I'm in agreement with Man9z0r. As somebody who owns a couple of Macbooks, a fully tricked out iPad (original version, 64 gig with 3G), and a couple of iPhones (3Gs and 4G) then I can see how this is a bit of a dilemma, but the Macbook is the easy and correct answer for a student.
Some things to consider.... do you create a lot of files? If so, the iPad is not the most friendly device for saving them since it requires an add-on like Dropbox to even store files you create. Do you ever use an optical drive? If so, the Macbook is your only real practical option. Do you type long papers? If so, you aren't going to want to do it on an iPad and then figure out how in the heck you are going to get the thing to a printer. It's of course possible and I'm sure many will disagree with my reasoning.... but I see the products as very complimentary and complementary of each other.
I use my phone for calls and noodling around with very basic internet stuff and game playing. Checking emails and quick responses while I'm at work. The iPad would be my device I goof around with when I get home. I read books on it, maybe browse a few newspaper sites, read some email and do some quick replies, goof around with my game apps, and do more entertaining sort of things. Maybe watch a soccer game using my MLS Matchday app or watch a movie with Netflix while I relax.
When I need to get anything done production wise and do it quickly, then out comes the Macbook. For my photo storage, music storage, documents, posting on websites, reading and responding to forums, and any heavy duty internet usage then I always reach for the Macbook.
One big bonus for the Macbook is that I taught school for years and had a Macbook that got beat on for 4 straight years and finally gave up at the end of this past year. But it lasted 4 years in a row of nearly constant use throughout the school day doing presentations through a projector, online activities with the class, grade upkeep, lesson planning, tracking with spreadsheets, compiling class videos and photo slideshows. Creating student portfolios by scanning in work, making worksheets and learning modules, daily emails, web surfing, and it took a beating. In and out of the bag everyday for 4 straight years before it gave me plenty of warning that it was having a breakdown and I was able to pull everything off of the harddrive using Time Machine and pick up right where I left off with another machine and not miss a beat. It was the most reliable and excellent computer I've ever owned all around. Others have been faster, bigger, cheaper, etc. But NONE have matched the overall productivity and scope of uses that the Macbook provided me. And that was just the cheaper version white plastic that my employer provided me. It made my life much much much easier.
I think the time is very near where the iPad will be the full replacement for the notebook/laptop computer just as the Macbook has stepped in and admirably replaced so many people's desktop computers because it does what the average computer user needs to do so very well, and without big issues the majority of the time.
One last thing to keep in mind... the computer will be something you can continue to use after you finish school and move into the workforce. The items you create in school will still be there and will likely be beneficial to the career path you've chosen. As time passes and you save a few bucks I am guessing you'll get a chance to get a good price on an iPad as competition heats up, so it doesn't have to be "either/or" in the big picture. But for right now I'd go with the Macbook Pro (or even the plain jane refurb white Macbook that is being discontinued) and I wouldn't even have to think about it. It's light enough, durable enough, stable, fast enough, and a real workhorse. I've never been left in the lurch with a Macbook. This coming from somebody who HATED the iBook he was given at work and had decided he'd never use an Apple computer again. But when I was issued my Macbook I gave it a chance (Because I was required to) and was rewarded greatly with years of great service.
Check the refurbs, and check the student discounts if the budget is a concern, and make sure you get apple care at the student rate. You'll have a worry free computer that can do all you need and then some.
Thanks for reading my novel!
