My First
BIG
Purchase

For those among the graduating class of 2007, real life lies just around the corner, somewhere between fitting into the cap and gown and crossing over the dais to accept your diploma. A moment of silence, please. For many, a first paycheck (one that doesn’t come from laboring in the food service industry) will mark the occasion that you’ve finally “made it.” At this point, you could follow your parents’ advice: save, save, save! But gosh darnit, you earned this moment. After four (or five, or six…) years of college, you deserve to splurge a little on that mammoth flat screen TV or earsplitting sound system. Besides, isn’t it time your parents installed a private entrance to the basement anyway? We asked some college seniors, palms itching for the moolah, to share how they plan to use their first real paycheck. To make sure their money is put to good use,
E-Gear provided product recommendations for the students, based on their specifications.

Dan Wizner

Education major

Hope College, class of 2007

My first major electronic purchase after college will most likely be a laptop computer. This would be a great luxury to have as a teacher because it would allow me to be more flexible with where and when I do my lesson planning and grading. Also, I would be able to use the laptop as a great device to show video clips or audio clips to my class.



EG: Sure, Dan may plan on using his new laptop mainly for his teaching duties, but a few minutes in front of this Alienware Area 51m 5750 model will cure him of that. With a 17-inch widescreen LCD, Intel Core DueT2300 processor and a 128MB ATI Radeon graphics card, he’ll be killing baddies in Oblivion more than calculating student grades. Hope he doesn’t get the two mixed up. $1,499. www.alienware.com

Charles Gerds

Valparaiso University,
class of 2007

I’m very interested in history, so after graduation, I’d like to be doing some kind of historical analysis. Since this would involve a lot of reading and research, my first big tech gear purchase would definitely be a laptop computer. I’d want something with a lot of security features and storage capacity. Also, it should be lightweight and versatile––something I could use with ease at work and at home.



EG: For Charles, who noted that portability and security are main requirements, we suggest this light, but powerful Toshiba Tecra A7. It sports an Intel Core Solo Processor, 15.4-inch widescreen LCD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and for security a one-touch biometric fingerprint reader, plus EasyGuard hard drive protection, in case he drops it doing field research. $1,169. www.toshiba.com

Kristin Rose

Communications and Business
Management major

Hope College, class of 2007

I’ve decided my first tech gear purchase would be a laptop so I could travel with my work, which will undoubtedly be necessary. I can’t exactly take my desktop to the beach or even to the coffee shop! I’d mainly use it for business related work and for wireless Internet––a must it seems these days.



EG: Because Kristin has a great sense of style, we’d like to see her paired up with a Sony Vaio TX750P/B with an Intel Pentium M Processor for ultra low power consumption when she takes her notebook to the beach. The integrated wireless WAN using Cingular’s Edge network will keep her connected anywhere. It’s razor-thin and weighs less than three pounds. Also, it comes in cool colors. $2,199. www.sonystyle.com

Joe Dosch

Political Science and Philosophy major

University of Notre Dame, class of 2007

My first tech gear purchase would be a widescreen high-definition TV. Being a Notre Dame student, I’m a huge sports fan, especially college football. I’m sure I won’t be able to get back to campus for every game after I graduate, so watching the games in HD would be the next best thing.



EG: Finally, someone who admits to being an aspiring couch potato. We think Joe needs a big Samsung DLP TV like this HL-S56W. At 56 inches (diagonally) it’s big enough even for a Notre Dame fan. The 1080p resolution will put him on the tech edge, plus it’s easy enough for even a philosophy major to use. $3,299. www.samsung.com

Emily Stewart

Communications major

Alma College, class of 2008

After I graduate from college, I can’t wait to move into an apartment of my own. Music is a huge part of my life, so I think my first paycheck will be spent on outfitting my new place with a souped up sound system. I want something that provides an experience for my friends and I. A system with incredible bass would be essential for the kind of music that I like. It would be great if I could use it with my iPod, too.

EG: Emily, this one’s too easy. For you it’s got to be the Yamaha YHT-670 home theater system. It combines a full surround sound receiver, 5-disc DVD changer, 5.1 speaker system, plus the receiver is both XM Radio and iPod ready. $649.
www.yamaha.com

Megan Buwalda

Western Michigan University, class of 2008

I think my first big technology purchase will be a wireless handheld device. I would love something that combines the functions of your phone, planner, Internet and e-mail into one unit. I think it’s everything the young professional needs to be successful. And since I’m going into business finance, I’ll need something to help keep me organized. Plus, it’s still small enough to fit inside a cute purse!



EG: Megan wants to stay organized and connected, so what could be better than a smart phone like a Palm Treo 700w. This Treo runs on Windows mobile, so there are loads of applications available, plus it works on Verizon’s wireless network, which will keep you wired in wirelessly. With music, video, e-mail and Web, you’re sure to loose that first job from goofing all day on your Treo. $399. www.palm.com

Brad Matson

Hope College, class of 2007

I’d buy a new phone because it is something I use a lot on a daily basis, and it is important to go with quality if it is something you use often. Depending on my level of professional scheduling and data use, the transition to a PDA/cell phone could be worthwhile. If this is the case, I want to go with the smallest and slimmest model. The new motorola Q might be a good choice, but my current provider (Alltel) doesn’t carry it, in which case it may be worth switching carriers once my contract is up.



EG: Brad and Megan will have to have a smart phone face-off. His choice of a Motorola Q is a solid one. It’s the thinnest smart phone around. Sports a 1.3MP camera, big screen, QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth and Windows Mobile 5.0. Just dump that Alltel contract will you? $449. www.motorola.com

Lauren Halvorson

Communications and Marketing major

Hope College, class of 2007

I would choose to purchase TiVo for its recording purposes. It would be nice to never have to think about when a show is on or remember to set the recorder if you’re not going to be around. TiVo remembers what you like and records all of those shows. For me, the TV junkie, it would be put to good use recording Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, CSI, Without a Trace and The Apprentice.

EG: Forget Tivo. For a full-featured digital entertainment center check out this HP Media Center z558. It can pause and record live TV, make DVDs of your favorite shows, stream digital music and movies throughout the house and all that boring computer stuff too. $2,199. www.hp.com

Kate Caldwell

Special Education major

Hope College, class of 2007

A Palm Pilot! With all the meetings and paperwork that I will have to attend to once I enter the teaching profession, it would be good to have an organizational system. Even better, the organizational system would be able to travel with me.



EG: Palm pilot? Get with the times, Kate! They haven’t been called Pilot since you were in 10th grade. This Asus MyPal A636 is a Windows Mobile PDA with a built-in GPS to make sure you get to all your travels. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will get you connected and the personal data management tools will keep you organized. $599. www.asus.com