iPad for student - yes/no

Vox Populi Vox Dei

Vox Populi Vox Dei

High Tory
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Hi all...

Just wondering if you think an iPad would be useful for someone at university - - I have a desktop but not a laptop. However, there are sometimes periods at university when I have sometimes I have free periods and I think I could better utilise my time besides chatting for 1.5-2h. I do most of my assignments/project/tutorials on the computer anyway.

Also - since I use MS Office at home, could I get software so it documents work on the iPad? What would be the usefulness in terms of note-taking in lectures as well?

Thanks.
 
It's not powerful enough to be a primary computer, but as a secondary computer it's perfect, and it's light enough with good battery life so you can carry it with you all day.

Yes you can get software that reads MS Office documents, and the note taking ability is powerful.
 
Rather get yourself a netbook / notebook. you can get a pretty decent machine for the price of an iPad.
 
Nope, not worth it.

I really can't see how something like that would make studying easier?
 
It looks like Evernote is available for the iPad so it would work I suppose.

I'd go for a high spec'd notebook though. Something w/ an SSD so that it can take some knocks. That plus a Evernote Subscription.
 
iPad is too much of a "lekka toy" make sure you chain it around your neck, otherwise bye bye!
 
i have to disagree with most of u , i take my ipad to wits university and i find it invaluble during lecture time provided u have the correct apps such as notetaker hd , mental note quickoffice and inkling
 
Should be handy. Consider a laptop if you need any special software though.
The iPad is really just a giant iPod/iPhone...

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How easy is it to draw graphs, mathematical symbols and tables on the iPad?

I am going to be interpreting (and drawing I suppose) many graphs for economics while the mathematical symbols will be common place in statistics.

@HavocXphere: I've looked at the Evernote website - I don't quite understand how it works. Do all the notes etc. you save get automatically uploaded to the Evernote server?
 
Generally anything with an "i" in front is a nice toy but very under-functional and over-priced, especially in SA: iMac, iPhone, iPad, iBurst, whatever... I'd agree with the idea of rather getting a netbook. Cheaper, smaller, looks better, and you can do more with it. Also you dont need all other kinds of proprietary iCrap to link with other devices. Then again, it's personal preference.
 
Speedster said:
Rather get yourself a netbook / notebook. you can get a pretty decent machine for the price of an iPad.
Click to expand...

+1

Also, rather socialise than work all the time. You'll miss university once you're done. Plus, if you do any serious maths/engineering, you'll find that there's no software support for iHipsters.
 
A good netbook would be one with a 1366x768 display (I reckon avoid those with 1024x600 displays) and good battery life.
 
For the graphs I'd suggest a pen & paper approach. If you want to make proper graphs later then fine, but that won't fly during class.

For the stats stuff. I just use the formula writer built into OpenOffice. I think if its serious business then maybe look into a project called Latex...I've never used it but I think its the right thing for this.

Also, lots of Lecturers will not approve of you sitting in class w/ a laptop. Certain courses are exceptions though like some Engineering classes.

Chris said:
@HavocXphere: I've looked at the Evernote website - I don't quite understand how it works. Do all the notes etc. you save get automatically uploaded to the Evernote server?
Click to expand...
Yeah, it does both local copy and server upload. Its got a free edition too so go check that. It has (partial) handwriting recognition & all sorts of nifty tricks like that.
 
Chris said:
What would be a good netbook for my purposes then?
Click to expand...

Samsung N-series. If you're doing engineering, you'll rarely need a laptop in class. They do help during project demos though. But that's why a lot of project demos are in labs where there are readily available desktop computers for you to login to.
 
The only reason I disagree is because I study engineering and there is just no way using a computer/tablet/netbook to draw graphs/symbols/diagrams can compete with pencil + paper during a lecture.

Perhaps if its something like BA languages - then it(iPad) would be awesome, I type faster than I write and it will much neater in digital format.

iPad also likely to get stolen and you going to have to watch your bag even more carefully.
 
I'm not doing engineering, I'm doing a Business Science (basically a BCom with maths and some other subjects thrown in) degree, majoring in economics.

The "note-taking" part was an aside - - I'm mainly going to be using to do assignments and stuff. I just find that sometimes in a busy week, I can't work optimally as the Computer Labs are a bit too noisy for my liking. Most of the lecturers use Powerpoint Slides anyway these days [except for Maths and Stats] and I just add some notes to the slides, although it does sometimes get a little messy if the lecturer has a lot that is not on the slide. If I had a netbook, then I can just put all the information under the slide and print off the slides later, which would be nice and neat.

UUO: Thanks, will take a look.

Hawker: I must be the luckiest guy alive - I left my Blackberry in the Computer Lab and luckily the IT lab assistant picked it up. I really thought I had lost it forever. But yes, I do see your point. Universities are unfortunately not safe from optimistic criminals anymore.
 
hawker said:
The only reason I disagree is because I study engineering and there is just no way using a computer/tablet/netbook to draw graphs/symbols/diagrams can compete with pencil + paper during a lecture.

Perhaps if its something like BA languages - then it(iPad) would be awesome, I type faster than I write and it will much neater in digital format.

iPad also likely to get stolen and you going to have to watch your bag even more carefully.
Click to expand...

Yep, for taking notes, pen & paper still wins. About the slides, I get what you're saying and yes a laptop/netbook works nicely to connect to the university's network and just download and follow what they're talking about, if your lecturer allows it in class. Often though it's better to listen to what they're saying than focusing on the slides. Well good lecturers anyways, the rest just read the damn slides anyways

edit: Check out the MSI Wind series, they seem nice although I haven't personally used one
 
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nah, you want an ipad, not a boring netbook.
then for your graphics get something like the livescribe echo pen.
student>>>>sorted
 
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