<p>First of all, I know that this type of question has probably been posted on here many times before, so I am sorry for those of you who have already seen it numerous times.</p>
<pre><code> I will be entering college as a freshman this coming fall, and I am just starting to look into all of the necessities I will need to buy. For the past two years, I have had an iPad (the original) for all of my high school work. I know that many people do not like the iPad for productivity (it's not for everyone) but it worked very well for me. I have a bluetooth keyboard/case/stand, which makes the iPad look almost just like any laptop, and I did all of my schoolwork (notes, homework, essays, projects, etc...) on it. I have never had a problem with being distracted by games and other entertaining apps during classes, although I do enjoy having that option in my free time.
I will most likely be majoring in biology or biochem, so I know that I will need to take math and science classes that may require computer programs beyond the capability of an iPad. I am also very comfortable working in the library or computer lab to do whatever work I cannot do on my iPad, but because I don't know exactly what to expect, I would like to know from current college students what they think about it. Will it be too much of a hassle to do mostly all of my work on my iPad, and then go to the library for just some of my work that I need a computer for?
My plan (if I end up sticking with an iPad) is to buy the new iPad 3, and give my old one to my dad. This would still be much cheaper than buying a laptop, though price is not too much of a concern, it would still be nice to not have to spend upwards of $1000.
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<p>Thanks for reading, and any (sincere) comments are appreciated!</p>
<p>First, does your college require or recommend anything in particular? </p>
<p>I love my iPad but would not want to create complex Excel speadsheets or PowerPoint presentations on it. Writing papers with footnotes and citations would be easier on a laptop too. Since you have to purchase something new anyway, I would recommend a laptop not an iPad. Why add the complexity of working in the library when you could work anywhere with a laptop? Printing would also be easier with a laptop.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I also have a printer that works with my iPad, so that’s not a problem. And I have apple’s equivalent to excel and PowerPoint on my iPad and they have served me well so far. The main reasons that I’d like to get an iPad is that it would be MUCH cheaper than a laptop, and it would be easier for me to stick with something that I’m already used to.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t require anything, it only has a few recommendations for people getting laptops. None of the recommendations mention anything that an iPad is incapable of doing.</p>
<p>Also, I’m not already set in getting an iPad and just ignoring what I hear on here, I’ve just already thought about it a lot, and now I really want to hear from current students who have actually done this and either succeeded or failed. I know that it is POSSIBLE to go through college with an iPad instead of a laptop, I’m just trying to weigh the costs vs benefits.</p>
<p>I’d at least get a desktop so that you have an actual computer. An Ipad isn’t a great primary computer. (If you ever got online homework assignments or something that were flash based, you’d be screwed…)</p>
Though the availability wouldn’t be ideal (not there every time you demand it), wouldn’t the OP be able to use the school computers when this necessity arises? I’m not sure how frequent that would be as a proposed bio major though.</p>
<p>In terms of this you can look into your school’s computer labs’ hours and determine of they may suffice before springing for a supplemental desktop or laptop to the ipad.</p>
<p>I couldn’t imagine being computer-less. An iPad may do the things you’ve needed it to do so far, but it’s still not technically a computer. Not being able to utilize flash drives, DVDs/CDs, Adobe Flash web content, just to name a few, would not be something I’m comfortable with. Even the most basic laptop is going to have the functionality that your iPad serves, and more, in the way of college computing.</p>
Just for the other side of argument: email takes care of most uses of a flash drive, when was the last time you actually used a DVD/CD in your computer besides to listen to music or watch a movie - all of which are also widely available online these days (the OP, not you SeekingUni). This isn’t to say that the ipad is the best option, but I think it’s fairer to point out these things since it was brought up.</p>
<p>For the record, there are many good laptops for much less than $1000. My parents are planning on buying me a new laptop soon and we’ve seen them as low as $400 (less than an iPad). I don’t know much about specs, but in terms of versatility, I think it would be best if you had a laptop AND an iPad (even if only for the apps haha).</p>
<p>There are laptops that are significantly cheaper than $1000+. I have one now that costs $750 but the one I had before this one (that was stolen so I needed another one) was about $500 from Dell. The only way you’d spend over a grand is if you get ripped off or a Mac.
You could easily get one for under $500 especially over the summer. There are crazy sales for laptops before August.</p>
<p>I don’t have an iPad, but can you access Blackboard content on that (or whatever your school uses)?</p>
<p>Just go with whatever solution is easiest for you to view PDFs, access e-mail, write papers, search google, work in Excel, and do a few Powerpoint presentations. For me, I hated lugging a laptop around, so I kept a desktop where I tons of desktop real estate to work. When I needed to do something out of my room, I’d just use a computer lab (most of the ones at my school were 24 hour, and my department had a private cluster).</p>
<p>I think the OP meant that they would need to spend $1,000 on a laptop that has a close equivalent of portability as an iPad (like an ultrabook as currently nearly all of those are in that price range, though some are coming out later this year in the $750-800 range).</p>
<p>I understand that the typical laptop is extremely protable and some can be found cheap, however they may not provide as much portability factor as the iPad.</p>
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For the OP it seems like the iPad would fit that bill and has been currently doing so, so they should stick with that IMO if that works because as it was stated a couple times:
<p>In my case i am more comfortable with my HP laptop and it’s only cost $650 that is cheaper than $1000. i have to stick with this for 15 to 16 hr. per day and this make my laptop so busy at all time. Working with iPad for 1 or 2 hr. is ok but if you have to make it for 5 to 10 hr. then you need to have a laptop.</p>
<p>I bought a netbook for $200 and it works better than my roommate’s ipad for school stuff. Our school’s system for accessing class information, called ANGEL- it’s like Blackboard, simply doesn’t work well with ipads. </p>
<p>A grand is way more than enough to buy a good, highly portable laptop or laptop. I don’t know anyone who bought a ipad that didn’t later have to buy a laptop.</p>
<p>Actually, matlab and other such programs are on the iPad. And I have a browser app that allows me to view flash online, so that won’t be a problem if I ever need it.</p>
<p>Also, my school’s online system is CICADA (run by moodle) and it is completely iPad accessible. </p>
<p>I would really appreciate answers other than “you can’t survive without a laptop because… that’s just the standard/I can’t do it/I don’t know anyone who’s done it.” If anyone has real experience/legitimate reasons why it is possible or impossible to use only an iPad that would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>OP - since you seem pretty convinced that an iPad will work for you, maybe you could put off any purchase until after your first semester. Try college with your current iPad and if it works out for you, you can buy the new iPad after first semester. If it doesn’t work, you can buy a laptop. Some issues are campus specific (ease of getting computer access in libraries and labs, software required etc.) and you’ll be able to see how your campus and individual needs can be met with an iPad only. A lot of purchases can wait until after a few weeks or months in school. Then you’ll know more about what you really need.</p>
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