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Is the iPad 2 a legitimate substitution for college freshmen?
- Thread starter rockinmorockin
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No. Bad idea. I would not use an iPad as a full substitution for a regular computer. Shouldn't be done. For one thing, the iPad is not as flexible as a laptop or desktop. For another, you can actually do a lot more with a desktop or laptop, although there are some things that an iPad can do that regular comptuers can't. However, none of those are things that a college undergraduate would need to be using.
Go with either a desktop or laptop.
Problem is he won't be able to print from an iPad 2 (or iPad 1) unless the school uses one of those few AirPrint enabled printers. It is doubtful the school uses those printers and even if it did, the school's network is sophisticated enough that an ipad 2 cannot directly see that printer.
There's a whole slew of problems with bringing an iPad 2 into a school's network environment such as potentially how to access files a professor puts on electronic reserves, how to print, how to interface with certain programmes only available for Macs or PCs. etc.
An iPad can complement a regular computer but right now cannot replace one fully for a student.
A MacBook Air is not that much more than an iPad plus Zagg case. Why not go with the MacBook Air that is more flexible?
I cannot see a history major depending on an iPad. I was a history major too and I had to do a lot of in-text citations using programmes like EndNote, and also had to design various things using page layout programmes which is just not powerful enough on an iPad 2 to do. I mean, the processor of an iPad 2 is probably powerful enough to do all of this, but the interface and the programmes available are not.
Disaster Recovery - Nod to the Laptop
Another important factor is backing up files - in this category the laptop is the clear winner, when configured intelligently. With a laptop the smart college student could use Google Docs and Dropbox (everything except Google Docs). With this solution all of your school files would be kept in the cloud. If the iPad gets lost/stolen you have lost most everything.
Granted, you can use Google docs on the iPad but it works marginally for wordprocessing and works horribly for spreadsheets. There are bound to be other cloud based storage solutions for the iPad but for now (IMO) you can't beat the power and simplicity of using Google Docs and Dropbox.
Another important factor is backing up files - in this category the laptop is the clear winner, when configured intelligently. With a laptop the smart college student could use Google Docs and Dropbox (everything except Google Docs). With this solution all of your school files would be kept in the cloud. If the iPad gets lost/stolen you have lost most everything.
Granted, you can use Google docs on the iPad but it works marginally for wordprocessing and works horribly for spreadsheets. There are bound to be other cloud based storage solutions for the iPad but for now (IMO) you can't beat the power and simplicity of using Google Docs and Dropbox.
You should definitely get a somewhat powerful laptop instead; if you don't have a desktop that you'll be able to have in your room, you're going to definitely need a "real" computer. The iPad is great for consuming data; watching videos, looking at pictures, surfing the internet, etc. but it isn't really made to create data, per say.
Yes you can get attachments like the keyboard and there are programs that allow for decent document composition, however all of the editing elements aren't there and you still have limitations on what you can do with the file.
On top of this, the lack of flash really kills the web experience depending on what you're doing. Chances are, if you have to visit a website for one of your classes and it's "interactive" in any form, it won't work on the iPad. My roommate ran into this problem and had to use his computer for everything school related although he wanted to use his iPad instead.
Yes you can get attachments like the keyboard and there are programs that allow for decent document composition, however all of the editing elements aren't there and you still have limitations on what you can do with the file.
On top of this, the lack of flash really kills the web experience depending on what you're doing. Chances are, if you have to visit a website for one of your classes and it's "interactive" in any form, it won't work on the iPad. My roommate ran into this problem and had to use his computer for everything school related although he wanted to use his iPad instead.
I definitely don't think it is a replacement. You still need a computer to sync all of the content, and what if something happens and you need to restore it. Yes, there should be computer labs on your campus, but that is a pain in the neck.
The college I will be attending next year, Seton Hill University, gives each Freshman an iPad2, and 13 inch MacBook Pro. I've seen them being used in class and they work in conjunction with with each other.
Not that an iPad will not be worth it, but you need a laptop with it. I look forward to taking notes and being able to carry that around and not my laptop next year. Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
The college I will be attending next year, Seton Hill University, gives each Freshman an iPad2, and 13 inch MacBook Pro. I've seen them being used in class and they work in conjunction with with each other.
Not that an iPad will not be worth it, but you need a laptop with it. I look forward to taking notes and being able to carry that around and not my laptop next year. Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
You need a computer, an iPad is a handy device but by no means a replacement for any computer. Better be safe than sorry, you know that a computer (be it a Mac or Windows) will have everything you could possibly need, while the iPad may not. Especially Excel, if you're doing accounting.
I am in university at the moment and my 2 cents is this:
Get yourself a good note taking app like Notes plus (allows recording, hand written and typing).
Great thing about Notes plus is that you can auto-sync it with dropbox so you have backup incase anything happens the iPad and Google Docs upload.
iPad is great for the likes of pdf etc.
As regards writing essays/papers my experience says you still need a laptop as you will need multiple sources etc open simultaneously.
It could be done on an iPad but I reckon it would be very annoying with all the regular app switching involved.
I dont believe the bluetooth keyboard is required - I was sceptical in the beginning about typing on the iPad but once use to it I found it quite easy.
Get yourself a good note taking app like Notes plus (allows recording, hand written and typing).
Great thing about Notes plus is that you can auto-sync it with dropbox so you have backup incase anything happens the iPad and Google Docs upload.
iPad is great for the likes of pdf etc.
As regards writing essays/papers my experience says you still need a laptop as you will need multiple sources etc open simultaneously.
It could be done on an iPad but I reckon it would be very annoying with all the regular app switching involved.
I dont believe the bluetooth keyboard is required - I was sceptical in the beginning about typing on the iPad but once use to it I found it quite easy.
Completely agree. Something like Mac Mini could do the job as the desktop. There's value in having the desktop machine always on so you could access it remotely from the iPad for pulling files or even running Mac apps remotely.
Good advice. If you have an ipad-Mac setup, data will be backed up to the cloud. For apps that run on both iPad and Mac (e.g., Pages, Numbers), you'll also get a copy of the files pushed out to your Mac. THat should provide you with a fair amount of protection from cloud failures.
I'm a senior in college and, in my experience, it's too much of a hassal to try and use the iPad as your only mobile computing device. I don't believe your major should be a deciding factor between iPad or laptop. You will definitely have a difficult time using workarounds with the iPad to complete school-related tasks.
Not to add fuel to the fire regarding office apps, but the Microsoft office suite is essential for most college students. I read that you're planning on majoring in accounting, so you'll definitely need excel. Numbers on the iPad will not make your life easier!
The iPad is supplement, not a substitute.
Good luck with your studies!
Not to add fuel to the fire regarding office apps, but the Microsoft office suite is essential for most college students. I read that you're planning on majoring in accounting, so you'll definitely need excel. Numbers on the iPad will not make your life easier!
The iPad is supplement, not a substitute.
Good luck with your studies!
you COULD use the iPad as a substitute, but I WOULD not. as others have said. it is best thought of as a mobile device to complement a traditional computer that can run the whole gamut of stuff you'll need in daily life.
the reason i say you COULD is because many universities have very robust computer infrastructures availalbe to students, so powerful computers are available to you 24/7 in nearly every building on campus. you could use those for the heavy lifting.
why bother? the iPad makes a great e-reader, and every day all i take to campus is the iPad and my bluetooth keyboard. it works for both consumption and content creation. any formatting or heavy lifting i save for my computer at home. the freedom compared to my previous academic existence is indescribable.
the reason i say you COULD is because many universities have very robust computer infrastructures availalbe to students, so powerful computers are available to you 24/7 in nearly every building on campus. you could use those for the heavy lifting.
why bother? the iPad makes a great e-reader, and every day all i take to campus is the iPad and my bluetooth keyboard. it works for both consumption and content creation. any formatting or heavy lifting i save for my computer at home. the freedom compared to my previous academic existence is indescribable.
Personally I'd recommend the following setup for your college needs.
A laptop, I like Lenovo ThinkPad, you can get x120 (11.6", i3 SandyBridge, 6hrs battery)
21" or 24" monitor for work and play in your room.
An external hard drive for backup and media storage.
The above will cost about the same as a top of the range ipad 2, and should see you through college.
A laptop, I like Lenovo ThinkPad, you can get x120 (11.6", i3 SandyBridge, 6hrs battery)
21" or 24" monitor for work and play in your room.
An external hard drive for backup and media storage.
The above will cost about the same as a top of the range ipad 2, and should see you through college.
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Without reading the rest of the forum and just basing my response off of this, uh no. ipad is a big ipod touch, not a computer.
I agree with both comments. Now personally, as a Microbiology major, I don't have to type documents on a daily basis; none this year, actually, since I'm taking all math and science based classes. Regardless, it wouldn't make sense to get an iPad right now without having a computer at home.
I have a MacBook Pro now and I wouldn't mind having an iPad; it would make the trip to school a lot easier and downtime between classes more entertaining (I just study in the library so I can't really complain) but it wouldn't really help me get things done.
Get a solid laptop like a MacBook Pro. Something that's going to last you for the entire college journey, THEN get the fun stuff that you could use later, after everything is paid for.
Relying on the school to use for printing or accessing things is taking a chance; there's always the situation of "forgetting until the last minute", the computers all being used (will definitely happen around finals and when the year progresses), and if it's pouring rain outside, you aren't going to treck to the nearest computer lab to crank out a paper.
You can do a lot of things with the iPad, but not enough to warrant full time use, not for a legitimate college student anyway. Of course, the major itself plays a large part, but it doesn't make sense to get one at its current price when you can get a very good computer for the same or a bit more.
A brilliant post.
Every thread i read here on someone not sure about an iPad, someone tries to justify it with the apps or just the screen, but there's not a huge difference between the iPod and iPhone, even now. I'm going to University to study Computer Networks, and apart from reading books on the subject, i can't see writing notes and diagrams on this while my Macbook can do this fine. Maybe with iOS5 my opinion could change, but right now, it's an expensive e-reader with not a great enough justification for itself.
...and by the time graduation comes around, the student might even say it's a complement to a notebook.
I see I'm not the only a*****e on the board. But I'd be perfectly happy to let "compliment" be misused if people could just learn to spell "lose" and recognize that "then" is not "than."
I'll be that someone
I do the vast majority (sometimes up to 90%) of my work on the iPad. I am writing my dissertation on the iPad right now. I also write articles, take notes, organize files, read journal articles and books, comment on student papers, etc. To sum up: it costs much less than the MBA, weighs about as much with the bluetooth keyboard (necessary for long writing periods), has about twice the battery life, and doubles as an e-reader (nothing like swapping a heavy backpack full of books for a lightweight man purse).
As I mentioned above, I think it is a little difficult to see it as a substitute for a computer. There are huge tradeoffs with the iPad, and it takes a lot more forethought and care to develop a system that works for you. However, depending on the kind of work you do at school, particularly if you are in the humanities, it can do a lot, and shouldn't (in my opinion) be dismissed as just an expensive e-reader.
