CNet is running an article about what to buy when you're going back to school.

If the pictures are any indication, they are clearly gearing this to college students.

In typical CNet fashion they decide to make a lot of recommendations for what you need.

If you're a gaming freak this one's for you:

"Characteristics: Sleep-deprived from the hours spent finishing his latest favorite game, the game freak unwinds from the helm of his high-powered PC's keyboard or with a gaming console controller in hand. He's always playing the game of the moment--from first-person shooters to racing titles--and craves the gear that'll help him bring his A game."

As a "gaming freak" you can't live without a 42" Plasma TV, an Alienware Area 51 3.0GHz Canterwood PC, and 19" LCD monitor.

With tax, shipping, etc. those three together are roughly $7,000 USD. This is about 1 year of tuition at most state universities.

Suspending disbelief for a moment (how many college students to you know who have $3,800 Plasma TVs?) we still are led to believe that as a gamer you should have THREE expensive monitors for one computer.

I see no better way to spend my money than on a TV that is prone to burn in, a PC that you could build yourself for half the price, and an off-brand LCD.

Here are my recommendations if you're in College and you just sold your ovaries via the campus paper / you sued the University for discrimination and settled out of court:

1) Get a DLP Rear Projection T.V. (samsung has a few nice models in 40" 50" and 61")
2) Build your own computers and give the money you save to me.
3) Planar 19" is nice and the NEC's have a really nice track record of being a high-quality LCD.

Another ace in the hole for CNet.