EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 2 | Page 24

CO O L TE CH NETBOOK Introduced in late 2007, netbooks have become more popular due to the convenience that they have brought about to students and working adults. Netbooks are not notebook or laptop PCs, which are larger in size and have greater processing capabilities. Netbooks are much smaller and far more portable. Netbooks are particularly useful for those always on the go. For example, you might want to save your lecture notes in a netbook and view them during class instead of printing them in hard copy. In a way, it saves a few trees! KINDLE If you can’t afford a smartphone, get a Kindle instead. Designed and marketed by Amazon. com, this e-book reader allows its users to read books, newspapers or blogs through wireless Internet connections. Since it serves a niche purpose, a Kindle is generally more affordable than some smartphone models. This e-reader is so user-friendly that it allows readers to adjust things such as the font size and degree of brightness. This gadget could prove useful when you need to stay focused on reading a book, without interruptions such as text messages, phone calls or game updates. SMARTPHONE Consider using a smartphone to sharpen your competitive edge in the classroom, instead of playing Angry Birds or Candy Crush. Being on a data plan means unlimited connectivity. When the lecturer raises an issue or topic, Google it instantly and start p , a discussion in class right away! Some smartphone models also have a builtin voice recorder and camera for recording lectures, but keep in mind the memory card capacity. 22 easyuni Guide 2013 Issue 2 VOICE RECORDER Living in Malaysia, we might have difficulty understanding foreign lecturers due to the accents when they speak English. In this case, use a voice recorder to record the entire lecture and you can replay the audio over and over again (if you want to, that is). As you replay the audio, you can take notes and, over time, you will get used to some foreigners’ English accents.