Late Additions to Your Back-to-School List

Bill-Free Cell Phone

It only takes a quick glance at that first semester's mobile-phone bill to realize that talk isn't cheap. Leaving that cell phone at home isn't a realistic option, but the Motorola Talkabout T7100 two-way radio can help pare down those bills.

"It allows students to own a communications device and not have to pay monthly minutes or anything other than buying the product," said Cheryl Gray, spokesperson for Motorola. "They can talk in their dorms instead of having to pick up the phone. But it's also good if they're on campus and walking around; they can get in touch with their friends. It's quick and easy and a lot cheaper than cell phones."

The T7100, which hit the market in March, is essentially a walkie-talkie. But unlike those squelchy sets sold in toy stores, the Talkabout has a range of 7 miles, enabling students to cut down on the minutes they waste on local, on-campus calls to friends. The unit costs $110 and is powered by a rechargeable NiMH, so you save money on batteries, too.

The Super Fridge

There was a time when refrigerators and microwaves were luxuries confined to communal areas. Much to the chagrin of many a parent with a weak back and limited car space, that era has passed. Don't haul mini kitchen appliances to campus a la carte, consider one of MicroFridge's all-in-one units, which save both space and electricity.

"We take microwaves, freezers and refrigerators and put them all into one appliance, so that it all works on one plug," said Phil Emma, vice president and general manager of MicroFridge. "It's our Safe Plug technology, so that when the microwave goes on, it puts the fridge and freezer to sleep. And when the microwave stops, the fridge and freezer go back on after 60 seconds so it doesn't blow any circuits."

The company's best-seller for the college set is its 2.9 cubic foot three-in-one unit, which has a true zero-degree freezer, a 600-watt microwave oven and an expanded refrigerator that holds a week's worth of food.