Written by: Amos Ngai, Adam Goetz, and Erik Yuzwa

Welcome to the second installment of our Holiday Buyer's Guide for 2009.  This week, GamerWok Editors gives you tips and suggestions when shopping for the College Geek in your life.  The technology loving, gadget toting, totally plugged in college student in your life deserves something more than a BestBuy gift card and a Walkman in 2009, don't you think?  Let us give you a hand at picking out some of the must haves this season.

1. Apple's iPhone 3GS
   

   Apple's all in one phone has the world ablaze.  It's the first do-it-all smartphone that truly puts the internet in your pocket and makes the mobile web work.  There are the diehard fans of different smartphones but if you're looking for the all in one device that can amalgamate all of your digital needs and doesn't skimp on features, then look no further than the iPhone.  Sure, there's still issues with the software (notification icons? Come on!) but the basics are all there and they work very well.  With over 300,000 applications now available on the iTunes Apps Store, there really is an app for everything.  That alone makes it very easy for an iPhone user to over look the shortcomings.  If you're in Canada, you even have the choice of four different carriers for the phone.  All the major carriers, Rogers, Bell, Telus and Fido are now official carriers of Apple's iPhone 3GS.  Plans vary and pricing will change but there's really no reason for anyone to not be seriously considering this smartphone.
   
   (MSRP $199.99 (16GB) $299.99 (32GB) w/ contract, Rogers.ca)



2. Griffin + Threadless Shirts & iPhone cases
   

    

   If you know someone who loves design, t-shirts and has an iPhone then I think that you have your gift for that special someone. This is a cross promotion between Threadless and Griffin where a couple of the t-shirt artists were also able to port their designs over to a sleak iPhone case. Choose from either the “Clouds Within The Thunder” design by Joe Van Weterin or “Birds of a Feather” by Ross Zietz. I have to admit that I broke down (as I was writing this article) and bought the thunder set. Man, I really am brutal to buy gifts for. Apologies to my GF. ;)
   

   
   (MSRP: $34.99USD, GriffinTechnology.com; MSRP $12.00USD, Threadless.com)



3. Livescribe Pen
   
   This pen is absolutely brilliant for any college student that is a furious note-taker. It automagically remembers every pen stroke that you make and records audio to go along with it. Then, you can tap on a word (right on the same page) and listen to the audio that was recorded at that time, plus you can search/organize your notes right on your computer. There are so many more benefits and cool features to this pen (they have also just opened the beta app store) that I can’t go into all of them on here, but if you know anyone that takes a ton of notes and then types them out, this is for them. I guess you just have to be willing to drop two bills on the person (no word on how this works for messy writers).
   

   
   (MSRP $199.99, London Drugs)



4. Exploded Tee's
   
   

   

   
   Boom! Honestly, I just love these designs. If you know someone who loves tech the way that I do, you really can’t go wrong.
   
   (MSRP $15-33, Exploded Tees)


5. USB Coffee Mug
   
   

   

   
   Ok sure, we’ve all seen a USB coffee mug before, but how about one that stirs your drink and keeps it at a constant temperature (for those 75 minute classes)? Brilliant. If you know someone that is a java junkie/snob this one will blow their caffeinated mind.
   
   (MSRP $37.00 USD, Brando.com)


6. Bucky Balls
   

    

   These things look insanely fun. As a self proclaimed pen-clicker, this looks like a great way for me to channel my impulsive playing into something creative. If you know someone that owns nothing but click pens and plays with anything in sight then this one seems like the perfect fit.

   
   (MSRP $29.99USD, ThinkGeek.com)

7. Plantronics Audio995 Wireless Stereo Headset
   

    

   

   
   While my kids are in bed, I must typically rotate through several tasks which make it nearly impossible to properly listen to the daily podcasts that keep me updated on current events. The Plantronics Audio995 Wireless Stereo Headset, which retails for $77.99 CDN provided me with the benefit of delivering crisp audio without wires dangling around or the need to constantly stop / start my audio feed.  I found it instantly useful, being able to enjoy the Gamerwok podcast while preparing lunch for my kids and folding the laundry. The fact that it also comes equipped with a microphone for those online raid sessions or Skype meetings is just icing on the cake.
   
   (MSRP $77.99, Amazon.ca)

8. Dell Mini 10v
   
   

   

   Netbooks are all the rage these days.  Who doesn't want a pocket computer that can handle note-taking, emails, surfing, the occasional multimedia, and complete with a long battery life?  For the jet-setting college student, having a portable computer is a must.  Sure, Netbooks can't play 3D games, but busting out a session of Starcraft is still possible.  And in this class of machine, there's nothing else that comes close to the ver sitailty of Dell's Mini 10v.  There's nothing particularly special about this machine, the standard Atom processor and 1/2GB of ram is similar to all other Netbooks.  What makes this a standout; however, is the relative ease to install OSX on it as an alternative to Windows.  There's licensing issues to this and Apple doesn't support the practice but I for one see it as customer being under-served.  Until Apple decides to finally release a Netbook of their own, this is the next best thing.  Even if you're not into hackintoshing, the stock Mini 10v is still a very attractive package.  Starting at only $279 CDN, this is a great supplement to the dorm room computer or the late night computer lab; a definite must own for the College Geek.
   
   (MSRP $279, Dell.ca)