IPad is not a computer, and definitely cannot be used as ones only computer. It's for fun only, get a MacBook for getting real work done.
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iPad good for college students?
- Thread starter California King
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By the time iPad hits gen 2 and iWork's apps have been updated, and iPhone OS 4 is in play, I'd say you could probably do pretty much what you need for college on an iPad.
Assuming iWork gets spruced up (which it will) and has some more features added, then you can type essays, and multitask with Safari, and take notes with Evernote or Pages...I don't see what "real work" the iPad couldn't potentially do someday. It can already do the things I mentioned (except multitasking, coming in the fall), and isn't that basically what "work" college students do? Type things?
When are people going to realize ths iPad is not a replacement for a laptop? If all you need is email/browsing/movies/games then the iPad is a great device and could take the place of a laptop but if you need to be productive then get the macbook. Apple doesnt want to kill their macbook line.
Originally Posted by lilo777
Alternatively you might take a look at HP Slate coming out later this year.
That's true. We'll have to see about this one.
Alternatively you might take a look at HP Slate coming out later this year.
That's true. We'll have to see about this one.
no offence to all the posters out there... but they all said the MBA couldn't be your only machine. I've used it EXCLUSIVELY since launch. I once had to use my parents iMac to make something on iDVD as a present. but damn, they were all wrong and it fitted my needs.
iPad has shortcomings. 30% of them will be fixed with OS4. another 30% maybe with REV B or in a future update.
If you think you can manage, go for it.
Come on, you can't possibly think iPad is like an MacBook air when comes to being a full computer.
no of course not. BUt the MBA had shortcomings and as a user I adapted to it and it's fine.
with Airsharing or some decent file system, plus OS 4, plus some other apps it might be a viable alternative. He said "for college", not using photoshop or imovie or stuff.
Taking notes in class, streaming content, browsing, typing longer assignments with the keyboard back in the dorm room. i think it'd be fine.
Come on people, you need a computer just to sync with the iPad for activation, not to mention firmware update, file backup, ...
iPad just cannot be ones ONLY computer, period.
iPad just cannot be ones ONLY computer, period.
depending on your budget, you can go get a mac mini for really cheap, lock it down in your dorm room and have an ipad serve as your computer to take to class. The advantage to a mac mini is that desktop computers are less of a target for theft than a laptop and if you're really really paranoid, you can put the mac mini inside a lock box, tether your mini to a bedpost, tether the lockbox to a different bedpost, string the wires from under your bed to the power outlet and the monitor and use a bluetooth keyboard/mouse. Only thing you'll lose is access to the optical drive but who uses one anyways these days?
Just never power off your mac mini and you're fine. Save all your files on mobileme, plug in a usb hub so you'll have easier access to the ports and you can connect your ipad that way. Super secure and almost theft proof. and since your ipad will have the findmyipad feature from mobile me, you can track the thief down yourself.
Just never power off your mac mini and you're fine. Save all your files on mobileme, plug in a usb hub so you'll have easier access to the ports and you can connect your ipad that way. Super secure and almost theft proof. and since your ipad will have the findmyipad feature from mobile me, you can track the thief down yourself.
But the Air runs all MacOS software. The iPad cant run Word nor handle complex Word or Pages files. Pages for iPad has no fine control over fonts and other things most word processors have no trouble with. You can't do a Save As... to save a file as a separate version. You can't print without transferring a file to another computer.
The iPad is great as a computer extender, but in now way ready to be a primary PC. Especially for a college student who likely will need some sophisticated work.
As a college student, I have made the decision to get rid of my MacBook and get the iPad as my mobile computing device. I hardly ever use my MacBook for anything except surfing the web and viewing PowerPoints/Word Docs/PDFs posted by professors online. The iPad can handle all of those tasks, plus having a smaller device that can function as an eBook/newspaper/magazine reader is compelling. My major isn't one that depends on intensive computing power while in class.
All that being said, if you take a look at my sig, you'll see that I have an iMac. She won't be going anywhere.
I still need a machine at home to type longer papers, download/store music and movies, do light video/photo work, etc. If you don't have a more powerful computer at your disposal, I'd highly suggest steering away from the iPad as your primary device. Yeah, it's pretty darn functional, but you'll still run into some roadblocks along the way.
Just my two cents.
All that being said, if you take a look at my sig, you'll see that I have an iMac. She won't be going anywhere.
I still need a machine at home to type longer papers, download/store music and movies, do light video/photo work, etc. If you don't have a more powerful computer at your disposal, I'd highly suggest steering away from the iPad as your primary device. Yeah, it's pretty darn functional, but you'll still run into some roadblocks along the way.Just my two cents.
Yeah. If you are doing heavy typing, you might need a laptop. You will need to bring a BT keyboard to type. You can't write notes on it through writing. It's actually a lot more work to bring it into classes. IPad is more casual that anything else. It's the choice, when I want to watch a movie chilling on my couch while browsing the web.
Just use a notepad and pen. It's still king.
Just use a notepad and pen. It's still king.
I couldn't for the life of me justify such a purchase. My college courses are just starting to get really into it and I am tethered to my Macbook quite a bit in Adobe and Microsoft Office. if I want to read a quick ebook I pop open Digital Editions. Anyways thats just me.
If I want browsing on the go, I take my MB. Or, I may get an ipod touch. 499+ is frankly too much for me to spend on something so limited. If I had more disposable income I would get one, because lets face it it is a cool machine.
It's just not for me.
Not saying I won't ever get one though. If refurbs go for 399 someday soon.. well then that could be viable. I also heard it is pretty awkward to use, and you end up babying it. "..Users ended up holding it like a dinner plate." Can't remember the article I read that in, but it stuck.
As a college student I could find better uses for the 499.. namely upgrading to CS5 when it comes out.
grats to all the ipad users tho! I have been designing you guys some cool wallpapers. Its a great machine, the ipad.
: )
If I want browsing on the go, I take my MB. Or, I may get an ipod touch. 499+ is frankly too much for me to spend on something so limited. If I had more disposable income I would get one, because lets face it it is a cool machine.
It's just not for me.
Not saying I won't ever get one though. If refurbs go for 399 someday soon.. well then that could be viable. I also heard it is pretty awkward to use, and you end up babying it. "..Users ended up holding it like a dinner plate." Can't remember the article I read that in, but it stuck.
As a college student I could find better uses for the 499.. namely upgrading to CS5 when it comes out.
grats to all the ipad users tho! I have been designing you guys some cool wallpapers. Its a great machine, the ipad.
: )
As a college student, I have made the decision to get rid of my MacBook and get the iPad as my mobile computing device. I hardly ever use my MacBook for anything except surfing the web and viewing PowerPoints/Word Docs/PDFs posted by professors online. The iPad can handle all of those tasks, plus having a smaller device that can function as an eBook/newspaper/magazine reader is compelling. My major isn't one that depends on intensive computing power while in class.
All that being said, if you take a look at my sig, you'll see that I have an iMac. She won't be going anywhere.
Just my two cents.
Not saying that you are wrong for doing this but I am a little surprised...
Do you never create documents outside of your dorm room? As a student I did a ton of work on my laptop.. and a lot of that included referencing other documents while doing that work.
And you can read ebooks / magazines / etc on your macbook too.
Truthfully, I create documents pretty much exclusively on my desktop. I commute to school, so once I'm finished with class, I'm off campus. In the rare event that I need to get some "real" work done when I'm on campus, I can go to one of the computer labs. In my three years of college, however, I can count on one hand the number of times that has happened. Maybe I'm just an exception to the rule.
It could also be that I just have a bad case of tech-lust for the iPad.
Yeah. It might be enough for those students who go to college to do that - "type". For those who needs more from college this device is significantly under-featured.
For general note taking and viewing slides, the iPad fits the bill. Only in my programming classes i obviously need to haul my MBP but it's a lot nicer to bring the 1.3 lb. iPad though. The iPad has became my primary computing device for the most part of my day. Everything works great. Could never live without another computer though.
