No matter where the next phase of life is taking them, high school grads appreciate tech gifts. Laptops have been a gift staple for years, and graduates still love them. With prices starting as low as $399, an Apple iPad also may be a sound investment. Apple has teamed up with publishers to bring more textbooks to the iPad, so it’s a particularly good choice for college-bound grads. After high school, many students leave the nest, which makes a cell phone a great gift choice. Apple’s iPhone is popular on college campuses because it lets professors interact with students in much the same way as an iPad. An iPhone isn’t ideal for reading textbooks but does allow students to access the administration’s information when and where they want.
The Samsung Galaxy Note from AT&T is another phone worth a look. This Android device, which sports a 5.3-inch screen, is sometimes called a “phablet” – a hybrid of a phone and a tablet. In addition to the large screen, the device features what Samsung dubs an S-Pen — something we would have called it a stylus back in the day. The S-pen lets you jot notes on the screen, leave yourself reminders and more.
Or…how about giving your favorite grad a housekeeping assistant? The iRobot Roomba series ($349 to $599) of robotic vacuums may sound a bit crazy at first, but what grad wouldn’t love to be freed from housekeeping chores? It certainly could be a conversation starter with roommates.
For some grads, an alarm clock will be essential. If he already has an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, give him an iHome alarm clock dock. Ranging in price from $60 to $170, iHome offers a solution for just about every need and space consideration.
Another cool idea: Give your grad a Skype Premium account. As long as she and her friends have access to Internet devices with cameras (phone, tablet or computer, in most cases), she can host group video chats. Who knows? She may even Skype with you!
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