Gear For The New Graduate

Every new graduate needs the proper gear to get them ready for the 'Real World'. Do them up right.

Apple iPod Touch 32GB, $399 USD

The iPod Touch is the sexiest and most tweakable portables out there, and 32GB of flash memory makes it all the sweeter. Battery life is long enough for that plane or train ride home to visit the folks. (Compare Prices)

Bose SoundDock Portable, $400 USD

We can’t get enough of this awesome-sounding compact iPod speaker. The powerful output, built-in rechargeable battery, and fold-away iPod dock makes it perfect for the beach or summer camping trips. (Compare Prices)

Canon VIXIA HF100, $899

This ultra-compact camcorder captures high-definition video (1920 x 1080) onto flash memory cards instead of clunky DV tape or unreliable DVDs. You’ll need a fast, high-capacity memory card to go with it; a 16GB Class 6 SDHC card runs about $150 and holds up to 4 hours of HD video. (Compare Prices)

V-Dimension Optical Solar Messenger Bag, $129.95 USD

A built-in 4.25 x 5 inch solar panel and power storage unit let this messenger bag charge cell phones, iPods, and other gadgets while it holds your 15.4-inch laptop and other geeky necessities. It even looks hip enough so you won’t get beat up. (Compare Prices)

Nintendo Wii, $249.99 USD

This is the most innovative video game system we’ve seen since the original Atari, thanks to the motion-sensitive remote. If you can find a store that’s not sold out, a Nintendo Wii will endear you to your grad forever, but beware — it’s also incredibly addictive. (Compare Prices)

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (for Wii), $89.99 USD

Graduate summa cum Legend with the Wii version of Guitar Hero III, which takes advantage of the wireless Wiimote’s built-in accelerometer. Plug the Wiimote into the game’s included Les Paul-style guitar controller and rock out — just don’t trash the stage afterwards. (Compare Prices)

Apple MacBook Air Starting at $1799 USD

Thin is in, and not just at the beach: The MacBook Air measures just 3/4 of an inch thick and rocks a multitouch trackpad. It lacks a CD/DVD drive, but burning discs is so last year, and you can get all the software you need wirelessly (via Remote Disc). (Compare Prices)

TiVo Series3 HD ($799.99 USD minus $200 rebate until 7/2, plus $12.95 per month)

This is as good as DVRs get, with room for up to 32 hours (expandable to more) of high-def time shifting so your grad can spend at least some time outdoors in the summertime. It also comes with snazzy TiVo Glo remote and can record two shows at once if your cable box supports dual decoders. (Compare Prices)