ipad mini necessary for my studies?
Hello,
Im a first year law student, commuting to university everyday (1 hr journey to & back)
I would like to ask my fellow university students a question..
is ipad necessary for studies? I mean when it comes to doing coursework and writing up lecture notes is it needed?
I have a laptop but don't want to take it to uni since Im commuting.. I was thinking of buying ipad mini.
usually in the LRC computers can get taken quickly so i think thats another factor..
please can you give me some advice, i would be extremely grateful
Im a first year law student, commuting to university everyday (1 hr journey to & back)
I would like to ask my fellow university students a question..
is ipad necessary for studies? I mean when it comes to doing coursework and writing up lecture notes is it needed?
I have a laptop but don't want to take it to uni since Im commuting.. I was thinking of buying ipad mini.
usually in the LRC computers can get taken quickly so i think thats another factor..
please can you give me some advice, i would be extremely grateful
Scroll to see replies
Original post by DarkChaoz95
Hello,
Im a first year law student, commuting to university everyday (1 hr journey to & back)
I would like to ask my fellow university students a question..
is ipad necessary for studies? I mean when it comes to doing coursework and writing up lecture notes is it needed?
I have a laptop but don't want to take it to uni since Im commuting.. I was thinking of buying ipad mini.
usually in the LRC computers can get taken quickly so i think thats another factor..
please can you give me some advice, i would be extremely grateful
Im a first year law student, commuting to university everyday (1 hr journey to & back)
I would like to ask my fellow university students a question..
is ipad necessary for studies? I mean when it comes to doing coursework and writing up lecture notes is it needed?
I have a laptop but don't want to take it to uni since Im commuting.. I was thinking of buying ipad mini.
usually in the LRC computers can get taken quickly so i think thats another factor..
please can you give me some advice, i would be extremely grateful
I did this thinking it would be amazing....however I simply use my
Ipad for reading porn.
So no, I don't think it's a good idea.
The iPad Mini is really nice and light, so it's great for carrying about. It's much more portable than a laptop as well. You probably don't need an iPad, but you would very likely benefit from one. I use mine for taking notes during lectures and then I print the notes out later and store them. I use a small and light wireless bluetooth keyboard with the iPad which works really well too.
So, I would say an iPad Mini sounds good for you - but don't feel like you need one necessarily. I would be fine without mine, it's just helpful and convenient.
So, I would say an iPad Mini sounds good for you - but don't feel like you need one necessarily. I would be fine without mine, it's just helpful and convenient.
Nope if your not using your laptop just use the classic pen and paper combo and save yourself a fortune. Not only that but you'll take more notes than you would with an ipad.
well Im having mixed thoughts right now.. I was thinking using pen and paper to write up notes and during my breaks I could type em up on the ipad then send it to my laptop when I get home..
also I could write up my coursework on it because the LRC will likely be packed with students on the computer
I understand I dont really need one, but other than that.. i could make use of it (playing games) when Im on the bus..
also I could write up my coursework on it because the LRC will likely be packed with students on the computer
I understand I dont really need one, but other than that.. i could make use of it (playing games) when Im on the bus..
Original post by DarkChaoz95
Hello,
Im a first year law student, commuting to university everyday (1 hr journey to & back)
I would like to ask my fellow university students a question..
is ipad necessary for studies? I mean when it comes to doing coursework and writing up lecture notes is it needed?
I have a laptop but don't want to take it to uni since Im commuting.. I was thinking of buying ipad mini.
usually in the LRC computers can get taken quickly so i think thats another factor..
please can you give me some advice, i would be extremely grateful
Im a first year law student, commuting to university everyday (1 hr journey to & back)
I would like to ask my fellow university students a question..
is ipad necessary for studies? I mean when it comes to doing coursework and writing up lecture notes is it needed?
I have a laptop but don't want to take it to uni since Im commuting.. I was thinking of buying ipad mini.
usually in the LRC computers can get taken quickly so i think thats another factor..
please can you give me some advice, i would be extremely grateful
Quite simply, no it's not.
I'm a 3rd year Engineering student and I bought myself a tablet for this year thinking that it would be very useful but the reality is that it's pretty much just turned into my portable netflix machine and that's it.
So here are some of the reasons I bought my tablet and why it's not used for them.
I can write up notes during the lecture - There is no way to type accurately enough at the kind of speeds you need to in order to keep up during a lecture. It's still much, much better to simply write things out using pen and paper, or if you are desperate for a typed copy of your notes to use a laptop.
I can have a digital version of the notes the lecturer is using and annotate them as I go - Hand writing annotations onto the notes isn't really great as they end up being huge, writing on a tablet only really works if you keep it big, and so you get very little on a page and it's always messy. Again, it's better to print off a copy of any lecture notes and annotate directly onto the printed copy, it's much quicker, easier and neater.
I can use it for bits and pieces of work if I've got down time between lectures - The work I was thinking of would be things like lab reports, so fairly large amounts of text, and they're just not cut out for that. It's much quicker and more comfortable to either go and find a computer somewhere in the University or take my laptop in with me.
When I need to do presentations in front of the class I can just connect my tablet up to the projector and run it from there - Compatibility errors almost every time I tried. Just a hell of a lot simpler to either connect my laptop up and run it from there or bring a memory stick in and run it off the computer in that particular lecture theatre.
While having a tablet may seem like a really useful thing, I don't know a single student who has actually used it for work for more than a week before realising that everything they wanted to do with it is either very impractical or is achieved much more easily using either pen & paper or a laptop.
At the end of the day if you picked up a 13" laptop it would be a much more useful option and they're not exactly heavy or too big to fit in your bag, so carrying it to and from University each day isn't a problem in the slightest.
I have a tablet and right now, I'm using it instead of a laptop (as my laptop is away for repair). It's a nexus 7 for size/screen reference.
It's a horrible solution and my uni is loaning me a laptop to make up for it because I'm getting behind. I use the Swype keyboard feature to take notes (quicker than tapping) but if it continually misinterprets my Swype, then I end up behind. That's mostly a problem for taking notes directly in lectures.
For typing them up - the tablet version of word doesn't have all the formatting features. I have yet to find out how to possibly insert footnotes, and although you can do things with fonts and italics etc, it is long winded and frustrating. Bullet points don't work, indentations don't work. (Or if they do - they don't using conventional shortcuts, so it's not intuitive.)
It's also IMO quicker to type notes up directly on a computer than to try and type them (even with Swype) on a tablet. It also aggravates an existing wrist pain condition for me, as it's not a full size keyboard.
If you were going to drop that kind of money, I'd personally recommend trying to find a netbook/lightweight laptop in your price bracket (assuming you don't want to bring your laptop for weight/size). It's way easier to take notes simultaneously, and you can refer to other documents online/in your hard drive (I did law & would refer to documents on the e-learning system, cases online etc as I took my notes in lectures and tutorials).
I bought my tablet for entertainment use - using it to watch stuff online etc - and to be honest that's all I get out of it. The functionality for word processing, reduced screen/keyboard size, inability to have multiple word docs/pdfs open and keep flicking between etc is so limited that it doesn't suffice as a substitute for a laptop or computer, but I didn't buy it to do those things.
For reference, I have a nexus 5 smartphone too so the tablet literally is just that on a larger scale - if I didn't have a smartphone then I might be more impressed by it
Posted from TSR Mobile
It's a horrible solution and my uni is loaning me a laptop to make up for it because I'm getting behind. I use the Swype keyboard feature to take notes (quicker than tapping) but if it continually misinterprets my Swype, then I end up behind. That's mostly a problem for taking notes directly in lectures.
For typing them up - the tablet version of word doesn't have all the formatting features. I have yet to find out how to possibly insert footnotes, and although you can do things with fonts and italics etc, it is long winded and frustrating. Bullet points don't work, indentations don't work. (Or if they do - they don't using conventional shortcuts, so it's not intuitive.)
It's also IMO quicker to type notes up directly on a computer than to try and type them (even with Swype) on a tablet. It also aggravates an existing wrist pain condition for me, as it's not a full size keyboard.
If you were going to drop that kind of money, I'd personally recommend trying to find a netbook/lightweight laptop in your price bracket (assuming you don't want to bring your laptop for weight/size). It's way easier to take notes simultaneously, and you can refer to other documents online/in your hard drive (I did law & would refer to documents on the e-learning system, cases online etc as I took my notes in lectures and tutorials).
I bought my tablet for entertainment use - using it to watch stuff online etc - and to be honest that's all I get out of it. The functionality for word processing, reduced screen/keyboard size, inability to have multiple word docs/pdfs open and keep flicking between etc is so limited that it doesn't suffice as a substitute for a laptop or computer, but I didn't buy it to do those things.
For reference, I have a nexus 5 smartphone too so the tablet literally is just that on a larger scale - if I didn't have a smartphone then I might be more impressed by it
Posted from TSR Mobile
not only isnt it necessary, it isnt useful for your purposes either
ipads are good for web browsing, playing games, and maybe reading papers (although an ipad mini is too small for the latter, and you would be better off with printed copies anyway). They arent meant for writing things. Get an ultrabook instead.
dont get me wrong, I absolutely love my ipad air, but I'm not going to pretend it has much productivity value except for being able to read and annotate pdfs (which I think a mini is too small for personally, although others seem to find it ok). Mainly I just use it for web browsing and games, and a few lifestyle apps. It definitely isnt a content creation device, and writing up lecture notes on it would be ridiculous.
ipads are good for web browsing, playing games, and maybe reading papers (although an ipad mini is too small for the latter, and you would be better off with printed copies anyway). They arent meant for writing things. Get an ultrabook instead.
dont get me wrong, I absolutely love my ipad air, but I'm not going to pretend it has much productivity value except for being able to read and annotate pdfs (which I think a mini is too small for personally, although others seem to find it ok). Mainly I just use it for web browsing and games, and a few lifestyle apps. It definitely isnt a content creation device, and writing up lecture notes on it would be ridiculous.
(edited 9 years ago)
For a different perspective I use my galaxy tab 3 with a bluetooth keyboard in lectures and find it does the job brilliantly, I ve got an office app and adobe which lets you highlight and annotate PDF so find it does all I need to do.
Although I have a horrendously slow writting speed so if someone has a normal writing speed then typing might not be that helpful.
Although I have a horrendously slow writting speed so if someone has a normal writing speed then typing might not be that helpful.
I would recommend a Net-book with Win7 or similar on it for versatility
I also commute and have an iPad Mini with a bluetooth keyboard and I haven't used it for university yet. I've considered taking it as I've seen people have the lectures opened up on them but to be honest I prefer printing out lecture slides so I can add notes and diagrams more easily. If I had a long break and wanted to go to the library or something I would bring it to type up notes or access blackboard. The main benefits of it over a laptop are the battery life is a lot better (I use mine for 2ish hours a day and only charge it once a week on average) and portability.
If you are thinking of getting one some apps I recommend are:
- Pages or Word for word processing
- Some kind of cloud storage thing: I personally use Onedrive which works with Hotmail. It means I can access files from my laptop, phone and iPad quite easily. If you have a Windows 8 computer you can also sign into Onedrive so it automatically syncs your computer files onto there.
- Powerpoint
- Adobe Reader: Like someone else said you can annotate pdf files, I found this more useful for a-levels where I would open up past papers and complete them on there but I'm sure it will be useful for uni too
- Your university's app (if applicable)
- Wunderlist: My favourite to-do list app that I've found, you sign into your account so you can sync it with your phone and it's just really useful
If you are thinking of getting one some apps I recommend are:
- Pages or Word for word processing
- Some kind of cloud storage thing: I personally use Onedrive which works with Hotmail. It means I can access files from my laptop, phone and iPad quite easily. If you have a Windows 8 computer you can also sign into Onedrive so it automatically syncs your computer files onto there.
- Powerpoint
- Adobe Reader: Like someone else said you can annotate pdf files, I found this more useful for a-levels where I would open up past papers and complete them on there but I'm sure it will be useful for uni too
- Your university's app (if applicable)
- Wunderlist: My favourite to-do list app that I've found, you sign into your account so you can sync it with your phone and it's just really useful
If the main reason is for notes, then get something like a livescribe pen. You get the benefits of pen and paper, but you still get a digital version. Certain an iPad is a luxury and not a necessity for uni.
it would be cheaper to get yourself a small notebook computer.
Whut...? You are trying to tell me that you NEED something to take notes? Yes, you do need something - a piece of paper and a pen. Use your laptop at home.
Necessary? Absolutely not. You should definitely heed the advice below and save your £.
Original post by mackemforever
Quite simply, no it's not.
I'm a 3rd year Engineering student and I bought myself a tablet for this year thinking that it would be very useful but the reality is that it's pretty much just turned into my portable netflix machine and that's it.
So here are some of the reasons I bought my tablet and why it's not used for them.
I can write up notes during the lecture - There is no way to type accurately enough at the kind of speeds you need to in order to keep up during a lecture. It's still much, much better to simply write things out using pen and paper, or if you are desperate for a typed copy of your notes to use a laptop.
I can have a digital version of the notes the lecturer is using and annotate them as I go - Hand writing annotations onto the notes isn't really great as they end up being huge, writing on a tablet only really works if you keep it big, and so you get very little on a page and it's always messy. Again, it's better to print off a copy of any lecture notes and annotate directly onto the printed copy, it's much quicker, easier and neater.
I can use it for bits and pieces of work if I've got down time between lectures - The work I was thinking of would be things like lab reports, so fairly large amounts of text, and they're just not cut out for that. It's much quicker and more comfortable to either go and find a computer somewhere in the University or take my laptop in with me.
When I need to do presentations in front of the class I can just connect my tablet up to the projector and run it from there - Compatibility errors almost every time I tried. Just a hell of a lot simpler to either connect my laptop up and run it from there or bring a memory stick in and run it off the computer in that particular lecture theatre.
While having a tablet may seem like a really useful thing, I don't know a single student who has actually used it for work for more than a week before realising that everything they wanted to do with it is either very impractical or is achieved much more easily using either pen & paper or a laptop.
At the end of the day if you picked up a 13" laptop it would be a much more useful option and they're not exactly heavy or too big to fit in your bag, so carrying it to and from University each day isn't a problem in the slightest.
I'm a 3rd year Engineering student and I bought myself a tablet for this year thinking that it would be very useful but the reality is that it's pretty much just turned into my portable netflix machine and that's it.
So here are some of the reasons I bought my tablet and why it's not used for them.
I can write up notes during the lecture - There is no way to type accurately enough at the kind of speeds you need to in order to keep up during a lecture. It's still much, much better to simply write things out using pen and paper, or if you are desperate for a typed copy of your notes to use a laptop.
I can have a digital version of the notes the lecturer is using and annotate them as I go - Hand writing annotations onto the notes isn't really great as they end up being huge, writing on a tablet only really works if you keep it big, and so you get very little on a page and it's always messy. Again, it's better to print off a copy of any lecture notes and annotate directly onto the printed copy, it's much quicker, easier and neater.
I can use it for bits and pieces of work if I've got down time between lectures - The work I was thinking of would be things like lab reports, so fairly large amounts of text, and they're just not cut out for that. It's much quicker and more comfortable to either go and find a computer somewhere in the University or take my laptop in with me.
When I need to do presentations in front of the class I can just connect my tablet up to the projector and run it from there - Compatibility errors almost every time I tried. Just a hell of a lot simpler to either connect my laptop up and run it from there or bring a memory stick in and run it off the computer in that particular lecture theatre.
While having a tablet may seem like a really useful thing, I don't know a single student who has actually used it for work for more than a week before realising that everything they wanted to do with it is either very impractical or is achieved much more easily using either pen & paper or a laptop.
At the end of the day if you picked up a 13" laptop it would be a much more useful option and they're not exactly heavy or too big to fit in your bag, so carrying it to and from University each day isn't a problem in the slightest.
I got a samsung tablet a few years ago for the same reasons you're mentioning. I ended up getting so frustrated with it as they keyboard I bought wasn't fast enough and such. It was useful for having tutorial questions and reading material if I didn't want to print lots of pages off. But I often ended up just on Facebook or TSR etc. So it if you have the self discipline to use it properly then it might be ok. Otherwise, it's probably not worth it.
thanks guys for the advice! so I assume instead if i buy an ultrabook thats still unnecessary?
I think.. as people said there are limitations with ipad mini and from looks of things a ultrabook may be a better option
it wont be just for notes, Im planning to use it for other work.. such as using it to write up my coursework (should computer not be available), presentation work
also having the "module guide" open in front me during lectures.. which in my course we are expected to bring electronic or hard copy..
problem is the module guides are like 90 pages so I think it would be better if i had an electronic copy open in front me
what do you think?
I think.. as people said there are limitations with ipad mini and from looks of things a ultrabook may be a better option
it wont be just for notes, Im planning to use it for other work.. such as using it to write up my coursework (should computer not be available), presentation work
also having the "module guide" open in front me during lectures.. which in my course we are expected to bring electronic or hard copy..
problem is the module guides are like 90 pages so I think it would be better if i had an electronic copy open in front me
what do you think?
(edited 9 years ago)
Yes, you do need an iPad. There are many different reasons why:
- Its lighter and portable - Rather than carrying your laptop around the campus you can take your ipad instead. Use iCloud backup/storage (if you have a MacBook) to access what you gathered via the iPad on your laptop in the room.
- More desk space in lectures - During lectures a laptop may take too much of your desk space. It may be too big and it may distract you from writing notes. iPads are great In this occasion as it give you more desk space and at the same time it gives you internet access to write down notes (recent swiftkey technology allows typing to accelerate meaning you can make notes faster without missing what the lecturer is saying) record lectures and share them via iCloud.
That is 2 reasons why
- Its lighter and portable - Rather than carrying your laptop around the campus you can take your ipad instead. Use iCloud backup/storage (if you have a MacBook) to access what you gathered via the iPad on your laptop in the room.
- More desk space in lectures - During lectures a laptop may take too much of your desk space. It may be too big and it may distract you from writing notes. iPads are great In this occasion as it give you more desk space and at the same time it gives you internet access to write down notes (recent swiftkey technology allows typing to accelerate meaning you can make notes faster without missing what the lecturer is saying) record lectures and share them via iCloud.
That is 2 reasons why
You don't need it but it can be helpful.
For example I study literature and have the kindle and audible app with all my course books on and then I use it to take notes in lectures which sync with my mac by the time I get home. But it's not completely necessary and pen and paper will do!
For example I study literature and have the kindle and audible app with all my course books on and then I use it to take notes in lectures which sync with my mac by the time I get home. But it's not completely necessary and pen and paper will do!
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