Based on the following requirements, what would you purchase for your child to take to boarding school? For those who already have kids at school, what gets the most use?
“In the Classroom
For the 2019-2020 school year, students and families are asked to choose any iPad or macOS laptop computer that is capable of running the latest operating system and most suitable for the student’s needs.
Students will utilize a variety of applications in the Google Apps for Education Suite, and they will manage their coursework in the Veracross learning management system. To ensure a smooth transition and experience, we have developed a set of basic requirements that each approved device should meet.
iPad Requirements
Version - iPad 4th Generation (iOS 10.3.2 or greater) with a working camera
Memory - no minimum required
Computer Requirements
Any MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air purchased new in the last three years and capable of running OS X El Capitan, macOS High Sierra, or macOS Mojave will be supported for classroom use. Students who opt for a MacBook should also have a mobile device capable of photo, video, and audio recording that can easily transfer content to the laptop.”
This past year my son had an ipad and a macbook. We didn’t plan it that way - he needed an ipad at his previous private middle school, and we had purchased him a macbook for him to use at home for homework in 7th and 8th grade. Since the laptop is so much easier to type on, he rarely ever used his ipad at Mercersburg. He carried that macbook in his backpack to every single class and I think its just about on its last legs at this point.
Since the macbook is about dead and the ipad still meets the requirements, I think I am going to buy him a cheaper laptop this year. The prices of the macbooks just don’t seem worth it, especially if he can do what he needs with the ipad. Plus he said it would be helpful to have Power Point (which I don’t understand because there are other programs out there, but he said Power Point was preferred.) But anyway, if you want to buy just one I know both of my kids prefer to type on a laptop over the tiny little keyboard you can get for an ipad.
Just to clarify my previous statement - even though my son carried around his laptop and not his ipad to every class, he felt like it was not necessary to have an apple product for most classes. They are going to be using the google platform next year, which you can use with any laptop or tablet. Veracross should be compatible with any system since its an LMS. So if I end up buying him a lower-end laptop (or at least something that is cheaper than a macbook), I think he’ll do the majority of his work on the laptop and only use the ipad for the courses that actually require an app that is only compatible with Apple.
Thanks @dramakid2! I was wondering if it would work to get them an iPad (which they used in middle school) and then maybe do a chrome book or something like that as a less expensive laptop. It sounds like that may be the way to go…
My son is in college now. He used both an iPad and Macbook pro. He used the iPad plus Apple pencil to take notes during class using notability. The powerpoints and PDFs of the lectures can be imported right into Notability, and he could take notes right on them.
The Macbook came in handy when he needed to type assignments. Almost everything nowadays is on Google drive. If price is no barrier, suggest to get: iPad pro, Apple Pencil, 13" Macbook pro with touchbar.
If price is a barrier, buy used – either on the Apple reburfished store, or Ebay: 2018 iPad, Apple Pencil, 2015 Macbook pro.
@busymommyof4 our kids attended BS when the school decided it was mandatory for all student to have a computer and iPad. They have sense reversed that policy. Our kids never used the iPad and I mean never. They did use their MacBook airs and iPhones regularly. Their MacBook airs lasted all 4 years at BS and our oldest has his MacBook Pro for 8 years now- it has been repaired once or twice by apple over the years.
My recommendation would be to skip the iPad and invest in a MacBook. The iPads now sit in my office unused, as even I prefer to watch shows etc on my iPhone 8 + when traveling.
I personally prefer MacBooks, but IPads have many pluses that MacBooks sometimes don’t. While it depends on what computer and IPad you get, I would recommend having an Apple IPad because of the App Store that’s on it, and you can get most of the same stuff you get in the MacBook for a lower price on a different brand of computer.
If your kids work better on laptops I would get them one of those, but if they better on the IPad then get that one. You don’t want to waste money, but if they use them both then that’s what I would recommend. Especially if what they have to do is easier on one device.
I’ll just add the caveat that the student may not yet know that they would work better on a MacBook. The number (and length) of assignments which the student must type will be exponentially higher the s/he’s used to. While one can do that work on an iPad, it’s akin to saying one can perform the calculations needed on a slide rule instead of a TI-84
The trap in this discussion is which iPad? If you look at the cheapest iPad ($329), it would likely be tough to work on as a student. If you get into the largest, most powerful iPad, with a keyboard, cellular, and the pencil, you can spend well over $2k. That iPad is used by some as their laptop…but it’s really expensive and I am a firm believer that students need to develop keyboard skills. Who knows, but it’s likely they will be typing for decades. I never would have thought that my 10th-grade typing class was the most important I’d take in high school, but alas my 75 WPM has come in handy every workday for that past 3 decades.
I would buy one of the smaller Mac’s…MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro. I would buy as much RAM as you’re comfortable paying for. I purchased MacBook Pro’s in 2010 for my kids, and they worked fine until college engineering required a new MBP in 2016. I’m using that machine right now.
Last comment: Buy AppleCare. Especially with them away from home, it’s really nice if they have a problem to drop into the Apple store and get help. It’s paid for itself multiple times over for us…especially with the MBP keyboard issues that appear to finally be resolved.
If they decide they need an iPad for reading, misc…get the cheap one.
I highly recommend doing the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro combo. For me though, I use a MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, iMac Pro combination personally. iPad for notes, MBP for general on the go school work, and the iMac for heavy-duty school work in the room.
Thank you for all the replies. Do you think it’s essential to have both right away, or would it be helpful to start with one or the other and add the 2nd device if needed after they have had some time to settle in? They have a birthday about 6 weeks after school starts and I was thinking about suggesting the 2nd device to grandparents as a bday gift. They would maybe be willing to gift it early also. I keep going back and forth between iPad, MacBook or both. I would do both, but my husband thinks it may be overkill - and we need two of each!
When I got my ecosystem (iPad, Mac, and iMac), I purchased all three at the same time so I could get them immediately linked together and the AppleCare registered and activated at the same time. So my personal vote is to get them at the same time but if the grandparents are thinking of giving the other as a bday gift, then go with that. Saves you money since you don’t have to buy them yourself. As for the choice,
I put my vote in for getting both. Trust me, having an iPad Pro with the Apple Pen and MacBook Pro 15’ is a lifesaver.
I used an ipad pro 9.7 inch for high school, the actual ipad is great particually for google apps for education, but I have had some problems with the apple keyboard for it. I would recommend a 3rd party one if you were to go that route. The apple pencil is amazing and i couldn’t advocate more. Ultimately with the new ipados coming out the newest ipad pro is your best value option in my opinion but really I recommend borrowing someone else’s and seeing what fits your life best.
My child has both. The MacBook Pro gets used daily and often, primarily because of the keyboard. The iPad certainly gets use as well, but it’s more of a secondary device for my kiddo. I would vote for getting the laptop now and waiting for grandparents on the iPad, so long as your child has a cell phone in the interim to meet the requirement for a mobile device that can take and transfer images to a laptop.
Definitely like your idea to give the second one as a birthday gift. Apple runs promotions for Back-to-school each summer. They don’t offer a discount, but will often bundle something for free (Beats headphones, printer, etc). Last year I ended up with two extra headphones. Easy sale on Ebay for $300. This is an easy way to recoup some of the costs. Make sure you buy both before the promotion ends (usually in Sept).
The Macbook/Macbook Pro keyboards have been getting a lot of negative press for their reliability issues. They have a keyboard replacement program in place. But if your kid suddenly has problems with the keyboard, it will require a trip to the Apple store and then waiting a week for repair. You might consider buying an external keyboard just in case.
Also if you’re planning on buying both, consider buying in a state with no sales tax. We live near Delaware and saved about $150 in tax. Not to mention the education discount (another $200). For this, be sure to bring a copy of your child’s acceptance letter.
Has anyone here tried the Brydge pro keyboard with the iPad Pro? The mostly glowing reviews make it sound like it turns the iPad into an almost MacBook…
One of my kids uses a bluetooth keyboard with his iPad. It certainly makes it much easier to type. Most of the assignments are done on the web now (Google drive). But it doesn’t turn the iPad into a full fledged laptop.
The lack of a file system on the iPad OS makes this a bit limiting factor. However I heard that Apple is rolling out a new OS for the iPads which should alleviate this issue.
Hello @busymommyof4 - yes I have the iPad Pro with the pro keyboard and (agree) it pretty much has replaced by MacBook. It’s very comfortable to use and I take it everywhere. Also check out the Slim Combo keyboard for the iPad. There are some things I can’t do with it, so I would not recommended for school work or a replacement for a MacBook. BTW, many private schools now provide MacBooks to all new students.