I used to use my ipad 3, and it worked great, but it was almost too big for my desk. I tired my ipad mini this morning using my thumbs in portrait mode snd it worked like a dream! No keyboard needed. I now have my new note taking device for college! Stoked.
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iPad mini I just finished taking notes on my ipad mini for the first time in class.
- Thread starter Jacoblee23
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That sounds great, but I'd be concerned about the wear and tear on your thumbs if taking very many class notes. You may still want to look into a keyboard.
Glad you're enjoying your Mini.
macjram
macrumors 6502a
I agree.
Although its viable to type with your thumbs on an ipad, I feel like having a bluetooth keyboard is way more efficient. For me, at least.
HappyDude20
macrumors 68040
I'm currently using the regular ipad in class and I get by. Admittedly, most have macs and laptops in class but the ipad works for me.
A concern of mine is if the mini would be Inappropiate for class or work use. Well, not so much class use. But work. It's small and seems like it would be disrespectful to use in say a meeting, seeing as holding and using an ipad would be like speaking with someone who is using an iPhone during a meeting. I'm sure I'm overthinking it but still. Can't wait to pick my mini up after this class right now though. Don't know if I'd go to the length of getting a keyboard though.
A concern of mine is if the mini would be Inappropiate for class or work use. Well, not so much class use. But work. It's small and seems like it would be disrespectful to use in say a meeting, seeing as holding and using an ipad would be like speaking with someone who is using an iPhone during a meeting. I'm sure I'm overthinking it but still. Can't wait to pick my mini up after this class right now though. Don't know if I'd go to the length of getting a keyboard though.
I typed a ~900 word letter last night on my Mini in Daedalus Touch, using the split keyboard in portrait mode. It was great! and I can hold it up without feeling it in my wrists.
Times are changing. I've got a sticker on mine saying "I'm not being rude. I'm taking notes in Evernote." Evernote sells them on their site if you want one 🙂
I also pair mine with a keyboard in classes. In meetings, I feel like it is a little better to just have the iPad in my lap for handwritten notes, or on the table flat, because I don't want to put up a barrier between me and others. Most of the time, though, I prefer the keyboard.
The Mini would work fine, I am sure, but I prefer to have the larger screen size myself, and the retina display is wonderful.
Jessica Lares
macrumors G3
HappyDude20
macrumors 68040
I love the larger screen on mine as well, including the retina display... But the truth is, the weight is killer for me. It's not that it's too heavy, it's just that the weight does become an issue when you use the device for 9+ hours a day, which explains why I'm switching to the mini ipad, and have gone with the 11inch Air as opposed to the Pro (of which I've used for the past 6 years).
As for the Evernote sticker, I love it! I'm gonna go on the site and go about how to order one now.
I don't hold the iPad much, so I've never felt like the weight is an issue. I have a bookstand (BookGem) for times when I want to just read. I used to use the bookstand back in the days of dead tree books, and it turns out it is even better with the iPad, because you don't have to readjust every time you turn a page.
I use the Incase Origami Workstation when I am typing. It is basically a case for the Apple keyboard that folds ingeniously into a stand for the iPad.
And, when I am writing, I put it on my lap. The weight is roughly equivalent (with keyboard) to an MBA 11". I have both. This morning I am working on the MBA, because I have some heavy lifting to do on the computer, but later this afternoon I will switch to the iPad.
I don't see how the iPad Mini would be an improvement for me, but that might be because of my use cases (I don't hold it so much).
cfs112
macrumors member
been using the iPad mini to take notes on a ebook i'm reading and its super fast switching between your note taking app and the ebook. so seemless, and i find it just as fast typing on it in landscape mode as using thumbs. if it wasn't for the slow wifi speeds i'm getting with it, it would be perfect. going to the apple store today to get a replacement to try out.
but see, that's the thing. I didn't hold the iPad much either when I had it, and my SO was talking about that over skype last night while I happily held my iPad mini for hours. That the iPad isn't heavy, it's just that it's always lying on something when he uses it.
BUT.. you know what? Part of that is because of the weight and because it's unwieldy. the iPad mini gives you plenty of screen space but is also a joy to hold. (a little big for my hands, but I'm a petite woman, and I don't mind it as the weight is low and I love having a lot of screen space.)
Maybe so. I don't hold my N7 any more either. I don't hold paperbacks either 🙂
I guess I just prefer to have my hands free to do other things: typing, taking notes, eating, etc. I have no interest in holding these things unless I am standing on a crowded train or lying in bed.
Haha. Lying in bed describes a lot of my usage, sadly. Wow, that makes me sound lazy 🙂
rockyroad55
macrumors 601
Yes, it is great. Sadly there are a few bugs associated with it in iOS 6. You might occasionally notice a horizontal black scrolling bar in the center of your screen or that text gets covered up by the split keyboard. Usually putting the keyboard back together and fiddling with it you can fix the issue. It's annoying but it wasn't fixed in 6.0.1.
No doubt after using the Mini(and owning), the older one is like a brick now... so heavy😱
I tried but failed miserably. I need the response of physical keys to be able to touch type. Otherwise I have no idea where my fingers are at any point and what keys they might actually be hitting.
SnowLeopard2008
macrumors 604
College desks are TINY. I have been to various colleges and universities and I can say for a fact that the desks are basically slightly bigger than 1 square foot. In some cases, maybe smaller.
After I type more than 20 words on any touch keyboard I always start asking - why do I torture myself? Did not they invent keyboard decades ago? This subject has been beat to death but still, it's obvious to any unbiased person that even netbook would be way more efficient tool to note taking (and everything else as far as studying is concerned) than any tablet.
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