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Am I a snob for using an iPad for College?

Ok
Im getting the feeling there is a common trend here!
I agree with all of you that I shouldn't care what people think and to some extent of course I don't but that isn't to say I don't want to be known as the geeky sad-o that brings an iPad to class.

Moving on from that then, I have my first day tomorrow, so I shall let you all know how I get on with the iPad. - For all I know it could be a complete disaster for what I want to do, who knows!

Thanks all for the kind advice!
 
I would just be worried of the kid who is going to bump it off the table, break it, and say sorry I didn't mean to that. But it is as much money as a good netbook but you have a touch screen, awsome hd games, and portable movie player so you just say that it is not just to take notes it is also a toy that you use for many other things
 
Jophster said:
So in America, to not be using a laptop in your Uni lecture hall is positively archaic, it's slowly catching on in the UK too.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the tactile, "realness' of pen and paper but I am about to start my A Levels in college. After having to revise for my GCSEs from a plethora of tatty work books all formatted differently, I am desperate to find a better method.

Having downloaded the 'CourseNotes' app on my iPad I can't help but think I found my solution, the only problem I expect to have is a ton of upturned noses at the "snobby posh kid who is far to good to use a pen and paper", but what do you think?

Is it a good choice?
Click to expand...

Do you mean primary school?

People should be using pens and paper at uni or whatever suits them best. get the grades.
 
They are just jealous that they don't have an iPad.

No, you are not a snob. But if you are worried about what people will think, don't bring it to class the first or first couple of days until you get a feel of the class.

Making a friend/acquaintance or two on the first few days is more important if the class subject is not your strong point. Study buddies work.
 
At my university I see tons of them. I don't think anyone thinks anything of it. As many have said, even if they do, who cares? I am jealous of the fact you, and all the people here at my university, can get by with using it. I am taking two programming classes so I have to carry around the MacBook Pro, every day. While the MBP doesn't really weight that much, it's still 4-5 extra pounds as well as my books. I've considered buying an iPad just so I don't have to carry around the extra textbooks all day!
 
Why care?

If you're not trying to be a snob, then why should you give a rat's a**?

People in these Forums have convinced me to buy the Pad simply by saying, "Do you need it, or want it? If so, other people's perceptions/opinions are useless; it's for YOU."

I haven't looked back. My stdts pass it around in the classroom, and bring me great input by leaving notes in different apps. And they sure can draw better than I. Nothing snobbish about that. Just enjoyable and efficient.

Where I live, I've seen only one in public. I used to be shy about using it with people around. Didn't want to be bother with, "Is this the iPad?" No, it's a 54-inch TV! (sarcastic).

Now, I still go by the recommendations from people in these forums. I NEED it big time everywhere - and leave me alone! Nothing snobbish about that, right? Quite the opposite actually ...
 
I'll more than likely be using quite a bit once the 2nd gen comes out (except if I finally get my math course).
 
When I was in college, I had an iBook G3 and a Mac mini G4 combination (the iBook was badly outdated, but good for notes in class, could connect to the Mac mini across the school's network if I needed something, and was portable). I stuck around for graduate school and replaced both with a MacBook Pro when they were running the free iPod touch after rebate promotion.

If I could do it all over again with today's lineup, I would've gone with the iPad + Mac mini or iPad + iMac. That way, you're not worrying about syncing files across machines (like I did with the iBook/Mac mini) or worrying about battery life during long class days (MacBook Pro).

Furthermore, the iPad's single-task way of working would've probably kept me more focused :D

One piece of advice - get Dropbox and Evernote - great for keeping class notes and other things at your fingertips if you're on your Mac, PC, or iPad.
 
For school I used a Thinkpad tablet. I still do. I only have to carry one computer around with me and I don't need to carry a zillion notebooks either. I can make printout copies as needed and I can do research on the same machine in classes.

Doesn't make a snob; just lets me be resourceful. Plus it doesn't looks very fancy, so that's a plus.

I think the iPad kind of sucks as a pen-input device. That's why I have a tablet computer.
 
I love my MBP and my iPad but if I was in school there is no way I would be using anything other than pen and paper. I wouldn't be able to learn if I had either of the gadgets for note taking, waaaaay too many distractions for my slightly ADD self.

As for your question... do what you want, who cares what others think?
 
Does the ipad have some kind of stylus+open notes type solution yet? If it did it would be absolutely perfect. I remember I used to use one of those old HP touchscreen notebook for a couple of my classes for note taking and it was absolute bliss. I had the mic on to record while I took notes via stylus+touch screen. Writing equations and charts was no problem and it was great knowing exactly where all my notes were.

Battery life was balls though, and form factor was awful.... which are two problems ipad alleviates.
 
You have taste, you're using a great product that is the essence of mobile style. You enjoy it.

Never let others' envy bother you. Just find like-minded people as friends. In fact, your nose is probably not in the air high enough! Walk with confidence, chest out. You're successful and a class act. People will naturally gravitate toward you. You either attract them or intimidate them. Either outcome is desirable.

Don't get down on yourself because you're using superior Apple gear that others might not be using. In fact, it's a testament to your refined sense of taste and style. As without, so within.

Hell, pull that iPad out and maybe even get a few converts! You never know. It also makes quite a conversation piece.

So enjoy your success, and may you have much more in the future.
 
I would be more concerned about your studies and the functionality of the iPad, than what other people think. The iPad is quick to pull out and use - making it ideal for college. I think you've made the right choice.

Good luck!
 
Jophster said:
So in America, to not be using a laptop in your Uni lecture hall is positively archaic, it's slowly catching on in the UK too.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the tactile, "realness' of pen and paper but I am about to start my A Levels in college. After having to revise for my GCSEs from a plethora of tatty work books all formatted differently, I am desperate to find a better method.

Having downloaded the 'CourseNotes' app on my iPad I can't help but think I found my solution, the only problem I expect to have is a ton of upturned noses at the "snobby posh kid who is far to good to use a pen and paper", but what do you think?

Is it a good choice?
Click to expand...

You should pay more attention to your language classes, because I can't understand a single thing you are trying to say.
 
spillproof said:
Am I snobbish if my butler uses one as a recipe book to cook me food?
Click to expand...

No, but if your butler's butler is using it to cook him food, then you may be a bit snobbish.

brianfast said:
If you want a girlfriend in college, do not use an iPad in college.
Click to expand...

Unless you want a nerdy girlfriend. And all I have to say to that is that still waters run deep, in a naughty-in-the-bedroom kinda way.
 
Jophster said:
So in America, to not be using a laptop in your Uni lecture hall is positively archaic, it's slowly catching on in the UK too.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the tactile, "realness' of pen and paper but I am about to start my A Levels in college. After having to revise for my GCSEs from a plethora of tatty work books all formatted differently, I am desperate to find a better method.

Having downloaded the 'CourseNotes' app on my iPad I can't help but think I found my solution, the only problem I expect to have is a ton of upturned noses at the "snobby posh kid who is far to good to use a pen and paper", but what do you think?

Is it a good choice?
Click to expand...

I use the iPad for College, and I get a lot of people wanting to try it out. Not one person has made a rude remark about it.
 
I type waaaay faster then I write so in my second college I always had my laptop, this was before it was the norm.

That being said now i use my Mac pro and my iPad for college. Im on my third college now but this one is an online school ;)
 
Using Apple is by definition snobbish....

Because of their price, quality, endurance and service they are just the top of the range. It's like driving a mercedes, a bit above the rest....
 
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