Agreed. I think you would be better off with a laptop instead of an iPad as your only computing device.
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Going to College This Fall-iPad Possible Instead of MacBook?
- Thread starter tangledweb16
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Agreed. I think you would be better off with a laptop instead of an iPad as your only computing device.
You can get a 14" Dell for around the price of an iPad (their twelve inch is no good). My mother just got one and it's a quality computer. Since your budget is low, this is by far the best option. This advice probably won't be popular on Mac forums, but let's face it: Apple products are not for the poorest among us.
Edit: I just wanted to add that, unless you're an idiot who opens attachments from people you don't know, you don't need a virus scanner in Windows 7. In fact, I've removed it from many of my friends computers and they haven't run into any issues (and they're happy their computer is faster without them).
People here exaggerate the problems with Windows computers. Windows 7 and Vista are very secure.
Edit: I just wanted to add that, unless you're an idiot who opens attachments from people you don't know, you don't need a virus scanner in Windows 7. In fact, I've removed it from many of my friends computers and they haven't run into any issues (and they're happy their computer is faster without them).
People here exaggerate the problems with Windows computers. Windows 7 and Vista are very secure.
At the moment, I don't think the iPad and the entire infrastructure is developed enough to jump off with a iPad only. The issues with printing and files will be mostly solved with OS4. However you still do need something to sync files with that is secure to you. This is the biggest problem with the pad as; my only computer option. Perhaps this will be solved, eventually with a 'Cloud' computing option, but it is still a future thing. Many of the other are moot, as the schools almost universally maintain computer centers that allow students to do almost all there work there.
If you examine University of Arizona for example, which is extremely advanced from an IT standpoint. They prefer you use a Mac for a start. Some classes are set up to use the features of either an iPod Touch or iPhone to engage interactive features of multimedia presentation. Many professors will accept papers and assignments on email. Notes are by in large put up on the web as are videos of many lectures of large classes. WiFi coverage of the campus is 100%. However, there is still a need to store and sync your pad and there is the holdout professor or class, due to physical need, uses paper printouts.
If you have to pay to print in the campus computer center, you will very quickly outstrip any saving you may have effected. There are programs, depending on your major, that need to run on a full fledged computer. You can go to the computer center to do that, but you end up with so many workarounds to achieve a iPad only life, it makes you the slave to the pad. Remember, a computer is supposed to be a labor saving tool, not a lifestyle statement. So like a can opener, you are not really wanting to go out of your way to use it to open cans.
Any monetary saving you may see from the iPad, would be quickly outstripped by the accessories you would ultimately need to purchase. Recent articles point out that nearly 20% of the profit coming in from the iPad is accessories. Just like Lucas putting Teddy Bears in Star Wars to sell toys, Apple made the pad need (or perceived to need) a few extra items. It really improves the bottom line.
Go on Craigslist and get a used MacBook. You can easily get one for under $600 and after two months in your backpack, they all look abused. While this will draw hoots and howls from the winworld, the Mac and its orbiting peripherals is very firmly ingrained in most campuses across the country. Quite frankly a two year old MacBook is better than anything you can get from Dell. Agreed they are cheaper, but even with the improvements made in Windows 7, it is still, Windows. You don't need to make fun of it or anything, it speaks for itself.
If you examine University of Arizona for example, which is extremely advanced from an IT standpoint. They prefer you use a Mac for a start. Some classes are set up to use the features of either an iPod Touch or iPhone to engage interactive features of multimedia presentation. Many professors will accept papers and assignments on email. Notes are by in large put up on the web as are videos of many lectures of large classes. WiFi coverage of the campus is 100%. However, there is still a need to store and sync your pad and there is the holdout professor or class, due to physical need, uses paper printouts.
If you have to pay to print in the campus computer center, you will very quickly outstrip any saving you may have effected. There are programs, depending on your major, that need to run on a full fledged computer. You can go to the computer center to do that, but you end up with so many workarounds to achieve a iPad only life, it makes you the slave to the pad. Remember, a computer is supposed to be a labor saving tool, not a lifestyle statement. So like a can opener, you are not really wanting to go out of your way to use it to open cans.
Any monetary saving you may see from the iPad, would be quickly outstripped by the accessories you would ultimately need to purchase. Recent articles point out that nearly 20% of the profit coming in from the iPad is accessories. Just like Lucas putting Teddy Bears in Star Wars to sell toys, Apple made the pad need (or perceived to need) a few extra items. It really improves the bottom line.
Go on Craigslist and get a used MacBook. You can easily get one for under $600 and after two months in your backpack, they all look abused. While this will draw hoots and howls from the winworld, the Mac and its orbiting peripherals is very firmly ingrained in most campuses across the country. Quite frankly a two year old MacBook is better than anything you can get from Dell. Agreed they are cheaper, but even with the improvements made in Windows 7, it is still, Windows. You don't need to make fun of it or anything, it speaks for itself.
Because you can ensure that the people you know, only open stuff from people THEY know and so forth?
That no one down that line has a virus?
Wow.
College student on a budget? Not only should you get a Windows PC, but you should send a letter to Microsoft just in case they bring back the "laptop hunter" commercials. You're the ideal demographic for a Windows laptop.
Seriously, this is a no-brainer. Aside from being slightly more portable than a laptop, there are extremely few advantages to an iPad (for a college student on a tight budget). Don't get me wrong, I love mine and it's fun as heck, but I honestly can't think of a single compelling reason why someone would choose this for school (unless they just want to have fun with it!).
A laptop with Win7 is the way to go. If you're worried about viruses then get one of many good free antivirus applications. That and half a brain, and your Windows box will be as safe as any Mac.
Seriously, this is a no-brainer. Aside from being slightly more portable than a laptop, there are extremely few advantages to an iPad (for a college student on a tight budget). Don't get me wrong, I love mine and it's fun as heck, but I honestly can't think of a single compelling reason why someone would choose this for school (unless they just want to have fun with it!).
A laptop with Win7 is the way to go. If you're worried about viruses then get one of many good free antivirus applications. That and half a brain, and your Windows box will be as safe as any Mac.
The only challenge I think is that you will need to be concentrating on studies...not trying to figure out technical challenges.
But for me, I am committed to using my ipad 100% of the time...or at least as much possible...especially after I leave work for the day. I have been taking it to work every day...but I teach a computer class...and use software to monitor the students desktops. Over the summer I hope to get the iPad integrated more into the classroom.
But for campus use...aside form some technical challenges of printing...and making it work for you...OMG...I can't imagine a more perfect fit for it's portability running around on campus from class to class, library, etc.
I recorded all of my classes and took the notes down word for word usually. This was 20 years ago using my tape recorder. Recently, my wife used an iphone to record lectures and it worked great for her. I think taking the iPad to each class would be GREAT.
Edit: Several of the replies suggest there is no way to replace the laptop...and that there is little real difference in portability.
They must have forgotten life in college...constantly on the go. The ability to pull the pad in and out as you go in and out of classes with iPad would be a HUGE advantage. HUGE!
No one is saying it would not be great in college, just that there are many task that you need to have access to that the iPad cannot due or can do with great difficulity.
Yep, and portability is just about the *only* advantage. Your typing is slower on an iPad unless you carry around the BT keyboard, and there goes your portability.
One thing I remember from life in college is needing to print at many different printers, which would be painful with the iPad. Or opening a variety of different types of files. Or attaching several different files to an email. The whole idea makes my head hurt. All of the hacky workarounds required to get the iPad up to the same realm of functionality as an everyday laptop would easily outweigh its portability (unless you're physically challenged somehow).
Btw, I'm not attacking the iPad. I have one and love it. But it's not a good replacement for a computer in every situation.