While I agree that having a computer first, iPad second...in many cases, such as for the OP---this isn't so cut -n- dry any longer. You present a strong case for the need of a laptop...albeit an extremely niche case. Most folks aren't in college any longer...nor do we need to practice CLEP exams. Students do. In college (or high school for that matter), a nice 13" MBP would be a perfect companion...and an iPad could be considered a distraction. However, post college...once you enter the 'real' world, get a gig...a mortgage, bride/groom, children, et al...sometimes an iPad
is all that is necessary. My wife works in front of a screen all day. When she's home, her iPad is it. Her email, F/B, surfing and Pinterest...recipes and calendars, contacts and messaging, Bejeweled (That's a biggie for her
)...it's all there. Unless she's working our family business, she no longer needs a laptop. It's become unnecessary, completely. Even her casual photo editing (from her iPhone, her point and shoot is gathering dust). It's all done on the iPad.
Me though, I'm with ya---I need a computer. When I'm not doing my work though (I run the business), I'm on my iPad. It, too, gets what I need done. And what we do is definitely 'casual'....but I think
most of us are casual users when we've graduated college, bought the house, had the kids...yada, yada
It's become pretty rare that a website isn't conducive to the iPad. You may want to discuss with your university!! Many of the correspondence schools now have [Portal] Apps for access to everything necessary to participate. The traditional university is a bit behind (as is my local state college...I just took a couple of courses last semester). Hopefully, sooner than later...either they've coded their site for HTML5 access or built a front end app for access to your needs. IMO--an iPad, with it's battery life, always on access and ease of use/portability makes absolute sense to replace the laptop for the student...even though you may need to add a B/T keyboard case for full functionality
J