In an age when mobile phones routinely take photos, shoot video, play music and send e-mail, it's easy to forget that simple, hand-held calculators once seemed high-tech.

An electronic gadget that only does one thing? Strange as it sounds, these early calculators were an exotic, sometimes forbidden treat for school-age kids in the 1970s and 1980s

Today, school districts still debate whether calculators are practical devices or instruments of cheating. But handheld calculators of all shapes and sizes can be found in students' backpacks around the country. Their memory and speed dwarfs early models, and their capability keeps expanding. Among the cooler options available this fall:

* Flexibility.

Texas Instruments has unveiled the TI-Nspire, which boasts two interchangeable keypads (including one for graphing) to increase capability and comes with software that matches the handheld's features. Added bonus for high-schoolers: This model is approved for use on the SATs. About $150.

* Memory.

HP's 50g graphing calculator boasts a huge 2.5MB total memory, plus USB connectivity. Font size on the display is adjustable and menu keys reduce keying errors. About $130.

* Accessories.

Casio's EA-200 Casio Data Collection and Analysis System lets students measure, log and graph real-world data such as temperature, light, voltage, motion, sound, force and pH. Up to seven Casio graphing calculators can connect to the unit at one time. About $300.

* Glam factor.

Target spokesman Joshua Thomas says school supply makers are "catering to the young fashionista" this fall. Students hungry for posh school supplies will find, among other things, Texas Instruments' 30X-IIS graphing calculator in bright pink with keypad buttons in coordinating shades of lighter and darker pink. About $14.