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All iPads iPad or MacBook for college majoring in physics
- Thread starter Rseyde
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I got through engineering with a desktop just fine in my apartment. I did notice that my university is now requiring laptops (with financial help available) and support both PC and Mac (not iPad). As much as i love mine, I think it would be very difficult to survive science or engineering with just an iPad.
Ok I have to call out a bad piece of advice when I see one. Have you even gone to college? I speak from personal experience of having gone through grad school in engineering. An iPad just won't cut it. The OP needs a full fledged laptop. Stop misleading people.
I am pretty sure the OP will at sometime during the course of his Physics degree will have to solve problems in Matlab or Mathcad. Show me an iPad that he can run these programs on.
I think vainhumility was being sarcastic. By the tone of it, the posting looks like a parody.
I find your post offensive. The fact that OP needs a laptop is your opinion just like my opinion is for the iPad. To suggest I have not been to college and that I'm misleading people is not only offensive, but simply not true. Now, in regards to the reasoning behind your laptop suggestion, I've read other posts in other forums/threads/websites of engineering, bio/chem, and other STEM majors who loved/love their iPad and are glad they chose it over a new laptop. However, I've also read where some of these students loathed the iPad and happily chose the laptop. It's a highly personal choice and the OP wanted outside opinions. I respect yours and hope you will respect mine.
It's not a personal choice, there are simply things you can't use the iPad for that are vital for a Physics degree.
I am currently an instructor of a first year course in Science. Here's my advice to you:
For taking notes in any Science course (Calculus, Physics, Chemistry or Biology), the best method of choice is pen and paper.
For studying, this is the best advice:
For your assignments, lab reports, presentations (in upper years), you'll need a computer/laptop (when it goes beyond pen and paper). Do NOT for a minute think an iPad will do.
You could get an iPad for: (only after you already have a computer)
- e-textbooks, if you can find them
- emails
- download electronic lecture notes and print them out
- record lectures (voice)
If you really want an iPad, get it but also buy a cheap Windows PC.
For taking notes in any Science course (Calculus, Physics, Chemistry or Biology), the best method of choice is pen and paper.
For studying, this is the best advice:
For your assignments, lab reports, presentations (in upper years), you'll need a computer/laptop (when it goes beyond pen and paper). Do NOT for a minute think an iPad will do.
You could get an iPad for: (only after you already have a computer)
- e-textbooks, if you can find them
- emails
- download electronic lecture notes and print them out
- record lectures (voice)
If you really want an iPad, get it but also buy a cheap Windows PC.
I am a real big fan of the iPad, and I use mine everyday for work and home. But, it is hard for me to imagine using only an ipad at college. This applies to almost any majors. Liberal arts students write numerous papers, and it is hard for me to feature only using an ipad for this purpose. I have created a lot of documents on my iPad, but typically, I need to finalize them on my desktop.
So....it makes me wonder if we really understand the Ops question? Does this student already have a desktop, and is he looking for a complementary device for light computing while in class and on campus? If so, I think an iPad plus desktop would work just fine for many folks. If you really need access to a full operating system while on campus, you can usually get to your documents from the campus computer centers, which most schools have all over the place.
That said, I would not attempt college with only a tablet, and when my daughter goes away to University this fall, she will be packing a MacBook!
So....it makes me wonder if we really understand the Ops question? Does this student already have a desktop, and is he looking for a complementary device for light computing while in class and on campus? If so, I think an iPad plus desktop would work just fine for many folks. If you really need access to a full operating system while on campus, you can usually get to your documents from the campus computer centers, which most schools have all over the place.
That said, I would not attempt college with only a tablet, and when my daughter goes away to University this fall, she will be packing a MacBook!
MacBook Air. I would agree with earlier posts. The iPad is not a laptop substitute. Get a proper computer.
I think I should point out that ONLY college students who are currently enrolled in the OPs major can accurately say if an iPad will suffice. Everyone else either has no idea what needs the OP has or may be inaccuratly remembering because that's what happens as time passes after you graduate.
Finally. Thank you. You are absolutely correct. The OP wanted opinions but only he/she can really know which device will best suit his needs.
1. Do you have ready access to a computer when you need one for lab work
2. Are your textbooks confirmed to be available in iPad compatible formats
If you can answer yes to both then an iPad could work for you. The trick is to try it before school starts and see if you are comfy reading and possibly taking notes on it. Also see if you can find out if your professors release any slides etc to students so you don't have to take notes of their contents during classes.
If the answer to 1 is no then you'll want a computer. I'd say MBP not Air as you might need the extra power boost for work. And they are cheaper so you might be able to pull off getting both a MBP and an iPad.
My point was that only current studuents, and more specifically physics majors know how an iPad fits in the workflow. My experiences with computers over ten years ago has zero bearing on using an ipad now. The OP doesn't know, hence the question.
For college I would go with macbook pro or air, I would not consider solely an ipad (both would be good). That's just me though.
having used an 11" air, 13" pro, ipad 2 and ipad mini in lectures at uni id say the best thing for losing focus and coming out of a 2 hour lecture with no idea what it was about is definitely the ipad. its too easy to open up a game and lose an hour.
my air is much better on small "desks" than my pro, and fits easier in a bag.
as far as completing work at home, youre going to be much better off with a laptop. id never try to complete an essay on an iPad.
i use my pro with an external monitor, apple trackpad and keyboard but the air works just fine in the same configuration.
as an all rounder id highly recommend a 11" with external monitor.
my air is much better on small "desks" than my pro, and fits easier in a bag.
as far as completing work at home, youre going to be much better off with a laptop. id never try to complete an essay on an iPad.
i use my pro with an external monitor, apple trackpad and keyboard but the air works just fine in the same configuration.
as an all rounder id highly recommend a 11" with external monitor.
Get the laptop! A laptop will support you much further when you need to do certain things which im positive you will.
of course it is yeah, im just saying that the ipad is (in my experience) more likely to offer distractions.
using iPad (and iPad alone) when you are an exact-science student is tough, bordering frustration. is it possible? yes. is it recommended? no. here's why:
you will need to write mathematical functions - not the easiest thing to do on an iPad, even if you do get an app that allows you to do so.
you want to work on a report on your on time? forget it. either go when the computer-room is open, or don't bother.
want to work with other people on a project? not going to happen.
want to watch video lectures? well, if the videos are played using flash, than you won't be able to.
and so forth, and so on.
all this is based on my experience, as i have tried that. you'd better go with an 11"MA.
you will need to write mathematical functions - not the easiest thing to do on an iPad, even if you do get an app that allows you to do so.
you want to work on a report on your on time? forget it. either go when the computer-room is open, or don't bother.
want to work with other people on a project? not going to happen.
want to watch video lectures? well, if the videos are played using flash, than you won't be able to.
and so forth, and so on.
all this is based on my experience, as i have tried that. you'd better go with an 11"MA.