[Missyme22]

I'm considering saving up to buy an iPad. I already have a laptop (dell inspiron 1545) but after two years of student life it's beginning to wear and using it as a desktop instead to save having it out everywhere.

I found typing rather than writing my notes to be a big help as it was faster, and meant I could check back later to re-write/organise my notes.

I also have an iPod touch, although the battery life is going, so I understand apple software already and find it simple to use.

Should I go through with getting an iPad?

[Lulila]

Typing in an iPad is not that easy. It's fine for a little while, but I can't imagine myself typing all the things I write in paper in it. But it's really helpful to look for information or to watch videos everywhere. The battery is not really bad (I make a good use an only charge it at night), and carrying it is very easy. But don't think it will replace your laptot.

[+ polarity -]

Typing on a solid keyboard and typing on a screen are quite different experiences. Would you be comfortable (with) typing extensive notes on your iPad?

[Rarrgh]

Not worth the cost. Stick with a laptop. (and not a macbook)

[Missyme22]

Ok, thanks. I agree with you about it not replacing my laptop, but I hope to extend my laptop's life by leaving it at home and for doing the bigger documents and stuff. An iPad would be a great travel replacement (in my opinion.) I must admit when it comes to diagrams it's quicker just to draw them but I generally find typing notes themselves a lot easier. But thanks.

[Maerzin]

(Original post by Missyme22)
Ok, thanks. I agree with you about it not replacing my laptop, but I hope to extend my laptop's life by leaving it at home and for doing the bigger documents and stuff. An iPad would be a great travel replacement (in my opinion.) I must admit when it comes to diagrams it's quicker just to draw them but I generally find typing notes themselves a lot easier. But thanks.

If you plan on typing then the iPad may be a step down from a macbook. If you plan on using it to take handwritten notes and diagrams then you might be able to make it work. Apps + a good stylus can come in handy. You could also use e-books to lighten your book load and cost. If you use it for these things, it might be worth looking into.

An iPad is a good replacement for light-use while traveling but I don't know if it's worth it when you already have a macbook.

[theronkinator]

I've got a tablet, I hate typing on it, just much more difficult to type fast on a touch screen as you have to lok at it more. I used to use my netbook but then started making notes on paper instead as I found it better, then type them up when I got home as it helped me learn it more.

Another option I used occasionally was got a £8 mini bluetooth keyboard, paired it with my ipod touch (or tablet) and then just typed on the keyboard (it's hand sized so just did it under the desk. Although I still found paper notes and copying it up to be the best way.

[kka25]

(Original post by + polarity -)
Typing on a solid keyboard and typing on a screen are quite different experiences. Would you be comfortable (with) typing extensive notes on your iPad?

I wanted to buy an iPad but since I'm doing lots of typing, I figured a Netbook is better than an iPad since the former would have a keyboard.

But anyway, is it really that bad typing on the iPad? e.g. an article, essay, etc.

[jco19]

I have an iPad and honestly, it's useless for doing anything productive, except for e-mail or doing slideshows. It would be better to stick with a notebook. iPad is more for entertainment than productivity, imho.

[+ polarity -]

(Original post by kka25)
I wanted to buy an iPad but since I'm doing lots of typing, I figured a Netbook is better than an iPad since the former would have a keyboard.

But anyway, is it really that bad typing on the iPad? e.g. an article, essay, etc.

Yes, I think a netbook would be better too, just something with a proper keyboard really. However, I would hate to spend what is not a tiny amount of money on a computer and end up with crippled hardware, so I got something slightly better than a netbook, and it's replaced my desktop now.

I would not consider typing an essay on something that I cannot touch type on. I find it hard enough typing out texts on my phone (either with my thumbs, or with my other fingers), I don't think using an iPad for long sessions of typing is practical.

[kka25]

(Original post by + polarity -)
Yes, I think a netbook would be better too, just something with a proper keyboard really. However, I would hate to spend what is not a tiny amount of money on a computer and end up with crippled hardware, so I got something slightly better than a netbook, and it's replaced my desktop now.

I would not consider typing an essay on something that I cannot touch type on. I find it hard enough typing out texts on my phone (either with my thumbs, or with my other fingers), I don't think using an iPad for long sessions of typing is practical.

What did you get as a replacement?

My old laptop is almost 7 years old now! Since I can't afford a new laptop, the Netbook is just a temporary replacement for the laptop - to be honest, I'm just waiting for the old laptop to die on me anytime now; I think it has served its purpose

I agree with you - thank God I didn't buy the iPad. It's just one big phone to me lol.

[Twinkle1]

think it depends what you would use it for alongside the odd notes. This year and last my ipad has been a life saver. I have all my journal articles on it and can annotate and highlight and then transfer data really easily.
at my old uni it was useful because for my dissertation i did a lot of travel and had to interview people etc and it made things so much easier having the ipad with its size, then this year it is even better as my new uni has a distinct lack of computers available when you need them so it helps with that.

however, I didn't ask for my ipad, it was a christmas gift - at first I didn't really understand what the point was as I felt it was just like a netbook you couldn't type very well with! its a fun gadget though.
I would use your money better on something like a netbook if it just is to type notes during lectures. But if you are doing a degree that could use some of the apps etc and i mean really use them (not just buy and then never open like some of my friends) then an ipad might be for you.

to those saying an ipad is hard to type on for big essays, yeah it is at first but you get used to it really quickly, only issue being its really bad with typo's and then apple deciding it thinks you meant a completely different word.

[Herr]

An iPad can be a full replacement for a laptop, just requires some getting used to.

If you feel that you can't type on screen for extended hours, get an external keyboard. Only thing that does become a bit of a challenge is doing any engineering drawing or any complex spreadsheets.

[godflea]

(Original post by Missyme22)
I'm considering saving up to buy an iPad. I already have a laptop (dell inspiron 1545) but after two years of student life it's beginning to wear and using it as a desktop instead to save having it out everywhere.

I found typing rather than writing my notes to be a big help as it was faster, and meant I could check back later to re-write/organise my notes.

I also have an iPod touch, although the battery life is going, so I understand apple software already and find it simple to use.

Should I go through with getting an iPad?

I say if you want it - buy it. I think that Apple products are quality based (best ones), so choosing a iPad instead of any other tablet is great

I wear my MacBook 13" Pro on college and I find it just awesome.

[iisjman07]

Get a Nexus 7

[ktr]

I'm also considering a tablet and keeping my ageing laptop as a desktop to hopefully keep it running at least a little while longer. I've currently saved all of my uni related documents in dropbox which would hopefully ease having two different devices, but haven't really had an opportunity to test that.

Would be curious to hear your experiences and how you found it if you do decide to go through with it.

[anthonyfl]

(Original post by Missyme22)
I'm considering saving up to buy an iPad. I already have a laptop (dell inspiron 1545) but after two years of student life it's beginning to wear and using it as a desktop instead to save having it out everywhere.

I found typing rather than writing my notes to be a big help as it was faster, and meant I could check back later to re-write/organise my notes.

I also have an iPod touch, although the battery life is going, so I understand apple software already and find it simple to use.

Should I go through with getting an iPad?

I'd consider a MacBook air


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[danlocke]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Ult...1314201&sr=8-1

Expensive but makes the iPad a whole lot more usable. Just bought one myself. Alternatively, you could try and find a second hand apple wireless keyboard on eBay as it will sync with the iPad.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPad App

[PVisitors]

the iPad isn't worth the hassle for note typing as a touch screen will be awful to type fast. If you're going to spend the £500, I would honestly save up and buy a 11" Macbook Air [£730 student discount] (or if you want a PC OEM equivalent). The physical keyboard attachments are all well and good but they're expensive and I'm sorry but iOS isn't a good experience if you want to use it as your main use for university. Windows 7 and OSX are significantly more productive.

To me, and most people, the iPad can't replace a computer yet.

Don't buy a netbook, for the love of god. If you can't afford an ultrabook then buy a cheap laptop. Netbooks are awful.

[Missyme22]

Thanks so much for all your help. I think I'll wait for the time being and see how saving goes before making any definite decisions. With reference to typing, I plan on using my laptop still for larger projects such as essays and the like but the iPad wouldn't be so bad for simple note-taking. I definitely plan to use it for the apps as well as videos/everything else you could use an ipod touch for.

I agree that it would definitely not replace my laptop but I'm unwilling to stretch to a macbook and there's still life enough in my laptop that it's not worth replacing quite yet.

Thanks again.