All iPads University Options

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good setup since I am just beginning Uni again. I am studying a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) / Bachelor of Science.

Currently I have a 15" 2012 rMBP, an iPhone 5, iPad 32GB (1st Gen) and a 21" iMac which is hooked up to my 32" TV (the iMac is only used to watch movies on etc).

I have been taking my rMBP to Uni for a few days, and while it is obviously fantastic at a lot of stuff, when it's in it's case in my bag, it takes up most of the room, it isn't particularly light when you have to carry it for 6 hours, and the size is probably too big for the university desks.

I took my iPad today which can no longer be updated. The iPad is reasonably slow, but seems to work ok.

I was considering buying an iPad Mini - it sounds great - good battery life, small, light and thin. But when looking into this deeper, it wouldn't be very practical to do a full assignment on (as far as I am aware). I am doing a lot of extra work like assignments at uni in the mornings before I start class. A further downside to the Mini is the non Retina screen. I love the Retina screen on my rMBP and iPhone 5.

It seems like there a few really cool science apps for the iPad that would be beneficial to buy.

So basically what I am wondering is, what would be the best option/setup to take to uni?

 

No offence taken!

I did think about an 11" Macbook Air. The problem is, then I would have 2 laptops. The Macbook Air would be useless if I was not at uni since I have my rMBP as well.

And also, Macbook Airs are more then double the cost of an iPad..

 

Hi Zav, thanks for your reply.

The problem is, I don't live on campus, but have to commute 30 mins in morning traffic, and about 20 mins on the way home.

At my university, it is extremely difficult to get parking after 9am. Most days I start at 11am, so I have been getting there at 9 just for parking. So basically because of the travelling, I plan to be doing assignments/studying every morning, meaning I would have to take the rMBP and iPad...

I was planning on the Mini because of the portability/design. The iPad 4 is still heavy and will be getting an overhaul next update? It is more expensive. I know the Mini does not have Retina (which is a downside for me because I love Retina) but I would be probably willing to upgrade when Retina comes out. Which makes me unsure on the time to buy...

 

Problem with this is, then I would have 2 laptops. One would exclusively be for university, which only goes for 26 weeks a year pretty much. Yeh, I might use the air on other occasions, but I would still take the rMBP.

It's not like the rMBP is a massive weight concern now, but I don't want to carry extra weight for 6 hours if I don't have to obviously. Taking up pretty much all my room in my bag can become a bit of an issue though.

I was thinking about a Mini with one of those keyboard things... but how practical is this?

 

I have to carry around some large textbooks as well, so even if I get a bigger bag, it's more weight, and still probably not enough space.

I don't have a big enough desk in my room to use the t.v and iMac concurrently. And I think hooking up my rMBP to a tv would be a waste of having a rMBP?