Smart High Tech Gifts to Help Grads ``Turn on the Fun''

Business Wire, May 14, 2001

Business Editors & Technology/Education Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 2001

Every year, many young adults graduate from high school or college and take a significant step toward their future. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there will be 2,837,000 high school graduates in 2001, and the National Center for Education Statistics Projections through 2009 estimates there will be 2,230,900 college graduates this year.

"Family and friends are likely to send grads off to college or into the work force with gifts that will help them succeed, " said Jeff Maynard, vice president-Marketing Services for Best Buy. "Technology plays an important part in a grad's continued success and Best Buy has the essentials needed to make work time more efficient and free time more fun."

Whether your grad is heading to college or into the workforce, keeping organized is key. The Palm m105 personal digital assistant (PDA) which retails for $199.99 is just the thing to keep your grad on top of things. With eight megabytes of memory, Internet capabilities, a date book, to-do list and note pad functions, your grad will have everything needed to work smarter.

If your grad just landed a job that requires travel, the Aiwa portable DVD player ($499.99) and Diamond Rio 600 ($169.99) make travel time more fun. With a wider LCD screen and ability to play CDs, the Aiwa portable DVD player can provide hours of entertainment. If your grad doesn't want to pack CDs for the trip, the Rio 600 is a portable MP3 player that stores two hours of music, offers high-speed download rates and has interchangeable face plates for customization.

A grad's time should not be all work and no play. Sony's PS one ($99.99) is a portable unit that is nearly one-third the size of the original PlayStation console. Grads will be able to transport the unit with ease to play games with their friends. The unit retails for $99.99, requires a television and plays all PlayStation games.

Help your grad keep in touch with family, friends or work with the Sprint PCS Touchpoint digital phone ($129.99). With a calendar, caller ID, email and Web access, the Touchpoint phone assures your grad will never be out of touch.

Best Buy has made it even easier to get your grad the perfect gift. Starting May 13 at all stores nationwide, customers can pick up a list of gift ideas at the customer service desk or checkout lanes. The list features the hottest gifts in consumer electronics that are sure to be on the top of your grad's wish list.

If you are unsure of what to get your grad, let them choose their own gift. Gift cards are available at Best Buy in denominations of $15, $20, $25, $30, $40, $50, $75 and $100 and can be purchased at Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com or by phone at 1-888-BESTBUY (237-8289).

Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is the nation's number one specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. The Company operates retail stores and commercial web sites under the names: Best Buy (BestBuy.com), Magnolia Hi-Fi (MagnoliaHiFi.com), Media Play (MediaPlay.com), On Cue (OnCue.com), Sam Goody (SamGoody.com), and Suncoast (Suncoast.com). The Company reaches consumers through more than 1,700 retail stores nationwide, in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.