Back to School On the Go

Cute, warm, comfortable, and on sale! These UGG Cardy knit boots regularly cost $140, but you can get the at the semi-annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for $99.90. The boots fold up and down (they're down in this photo), so it's almost like getting 2 pairs of fall boots for $100.

We get so tired of telling people to mind their own business when we're trying to update our Facebook profiles in the coffee shop. Maybe we need these Targus laptop privacy filters. When you stick one of these screens, which look like "tiny vertical blinds," onto your laptop display, nosy neighbors won't be able to see what you're typing - or, ahem, what sites you're visiting. Targus says these screens also block glare and reduce eye strain. Choose from several different laptop sizes.

Just in time for the recession, HP has released a compact, affordable laptop. The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC is a petite 9" laptop that weighs 2.6 pounds and costs as little as $499 (with Linux). The top-of-the-line $750 model comes with Vista, Bluetooth, a webcam, ExpressCard slot, and 2GB of RAM, and its keyboard is almost as big as a regular laptop's. It might not turn heads at the coffee shop, but it'll get the job done - with plenty of cash left over for a nice fixed-gear bicycle.

We love this nylon bucket bag because it has an understated, no-fuss design but still manages to be stylish. It's lightweight, has lots of interior and exterior pockets to help keep you organized, and has a single adjustable strap so you can wear it cross-body style or carry it on one shoulder. Choose grey, lemon, black, or pink. More Kenneth Cole Reaction bags.

Koss first started making PortaPro headphones in 1984, and they're still some of the best headphones that (not much) money can buy, even if the design is a bit retro-looking. Designed for people with "refined musical acuity," the lightweight, comfortable PortaPros deliver deep bass and a wide frequency response (from 15-25,000 Hz), so you can get the most out of movies (or heavy metal) while your spouse sleeps. The fold-up design is well-suited for commuting, while the 4 foot-long cord is ideal for living rooms and dorm rooms. More Koss headphones.

In high school we made home movies with a camcorder that was the size of a microwave oven, and probably cost our parents a fortune. It's nice to see that (unlike gas) some things are getting more affordable. The $100 RCA point-and-shoot Small Wonder camcorder is competing with both the Flip and the Creative Vado in the pocket-sized camcorder market. The Small Wonder has a 1.5" flip-out LCD display (the Vado's display is 2" but does not flip out), comes with a 1GB SD card (for recording up to 2 hours of hijinx), connects directly to your computer via USB, and offers direct YouTube uploading.

The problem with so many laptop bags is their size. And weight. And price. And appearance. OK, so we have a few issues ever since we bought a "cheap" Targus laptop briefcase at Ross Dress For Less and found it more trouble than it was worth going through airport security, whacking people in the aisles on the plane, and maneuvering that and a suitcase through Grand Central Station. Next time we travel we're taking this $16 Nimble laptop tote from eBags. Its neoprene sides and bottom protect the laptop without adding extra bulk; the bag opens on the top (no fumbling with zippers); and it comes in 7 colors.

We don't write about many "status watches" here because a) they all look the same to us, b) we can't afford them anyway, and c) in this economy, who would spend thousands of dollars on a watch? No, we prefer to call your attention to affordable watches with more interesting designs. For example: Vans watches. We had no idea the shoe company did accessories. The "Bay Blocks" '80s-looking model shown here comes in several different color combinations and costs less than $40. Wear it with the classic Vans checkerboard slip-ons.

You'd think today this summer was the Second Coming of something other than the iPhone, the way bloggers are babbling about it. But if you don't want to shell out $200 for the new iPhone, or if you're already a Sprint customer, you might want to take a look at the $130 Samsung Instinct. The 3G phone offers a touchscreen display, web browser, Bluetooth, integrated GPS, 2-megapixel camera, text and multimedia messaging, and music player, and it's a bestseller for both Sprint and Best Buy. More Sprint phones.

You know how there's been an explosion of handbags in stores recently? It seems the same thing is happening with backpacks. And some of them are outrageously expensive. All the average college student these days needs is a backpack that 1) holds a laptop and a lot of other stuff, 2) is built to last, and 3) doesn't cost a month's tuition. Which is why we like the Samsonite University backpack. It's got a padded laptop compartment as well as pockets for music players, cell phones, and other stuff; has thick padded straps and air mesh padding so hopefully your back won't get all sweaty; is made by Samsonite, a brand we know and trust (and not just because of the monkeys in the commercials); and you can get it for just $30. Choose from several colors. More laptop backpacks.