laptop/ipad for university??
hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Reply 1
Hi there,
This is really a personal choice - I prefer the functionality and interface of Windows rather than Apple, and like the bigger screen so would personally opt for a laptop (I did a Psychology course where the most powerful software I powered through it was SPSS/IBM AMOS).
However if you're struggling to decide then you could consider a 2-in-1 laptop which doubles up as a tablet when you want it to.
I personally went for a Dell laptop - a model I quite like is the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (c. £499) which is a touchscreen laptop you can use with its keyboard or as a tablet. My Dell only crashed once or twice, kept 20+ tabs open whilst I was researching for assignments on it, and has lasted (so far!) 8 years. This one's also a slightly smaller laptop so fits more easily in a rucksack.
(Note: ASUS, Lenovos, HPs and Samsungs are also good if you're not a Dell fan 🙂 )
Perhaps of you're still struggling to decide, go into Currys/PC World or another electronic store and interact with a few and see how you would feel using them for notes/diagrams for a whole lecture.
I hope that helps a bit - best of luck with finding what you're looking for!
This is really a personal choice - I prefer the functionality and interface of Windows rather than Apple, and like the bigger screen so would personally opt for a laptop (I did a Psychology course where the most powerful software I powered through it was SPSS/IBM AMOS).
However if you're struggling to decide then you could consider a 2-in-1 laptop which doubles up as a tablet when you want it to.
I personally went for a Dell laptop - a model I quite like is the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (c. £499) which is a touchscreen laptop you can use with its keyboard or as a tablet. My Dell only crashed once or twice, kept 20+ tabs open whilst I was researching for assignments on it, and has lasted (so far!) 8 years. This one's also a slightly smaller laptop so fits more easily in a rucksack.
(Note: ASUS, Lenovos, HPs and Samsungs are also good if you're not a Dell fan 🙂 )
Perhaps of you're still struggling to decide, go into Currys/PC World or another electronic store and interact with a few and see how you would feel using them for notes/diagrams for a whole lecture.
I hope that helps a bit - best of luck with finding what you're looking for!
Reply 2
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hi there!
I have had both during my time at uni so I thought it was worth me responding to this with some advice!
Firstly, I would say that it is unlikely you will be writing many paper notes, unless it is revision for exams as lectures and seminars go by quite quickly and it is hard to keep up, so writing notes on a laptop or iPad will be much easier. I would say the best thing to get is where you feel you can type most comfortably as you will be doing a lot of it!
iPad:
With an iPad they are great for drawings and being able to annotate lecture slides. You can write on slides and diagrams are much easier. However, I found it really tricky to write long assignments on there because the screen is smaller and the keyboard that I had attached to the iPad was hard for me to use. This is a personal choice though and you might get on with the keyboard better than me!
Laptop:
I found this much easier for writing assignments and making notes. It is annoying that I can't really annotate slides, but this doesn't matter as much for my course as writing the assignments as I have lots of long assignments and don't need to do much annotating, whereas in a course such as English you may want to be able to annotate things online! It doesn't matter which brand in my opinion, I have a MacBook but it isn't necessary as all laptops do mostly the same thing.
I also agree with Uni of Bath here - getting a laptop that doubles as a tablet may be a good idea as you get the best of both worlds. I don't have one but some of my friends do and they look good!
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂
Reply 3
Hello,
I use both in my daily life as well as during my studies as a digital media production student, I find that there are certain things that each device is uniquely good for so I would recommend making your decision based on whatever factors you consider most important to you.
I use an acer nitro 5 for my coursework which involves using programs like after effects and photoshop which were very slow to use on my older computer, I also started uni with an older laptop and eventually had to bite the bullet and get a new one when I realised it just wasn't going to hold up with some of the programs we were using. I find it is good for large projects and better for writing on than an iPad in my opinion. While it's a budget laptop it has worked really well for what I use it for so far, the only issue is transport as it is heavier than the average laptop. If you only need you laptop for taking notes then going for something smaller and lighter like a Chromebook or MacBook might be a better alternative as those will fit in a backpack easily.
My iPad I use mainly for sketching and drawing, which is a skill i use a lot in my work. I use an apple pencil which has been a huge upgrade to how I was drawing digitally before as it feels more natural like drawing on paper as opposed to the drawing tablets i was using before which I could never fully get comfortable with. If you want to create digital sketches and drawings I would heavily recommend it. It is also more portable than my laptop, which i don't always bring to class with me as it can be difficult to carry there and back as someone to walks to and from uni. It isn't the best for taking notes with for me though, I also prefer to take notes on my laptop and my iPad is mostly a tool I use for drawing and sometimes photo/ video editing on smaller projects. If you would prefer to take notes on an ipad getting a keyboard attachment might be a good idea (I don't use one, but many of my classmates do and they find it to be useful)
Overall though, buy whatever you personally think will fit your needs on your course and would make studying more efficient for you! It all depends on the kind of work you will be using them for and whether one sounds more efficient to you than the other.
Hope this has been helpful!
Leela- ARU
I use both in my daily life as well as during my studies as a digital media production student, I find that there are certain things that each device is uniquely good for so I would recommend making your decision based on whatever factors you consider most important to you.
I use an acer nitro 5 for my coursework which involves using programs like after effects and photoshop which were very slow to use on my older computer, I also started uni with an older laptop and eventually had to bite the bullet and get a new one when I realised it just wasn't going to hold up with some of the programs we were using. I find it is good for large projects and better for writing on than an iPad in my opinion. While it's a budget laptop it has worked really well for what I use it for so far, the only issue is transport as it is heavier than the average laptop. If you only need you laptop for taking notes then going for something smaller and lighter like a Chromebook or MacBook might be a better alternative as those will fit in a backpack easily.
My iPad I use mainly for sketching and drawing, which is a skill i use a lot in my work. I use an apple pencil which has been a huge upgrade to how I was drawing digitally before as it feels more natural like drawing on paper as opposed to the drawing tablets i was using before which I could never fully get comfortable with. If you want to create digital sketches and drawings I would heavily recommend it. It is also more portable than my laptop, which i don't always bring to class with me as it can be difficult to carry there and back as someone to walks to and from uni. It isn't the best for taking notes with for me though, I also prefer to take notes on my laptop and my iPad is mostly a tool I use for drawing and sometimes photo/ video editing on smaller projects. If you would prefer to take notes on an ipad getting a keyboard attachment might be a good idea (I don't use one, but many of my classmates do and they find it to be useful)
Overall though, buy whatever you personally think will fit your needs on your course and would make studying more efficient for you! It all depends on the kind of work you will be using them for and whether one sounds more efficient to you than the other.
Hope this has been helpful!
Leela- ARU
Reply 4
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hi @unknownnn7,
It's great that you are preparing and getting ready early! There are many positives to both an iPad and a laptop. I completely understand the comment about making paper notes. I got an iPad for my course and didn't end up making many if any notes on it. I definitely prefer a pen and paper too.
If you know what note taking you prefer and if you are wanting an iPad purely for the note taking then I would say go for the laptop. I preferred a laptop definitely but it also depends what software's you will be using. I used many adobe apps so I got a MacBook with plenty of storage. If you are going to be using the device for drawing and diagrams then getting a keyboard for an iPad is always an option, which would make typing easier and quicker for you. You can then have the best of both worlds. Would you prefer a smaller device or a bulkier laptop so ask your self this question too.
I also would do some research into the devices online but also going into shops like Currys who have great staff to help and compare devices.
Hope this helps,
^Zac
Reply 5
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hi,
It depends a bit on how you work, but since you plan to study engineering I’d lean towards a laptop rather than just an iPad.
I personally use a Lenovo laptop for note-taking, it’s reasonably priced, long-lasting, and solid for work/academia.
Like you, I hate drawing diagrams on a laptop, so I just draw them on paper and upload photos into my notes instead.
An iPad can be a great tool for diagrams and annotating PDFs, but it won’t replace a laptop for the software you’ll need on an engineering course. So the ideal setup in my opinion is usually: a reliable laptop for all the heavy work and using pen&paper when neccessary, to draw diagrams, etc.
I use the '11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz (2.42 GHz)'.
It's around 4 years old now, but it is still fast and good for multitasking, and i've only used up around 40% of it's 240GB after 4 years of using it for notes and work.
However, after 4 years the battery life isn't the best when not on charge, I have around 20 tabs always open and the laptop will die within 2hours.
But, since I always have my charger on hand, and I always keep the laptop charged, I rarely have any issues.
Hope this insight helped,
Ulaw,
Alfred.
Reply 6
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hi @unknownnn7 🖐️
Hope you are well. This is a personal preference really, it does not matter as much. However, there are certain benefits to each. I brought a tablet last year and did my notes on there and was easy but we had classes in labs so we could use computers and i tended to use the computers a lot for excel and writing my assignments as my tablet was not as broad as a laptop. This year, i brought a laptop and am able to use excel, have SPSS software and write my assignments and upload them on ease. Notetaking i just type them up. I would recommend a laptop for overall use but notetaking is more efficient with an ipad as well so its really up to you!
Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜
Reply 7
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hey,
Starting Engineering next year is exciting, but trying to figure out the tech setup is always tricky, especially when your current gear is struggling! Since you’re fast at typing but need to draw diagrams, the choice really comes down to how you feel most comfortable taking notes.
Laptop vs. iPad: Focus on Your Workflow
If you stick to paper notes, you need a reliable laptop as your priority. Engineering requires powerful software, and your laptop must be strong enough to run it smoothly.
Many students prefer using a stylus on a tablet (like an iPad) to sketch diagrams and equations quickly, which saves a ton of time compared to drawing with a mouse, if you want digital notes (with diagrams).
The Great Compromise: 2-in-1 Laptops
You might find a perfect middle ground with a different type of laptop:
2-in-1 / Convertible Laptops: These are basically full laptops that can flip the screen all the way around or detach the keyboard. This allows you to use your fingers or a stylus right on the screen for diagrams, giving you the power of a laptop and the flexibility of an iPad.
Ultimately, your focus should be on getting a machine that can comfortably run the heavy Engineering software while also supporting your preferred method for note-taking, whether that’s a separate tablet or a versatile 2-in-1 machine.
Hope this helps! 😊
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hey,
This is a really common question for people going into engineering. Many students face whether a laptop or an iPad will work better.
For an engineering degree, most students find that a laptop is the more essential device, mainly because you’ll eventually need to run software that simply won’t work on an iPad. Things like CAD tools, simulation programs, MATLAB, and sometimes programming environments. An iPad is great for notes, but it can’t replace a laptop for actual coursework.
That said, lots of people do use iPads for handwritten notes, diagrams, and annotating lecture slides. If you love writing by hand or sketching, an iPad with a pencil can be super convenient, but it works best as an add-on, not the main device. Since your current laptop struggles and your iPad is really old, it sounds like a good laptop would give you the biggest upgrade in day-to-day uni life.
If you do want handwritten notes, you can still use paper, or get an iPad later on once you know how you like to work. Plenty of engineering students use a mix of typed notes for maths-heavy stuff and handwritten diagrams for visual concepts.
When you’re choosing a laptop, it’s worth looking for something with at least 16GB RAM, a reasonably strong processor (like an i5/Ryzen 5 or higher), and a decent amount of storage so that it lasts you all the way through your course. Windows laptops tend to be the most flexible for engineering software, but if you have a preference, that’s fine too.
Good luck 😊
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative
Reply 9
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hii! ☺️
Honestly, definitely a laptop, especially for engineering.
I do Sociology with Psychology and Data Analytics, and even though Sociology is more of an "iPad subject" where you could get away with handwritten notes, I always use my laptop. The bigger screen makes such a big difference and I can type notes faster and keep everything organised in folders.
Same with psychology, lots of content, lots of slides, lots of typing. And for my Data Analytics modules, a laptop is absolutely essential because we use software like SPSS, which is more practical-based. That side of my course is actually quite similar to engineering, so I really don't think you can go wrong with a laptop.
With a laptop you can:
•
Type notes quickly
•
Save everything neatly in folders
•
Open lecture slides + notes at the same time
•
Run engineering software smoothly
You can always still handwrite diagrams on paper if you prefer, I know drawing diagrams on a laptop is a nightmare 🥲, but at least the laptop gives you flexibility.
If you already have an old iPad, I'd prioritise upgrading your laptop first. An iPad is nice as an extra, but for engineering a laptop is kind of non-negotiable.
Reply 10
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hi @unknownnn7👋
Hope you are well. It is really a personal preference to be honest. I used an ipad last year and it is nice for notes and simple as well as useful for diagrams but this year I switched to my laptop because it was more practical and efficient. I type quicker on the laptop and easier to do my assignments as well. Handwritten notes are also good yes. I personally would recommend a laptop but it really is up to you!
Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜
Reply 11
Original post
by unknownnn7hii im starting engineering next year, i was just wondering would it be better for me to get an ipad or a laptop??
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
currently i have an ipad but its old af and the laptop i have nearly explodes everytime i open 2 tabs
I see alot of people using ipads to write their notes, but i dont know if i could cope with this? im so used to writing paper notes
- although i am fast at typing on keyboards, but drawing diagrams on a laptop would send me into psychosis
also if you have any specific models of laptops/ipads that you recommend please let me know!
Hi there,
I am Ilya, a final year Cyber Security student at DMU. I am going to be completely honest with you, for a course like engineering you most likely should get a laptop rather than ipad. You most certainly will have some specialised software you will use during your studies. And it's also very likely that you will need to use this software for coursework. Therefore, not having a laptop will force you to come over to uni to do coursework instead of doing it at home (speaking from personal experience).
Lastly, drawing diagrams on laptop is not an inherently hard thing to do. Have a look at Flowchart Maker & Online Diagram Software, which is completely open source and allows to make great diagrams in seconds with only your mouse (or touchpad) and keyboard.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Ilya,
Cyber Security student at De Montfort University
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