Top 10 Must-Have Electronic Gadgets for Students

Tags: electronics

Contributed by Suzanne Baldwin, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

The students of today have access to a range of electronic gadgets that were unheard of as few as ten years ago. 

Whether you’re just headed off to school or are preparing to defend your thesis, these gadgets will keep you on track and entertained for the entire year.

Here’s a list of the top ten must-have electronic gadgets for students:

10. Digital camera

College isn’t just about studying, no matter what your parents tell you – it’s also about the social skills you learn, and the friends you meet. Digital cameras have come a long way since their inception, and even the smallest hand-held will let you capture memories of the four (or five, or seven) craziest years of your life.

9. iPad

The iPad packs much of the punch of a small laptop, with the added benefit of complete portability. The new iPad2 is all that and more. You can slip the tablet into a purse or even a large pocket, allowing you to access the Internet and work on class projects (or your Facebook page) on the go. It even doubles as an e-reader, something that will become more important to college students as the cost of print books continues to escalate.

8. Kinect

An add-on for XBox 360, the Kinect allows players to interact with the video game onscreen – it’s as close as most of us will get to a Star Trek-type holodeck within our lifetimes. You can entertain yourself for hours during a rainy day, and it’s also a hit at almost any party.

7. MP3 Player

The trek across campus is much less grueling if you’ve got music to take with you. The newest MP3 playerswill fit into your pocket or on an armband, and battery life often lasts for days. High-end models can store your entire music collection and function like smartphones, while economy versions are budget-friendly and typically allow you to carry a few gigabytes with you.

6. Cell phone

It doesn’t necessarily matter what kind of cell phone you get, but your classmates need to be able to get in touch with you for projects and planning. A cell will keep you in touch with friends and family; a newer smartphone can also keep track of your assignments and class schedules.

5. MP3 Player Docking Station

Most MP3 player manufacturers also create docks for their devices. This handy station will let you listen to music without draining your player’s batteries; many docks will charge your MP3 player as soon as you plug it in. Most MP3 docks are small enough to fit on a shelf in a crowded dorm room, and one can double as a bookend in a pinch.

4. USB WiFi Card

If you’re in school, you’re going to use the Internet quite a bit for homework, projects, and papers. While many computers come with a wireless adapter installed, some don’t; if you have an older machine and have nowhere to plug in, just insert this card and you’ll be able to access the Internet from wherever you are.

3. Alarm clock

Yes, you can program your iPhone or Android to wake you up in the morning – but phones aren’t always entirely reliable, and you might as well have a backup for those nights when you forget to charge your cell. If you are a deep sleeper, try a shaker alarm clock. The professor of your 8 AM class will thank you.

2. USB Memory stick

There isn’t really any way to emphasize this gadget enough. Memory sticks allow you to transfer files between computers – handy if you’re going from dorm to lab. Better yet, you can back up your important data, which will come in handy when your roommate decides to use your laptop as a drink holder.

1. Laptop

Laptops have been around for awhile, but this gadget, more than any other, will help you through school. You can take it with you to class, to coffee houses, study groups and more; it will help you write papers, do your homework, manage your social life, and find a job. Today’s notebook laptop models are lighter than ever, and are often just as powerful and affordable as a desktop.