hardware.

These little devices are great for saving data, such as photos, music, ROMs and homework.

They are great for backing up copies of homework in case of computer malfunction.

When the printer won’t work, students can save their paper and trek to the library, while still being able to make it to class to turn it in.

They come with space varying from 512 megabytes to around 8 gigabytes.

Nextag.com has USB drives listed from $12 to $40 upward, making it an affordable essential.

External hard drive

An external hard drive is essential for anyone with a laptop.

Don’t wait for hard drive failure or the next virus to strike and wipe your computer clean.

Prices range from $60-$70 for 500 gigabytes to $90-$130 for 1 terabyte.

Some may say it’s too expensive, but for around $100 students can save themselves a lot of trouble and tears. (prices from nextag.com)

Digital camera

For college students of all ages, a digital camera is a good gadget to have.

It is easy to tote around and is terrific for capturing all of those great moments students will experience throughout college.

Cameras are also handy to have around to document any projects or labs.

As for prices and brands, there are many varieties. It would be a good idea to shop around.

Smart phone

Cell phones now play an integral part in our lives. Smart phones are amazing tools to have.

Take a Blackberry or an iPhone, for example. From both, students can access their e-mail on the go. This is important because UH’s preferred method of contact is email.

Students can also use both gadgets to access the Internet between classes.

As far as the iPhone is concerned, there are hundreds of useful applications geared towards college students available in the App Store.

With smart phones, students can also keep a calendar, sync appointments and download music. All smart phones come with phone specific functions.

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