16 essential tech gifts for recent high school and college grads

For a new grad, a laptop is as ubiquitous as a phone, but with a greater emphasis on getting things done. If that special grad in your life happens to be an Apple fan, the new MacBook Air is an ideal gift. Available in three stylish colors, the 13-inch MacBook Air has a thin and light aluminum design with a weight of only 2.8 pounds. This slim form factor gives the device a slight edge over the 13-inch MacBook Pro when it comes to portability.

Under the hood, the MacBook Air has all the tools and power that an aspiring young professional, new college student, or even a gap year resident needs. The base model currently starts at $999.00. For that price, you get an Intel Core i3 processor, 256GB solid-state drive, and Apple's new Magic Keyboard. With that said, we recommend paying an extra $100 to upgrade to the more advanced Intel Core i5 processor for better overall performance and value.

The Apple iMac has long been associated with students and young professionals, and new grads are no different. The current iMac is a very slick all-in-one computer, which makes it a perfect home office analogue to a laptop or tablet. The 21.5-inch and 27-inch models both boast Apple's trend-setting industrial design and convenient ease of use.

MacOS is integrated, which means Apple users will feel right at home with apps like iCloud, Safari, iTunes, and Final Cut Pro X. Though iMac models can get expensive, their gorgeous styling and simple form factor help them earn their premium price.

The new 21.5-inch model starts at $1,299.00 with a 4K display and a quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. For grads who need the ultimate in computing performance, you can max out the 27-inch model with a 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor.

For the new grad seeking a display fit for productivity and entertainment, the BenQ EW2780U computer monitor is a wonderful choice. It's a 27-inch 4K monitor, which means you'll get plenty of usable screen real estate at the right resolution.

The monitor features an IPS panel so you'll get better viewing angles and color capabilities compared to other LCD display types. For inputs, the EW2780U has DisplayPort, two HDMI connections, and USB-C, along with two built-in speakers. The monitor even supports high dynamic range (HDR) processing for enhanced color and contrast, though performance isn't on par with more expensive HDR displays.

This is an ideal monitor for a grad moving into a new living space or workspace, offering a screen large enough to provide a great view without becoming too big to fit on most desks. It's versatile enough to host a Macbook Pro, a Microsoft Surface, a Roku, or even a PlayStation 4 Pro, making it a solid choice for a variety of display needs.

A reliable desktop computer can be a powerful centerpiece for any grad's workspace, as well as an entertainment hub for letting off steam. Though laptops offer portability, desktops are easier to modify and repair, and they're a heck of a lot less likely to be left at a coffee shop. For those who prefer Windows over Apple, the HP Envy TE01-0034 is exactly what a capable PC should be: fast, no nonsense, and attuned to facilitate any task the user requires.

With an abundance of ports on the front, the Envy tower has a subdued aesthetic that fits all kinds of décor and all kinds of environments. Under the hood, the computer is powered by an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of memory and a 512GB Solid State Drive. Though it's not a gaming PC, it is powerful enough to run casual games, and performance can be increased more by adding an Nvidia video card. As a Windows 10 PC for general use, the HP Envy TE01-0034 is a solid gift for any tech-savvy grad in need of a desktop computer.

Whether they need a secondary or primary multimedia device, many graduates in 2020 gravitate towards and are more comfortable with tablets than any generation prior. Refreshed in 2019, the iPad Air hits a sweet spot between the entry-level iPad and the considerably more expensive iPad Pro. The iPad Air is thin and light, but also fast and feature-packed thanks to its A12 Bionic chip, 10.5-inch Retina display, and facetime-friendly 7MP front HD camera.

The iPad Air is a robust device on its own, and in many instances can stand in for a laptop at school, at home, or in a new job. The iPad Air also supports both the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard, two accessories that are perfect for grads who want to use the device for typing, drawing, drafting, and note-taking.

If that special grad in your life is in need of a new ereader, few models offer as much value as Amazon's latest Kindle Paperwhite. The compact device is capable of storing thousands of ebooks, and it even includes a built-in backlight for reading at night. Being waterproof and glare-free, the Kindle Paperwhite is also an excellent choice for the pool and for the beach, making it an especially useful gift for grads relaxing or traveling during summer vacation.

The battery life is measured in weeks, not hours, so buyers can enjoy continued use for extended periods of time without having to worry about recharging. Just load a few books or comics, and the Paperwhite is ready to travel anywhere. It even supports audiobooks when paired with a Bluetooth speaker or headphones.

Let's face it, most grads today are practically glued to their smartphones. With that in mind, choosing a reliable mobile device is one the most important tech decisions they can make. If you're looking for a worthy but affordable smartphone to get that special grad in your life, Apple's brand-new iPhone SE does a great job of balancing performance with a more budget-friendly price.

The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch Retina display and is powered by Apple's A13 chip. That's the same chip that's used in the much more expensive iPhone 11 Pro. The iPhone SE also comes in a classy glass and aluminum body and is available in white, black and red. And, though the screen is smaller than most of Apple's other offerings, the more compact size could be a plus for some grads who are tired of carrying around extra-large phones. We waited years for a new iPhone SE, and thankfully the new model doesn't disappoint.

Belkin's new Soundform Elite combines impressive sound quality, a stylish design, and Google Assistant support into a convenient package. And to top it all off, this smart speaker also has a very handy extra feature you won't find on competing models: an integrated wireless charging pad.

The pad supports compatible Android or iOS phones, offering fast-charging capabilities and a sturdy cradle to keep your mobile device safe during playback. Thanks to its multi-purpose design, it's a perfect addition to just about any living or home office environment. Since many grads are probably in the market for a digital assistant, a speaker, and a mobile charging pad, buying a single product that covers all three bases could make for a very convenient gift.

For grads looking for some entertainment during their downtime or while they're traveling, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a fantastic gaming solution. Nintendo's handheld-only version of its excellent Switch console simplifies things by dropping the cradle, HDMI port, and the detachable controls in favor of maximum portability.

Though you can't connect this version to a TV to play on a big screen, this model is a great fit for gamers on the go. With titles like "Animal Crossing: New Horizons," "Fortnite," and "Mario Kart," new grads can enjoy hours of entertainment as they take a break from studying.

For grads moving away from home for the first time, keeping in touch with old friends and family is important. Likewise, grads who might be starting a new work-from-home job will need to ensure that they can connect with co-workers during meetings. This is where a good headset, like the HyperX Cloud Mix, can prove its worth.

The HyperX Cloud Mix supports Bluetooth, and thereby naturally pairs well with smartphones, tablets, and computers for hours of conversation, whether you're behind a desk, sitting at home on the couch, or strolling outside. Of course, the HyperX Mix also excels at music, entertainment, and gaming. The headset has passive noise cancellation and a tough build which suits the new grad lifestyle, and it has a detachable 3.5mm cable and boom mic for connecting straight to any number of devices, including PCs and PS4s.

The Apple AirPods Pro are just the kind of tech that new grads crave. They feature active noise cancellation, three tip sizes, and a water and sweat resistant design. Whether you want to listen to music, tune into podcasts, take calls, or access Siri, the AirPods Pro perform with ease, making them an ideal fit for use around the office or a college campus.

The AirPods Pro are both a refinement and a clear step above the original AirPods, and since they use Bluetooth, they can be used on both Apple and Android devices. For buyers who want to personalize their gift with a name or emoji, Apple even offers free engraving on the case when you purchase the AirPods Pro from the company's store.

In what may become known as the year of the webcam, Logitech has once again proven that it knows how to make some of the best, all-purpose, USB-connected video cameras in the business. The Logitech StreamCam is a great fit for video capture, video conferencing, and streaming, ensuring that grads have a reliable device for virtual meetings with co-workers, classmates, family, and friends.

It's compatible with both PCs and Macs, and unlike some of the company's more traditional products, this Logitech Stream Cam is actually rather stylish. The StreamCam uses USB-C, includes a built-in mic, and offers a three-axis clip for easy setup wherever it's needed.

As battery technology is forced to keep pace with the demands of better screens, faster processors, and more intensive networking, one thing seems clear — nothing eats power like the tech products a grad is likely to use. Likewise, few things bring the day to a halt like a dying phone battery. This is where a portable power bank, like the Anker PowerCore Slim, comes in handy.

More than just a convenient device to have in your bag during trips and flights, a portable charger can be an essential tool for long days taking pictures, streaming videos, making calls, and social networking. With the Anker PowerCore Slim you can easily extend the battery life of many devices.

The Anker PowerCore Slim is powerful enough to supplement something as hungry as an iPad Pro, but what I like most about the device is its simplicity and style. After heavy use, just plug the PowerCore into a USB charger at night, and it will be ready in the morning. It's compact enough for a pocket and is available in five colors with prices ranging from $29.99 to $32.99.

Whether the grad in your life has a PC, iMac, MacBook Pro, PS4, Xbox One, or any number of other tech products, chances are they'll likely be in need of more storage space at some point. And that means that a 2TB portable hard drive, like the Seagate Ultra Touch, is something of an essential. It can easily add space, backup files, or even be a means of sharing and collaborating with others on projects great and small.

The Ultra Touch uses a USB 3.0 connection but includes a USB-C adapter, which means it's very compatible with today's tech, and the 2TB space is nothing to sneeze at. The drive is compact, and it boasts a fabric look and feel to complement modern décor and help set it apart from other drives. Just be sure that the device is used as a portable external hard drive and that any included software is ignored (or even better, deleted).

When a new grad arrives in a new place, one of the first things they check is whether the Wi-Fi is any good. This is where the Google WiFi mesh router comes in.

It eschews some of the wireless networking headaches that started some 15-20 years back and instead uses its own software to optimize network and channel strength. The router is configured and controlled via a simple companion app. Though a single Google WiFi unit can cover a small area, like an apartment, the device supports mesh networking so you can add more Google WiFi units to cover larger areas around a house. This means you can reach tricky spots, like basements or extreme ends of the house, that normally have to deal with very weak or spotty Wi-Fi.

Whether a graduate is heading off to a college dorm or new apartment, keeping their new living space clean is sure to be an important task. If only there was a way to turn mundane cleaning into a simple, no-fuss experience — which brings me right to one of my favorite bits of tech, the robot vacuum.

With a vacuum, like the iRobot Roomba 675, new grads can easily take care of their living space. The Roomba is great at its job, and can operate on a customized schedule in the home while the grad is off conquering the world, offering a clean home for the new grad to return to at the end of the day. It's even compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant devices so grads can speak commands without lifting a finger. The Roomba is smart, mysterious in its ways, and sometimes easily foiled, but with a little help it bounces back well.