The Student Room Group

Macbook vs Ipad for uni

Hey so I'm currently deciding between getting a Macbook or an Ipad for uni.

I do currently have a windows laptop which still runs just fine, I've only had it for a few years and I could probably use it for a few more. But it is really noisy as the fans make a lot of noise when its running more than one application.

If I get an IPad, then I could use it alongside my current laptop to make notes on and to carry around with me as I would purchase the Apple Pencil and keyboard to go with it. But because my laptop is not an apple one, I don't know whether it would be a nuisance to transfer documents back and forth?

Which is why I was thinking to get a MacBook which could replace both my current laptop and the Ipad idea?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks
I would say get a Macbook especially if you need to take lots of notes and do essays in your course.
What are you going to be studying at university?
Is there any specialist software required?
Reply 3
Original post by Princess3085
I would say get a Macbook especially if you need to take lots of notes and do essays in your course.

Thank you for your advice! I'm still leaning towards the Ipad idea because then I'll have two devices (my current laptop as well as an ipad) but I guess a MacBook on its own might be better
Reply 4
Original post by PQ
What are you going to be studying at university?
Is there any specialist software required?

I will be studying Actuarial science.. I would have to use applications such as python, R, excel etc dependent on the modules I take but I think my current laptop can run them.. Not sure whether a new Ipad would though
Original post by Anonymous
Hey so I'm currently deciding between getting a Macbook or an Ipad for uni.

I do currently have a windows laptop which still runs just fine, I've only had it for a few years and I could probably use it for a few more. But it is really noisy as the fans make a lot of noise when its running more than one application.

If I get an IPad, then I could use it alongside my current laptop to make notes on and to carry around with me as I would purchase the Apple Pencil and keyboard to go with it. But because my laptop is not an apple one, I don't know whether it would be a nuisance to transfer documents back and forth?

Which is why I was thinking to get a MacBook which could replace both my current laptop and the Ipad idea?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks

You wouldn't necessarily have to transfer documents - you could use an online application like OneNote, and store everything on the cloud.
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you for your advice! I'm still leaning towards the Ipad idea because then I'll have two devices (my current laptop as well as an ipad) but I guess a MacBook on its own might be better

I got an IPad and it’s the best thing for notes and revision. I also had a windows computer but it has packed up and I haven’t had Time to fix it. If you’re taking a more essay based subject then you might want a MacBook as it will be quiet for class at first. However from my own experience even MacBooks turn into boeing 747s over time with a noisy fan. iPad however with a keyboard is just fine for typing and will never be noisy. The organisation of an app like GoodNotes is great for making notes in lectures. I’m going to uni for design though so I might be biased. Hope that helped
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
I will be studying Actuarial science.. I would have to use applications such as python, R, excel etc dependent on the modules I take but I think my current laptop can run them.. Not sure whether a new Ipad would though

Do not get an iPad for Actuarial science. It's fine for notes with the pencil but for applications, you're better off with a laptop. Windows would be preferred although macOS is great, you won't get full functionality of Excel with VBA/mySQL etc.
Get a Pixel book or Galaxy one, it's better than Apple
(edited 2 years ago)
hi everyone i actually have a really similar situation, do you think it'd be fine if i just got the ipad pro by itself (along with the apple pencil and magic keybard) and ditched having a laptop all together?? should i make a new thread :?
Original post by AizzyCola
hi everyone i actually have a really similar situation, do you think it'd be fine if i just got the ipad pro by itself (along with the apple pencil and magic keybard) and ditched having a laptop all together?? should i make a new thread :?


Original post by Ur a shmuck
Get a Pixel book or Galaxy one, it's better than Apple

^^^
Original post by SkanPad
Do not get an iPad for Actuarial science. It's fine for notes with the pencil but for applications, you're better off with a laptop. Windows would be preferred although macOS is great, you won't get full functionality of Excel with VBA/mySQL etc.

Such a good point, thank you! I think a windows operating system will be better suited for the applications I will need so I probably wont get the Macbook but I might still get a cheaper end iPad so I can use the pencil for my notes/working out etc as I like writing more than typing
Original post by AizzyCola
hi everyone i actually have a really similar situation, do you think it'd be fine if i just got the ipad pro by itself (along with the apple pencil and magic keybard) and ditched having a laptop all together?? should i make a new thread :?

I've seen quite a lot of threads on this topic and the gist I've got is that the price you'd pay for a high end IPad (with the keyboard and pencil etc) would cost just as much as a Macbook so people have said to go with the MacBook over an iPad because its just easier to set up and use but the only downside of that would be that you wont have the apple pencil function... I would say having a laptop is probably better and you could even get a slightly cheaper windows laptop and an Ipad so you get the best of both
Original post by Anonymous
I've seen quite a lot of threads on this topic and the gist I've got is that the price you'd pay for a high end IPad (with the keyboard and pencil etc) would cost just as much as a Macbook so people have said to go with the MacBook over an iPad because its just easier to set up and use but the only downside of that would be that you wont have the apple pencil function... I would say having a laptop is probably better and you could even get a slightly cheaper windows laptop and an Ipad so you get the best of both

yeah that's what i was thinking about in terms of the cost? the reason why i'm leaning towards the iPad is because of the apple pencil function, i'd love to be able to bring it to lectures to make notes. i'm also an apple user right now, i have a chromebook currently and i just don't think its practical for university, do you think its best to keep the chromebook i have now and just get the iPad with the pencil?
Original post by AizzyCola
yeah that's what i was thinking about in terms of the cost? the reason why i'm leaning towards the iPad is because of the apple pencil function, i'd love to be able to bring it to lectures to make notes. i'm also an apple user right now, i have a chromebook currently and i just don't think its practical for university, do you think its best to keep the chromebook i have now and just get the iPad with the pencil?

I literally feel the same as you.. I might also keep the windows laptop I have at the moment as its still decent and then get an iPad to go alongside it with a pencil. Especially because some models of Ipad are compatible with the apple pencil and are decently priced
Original post by Anonymous
I literally feel the same as you.. I might also keep the windows laptop I have at the moment as its still decent and then get an iPad to go alongside it with a pencil. Especially because some models of Ipad are compatible with the apple pencil and are decently priced

yeah i think im going to do this! :smile:

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