http:\/\/portableapps.com\/<\/a><\/p>\nWhen you plug in the memory stick, you get a menu of applications that are installed, including a private browser that you can take with you.<\/p>\n
![\"PortableApps\"](\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/PortableApps-213x300.png\")
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Best of all, your data, bookmarks, and history are stored on the memory stick itself, without leaving a trace on the host PC.\u00a0 (Just remember to back up your data periodically<\/em><\/span>)<\/p>\nJust like your smartphone, apps can be added or removed via the PortableApps installer.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Recommended<\/span><\/h3>\nKingston DataTraveler SE9 (USB 2.0) or SE9 G2 (USB 3.0).\u00a0 These are available in a wide range of capacities for between $10 and $30.<\/p>\n
Kingston is the “King” of memory, and the king of memory sticks.\u00a0 They make reliable, durable products that will perform well under a variety of conditions, and last a long time.\u00a0 I have an 8 gig SE9 that I’ve owned for about 3 years, and it’s still going strong!<\/p>\n
![\"MemoryStick\"](\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/MemoryStick-600x224.png\")
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What’s nice about the SE9 series, is that it’s exactly the same size as a USB connector, making it a convenient size to put on your keychain.<\/p>\n
If you want to give your student some serious “Nerd-cred”<\/strong> (that’s the opposite of “street cred”), you can get them a Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy drive, sporting password protection, and hardware-based AES encryption.<\/p>\n![\"DataTraveler](\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/DataTraveler-Vault-300x187.png\")
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Expect to pay a lot more… a 32 gig Vault is about $90!\u00a0 If your student works with sensitive information, or is simply keen on privacy, the DT Vault series is the way to go!<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Portable USB Charger<\/span><\/h2>\nKeeping your devices charged on-the-go can be quite challenging.\u00a0 A portable USB charger is basically a battery that you charge at night, and take it with you during the day.\u00a0 When your smartphone, camera, or other mobile device needs a top-up, simply plug its charging cable in to the portable charger.\u00a0 In a few minutes, you’ll be back to 100% charge.<\/p>\n
These are excellent for students who travel a lot, have a busy schedule, or engage in a lot of extracurricular activities.<\/p>\n
Starting at about $10, a decent<\/strong><\/em><\/span> one will run you about $40.\u00a0 Capacity is measured in milliAmp hours, or mAh.\u00a0 Today’s hungry devices demand more power, and you want to shoot for a charger that holds at least 10,000 mAh<\/strong> — more is better.<\/p>\nI have used several, and the most reliable one I have is an older Anker<\/strong><\/span> model (Sold at Best Buy or on Amazon.com).\u00a0 The one I have has multiple ports, to allow multiple devices to charge at once!\u00a0 Some models have a built in flashlight, which is a great emergency \/ safety feature.<\/p>\n![\"USBCharger\"](\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/USBCharger-300x235.png\")
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This is also the single most useful thing you can buy as a gift for someone who travels frequently.\u00a0 Having to top-up in an airport can be a nightmare, and if you’re flight is delayed, forget about it!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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<\/span>Multifunction Stylus Pen<\/span><\/h2>\nThe Cross Tech 3<\/strong><\/span> retails for about $30 and combines a mechanical pencil, ink pen, and red ink pen<\/strong> in one package.\u00a0 To put icing on the cake, the pen cap can be used as a stylus for your phone or tablet!<\/p>\n![\"Stylus\"](\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/Stylus.png\")
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Most smartphones and tablets use what’s known as “capacitive touch” (CT), so you need to make sure that if you buy a stylus, it’s compatible with CT or Capacitive Touch displays.\u00a0 Most nib stylii (styluses) are NOT compatible with a CT display<\/strong>, so watch what you buy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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<\/span>TSA-Friendly Wallet Multi Tool<\/span><\/h2>\nA wallet (or pocket) multi-tool is a great item to have while on-the-go.\u00a0 Loosen, tighten, open, or close, as appropriate, using one small tool.<\/p>\n
Make sure you get one that’s TSA-approved, as it’s security friendly.<\/p>\n
![\"WalletTools\"](\"https:\/\/justinparrtech.com\/JustinParr-Tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/WalletTools-600x210.png\")
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Both the Wallet Ninja<\/strong><\/span>, and similarly-designed Metal Ant<\/strong><\/span> are made out of metal, sturdy, 100% TSA approved (meaning, you can carry them through airport security), and each can be purchased for under $10 on Amazon (or elsewhere).<\/p>\nFunctions include wrenches, bottle opener, can opener, screwdrivers, letter and box opener, ruler, etc…<\/p>\n
The curved slot at the bottom allows you to insert a credit card, and use the tool as a smartphone stand.<\/p>\n
And, they can be used as a cord\u00a0 wrapper by looping your earbuds or USB cables through the bottle opener hole, and using the the wrench ends as a fishbone wrapper.<\/p>\n
Again, make sure you get one that’s TSA Approved.\u00a0 Some of the cheaper ones have a large blade along one corner, and will NOT make it past airport security, and I’m sure some high schools would have an issue with a knife-edge as well.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>24″ to 32″ LED LCD TV<\/span><\/h2>\nAt first, this might seem counter-intuitive, but a smaller TV can be very useful as an external, 2nd monitor (PC or laptop), or can be used to stream music or videos while you’re working on something.\u00a0 During down time, use your PC or laptop as a DVD or Bluray player.<\/p>\n
LED LCD technology allows these devices to be extremely thin, and even somewhat portable.<\/p>\n
Although they are about the same price, unlike a monitor, a TV has built-in speakers \/ sound support, provides multiple inputs (monitors typically have 1 analog and 1 digital only), and comes with a remote.<\/p>\n
I’ve had good luck with LG<\/strong><\/span> and Vizio<\/strong><\/span>, but there are several excellent brands out there (Sony, Samsung, etc).\u00a0 A TV in the 24″ to 32″ range will cost $150 to $250, depending on brand, size and features.\u00a0 DO NOT buy a cheap brand<\/strong> like Apex, Dynex, or Emerson.\u00a0 They are buggy and don’t last long.<\/p>\n\n- A “Smart TV” runs applets directly on the TV for viewing or streaming Netfflix, YouTube, Amazon, or Hulu.\u00a0 Some Smart TVs have games and other content available.\u00a0 If you plan to use a Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick (See below), you don’t really need this feature, as these devices turn a “dumb TV” in to a “smart TV”, but the price point may be so close that it doesn’t matter.<\/li>\n
- Make sure you get Full 1080p \/ FullHD, rather than the lower 720p standard.\u00a0 FullHD provides much higher resolution, and is far superior when used as a 2nd monitor (for eample, when used with a laptop)<\/li>\n
- Look for multiple HDMI (digital) inputs.\u00a0 Smaller TVs often only come with a single digital input, either DVI or HDMI.\u00a0 If you plan to use a Chrome \/ Fire Stick, these require an HDMI input.\u00a0 A PC or laptop can be connected via HDMI, or through the older “VGA” (blue, 15 pin) analog input, but HDMI is the only way to take full advantage of the 1080p resolution when used as a monitor.<\/li>\n
- Don’t bother with 3D unless your student already has a Bluray player or game system that supports it.\u00a0 Most DVD players, media players, and PCs DO NOT support 3D.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Your student will appreciate the massive desktop real-estate to work on large projects (writing, designing, video \/ media editing, drawing, etc…), streaming music while working, or watching movies during\u00a0 down time.<\/p>\n
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