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Best for in class student use...Air/iPad ?

P

perryj

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 4, 2007
33
0
I'm a college student (I have 2 years left) and use my macbook for taking notes in class, I have been waiting for the iPad release to see if I could use it for taking in class notes.......I'm weighing getting either the next Air to come out or the ipad....
any thoughts on which would be better to use in class (taking notes and surfing the web, and email would be primary uses) ? (use iMac at home)
Thanks,
JP
 
I don't have an air, I have a macbook and it takes up too much space in my backpack, hence why the switch to either the MBA or pad...
as for as an "answer", i'm just looking for thoughts/ideas/speculation on how the pad will work for note taking ?
 
Only problem I can think of with iPad is you can't stand it up on the desk to take notes I wouldn't want to hold that thing continuously. MBA is great for school.
 
What applications do you currently use for note taking on your MacBook?
If just TextEdit or similar, iPad should be fine. The Notes app Apple showed was nearly identical to the iPhone version. If you use something more sophisticated like Word, OneNote, or Pages, you may want to wait and see what the App Store has in a few months to see if any meet your needs.
 
Taking notes with the iPad's onscrean keyboard sounds like a nightmare.

MBA sounds like a much better solution, in my opinion.
 
iPad...

I would and will no doubt be going with the iPad because there is bound to be a ton of third party applications that will let you either actually take notes on the iPad with a pogo stylus or your finger; also not to mention the software keyboard if you would rather use that. And hopefully by the time it launches as well, textbooks will be available on it so all you would have to carry around is the iPad for notes, media, internet, and textbooks. Then you won't have to get a bigger bag or carry a bag at all.:D:apple:
 
GottaLoveApple4 said:
I would and will no doubt be going with the iPad because there is bound to be a ton of third party applications that will let you either actually take notes on the iPad with a pogo stylus or your finger; also not to mention the software keyboard if you would rather use that. And hopefully by the time it launches as well, textbooks will be available on it so all you would have to carry around is the iPad for notes, media, internet, and textbooks. Then you won't have to get a bigger bag or carry a bag at all.:D:apple:
Click to expand...

This is what I was hoping for prior to the unveiling !! :D
 
jlblodgett said:
Taking notes with the iPad's onscrean keyboard sounds like a nightmare.

MBA sounds like a much better solution, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I have the MBA and its great.
I can draw vector images in Illustrator, edit large photos in Photoshop, give powerpoint presentations, edit word documents with Endnote functionality, and watch a little Hulu when bored.

Good luck with your iPad.
I have a feeling that you'll be on Google's suite of apps a lot!
 
miles01110 said:
Lack of multitasking could also be an issue.
Click to expand...

This is probably the biggest issue.

It's not a matter of if you get distracted, but when you get distracted. Since you'll have to quit whatever app you're using for notes, and then open your favorite distraction, you will have to quit your distraction then re-open the notes app if you need to write something down. By then, you might forget what you wanted to write down.

It's much easier to press Command-Tab and switch between programs.
 
I don't understand how a MBP/ MB can be too big. The largest dimension is the same with the air. And the MacBooks are hardly thick.
I take mine to all my lectures and have never had a problem with the weight or size.
 
perryj said:
I'm a college student (I have 2 years left) and use my macbook for taking notes in class, I have been waiting for the iPad release to see if I could use it for taking in class notes.......I'm weighing getting either the next Air to come out or the ipad....
any thoughts on which would be better to use in class (taking notes and surfing the web, and email would be primary uses) ? (use iMac at home)
Thanks,
JP
Click to expand...

Given that the iPad has yet to be released, I doubt anyone can answer this question for you. I suggest waiting until Apple releases the iPad to retail stores and you can then try one out for yourself.

Habitus :apple:
 
I would just wait till later next month and check out the iPad for yourself at your local Apple store. You can analyze all the features online and look at reviews but you won't know for sure unless you actually check it out for yourself in person.
 
You guys are too impatient...

I also wouldn't be surprised if iPhone OS 4.0 ran on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch and OS 3.2 is just a placeholder for the iPad launch to not let all the details about the iPhone in OS 4.0 be released prematurely. Then, OS 4.0 could have multitasking and a new interface for the iPhone and iPod touch, along with a new interface for the iPad as well. I highly doubt that Apple is just going to leave the iPad's interface that way with all the wasted space....:rolleyes:
 
GottaLoveApple4 said:
I also wouldn't be surprised if iPhone OS 4.0 ran on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch and OS 3.2 is just a placeholder for the iPad launch to not let all the details about the iPhone in OS 4.0 be released prematurely. Then, OS 4.0 could have multitasking and a new interface for the iPhone and iPod touch, along with a new interface for the iPad as well. I highly doubt that Apple is just going to leave the iPad's interface that way with all the wasted space....:rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Regardless of the OS, the iPad still won't have a keyboard. The software keyboard might do fine for a few sentences here and there - but certainly not for serious note-taking like a college student would need.

If you are going to use a computer to take down notes - you NEED a keyboard.

Maybe you should give some thought to a LiveScribe pen, which is compatible with the Mac?
 
MacBook Air is the practical choice here. Would be a pain to take notes on the iPad without a physical keyboard.
 
perryj said:
I don't have an air, I have a macbook and it takes up too much space in my backpack, hence why the switch to either the MBA or pad...
as for as an "answer", i'm just looking for thoughts/ideas/speculation on how the pad will work for note taking ?
Click to expand...

I'm guessing pen and paper would be too much for you to carry as well. And obviously way under your budget.
 
Dagless said:
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get a bigger bag?
Click to expand...

thats what i did with my 15' mbp, got a massive back pack from maxpedition (great stuff, also 5.11 has great bags), needed the bag anyway, for my freaking massive text books

jlblodgett said:
Taking notes with the iPad's onscrean keyboard sounds like a nightmare.
MBA sounds like a much better solution, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

ya typing on a ipad looks retarded kinda like the macbook wheel ( onion news ).

all aside. an air would be nice. i really want one to lighten my pack up. but i have no option other than to lug my mbp due to being completely broke.
 
I'd go for an air if I just had those 2 choices. My major turn off with the iPad is you cant write on it. It is supposed to be a tablet, am I right? No hand writing recognition? bah. was hoping it could be my all in one textbook and notebook and cheat device. I'd go out and get a Macbook Pro. Wait a few more weeks and get one with a core i5/i7. Love my MBP. Best computer I've ever had.
 
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