Dang, that is pretty useful. Wish we had that kind of stuff when I was in college (our college required computers but I think it was a new requirement and laptops were pretty expensive, hell, PCs were probably still over 1k so you didn't even see many people with laptops.. I don't think I knew anyone with a laptop, laptops at the time were for business people who made a lot of money, not poor college students. It would be really rare to see any student taking notes with a laptop though I did have a friend later in college show me his new PDA thingy (ran some mini version of Windows, I was so jealous of the idea of having a pocket computer. To the point I made sure to get a PDA once I was out of college and had a good paying job. And ever since had some sort of PDA then a smartphone).
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iPad vs. Netbook for college student
- Thread starter brtdud7
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Dang, that is pretty useful. Wish we had that kind of stuff when I was in college (our college required computers but I think it was a new requirement and laptops were pretty expensive, hell, PCs were probably still over 1k so you didn't even see many people with laptops.. I don't think I knew anyone with a laptop, laptops at the time were for business people who made a lot of money, not poor college students. It would be really rare to see any student taking notes with a laptop though I did have a friend later in college show me his new PDA thingy (ran some mini version of Windows, I was so jealous of the idea of having a pocket computer. To the point I made sure to get a PDA once I was out of college and had a good paying job. And ever since had some sort of PDA then a smartphone).
If you are using for school and need Microsoft office I believe Microsoft just released a version in the app store and I believe the docs are compatible with the full version so with a key board it might make for a good replacement from what it sounds like. And depending on your net book you might even get better battery life. Like others have been saying try it out first I mean you really can't beat free.
Despite recent rumors Microsoft has not released a version of office for the iPad yet.
However there is Pages for the iPad which allows you to open word documents and save pages documents as word files. That being said, like anything that isn't the official version of Word, if you have documents with extremely complicated and detailed formatting that can be a little tricky. But for a simple school report or letter or even simple resume if someone requires it in word format to read/grade/etc. then exporting in pages is quite viable.
Same thoughts here. I no longer take a laptop on business trip for much the same reasons. My iPad 2 does the job.
Thanks for the support. I have one story that probably sums up the reason why the iPad was awesome. I had purchased iWork and I was in Peru for business. Within a single day, I was able to use Numbers to calculate profitability, form a pitch using Keynote, and then draft legal docs using Pages, which then got signed using Sign-N-Send. All the documents and presentations were then duplicated in PDF and sent to all prospective partners. Within 3 days, I had the deals done and signed for. I only had my iPad on me and was able to accomplish all of this. Oh, I also had my chargers and a camera kit for photos for the Keynote. It's pretty amazing what can get done with just an iPad. I probably would have taken much longer if I brought my MBA or MBP or even worse, if I brought one of the netbook testers I have. The iPad really is superior for document creation and usability. The only downside I had was I was pitching with the tiny 9.7 inch screen which looked kinda ridiculous but the other partners were pretty impressed that I could get all the stuff done within a day.
Sorry I stand corrected I had heard stuff back in November of last year so I thought it was out. Appears that it is close to be released but no official date so disregard what I said.
On another note pages could be a good alternative just saying
Ok, so don't buy one then. Just giving what was asked, which was my personal opinion. Sorry if I touched a nerve.
Netbook as always advantage when you're going to write an essay or working on a project in let say Office 2010 (Word, Excell, PP). And you have a fantastic tool called "keyboard". I myself have always truble to write long text on my iPad 2, escpeially because it has swedish layout. So everything I type is "wrong".
I suggest you get a Netbook, I myself have Dell N5010 (really good laptop and cheap when I bought it in december 2010). It still works like a swiss klock.
But you can always use your moms old iPad too if you want for other stuff, like checking mail or checking some important information. Because if you turn off that laptop, it takes x minutes for Windows (dunno how it is on Mac and iOS) to pop up. Then typing password, loading etc.
You can kill many minutes just opening your iPad, look for that important thing on the net, pay that bill fast as heck, and you WILL save a LOT of time. So I say BOTH. But Netbook will always win over iPad in writing long texts/essay/work etc. because it has a keyboard and different layout. And you can see entire text while typing a new one in your essay. I know because I was a swedish univeristy student not long ago
PS: You can find similar laptop as I have today as well for 600 EUR or less. For example Dell Inspiron 15R N5110 - 2,5GHz DC 6GB 500GB DVD±RW 15". And check also at eBay, maybe you'll get it even more cheaper than at Dell's place.
And also remember: Intel i3 or up, not below that CPU. I myself have i5. I have also noticed that your american dollar is now cheaper for us swedes, so if that laptop cost 500 bucks at Dell's it's 3311 Swedish Crowns. So cost as much as for example HTC Sensation in our swedish stores.
I suggest you get a Netbook, I myself have Dell N5010 (really good laptop and cheap when I bought it in december 2010). It still works like a swiss klock.
But you can always use your moms old iPad too if you want for other stuff, like checking mail or checking some important information. Because if you turn off that laptop, it takes x minutes for Windows (dunno how it is on Mac and iOS) to pop up. Then typing password, loading etc.
You can kill many minutes just opening your iPad, look for that important thing on the net, pay that bill fast as heck, and you WILL save a LOT of time. So I say BOTH.
But Netbook will always win over iPad in writing long texts/essay/work etc. because it has a keyboard and different layout. And you can see entire text while typing a new one in your essay. I know because I was a swedish univeristy student not long ago PS: You can find similar laptop as I have today as well for 600 EUR or less. For example Dell Inspiron 15R N5110 - 2,5GHz DC 6GB 500GB DVD±RW 15". And check also at eBay, maybe you'll get it even more cheaper than at Dell's place.
And also remember: Intel i3 or up, not below that CPU. I myself have i5. I have also noticed that your american dollar is now cheaper for us swedes, so if that laptop cost 500 bucks at Dell's it's 3311 Swedish Crowns. So cost as much as for example HTC Sensation in our swedish stores.
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Real laptop. I use my 15" MBP. It's nice to have a Quad i7, SSD, and 8GB of ram with me at all times.
Netbook as always advantage when you're going to write an essay or working on a project in let say Office 2010 (Word, Excell, PP). And you have a fantastic tool called "keyboard". I myself have always truble to write long text on my iPad 2, escpeially because it has swedish layout. So everything I type is "wrong".
I suggest you get a Netbook, I myself have Dell N5010 (really good laptop and cheap when I bought it in december 2010). It still works like a swiss klock.
But you can always use your moms old iPad too if you want for other stuff, like checking mail or checking some important information. Because if you turn off that laptop, it takes x minutes for Windows (dunno how it is on Mac and iOS) to pop up. Then typing password, loading etc.
You can kill many minutes just opening your iPad, look for that important thing on the net, pay that bill fast as heck, and you WILL save a LOT of time. So I say BOTH.
PS: You can find similar laptop as I have today as well for 600 EUR or less. For example Dell Inspiron 15R N5110 - 2,5GHz DC 6GB 500GB DVD±RW 15". And check also at eBay, maybe you'll get it even more cheaper than at Dell's place.
And also remember: Intel i3 or up, not below that CPU. I myself have i5. I have also noticed that your american dollar is now cheaper for us swedes, so if that laptop cost 500 bucks at Dell's it's 3311 Swedish Crowns. So cost as much as for example HTC Sensation in our swedish stores.
Assuming the iPad option means you'll have the Bluetooth keyboard, you can use Pages or QuickOffice to write papers.
A big advantage to the iPad is the battery life. When I was in school I remember having some pretty long days. Taking notes on a laptop in class will inevitably result in you playing the "FIGHT FOR THE OUTLET" game with your classmates. Not fun.
Except for the having to carry it around with you everywhere part.
It doesn't add that much to my backpack, it's only like 5 pounds. It's the best 5 pounds in there, nothing else is nearly as useful for it's weight.
It depends on what you study, school, and needs.
if I was still at school, I would pick the ipad. Most would say that is crazy. I always had to do a ton of reading at college, which is MUCH better on the ipad. I hate reading from a computer screen. I prefer reading from my ipad more than i do paper.
There are lots of good note apps, which can be better utilized for studying.
If I needed to type a paper up, my school had lots of computers anyone could use, and i did this a lot less than reading and summarizing which the ipad kills a netbook or PC in. Obviously it would depend on the school, as not all would have these resources.
if I was still at school, I would pick the ipad. Most would say that is crazy. I always had to do a ton of reading at college, which is MUCH better on the ipad. I hate reading from a computer screen. I prefer reading from my ipad more than i do paper.
There are lots of good note apps, which can be better utilized for studying.
If I needed to type a paper up, my school had lots of computers anyone could use, and i did this a lot less than reading and summarizing which the ipad kills a netbook or PC in. Obviously it would depend on the school, as not all would have these resources.
You need a computer. Period. There may be a place for the iPad, but it's a supplement, not a replacement. I could see having one thing on the iPad, one thing on the laptop, or using it as a second display. That would be very convenient when going to the library and working on something on the computer.
Having just done this sort of thing...
iPad + Splashtop remote to your latop (which has to be on and not go to sleep I believe). Then you can use the iPad for viewing everything and if you need to do something more advanced you can remote back to your laptop and control it.
Splashtop uses a Google account to resolve the IP information over the internet and a small "server" app that runs on your laptop to connect back to it. Couple that with the power of Dropbox and you're good to go all day.
Aside from the initial purchase of Splashtop there is no reoccurring fee to use it.
iPad + Splashtop remote to your latop (which has to be on and not go to sleep I believe). Then you can use the iPad for viewing everything and if you need to do something more advanced you can remote back to your laptop and control it.
Splashtop uses a Google account to resolve the IP information over the internet and a small "server" app that runs on your laptop to connect back to it. Couple that with the power of Dropbox and you're good to go all day.
Aside from the initial purchase of Splashtop there is no reoccurring fee to use it.
Definitely a good choice, of course remote access has limitations, but if you only need to write a bunch of docs or access some files from your computer on your iPad, it works great.
That's great if you have a super powerful desktop or something, but most people have a laptop, so they could just bring the laptop...