Nowadays students need more than just a computer in order to function at school or in university, often to the dismay of many parents and their bank accounts. Getprice's reporters have made an extensive list of products than can assist you at school or at least make it pleasant, such as cellular phones, laptop cases, laptops, music players, portable storage and more.
Laptops
Every Student's Dream: LG TX Express
You have to admit that LG TX is apparently every student's dream: an ultra-portable model that weighs a little more than a kilogram and is only 23mm thick. Its 12.1 inch screen maybe doesn't suit extended work, and it's Core Solo processor is a little weak. On the other hand, its keyboard is very comfortable and has integrated speakers with Dolby sound, a full set of ports and audio outlets, a five-in-one card reader, Bluetooth 2.0 support and much more. With a six compartment battery it'll provide you with eight working hours.
Of course it's an expensive little device, although not quite as expensive compared to other ultra-portables.
If you prefer a stronger ultra portable, try one of the following models: Dell Latitude D420 (very similar in its attributes but a little stronger and littler more expensive), LG A1 (with a 10.6 inch screen and Core Duo processor, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 (more expensive, but comes with a Core 2 Duo processor).
The most suitable Laptops for Students
Striking a middle balance between the comfortable but heavy "table substitutes" and the tiny and fashionable ultra portables, you'll find the optimal combination: relatively light laptops (around two kilograms) with 14.1 inch screens. It's probably the best combination for the health of a student's back and eyes and economic health.
We've chosen a few interesting examples:
MSI S440
Weighs only 2.1 kilograms. Starts with a version based on Celeron with 512 MB memory, but is available with a Core Duo processor and 1GB RAM.
Acer TravelMate 4314WXMi
Based on a Sempron processor by AMD and a Radeon X1100 accelerator by ATI, weighs about 2.4 kilograms and costs according to configuration. The 5572ZWLMi model of the same family, based on a Core Duo processor and integrated Intel accelerator (GMA950), weighs the same and costs about $100 more.
LG R400
Based on Core Duo, a basic but convenient computer, which includes integrated flash cards. Its weight: 2.35 kilograms. If that's heavy for you and you've got another $800 to spend, you could take the LG T1, which weighs only 1.9 kilograms and has elaborate specifications (including S-video and FireWire outlets, for instance).
Dell's Latitude D630
More of a recent and technologically advanced model, which weighs only 2.2 kilograms. It also costs accordingly, so try the refurbished computer dealers where you can still find an older model from the same family (D600), at about half the price depending on configuration.
IBM ThinkPad T40 (Refurbished)
A classic model, based on one core Pentium M. Not the strongest but weighs about 2 kilograms and can be found refurbished, with warranty, at very low prices.
Cellular Devices
Sony Ericsson K610
The definite king of the third generation and youngsters. The most convenient device to operate with the best balance of cost and performance in the market. The device is used as an MP3 player, with a 2 megapixel camera. The device is marketed in three colors: red, white and grey. It can also be used to record video clips and voice clips.
Although it isn't the cheapest device in the catalogue, there's no doubt that your children will love the choice.
Motorola Z3
One of the most well-designed and fresh-looking devices belongs to Motorola. Although the Z3 is distributed here about a year later than it's original launch but can still be a good solution for the youngsters.
The device is far from being the most advanced in technology, it isn't 3G, but this could be an advantage because there isn't a monthly cost as with 3G packages. The device supports Bluetooth, including a two mega pixels camera and updated MP3 player.
MP3 Players
Sansa c250
A cheap MP3 player with a 2GB memory, chargeable battery, a color screen which can display pictures and a slot for microSD cards (to enable picture and file transfer from cellular devices which support the device).
The player is marketed in black and silver, simply designed but pleasant to see and touch except for color exhibition, the panel of the navigator buttons is lightened in a neon tone and seems inviting. The pictures are shown in stamp size on a restrictive1.5 inch screen and look bad.
Connection to the computer is done through USB, but through a proprietary socket which forces you to use the attached cable. The quality of sound is reasonable, not more. The defined equalizer statuses aren't successful, and you'll get better results in a relatively simple way by personalising it, which is an advantage in itself.
When recording audio and listening to radio the overall sound is good. The FM tuner supports the possibility to define up to 20 stations and has an automatic frequency scanner.
Archos 604
For those who are prepared to pay more, the 604Wi-Fi player offers the possibility to listen to music, view videos and record television programs. It has a volume of 30GB. The device supports wireless internet. It's capable of connecting to wireless networks, browsing the internet, connecting to network based email, and if you have a computer with shared files at home, you could also connect to them and pull them off the device, to view or listen.
Ergonomic Equipment
Stands for Portables
Every technology comes with its own orthopedic problems, and therefore new ergonomic solutions. The new hit for laptop users are special stands for laptops which enable a more convenient viewing angle, and a more natural position for typing – with or without the addition of an external keyboard.
If you're into maximum convenience and willing to invest, there are more expensive products which are used as a stand and as a docking station, which will enable you to connect your laptop to a screen, keyboard, mouse and speakers.
Laptop Cases
A successful backpack is an important item for the entire year, but there's nothing like the smell and look of a new bag to start the year at school. We've checked a few backpack models for the high school, junior high and college students among you, which are meant for safely and conveniently carrying laptops.
The models we checked are Teaton from the SwissGear series by Wenger, and the Oro-CyberPack model made by Columbia.
Columbia Oro-CyberPack
Columbia's bag (which mainly specializes in travel bags), comes in a strong yellow-mustard color, and has a cute idea for storage of the laptop: a separate storage unit in the back, with a side zipper, which is a good solution for quick access of the laptop. The bag is made of cordura which successfully repels water and has two net compartments at its sides which can store a bottle of a liter and a half. The "Columbia" doesn't have an impressive organizer (the set of compartments for carrying stationary, certificates, cellular phone, pens, wallet, keys etc) like its competitors, except for a wallet compartment, cellular and keys – only pens can be carried in it.
The storage volume is reasonable and can store even a few dossiers, although, the absence of a back system, one which separates the backpack and balances the weight, is felt. There is also a pocket for storing a diskman or MP3 and an opening for headphones. Columbia's bag is water resistant, but not very comfortable and little cramped if you'll want to carry a charger and mouse as well.
Wengler Swiss Gear Teaton
The Teaton has the reputation of its company which manufactures the swiss pocketknife, and like the pocketknife it's excellently planned: It’s organizer is outstanding, it has a good vertical and aired back system. Padded shoulder pads and a net compartment for storing food. The laptop storage solution is good: a padded pocket in the back of the main compartment – which expands according to the computer's size. Added with two compartments for disk storage, a small special compartment for MP3 players, a good headphone opening and you'll get a good daily bag. It's just too bad that the sewing quality is mediocre, the bags tend to tear at the shoulder pads connections and the bag isn't resistant in strong rain.
Computer Screens
HP w1907v
HPw1907v is one of the new LCD screens that HP has launched for its home desktops. This is a 19 inch wide screen, with a resolution of 1440 by 900 pixels, which is very suitable for use with Vista but will look excellent with XP as well.
At a price of only slightly more than the cheapest competitors, it offers more than reasonable specifications: a response time of 5ms, a contrast ratio of 1:1000, a viewing angle of 196 degrees horizontal / vertical, integrated speakers and much more.
Its adjustment possibilities are a little restricted and it only has a VGA port (and not DVI), but it's very aesthetic (with a "piano black" finish), convenient for use and has a qualitative display – especially for a screen that has such a low market price..
Printers
This Time, Buy Laser
Shortly before the school year begins, it's a good time to make the decision: are you going to spend all your money this year on ink cartridges – or you'll maybe spend a few extra dollars on a small laser printer?
It's true that there pretty economic ink printers today such as the HP DeskJet L7580, but for home use you'll probably prefer a compact laser model such as HP Laserjet 1018. What about color? Save your old ink printer.
HP1018 is based on a design that HP has first introduced in 2003, and has featured since then in half a dozen models with small variations. In this specific model, you'll get a printing pace of 12 pages per minute, 2MB memory, and printing costs that suit medium printing volumes.
Of course if you're working on a doctorate or a historic novel, you'll probably prefer to invest in a more quicker, more powerful and expensive model.
A few other interesting products at the price level of HP1018 (or a little higher)are: Samsung LBP2900, Canon HL-2030, Brother ML1610.
Ink Anyway?
If you don't need many text prints, and rather need a fax, scanner, copier and color printing qualities, then yes – a combined inkjet printer will suit you.
Close to 100 models of these kinds of printers are distributed in Australia. Anyways, if you're looking for a cheap, qualitative and relatively fast model for small printing volumes, Canon MP160 will probably suit you.
It is Canon's most basic combined printer, you probably won't need more than this, not too inefficient. Costs depend on just how far you're willing to drive to buy it, and whether you need local warranty.
This model has been ranked 9 out of 111 in the combined ink printers' category (based on reviews that were gathered from 42 sites, with an average score of 81.6). Most of the printers that outrank it are more expensive models, part of them from the same series. The exceptional one is Lexmark's X2350 combined printer, which isn't distributed in the country. On the other hand, the X5470 model based on the same design, is rather cheaper.
Memory Card and USB Sticks
Ultra 2 SD Plus USB – for photography and file transfer.
This isn't the first time someone's connected an SD card to a USB connector. The Taiwan Company PQI has done it before and it's a second try for Sundisk as well. Anyhow, the Ultra SD Plus is a simple solution and so logical that you'll have to ask "why didn't they come up with it sooner?”
The idea is simple: it can be used as an SD card, with a digital camera you have or will have. To reveal the USB plug fold the card in two; from this moment on it becomes a flash drive, and can be connected directly to the computer.
From the rest of the specifications this is an entirely standard Ultra 2 card (speeds of times 60 and 66).
Games
Who said you can't have fun at school? Our site reporters provide recommendations for games and accessories that'll enrich your free time and make your friends jealous.
Bioshock
We haven't had a computer game for years that's gotten so much praise, sky-high scores and mass history as Bioshock. This extravagant action game takes place deep under the ocean, in the lost city of Rapture, which was built in order to give the talented and successful an asylum from corrupt mankind – style Ian Rand's "Atlas Shrugged".
But something bad happened on the way, and we find a crumbling city with murdering man monsters who underwent genetic "improvements". In our voyage to save ourselves we can choose to save them as well, or kill anything that moves. Aside from astonishing graphics, a plot that carries you away and a toxic environment, Bioshock makes the players use their minds, take advantage of environmental conditions, and play the enemies against each other in order to advance.
The game which was developed by part of the mythological Deus Ex creators, will reach the country in the beginning of September. Those of you who can't wait are welcomed to download the demo (1.9 GB), and check the game yourselves which has received up until now an average score of 96% and is marked as the best computer game of the past years.
Nintendo Wii
The revolutionary game device which conquered the world waives great graphics in favor of a new playing experience, which succeeds in appealing to a larger audience than ever. Nintendo's Wii must be seen in action to be believed: the player holds the remote control that looks like a television remote, and swings it in the air. The device already knows how to translate the movements into the various games – once it's a tennis racket, once it's the lightsaber from "star wars", and once it's Harry Potter's magic wand.
We have to admit, in the beginning we were skeptical, but you can't argue with success: more than 10 million devices have already been sold, about 2.5 times more than Playstation 3 which was launched at the same time and all the game companies are running to Nintendo fighting to release new games.
Even FIFA 08 for Wii, which is about to be released by the end of September, will include the possibility of kicks and catches by swinging the remote in the direction you wish.
For a video game, the Wii is also surprisingly good for your health. Research shows that Wii games, which are suitable for children and people who never played with the computer, help lose weight – because it makes the players get up from their chair and move in order to play.
Cordless Guitar Hero 2
The third game in the successful guitars series will apparently arrive by the beginning of the next year, but in the meanwhile it's a shame to miss the tremendous fun of standing in front of the TV with a guitar on your neck and feel at least like Angus Young.
The Guitar Hero series offers you an especially simple and addictive experience: take a small version of an electrical guitar, with buttons instead of strings and try to play according to the beat a long list of rock songs, it maybe sounds too easy, but from experience, as soon as you start playing you'll find it very tough to stop. Not for nothing the game is called one of the biggest surprises of the past two years.
The game has a few versions, but the most recommended one is Guitar Hero 2 with the cordless guitar, which enables you to really go wild without having to worry about bumping into a cable on the way.
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