An annoying cell phone ringing during class sounds like something from “American Idol.” A student plays a video game on his calculator while the guy sitting in the front of class takes notes by hand on his Palm Pilot.
It seems that every aspect of college life has become technology-friendly.
Several employees of Best Buy and CompUSA in Baton Rouge agree that college students increasingly are buying laptop and notebook computers as well as smaller handheld personal computers and personal digital assistants.
Graphic design and engineering students in particular have been buying laptops and notebooks for their portability and memory capabilities.
Laptops and notebooks come in a variety of sizes and brands.
Popular new features include wide screens for games and DVDs and tablet note-taking capabilities, allowing handwritten notes to be stored on the computer.
“I bought my laptop for both power and portability,” said Bryan Beyer, a civil engineering sophomore, who owns a Toshiba Satellite. “With the University’s wireless network, I can sit in the Quad or the Union and access online resources while having the software I need at my fingertips.”
With several recently introduced features, PDAs quickly are becoming more than just electronic planners and address books.
A recent New York Times article said video capabilities, mp3s and color graphing calculator software are becoming popular programs for PDAs.
These new PDAs are available online at sites such as www.handango.com.
Mobile phone companies such as T-Mobile are producing their own PDAs with cellular phone technology included in the machine.
“My PDA is more of a multipurpose tool because it allows for organizational purposes, with features like an mp3 player and a camera,” said Jason Zack, a biochemistry sophomore, who owns a Palm Zire 71. But the obvious must-have for college students is the cell phone.
Mobile phones are shrinking in size and their faceplates are becoming fashion statements.
Like PDAs, new cell phones include mp3, Internet, digital photo and video game technology.
According to a Nokia press release, the company will sell its innovative Nokia 3300 music phone this fall.
The phone includes an MP3/AAC player, FM stereo radio and a full messaging keypad, and costs about $200.
Service for these high-tech phones is costly, however, because wireless Internet and photo messaging are expensive and sometimes billed per use.
Every tech toy has its hidden costs for each added feature. Buying any gadget requires research and price comparisons between different stores and brands.
Retail stores often have sales and clearances on their Web sites which are not found in the stores.
Competing online store sites, such as tigerdirect.com and half.com, are alternate options.
As with any other major purchase, students need to question whether they will use the device and if the cost is really worth it.