That means that, just as with servers before this, network gear can be made to do more on the fly, for more efficiency.

FORBES: Prepare for New Phone Bills

So instead of a list of the best new gear for the guide, I decided to do a list of what I believed to be the all-time greats.

FORBES: The Best Fly-Fishing Gear Ever Made

We decided that choosing gadgets in three "budget" ranges would be most helpful to you, the reader, and we've chosen a kit of gear we think any student would do well to grab up for each -- covering laptops, netbooks, mobile phones, e-readers, laptop bags, and so on.

ENGADGET: 's back to school guide