<p>Hey, I'm going to be a future undergraduate next year. I'm wondering what's the most ideal laptop or electronic note taking device. I currently have the Toshiba Satellite M645-S4118. I'm not sure if this will suffice for college means, since the majority of the consensus seems to flaunt their slim Macbook Airs. </p>
<p>So, I'm asking for your insights on this subject matter- I'm not that tech savvy. I'm looking for the most practical device for college note taking that would provide me all the amenities still for typing up documents, powerpoints, and etc. I've come as far as to look up some external keyboards for the iPad. Would you take this gadget to class and replace your laptop for it? Or Macbook Air--- or is my current laptop fine? I'm so confused. Lol.</p>
<p>Most people who bring their notebooks to class don’t take notes on them, they are on facebook, youtube or watching TV shows.</p>
<p>That being said, don’t waste your money on a Mac. I don’t know where your “consensus” is coming from, but I don’t see anyone with a Macbook Air.</p>
<p>Use your current laptop, or use a pen and paper like most people do.</p>
<p>I have a Toshiba Satellite, and it works great for all my school needs, but I almost always take pen and paper notes rather than using my laptop. Like the above poster said, the main thing people use laptops for is browsing the internet when the class is boring. I have a friend who uses his iPad with an external keyboard, and that works pretty well for him.</p>
<p>Paper vs. typing depends on the class. For some note-heavy classes, I do use my laptop because I can get information down quickly compared to hand writing it with a pen. But a notebook and pen can be less of a hassle sometimes and is better for in-class writing and work you might have to share with other students in the class. Another thing to remember is not all professors allow laptops and some that do require students to sit near the front when using them so they can better see what students are doing. It takes focus and discipline if you are going to use the laptop for notes because it is really easy to get distracted by the internet and other things on your computer. </p>
<p>As far as types of laptops, I have a Toshiba Satellite and my sister has a Macbook Air. The major advantage of the Macbook Air is how lightweight it is, but other than that it really isn’t better, and I think there are plenty of other computers that are a better deal for the money (the only exception is if you’re in art or graphic design; at my school, the art/graphic design students use Macs almost exclusively). The Toshiba Satellite is a little heavier, but not unmanageable and definitely apt for note taking, powerpoints, ect. Your current laptop should suffice.</p>
<p>I have a Toshiba Satellite and it is fine. If you’re just.using it for note taking, writing papers, etc., you don’t need a new computer, especially one as expensive as a Macbook Air. The weight difference is not that big of a deal.</p>
<p>pen and paper for anything science or math. any laptop with about 2 hrs of battery life is plenty. i use my laptop in classes that uses powerpoints and take notes so i can pay attention to what the professor is saying</p>
<p>Thank you for all your insights and replies! They are very much appreciated! </p>
<p>I definitely was tempted to get a Macbook Air, since my scholarship money has some leeway to cover for it. But at the same time, I felt sort of ungrateful, since I already had a well functioning laptop, so I decided to keep my Toshiba. However, I did get a new iPad, which is pretty awesome for taking notes with an added keyboard to it. </p>
<p>Another consideration I had to take in is, well, even though I am a girl, I’m a pretty avid gamer. And PC games like Guild Wars 2 aren’t that great to play on the Macbook Air. :(</p>
<p>Ah, sorry.
I would have asked in that forum, but since I am a new member, and not a very ardent one, I have not learned how to navigate very well on this site. ^^;</p>