25 Best Back-to-School Gadgets

Wait — isn't it still summer? Technically, yes, but it's never too early to start prepping your arsenal of back-to-school gadgets for the fall. We've searched high and low for the perfect laptop, digital camera, cell phone and even toothbrush to make your academic year complete

MacBook Pro

By Ben Patterson Friday, July 31, 2009

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When it comes to toting a laptop across campus, Apple's 4.5 lb., 13 in. (2 kg, 33 cm) MacBook Pro packs a solid punch — not to mention killer looks — in its compact shell. The new $1,199 model (which is pretty inexpensive for an Apple laptop) boasts a speedy 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, integrated NVidia graphics for smooth video playback and gaming (not too much gaming, we hope), 2 GB of RAM and a roomy 160-GB hard drive, good for storing thousands of songs, HD movies and even the odd term paper. Best of all, this MacBook has been earning raves for its impressive battery life — north of 5½ hours, in some cases — which makes it perfect for browsing on the quad when there's nary a power socket in sight.

Price: $1,199

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