Item saved to your backpack!

Spring is here, and as always, that means the end of the school year isn't far off. For many students it also means graduation's on the horizon; along with that hard-earned diploma will likely (hopefully) come lots of gifts.

If a soon-to-be graduate is on your gift list, check out our picks for great tech-related gifts. Any of them would be an excellent way to reward a loved one (or yourself) for years of hard work. (Note: Items are listed in descending order of price, and prices listed are MSRP; in some cases actual purchase prices may be lower.)

Ipad 2 (starting at $499)

There's a cavalcade of gee-whiz tablet computers due to hit the market this year - you'll find fewer tablets in a family-size bottle of aspirin - but you really can't go wrong with the one they're all comparing themselves to, the iPad 2. It improves on the original with better processing and graphics performance, and the addition of front and rear cameras allows for both picture-taking and videoconferencing. Plus, it's arguably got the widest selection of apps, games, music, and movies out there (not to mention iTunes U).

Asus Eee PC 1215B ($449.99)

Pint-sized laptop computers (a.k.a. netbooks) are great for school because they're easy to lug around, but when it comes to anything other than writing a term paper, their performance tends to disappoint. Not so with the Asus Eee PC 1215B. In addition to a 12.1-inch screen, this 3.2- pounder (available in black, silver, or red) sports enough computing horsepower to comfortably handle HD video playback and many games.

iRobot Roomba 560 ($349)

Worried about your grad maintaining your standards of cleanliness after she's flown the coop? This low-profile vacuuming robot putters around the floor sucking up dirt as it goes and, since it has a built-in scheduler, your grad won't even have to turn it on to get it going. When it's done, the Roomba retires to its dock to recharge before cleaning another day. The only catch? It doesn't empty itself (at least not yet).

Nintendo 3DS ($249.99)

Games are a staple of smartphones these days, but any gaming purist would likely appreciate a Nintendo 3DS. This handheld game system, which has dual displays and real controls (as opposed to the less precise on-screen variety), can displays images in 3D without the need for dorky glasses. It also has dual outward-facing cameras, which you can use to take 3D snapshots.

Nook Color ($249)

If you'd rather have (or give) a proper e-book reader than a general-purpose tablet, the Barnes & Noble Nook Color is a good choice. The 7-inch color display makes for easy reading of not just books (including a fairly decent selection of textbooks), but newspapers and magazines too, and the storage capacity can expand fivefold via a standard microSD memory card. When you're not reading you can use the Nook Color for other stuff, such as browsing the Web, checking e-mail, or looking at photos.

Koolatron Vending Fridge ($199.95)

This one's pretty cool - literally. The Koolatron Vending Fridge works a lot like those vending machines around campus - push button, retrieve delicious cool beverage - except it's a lot smaller (ten 12 oz. can capacity) and you don't have to put any money in.

Chumby8 ($199)

The Chumby8 looks like a digital photo frame - and to be sure, it can display photos on its 8-inch screen - but it's actually a Wi-Fi connected window to the Internet that delivers the kinds of information you'd normally get via a computer or smartphone. You can use the Chumby8 to get news and weather, listen to music and podcasts, watch videos, keep up with social networking (Facebook, Twitter), run apps, play games, and browse the Web.

Jawbone Jambox ($199)

You wouldn't expect impressive sound out of a wireless speaker that's about the size and weight of a small block of sharp cheddar (6 x 2.2 x 1.6 inches HWD, 12 oz.), but that's what you get with the Jawbone Jambox (and it looks pretty sharp too). The Jambox uses Bluetooth to stream audio from a phone, portable music device or PC.

Kodak Playsport Video Camera Zx5 ($179.95)

Whether you're traveling the world after graduation or just living your everyday life, it's nice to have a video camera on hand to capture the experience. The Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 may be pint-sized, but it can capture HD video at up 1080p resolution, and it uses external memory cards so you won't run out of space, as long as you have a spare card handy. It's also waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, so it can stand up to a bit of abuse outdoors.

Roku XD|S ($99.99)

Tons of video is available over the Internet these days, but watching it from a couch, remote control in hand, sure beats doing so hunched over a computer. The compact and inexpensive Roku XD|S connects to a home Wi-Fi network and streams TV and movies from Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, as well as music, sports, and other programming from myriad online services to standard- or high-def TV. The Roku XD|S can also play photos, music, and videos from a USB storage drive.

For related Schools.com articles, read:

• Social media as a teaching tool: 9 cool examples
• 30 fastest-growing occupations
• 7 student financial aid booby traps to avoid
• Schools.com guide to online safety for distance learners