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Should I return my brand-new iPad? (a college student's concern)

T

taeccool

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Hi everyone! This is my first thread ever.

I ordered the iPad from Online Apple Store on August 8th.
As you might know, the demand for iPad still seems to be pretty high...🙁
They gave me the shipping date of August 23rd.

What a wait!

And as of today, August 18th, they said my iPad is 'Prepared for shipment'.
So I was happy for that (finally!), until I found out my required textbook list for this coming Fall semester.

Even though I didn't get my iPad yet, I have a iPod touch so I could search for about 10 textbooks I have to buy for this semester; and there were only 2 textbooks available as e-books.

The main reason I decided to go with the iPad was because I wanted to save money from buying all of those overpriced silly textbooks and save time from the hassle with re-selling those books after a semester.

Of course I knew that e-book system aren't perfect, especially in the textbook industry...
Also I presume there would be much more stuff that I can use productively as a commuting college student.

But I feel a little stupid now...🙁

What should I do?
Should I return the iPad when I get it, and wait for the next generation?
or Should I keep it because I may be utilizing it well anyway?

Please, some advice?
Thank you in advance!



(Plus, I own an old laptop that's barely functioning and a desktop PC that's only months old. Since I'm commuting 4 days a week, I thought I would need a simpler and lighter device like the iPad...)
 
A big question is: Do you own a laptop?

I assume you do. I am using an iPad for college, but alas, I do not have a laptop.
 
SeanZy said:
A big question is: Do you own a laptop?

I assume you do. I am using an iPad for college, but alas, I do not have a laptop.
Click to expand...


I own a laptop and desktop PC, too.
Since I'm commuting to school (via train), I needed a lighter and simpler device like the iPad...
 
I'd say it depends on what else you see yourself using it for and whether those things are worth the money to you. I wouldn't buy any e-reader just now if the main thing it is for is reading textbooks. If that's the only justification for your purchase, return it. Beyond that, only you can decide.
 
There are so many other things you can do with your iPad. Depending on what your major is your iPad could even replace your laptop. So give it a try for a couple of weeks and you might end up selling your laptop! 😀
 
I think eReaders are not ready for textbooks as of yet. I've seen adds from Nook on eBooks being ready for texts but my impression is that the selection is somewhat limited.

This is more of an issue with publishers than a device issue with the iPad. I don't think waiting for the next generation iPad will solve the issue, only more texts being released as eBooks will.

Regardless, if you bought the iPad for texts perhaps it will not meet your needs due to the gap.
 
Did you check Kindle AND iBooks AND did you see if the publisher sells it as a PDF?

Edit: Durp. Forgot Kindle and Amazon are the same thing.
 
The iPad won't replace your laptop for school. And publishers are going to take a really, really long time to provide school texts in an e-reader form because they're all a rip-off and have a total monopoly and will milk you for as much money as they can. There's not going to be a much cheaper option, books-wise.

However, I am a student and use mine for internet browsing between classes, for accessing online class information, etc. But I still need my laptop, too. It's just convenient for browsing the net when you're on the go.
 
You can put your iPad to many productive uses while on train. I use it for school as well and it is very handy.
 
The next gen iPad won't solve the issue you have with a limited amount of your required text books being available on the iPad. Not sure why you'd return it thinking another generation would help.

If you were buying it for this point alone then I would say return it, your needs are no longer being met by the device.
 
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