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vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
Hi all

I am looking to finally invest in an iPad for my university studies and I wanted some opinions on what to go for.

I am currently studying Law, so basically I do a lot of reading and essay writing. I will obviously need an iPad with a good clear screen.
I plan to also use my iPad for general browsing, watching Netflix, listening to music etc...

Money isn't really a problem so if it's worth i, don't mind paying the money.

I was looking at the iPad Pro 10.5 with the pencil...but I would probably need the 256gb model so that will be very expensive!

I have heard the mini's isn't worth buying at this stage due to them being outdated etc...
 
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vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
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I would recommend the 12.9 because of the bigger screen. I have had for over a year and cannot see myself looking at the smaller screen. Good luck.
Okay thanks

Do you take it everywhere with you? How is the weight etc?
 

rikmac

macrumors member
Oct 1, 2010
48
27
Florida
I take it everywhere. I do a bunch of international travel and it works great. I do find myself sometime wishing it were lighter weight but the bigger screen always make me come back to the 12.9. I use the Magic Keyboard and stand I found on Amazon to use when I have lots of typing to do... I do really wish I had the 256gb model, my 128gb one is ⅔ full...
 
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vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
I take it everywhere. I do a bunch of international travel and it works great. I do find myself sometime wishing it were lighter weight but the bigger screen always make me come back to the 12.9. I use the Magic Keyboard and stand I found on Amazon to use when I have lots of typing to do... I do really wish I had the 256gb model, my 128gb one is ⅔ full...
Did you get the wifi only model?

I am just checking the prices for the 256gb model with the 12.9 screen and its £1000...
Wow really thinking if I should pay that much!
 
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rikmac

macrumors member
Oct 1, 2010
48
27
Florida
Yep it is a huge chunk of money but worth it... I have the LTE version with the original 29.99 unlimited data from the original version. Now that’s showing my age! Good luck on your choice and your future endeavors into the legal system..
 
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Diving Capers

macrumors 6502
Jun 10, 2017
254
349
Hi all

I am looking to finally invest in an iPad for my university studies and I wanted some opinions on what to go for.

I am currently studying Law, so basically I do a lot of reading and essay writing. I will obviously need an iPad with a good clear screen.
I plan to also use my iPad for general browsing, watching Netflix, listening to music etc...

Money isn't really a problem so if it's worth i, don't mind paying the money.

I was looking at the iPad Pro 10.5 with the pencil...but I would probably need the 256gb model so that will be very expensive!

I have heard the mini's isn't worth buying at this stage due to them being outdated etc...

I’d go with the 12.9 if I were you. You’ll really notice the difference in screen size.

Remember you can get a student discount.
 

vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
I’d go with the 12.9 if I were you. You’ll really notice the difference in screen size.

Remember you can get a student discount.

Yeah I can. I think its 10%
Wow the 256gb model with mobile data is like £1000
I am really thinking if I should spend that much as a student? I think 64gb is too small and also the wifi only iPad I think is limited when you don't have wifi!
 
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Diving Capers

macrumors 6502
Jun 10, 2017
254
349
They are on the expensive side, but well worth it.

The 12.9 is great for most things people use a computer for, with a Bluetooth keyboard and the pencil it can be a great tool for a student.

It’s also great for watching videos.

I went from a 9.7 to the 12.9 and when I use the 9.7 I find it way too small now. This is a personal preference though.
 

vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
A law student where money is not really a problem. Be sure to thank you parents/inheritance because you are truly are a rarity.
Haha is not that at all

I think I worded myself really badly! I just have savings from my student loan that I put aside to buy an iPad...so I can afford the high end ones basically!
[doublepost=1509055762][/doublepost]
They are on the expensive side, but well worth it.

The 12.9 is great for most things people use a computer for, with a Bluetooth keyboard and the pencil it can be a great tool for a student.

It’s also great for watching videos.

I went from a 9.7 to the 12.9 and when I use the 9.7 I find it way too small now. This is a personal preference though.
I get what you mean...

I always said big phones like the Samsung Note.8 or iPhone plus would be way too big for me...I was always against it,..
but I recently upgraded to the Note 8...and I can never go back to a small screen! When I use or see someone else's normal iPhone/Samsung...it just feels so small!

How much did your one cost you can I ask? Did you opt for the bigger storage and mobile data?
 

Diving Capers

macrumors 6502
Jun 10, 2017
254
349
Haha is not that at all

I think I worded myself really badly! I just have savings from my student loan that I put aside to buy an iPad...so I can afford the high end ones basically!
[doublepost=1509055762][/doublepost]
I get what you mean...

I always said big phones like the Samsung Note.8 or iPhone plus would be way too big for me...I was always against it,..
but I recently upgraded to the Note 8...and I can never go back to a small screen! When I use or see someone else's normal iPhone/Samsung...it just feels so small!

How much did your one cost you can I ask? Did you opt for the bigger storage and mobile data?

I got mine during the back to school special thingy with the free beats :)

Went with the WiFi only because I rarely used the mobile data option of my previous one.

That being said it is a nice thing to have if you don’t have easy access to WiFi or if you’ll be using it often while out.

I got the Apple Pencil at the same time and paid about €1200 or thereabouts
 

artfossil

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2015
1,785
2,059
Florida
I teach University courses and use my iPad Pro 12.9 for everything except video editing and heavy duty Photoshop.

I’m on the university network (or my home one) so no cellular.

And you won’t need 256. 128 will be plenty. (I’m using 40 GB of my 128. Even with photos and photo management apps and tons of digital books.)

Use the money you save for the Apple Smart Keyboard—amazing!—and the Pencil for when you want to make a quick note or diagram.

Reading and notetaking and writing on the larger screen is a joy. And the larger display lets you rake full advantage of the split screen and drag and drop features of iOS 11.
 

Diving Capers

macrumors 6502
Jun 10, 2017
254
349
I teach University courses and use my iPad Pro 12.9 for everything except video editing and heavy duty Photoshop.

I’m on the university network (or my home one) so no cellular.

And you won’t need 256. 128 will be plenty. (I’m using 40 GB of my 128. Even with photos and photo management apps and tons of digital books.)

Use the money you save for the Apple Smart Keyboard—amazing!—and the Pencil for when you want to make a quick note or diagram.

Reading and notetaking and writing on the larger screen is a joy. And the larger display lets you rake full advantage of the split screen and drag and drop features of iOS 11.

2017 models are 64, 256 and 512

256 is the sweet spot money wise.

Everything else in your reply is spot on.
 
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artfossil

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2015
1,785
2,059
Florida
2017 models are 64, 256 and 512

256 is the sweet spot money wise.

Everything else in your reply is spot on.
Acck! 256 it is then! I’ve fallen so behind. :) Yes, 64 is too little for the iPad.

But I do have the original version and seriously it still feels new.

When I do update, I’ll probably get the cellular version just because . . .
 

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,400
13,275
where hip is spoken
Hi all

I am looking to finally invest in an iPad for my university studies and I wanted some opinions on what to go for.

I am currently studying Law, so basically I do a lot of reading and essay writing. I will obviously need an iPad with a good clear screen.
I plan to also use my iPad for general browsing, watching Netflix, listening to music etc...

Money isn't really a problem so if it's worth i, don't mind paying the money.

I was looking at the iPad Pro 10.5 with the pencil...but I would probably need the 256gb model so that will be very expensive!

I have heard the mini's isn't worth buying at this stage due to them being outdated etc...
You didn't mention if this will be the only computing device that you'll have with you. That makes a difference as to what I would recommend.

If you will go "iPad only" then my recommendation is...

Get a 2017 iPad for your general consumption device and an entry level 13" Macbook Air for essay writing and access to online university resources that require a full computer (not a mobile browser).

If you already have a desktop/notebook computer, then I would recommend the 10.5 iPad Pro. It is highly portable and easier to use in every circumstance than the 12.9 Pro. I've had my 12.9 Pro + ASK for over 18 months and use it everyday. But there are some situations where it is a bit unwieldly (or when the iOS version of software is not capable of accomplishing the tasks at hand). Those are the times when I'll switch between THAT and the combination iPad Mini 4 + 11" Macbook Air because combined they are not much more cumbersome and I have all the computing capabilities that I'll need.
 
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vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
I teach University courses and use my iPad Pro 12.9 for everything except video editing and heavy duty Photoshop.

I’m on the university network (or my home one) so no cellular.

And you won’t need 256. 128 will be plenty. (I’m using 40 GB of my 128. Even with photos and photo management apps and tons of digital books.)

Use the money you save for the Apple Smart Keyboard—amazing!—and the Pencil for when you want to make a quick note or diagram.

Reading and notetaking and writing on the larger screen is a joy. And the larger display lets you rake full advantage of the split screen and drag and drop features of iOS 11.
Thanks!

What programmes/apps do you use for note taking and writing?
 

artfossil

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2015
1,785
2,059
Florida
Thanks!

What programmes/apps do you use for note taking and writing?
There are so many good note taking apps!

But I keep coming back to Notability. Lots of text/image/drawing options, good folder organization, and a good Pencil interface.

For writing I use Pages (more work related) or Ulysses (more creative). I also capture a lot of articles and checklists and project notes in Evernote.

I also use PDF Expert for reading and annotating PDFs and its sister apps, Convert to PDF and Scanner Pro.
 
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Ghost31

macrumors 68040
Jun 9, 2015
3,461
5,392
I would recommend the 12.9 because of the bigger screen. I have had for over a year and cannot see myself looking at the smaller screen. Good luck.

I would always and I mean ALWAYS recommend trying the 12.9 first before anything else. I never thought I could get used to it and initially shunned the idea of having such an “unweildy device” but because I’m a nerd for technology I gave it a try and it has been life changing. Total laptop replacement for me and the experience has been so good I tend to barely use my phone.

And notes on such a larger screen....droooool
 

vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
You didn't mention if this will be the only computing device that you'll have with you. That makes a difference as to what I would recommend.

If you will go "iPad only" then my recommendation is...

Get a 2017 iPad for your general consumption device and an entry level 13" Macbook Air for essay writing and access to online university resources that require a full computer (not a mobile browser).

If you already have a desktop/notebook computer, then I would recommend the 10.5 iPad Pro. It is highly portable and easier to use in every circumstance than the 12.9 Pro. I've had my 12.9 Pro + ASK for over 18 months and use it everyday. But there are some situations where it is a bit unwieldly (or when the iOS version of software is not capable of accomplishing the tasks at hand). Those are the times when I'll switch between THAT and the combination iPad Mini 4 + 11" Macbook Air because combined they are not much more cumbersome and I have all the computing capabilities that I'll need.
Hey
Thanks for your reply!

I actually have a 15' inch MacBook Pro which I bought like a year ago...so thats where I will do my main essay writing...
The iPad I get is not meant to be my main device. I don't think I will even buy the wireless keyboard for it if I go for the iPad Pro due to the fact that I already have a laptop for that.
 
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kristalsoldier

macrumors 6502a
Aug 10, 2013
818
523
Hey
Thanks for your reply!

I actually have a 15' inch MacBook Pro which I bought like a year ago...so thats where I will do my main essay writing...
The iPad I get is not meant to be my main device. I don't think I will even buy the wireless keyboard for it if I go for the iPad Pro due to the fact that I already have a laptop for that.
Then get the 10.5” version.
 
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PBMB

macrumors 6502
Mar 19, 2015
331
135
Yes, 64 is too little for the iPad.
Well, it depends. I am with a mini 4 having only 16 GB and it is still fine. But I am perhaps the exception.

When I do update, I’ll probably get the cellular version just because . . .
It is not "just because". Only the cellular models have GPS capabilities. There exist some great digital maps (downloadable for offline use) with navigation functions, and trip tracking applications as well, free or for little money. I have not touched Google Maps thanks to them. Really great stuff. And of course, you can have cellular data wherever your carrier provides coverage. But this is more meaningful for a small iPad, like the mini.
[doublepost=1509375130][/doublepost]
I am looking to finally invest in an iPad for my university studies and I wanted some opinions on what to go for.
I would say you better go to a store that has on display the 9.7" and up models, and then try for yourself. Only like that you will have a clear idea of what is small, big or just right for you.
 

vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 10, 2017
2,165
557
Well, it depends. I am with a mini 4 having only 16 GB and it is still fine. But I am perhaps the exception.


It is not "just because". Only the cellular models have GPS capabilities. There exist some great digital maps (downloadable for offline use) with navigation functions, and trip tracking applications as well, free or for little money. I have not touched Google Maps thanks to them. Really great stuff. And of course, you can have cellular data wherever your carrier provides coverage. But this is more meaningful for a small iPad, like the mini.
[doublepost=1509375130][/doublepost]
I would say you better go to a store that has on display the 9.7" and up models, and then try for yourself. Only like that you will have a clear idea of what is small, big or just right for you.
Yes I went earlier today

I think I will go for the 10.5 version. I don't think I need the 12 inch screen tbh.
Just if I should get the wifi model or the model with mobile data
 
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