That round-up of products is complete crap, Forbes clearly didn't ask actual college students what they needed and instead went to parents for what they assumed their children would need, here is why (in complete detail):

Stationary Box: Um, no one uses letters in college. Its all email, the only thing that gets mailed is the rent.

Caller ID System: No intelligent college student has a landline. It's all about the cell phone. Landlines are useless (and pricey) for a college student.

Wireless Mouse: Ok, this is useful. Just make sure to get rechargable batteries.

iPod Alarm Clock: This may work for girls, but guys need a stereo system. The wattage on these things can't handle a room full of drunk kids, and lets face it, thats all that matters.

An actual dorm room has a Twin bed, every college student upgrades to a Full or Queen when they move off campus. Spending good cash on twin sheets is just bad money sense. Good sheets are nice, but later in life.

Digital Photo Receiver: What?! The guys don't care about pictures and girls like to hang them all over their room, not connect them to a computer to see one that changes every x minutes. Maybe the parents want their kid to send THEM photos through this thing. But college is really all about drunk photos, which don't go over well with parents that think their little princess wasn't THAT girl puking on herself at the PGP party last weekend.

TriPort Headphones: These are nice if you don't mind people that walk by your room thinking that you are about to go on a space mission. These things are HUGE.

Vintage Vending Machine: Wow, it holds cans of soda. But can it chill a handle of vodka? Um, nope. Well congrats you just spent 150 dollars on something that takes up valuable space and cant hide my booze.

iPod Backpack: A big backpack that allows you to change songs. Riiiight. I'll stick with my North Face backpack.

Bathrobe: This is a 50/50 item, because robes are practical in the winter time, however, if your room is crazy small it may not be able to dry, creating mold and just making your life suck that much more. However, if it works for your room, then go for it. Plus, it makes the guys feel like pimps.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that 90% of this list is just crap. Cheers :)

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