iPads for university

[Allygator]

I've noticed at school and in general iPads are becoming more and more popular. They seem particularly useful in place of textbooks at schools so you don't have to lug around massive, heavy books all day. However, I'm not sure how useful that would be at uni and what other functionalities of the iPad would be useful for uni. So for any of you who use iPads at uni/know people who do/have any opinion on the matter, do you think iPads are a useful tool for study, or only a distraction? What sort of tools do you think are useful for university? Ie recording lectures, taking notes etc.
Thanks!!

(wasn't sure where to put this post so mods feel free to move it if necessary)

[burbs]

Consider a netbook. They are fine for school as well.

[Russ]

Tablets can be good, but the iPad isn't the best for study. There are some great ones out there though.

I haven't used a laptop/tablet at uni ever and I've done fine. I have, however, been considering it for next year because with the constantly increasing workload I'm finding myself needing more and more time just to summarize and write things up before I can actually revise material. So if you're unsure, consider doing a semester with pen and paper (you won't be disadvantaged, most people do this) to find out what works for you.

[stonecold]

Lots of people in biomed bring either their laptops or netbooks to uni.  There are also quite a few with iPads.  I have to say, they look pretty useful, especially if you buy one of the styluses for them, because then you can annotate your notes on the screen.  That having been said, I often see people doing nothing more than using their iPad to highlight notes, which is rather pointless.

It does have its uses though.  Not having to print out lecture slides and worksheets would be very convenient, and if you can get e-texts of your textbooks, then not having to lug them around is a big plus.

Two things which I really don't like about iPad  is a) it, like most Apple products, does not support flash and b) it has no serious form of word processing application which to me is very important.

These make it a deal breaker tbh.

[slothpomba]

Perhaps consider something like this. I know i definitely am.

[Russ]

Consider waiting for Windows8 and its new multi touch input style...could pick up a sweet deal on a notebook/tablet designed around it

[paulsterio]

I use an iPad(away)/Desktop PC (home) combination

I really dislike Netbooks because they seem to try to do everything a PC can do, and end up not being able to do much due to a lack of processing power and bad software

But iPads, the reason I like them is because they're very fast, within 5 seconds, I can open it up, open up my browser and head to ATARNotes - for example
Even a Netbook in Standby would take at least half a minute to wake up properly

Also, the iPad's form factor is good too, it's essentially sized the same size as a book, it's light and quiet, and it's easy to carry around - plus a stylus + touchscreen comes in handy when you want to draw things whilst taking notes or you want to do maths
I've always disliked using my computer to make quick notes because it's a hassle to type it and format it...etc

[Allygator]

Perhaps consider something like this. I know i definitely am.

Oh my goodeness that is awesome!

[slothpomba]

Perhaps consider something like this. I know i definitely am.

Oh my goodeness that is awesome!

Both a tablet and a netbook. Problem is its android. Not windows/linux. Might be a bit dodgy/weird for anything except taking notes/surfing the net/word processing. You don't buy things like (especially netbooks) this to replace your regular desktop/laptop though. I reckon they're more to fill the gaps and it serves that purpose fine. If you look over on whirlpool they've found some places that sell it cheap. (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/144?g=299)

I really dislike Netbooks because they seem to try to do everything a PC can do, and end up not being able to do much due to a lack of processing power and bad software

Well, to be fair, thats why they're called netbooks. Low processing power, only meant for light word processing and net surfing :p just saying. They're fine for uni and the purpose they're meant to serve and more importantly cheap. Its fine if you want to drool over high end pieces of hardware but for most people this gets the job done i reckon.

[slothpomba]

16GB? Talk about overkill haha

[paulsterio]

Well, to be fair, thats why they're called netbooks. Low processing power, only meant for light word processing and net surfing :p just saying. They're fine for uni and the purpose they're meant to serve and more importantly cheap. Its fine if you want to drool over high end pieces of hardware but for most people this gets the job done i reckon.

Yeah, but like if you consider how "laggy" they can be, and how they're just plain slow, like I have a netbook that takes like 10 seconds to open up Chrome or MS Word...that's what I don't like about them, plus, my iPad's about the same price as a decent NetBook and it does everything quite efficiently...there's not much difference considering that everyone has a main computer at home anyways

[simpak]

I want an iPad so bad.  Argh I'm such a sucker for superfluous technology.  I only own two personal computers and a smartphone.  But I need it...iiiiPad...

[taiga]

Windows tablets are so much more functional...

Have an iPad, old Windows Tablet, and an Android one, and the old windows one (which still runs XP tablet edition) just blows the other two out of the water when it comes to actually being useful.

Also the iPad isn't compatible with all the online portal stuff as of this stage (eg. our Blackboard does not allow for the viewing of PDF's on the iPad).

Then there's also typing, which is a pain on the iPad.

[mark_alec]

Yeah, but like if you consider how "laggy" they can be, and how they're just plain slow, like I have a netbook that takes like 10 seconds to open up Chrome or MS Word...that's what I don't like about them, plus, my iPad's about the same price as a decent NetBook and it does everything quite efficiently...there's not much difference considering that everyone has a main computer at home anyways

Windows 7 Starter Edition is crap (what most netbooks come with). You can install a decent operating system on a netbook and it is fast to boot (really resume from hibernation), open a web browser (Chromium/Firefox) and not too bad with Libreoffice, though I don't really use word processes for anything.

[paulsterio]

Windows 7 Starter Edition is crap (what most netbooks come with). You can install a decent operating system on a netbook and it is fast to boot (really resume from hibernation), open a web browser (Chromium/Firefox) and not too bad with Libreoffice, though I don't really use word processes for anything.

Yepp, definately agree with you there, Windows 7 is essentially a desktop-based power hungry OS that requires far more RAM and CPU Horsepower than most Netbooks can come up with, considering most of them only have 1GB RAM, windows takes up around 400MB of that already! D: