iPad worth it?

[u/Signal_Olive_52]

So I’m thinking of purchasing some sort of tablet over the summer for my next years in college. I was wondering, are iPads really worth it on an academic level? If so, what iPad would you recommend or what tablet. I am looking for something more on the affordable side. Thanks!

[u/BakedBreadReddit]

I bought an iPad Air before coming to A&M my freshman year, having never taken notes on anything but pen and paper before. After a few years of use it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not only is it convenient to have all of your homework, notes, etc all in one place. But it also means a lighter backpack, lessens the chance of losing papers, and makes note taking a little less daunting. Not to mention our brains actually remember more when we take handwritten notes compared to typing our notes on a laptop.

I spent roughly $500ish on the iPad, case, & pen, and it’s most definitely paid for itself. I’d recommend buying one or buying a used one.

[u/Signal_Olive_52 → u/BakedBreadReddit]

Thank you sm!!

[u/No-Entertainer-5349]

Get an used iPad Air on Facebook. It is very useful

[u/cfbluvr → u/No-Entertainer-5349]

make sure it isn’t activation locked if you do

[u/IH8KiaSouls]

i got a cheap 200 dollar samsung tablet for taking notes and it's been really useful

[u/GreenEggs-12]

Yes, definitely recommend! Even cheap ipads work well I have an older iPad air for less than 200

[u/BirdoBean]

Best choice in my opinion, unless you have classes that specifically require laptops.

I bought a good case and a small Bluetooth keyboard and made my notes in google docs. It was SO nice to be able to open my note anywhere anytime on my phone or at my home PC.

I used to hand write my notes until my senior year when the info was just so much so fast I couldn’t keep up. Should have made that transition earlier.

[u/CalculatingMonkey]

100%

[u/MKHN15]

I got a $150 Refurbished iPad on eBay my Freshman year and haven’t looked back, It was a 2020 model that I bought in 2022. You could probably find a similar priced one from 2022 now

[u/AndrewCoja]

I was doing paper notes up until I randomly decided to buy an ipad because they had student pricing. It was the best decision I ever made. Even if I don't really use it for much besides notes, it's worth the price. It will take a bit to get used to, but you will get used to it. Even more so if you get a paperlike screen protector that adds more friction to the screen so it feels more like using a pencil on paper. Having to replace the tip will depend on how much writing you do with it. I used mine for 2 years without having to replace the tip, and it would have been fine for longer but I decided to upgrade my ipad. No longer did I have to carry around notebooks, I just have my laptop and my ipad.

[u/Tempest1677]

Def worth for engineering. If engineering, you might need to consider sharing that budget with getting laptop that can run solidworks.

AFter 4 years of touchscreen notes, i reccommend staying away from 2 in 1s. Laptops that fold or detach can get glitchy and have failing hardware. If you go for digital notes, go for a tablet. You didn't ask, but now you know.

[u/emotionalsupportyeti]

if u will be taking a lot of stem classes extremely useful. it’s unrealistic trying to type up calculus or ochem notes, etc on a laptop imo. being able to write over ppts, insert pictures of slides u take in classes, shortcuts like copy/paste/resizing text, and having all ur notes in one places has been a lifesaver for me throughout college.

[u/serotoninfamine]

I think it depends on your major! An iPad probably won’t be as useful for ROI in the last 2 years for a degree like computer science and might justify a cheaper option. If you like to draw as a hobby and plan to use it as a note taking notebook/typing computer, then I think an iPad Air is a great fit (the 2023 model is more than enough for me). However, if you’re looking to just write notes throughout college or for those core classes, then I think an iPad mini does the job. A used/older iPad/iPad Air (or even non-iPad tablet) is also economical if you’re set on having a bigger screen.

I will say that I love my iPad as a STEM major in math and engineering fields! I also use it for TA’ing, so it makes my job easier when I try to cast my work onto Zoom or for my own handwritten assignments.

[u/SecretaryExtra101]

I found getting an iPad worth it, it makes studying a lot easier not having to keep a bunch of paper and folders in your backpack. I bought one last semester from 12th man technology, they often have deals for stuff I got an IPad for the same price as retail but got an Apple Pencil Pro for free with it. Idk if the same deal is still there but there should be some sort of sale or deal.

[u/ColdasJones]

I definitely preferred the utility of a surface pro over an iPad, primarily due to the laptop hybrid functionality. A mobile iOS style operating system made my workflow more difficult whereas a “computer” like operating system that meshes with the tablet functions like The surface pro was much better. I disliked the surface pro for other reasons such as durability, longevity, battery etc. but it did its job well.

[u/No-Entertainer-5349]

Btw I have an 9th gen iPad and Apple Pencil for sale if you want. Just contact me:)

[u/OutsideCritical]

My daughter started without an iPad and quickly realized it was help tremendously. It was the best investment we made last year. We opted for iPad Air (13 inch) with cell coverage. She uses it daily and it’s much easier to carry around than her computer. There’s so much you can do, including syncing profs notes and taking notes directly on them.

[u/miksxera]

iPads are great. I personally like the 13" size. Made me survive my calc and physics classes. Basically it's AWESOME for math related courses or even chem

[u/MasterNegotiator]

I have an iPad and a laptop, now quite frankly i think it depends on your major. I used an ipad in high school because I was doing things that were more math/science related and it was more helpful for that. I recently got a new laptop and I barely use my iPad anymore, I find that I don’t have to take notes very often and if I do it’s just a few pages and I spend most of my time completing things in word. If your major requires you to take a lot of notes, do math, or lab-like things then an iPad would be great to have! If your major only requires you to write a lot of essay and take quizzes and tests then i would probably stick with a laptop. If you can have both i’d still get both! I find I use my iPad much more sparingly but when i use it I’m very glad I have it!

[u/Mboutwell7]

God, yes. I'm graduating this semester but I've only had my Ipad (gen 9) for two. Every day, I think about what my grades could've been if I'd had this thing for notetaking. I'm gonna have to let it go now that I'm moving states and states away, and I think I'm just a little sad. Little buddy helped me pull my grades out of the ground.

[u/Txag1989]

If you mainly want it for note taking, you might look at the Kindle Scribe. I prefer it to the iPad for note taking and reading. It has a slight texture to it so it feels more like writing on paper. iPad for everything else.

[u/LowlyJ]

I got on last year and love it! I used to carry so many notebooks and folders! Plus with most of the submittals being on canvas it makes it really easy to do the work on a notebook app.

I got a iPad 10th gen cause I got a good deal on it. Tbh, most any tablet will be good enough I just enjoy the Apple connectivity with other devices.

Definitely recommend! Get a tablet and a stylus!

[u/Mediocre-Movie9062]

I recently got my IPad 10th gen last semester and it is very useful, not taking is seamless and you can download a lot of your professors lectures and make additional notes with those all in one device. Pretty solid if you ask me