iPad in VCE (and after, uni) as an effective study tool?

[frenchie]

Hey everyone,

I am very tempted by the recent price cuts to pick one of these babies up, as the cheapest old version can be had for just under 400 big ones.
My school library is littered with kids with them (mostly playing games, unfortunately) so they must be good, right?

I was wondering if anyone has any actual experience with them, and could tell me to what point and how well they can be used effectively as a study tool, either for textbooks, writing notes, surfing the net, etc. Please no rants about how it will lead to me procrastinating and playing Pokemon (although, it probably will but hey) I am just interested in the potential of the device.

Thoughts ?

[taiga]

I use a windows tablet, so much better than an iPad for the purpose of work.

The iPad does not come default with a stylus, so you can not write notes with it that well, a wireless keyboard is a huge additional cost, and overall the functionality just isnt that great. That said its great for games

A windows tablet on the other hand has everything you have on your computer normally, works as your laptop really... The one I use can be used as a laptop or the screen can be rotated around such that it is a flat pad with just the screen (to be used with the stylus).

The other option are android tablets, which are decent, but once again you will need a USB host keyboard (generally a flexible one works) and you need to buy/pirate QuickOffice to get work done.

[frenchie]

Cheers for the fast reply, and I appreciate it, but I don't want to start a Mac vs. PC debate here and I'm specifically asking about the iPad.
I find it very easy to type on, and would dread using a stylus, for one. Plus, since I have an iMac, I already have a wireless keyboard so the iPad is the go for me if I am to go down the tablet path.

Can someone please tell me the potential for this device and tell me what/how they use it for school.

[lexitu]

Laptop > Tablet.

A laptop is more functional.

[binders]

I've had a bit of a play with the old ones. yes, you can type on them, and the Pages wordprocessor is available for the iPad (so is 'Numbers' i think).
webbrowsing is manageable, but saving content like mp3s (eg lectures) and pdfs can be a problem. you can get ebook readers for it, and it more or less comes with iBooks, into which you can load your own ebooks (i use pdfs).  even the version one models have a built in microphone, which can be useful for recording lectures i guess.

A laptop is way more flexible and useful, but the iPad doesn't seem a bad option if you already have a flash mac at home.

[happyhappyland]

absolutely useless. in vce my best friend was my printer and paper

[Ematuro]

Its useful if you don't want to be carrying books around and stuff.. but if you want to type things up you're probably better off using a computer.
IMO, it isn't worth the $400 for study. However, if you like games and stuff then that can be a bonus

[lilaznkev1n]

i agree with lexitu.
I'm used to using laptops as I can type way faster than when using a ipad. I reckon that if you go to lectures and you use an iPad you would be able to keep up with the lecture due to the lack of an actual keyboard.
Laptops also has access to a wider variety of useful programs.

[taiga]

I've used all three of them, and from my experiences (and observing others), an iPad is near the opposite of an effective study tool. Writing documents is a pain, drawing on it is a bother, and it's annoying to get your PDF files on it. I've taken all three into my uni lectures, take me being on facebook on all devices as a constant, but the iPad doesn't facilitate for note taking, the Android one has a cool keyboard for notes (but can't draw on it easily), and the windows one is just as functional as my computer, so I can take notes, type stuff, and have the lecture slides on my computer.

Definitely recommend a Windows Device. If not, android ones aren't too bad as they have cheap extensions and apps to make them more user friendly.

Just as a general comparison of size (and moreso me showing off), here is a picture with the tablets, so as you can see, if you're going to carry an iPad around, a Windows Tablet is not that much more to add.

[pi]

5 people in my class have iPads, they use it for textbooks mainly when in school. It saves carrying piles of books, plus the gaming on trains is always a positive too

I don't think iPads have negatively effected their studies whatsoever, especially as a couple of them were ranked in the top 10 in MHS yr11 last year

[QuantumJG]

I got an iPad this year and I love it! Sure people won't stop bagging me about owning an apple product (wtf? Apple is pro).

There is an app I use all the time where you can download PDFs and highlight sections. The games are a real plus as well. If you want one then go for it!

[taiga]

5 people in my class have iPads, they use it for textbooks mainly when in school. It saves carrying piles of books, plus the gaming on trains is always a positive too

I don't think iPads have negatively effected their studies whatsoever, especially as a couple of them were ranked in the top 10 in MHS yr11 last year

Having PDFs is the biggest plus for work, but you can get so much more done (workwise) on a windows tablet

[au]

I use a netbook to type up most of my notes, I couldn't imagine doing that on an ipad...