Thread: Opinions needed: iPad, tablets, TP X220s, ultrabooks

Originally Posted by M1LULZ

I believe this has been hashed over before but seeing how the new 15 inch Macbook pros have been announced I thought I'd ask yet again...

I plan on using the Macbook pro as a pseudo desktop/study in the room device while also purchasing from craigslist some ultraportable device for note taking in class....

Here at Unc the students having been purchasing TP X220s that convert into tablet writing devices which is a bit appealing considering I memorize items faster when writing....however...

I just wanted to get input from some of the more techie SGU'ers...do you see any utility in iPads? While I've used mine to look over PDF notes while on the go I just don't see much use for the device beyond taking up luggage space....the ghetto'ed out X220 or ultra book would at least give me a back up laptop if the Macbook were to kick the bucket....

opinions? impressions?

thanks!

The majority of students use the iPad for lecture slides and notes. The slides are posted in pdf format online (in color) while the paper notes provided are in black and white. Students use an app on the iPad to take notes directly onto the pdf slides and study from there. It saves space, time in finding notes and gets you color images. Since all the devices you mention above can do that bring whatever you feel comfortable with.

Two pieces of advice: 1) make sure customs doesn't see anything else apart from your laptop. A student was charged 175USD as tax for his iPad along with 90 something USD for his mac and 2) things do get stolen here so just make sure you either bring something that isn't too expensive or you look after the item like you would your child.

So when you mean that the majority of students use an iPad, do you mean that the majority of students that use a laptop/tablet for taking notes during class use an iPad, or the majority of students as a whole use an iPad in lecture? I have a pretty large laptop that I'm bringing and I'm considering getting a tablet for class. I've gotten by in undergrad just printing out notes and bringing them to class, but is that too difficult to do at SGU? I understand that there is the availability for me to do so, but is it practical to write out my notes in class, or should I go ahead and get a tablet?
If so, I have my eye on an Acer tablet which supports Android 4.0. Do you believe that this would be compatible with SGU's tech? Thanks in advance!

UNC grad here...i've got an x230 tablet on order for my first semester at SGU. I envied the students with those things from the first second I tried to take computer notes in a science class. If you do get a tablet, MS Onenote will import PDFs so that you can write directly on them, or take typed notes on them.

Originally Posted by Frostling

The majority of students use the iPad for lecture slides and notes. The slides are posted in pdf format online (in color) while the paper notes provided are in black and white. Students use an app on the iPad to take notes directly onto the pdf slides and study from there. It saves space, time in finding notes and gets you color images. Since all the devices you mention above can do that bring whatever you feel comfortable with.

Two pieces of advice: 1) make sure customs doesn't see anything else apart from your laptop. A student was charged 175USD as tax for his iPad along with 90 something USD for his mac and 2) things do get stolen here so just make sure you either bring something that isn't too expensive or you look after the item like you would your child.

Do you know the name of the app students use to take notes directly on the slides?

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Do you know the name of the app students use to take notes directly on the slides?

Its Microsoft OneNote.

Originally Posted by arkuna

So when you mean that the majority of students use an iPad, do you mean that the majority of students that use a laptop/tablet for taking notes during class use an iPad, or the majority of students as a whole use an iPad in lecture? I have a pretty large laptop that I'm bringing and I'm considering getting a tablet for class. I've gotten by in undergrad just printing out notes and bringing them to class, but is that too difficult to do at SGU? I understand that there is the availability for me to do so, but is it practical to write out my notes in class, or should I go ahead and get a tablet?
If so, I have my eye on an Acer tablet which supports Android 4.0. Do you believe that this would be compatible with SGU's tech? Thanks in advance!

Yeah, I'm curious about that too. Not a big fan of mixing technology with my study habits. I would adapt though if it's mandatory. I wonder if the old pen and notebook technique will still work at SGU.

Originally Posted by jjesusfreak01

UNC grad here...i've got an x230 tablet on order for my first semester at SGU. I envied the students with those things from the first second I tried to take computer notes in a science class. If you do get a tablet, MS Onenote will import PDFs so that you can write directly on them, or take typed notes on them.

Hey JF

I sent you a PM but looks like your set up is what I'm going to do as well, however I was thinking about nabbing an X220 on craigslist and popping an SSD into it to use as my portable...I've seen UNC's med students "writing" on the tablet and that really appeals to me...

I've already got my Macbook pro 15 inch on order but as thin as they make them the device just seems to bulky...there's rumors that Apple's going to announce a re modeled 13 inch in a couple months but my gut tells me spending an arm and a leg on a mobile device just isn't the best idea...

While the iPad would be sleek and trendy it just doesn't sound its worth it...

Originally Posted by thxleave

Yeah, I'm curious about that too. Not a big fan of mixing technology with my study habits. I would adapt though if it's mandatory. I wonder if the old pen and notebook technique will still work at SGU.

That Acer tablet looks nice and the preview was pretty impressive - very responsive, very snappy (I can't post the link but check out Anandtech.com for a nice preview)



unfortunately I'm wary of Windows 8 and how functional/productive having these devices will be (just like the iPad)...if its just to look at ppts and pdfs then you really are just paying for a glorified document display...

it would be different if all the textbooks were digital - then I'd say it'd be worth having to save the lower back pain...but I still can't see these tablets replacing a Macbook air or an ultra book...

Any reason to get a MacBook pro over a MacBook air for SGU?