Can any current students comment on possibly using an IPad for textbooks?
You'll have to consider multiple personal preferences to answer that. The textbooks are issued digitally as you know, but there are multiple copies of each book in the library as well if you really want a hard copy. If you want to write notes in a hard copy--you have to buy your own. The flip-side is that the VitalSource app that you read textbooks on (computer or tablet) allows you to highlight as well as associate notes with those highlights if you desire. All of the features of VitalSource on the computer are also on the tablet apps (word searches are my favorite, great for finding what you need quickly when making a pbl presentation). My personal preference is that I don't really like taking notes on the iPad textbooks...it's really a device meant for output rather than input (although some apps like Notability make input easier for pdf, ppt, etc.). There are a few students in my class that took class notes on an iPad using Notability or other such apps...but I could never get on board with it (I just like printing my notes, again--preference)
The big question is whether or not you will end up using textbooks as much as you think you will. Professors assign readings from the textbooks, many of which are multiple chapters. Once the workload kicks in you may find yourself looking for more concise forms of textual information as it specifically relates to test questions...keep in mind that the people lecturing you are not writing the exam questions, but rather choosing them from a bank of questions VTC purchases from the USMLE (this is a good thing, it prevents professors from testing you on minuscule information that they happen to hold dear). Those questions should be of the same material taught in a lecture, but they may not emphasize the same points. Personally, I get way too bogged down with the amount of detail presented in many of the textbooks. Some review books geared to medical education and testing present info in more concise ways, and different series give varying amounts of detail depending on your preference. Just a reminder--these are my opinions, some students do spend the first 2 years getting all their info from textbooks (some of the books are also just better than others). Additionally, .pdf files of nearly every review book you can think of (including the multiple series that the library provides) seem to become available somehow, so you can read those digitally as well. So the same question still applies...do you want to read on the iPad?
With that in mind, when I read textbooks in a digital format I would much rather read them off an iPad. The high resolution screen is essential, and a case that allows you stand it up in portrait and landscape formats is easier on the neck and back.
Aside from reading on the iPad, I really like having it as another screen to work on. If I'm making a powerpoint presentation, I'll often be reading information off the iPad as I make it in order to prevent all the opening and closing of files on my computer. Before you know it, your computer has 15+ files and webpages open and you can't keep track of them, meanwhile, you're using up all of your RAM and ppt craps out on you just before you hit save...dramatic, but it has happened (I would suggest against coming to medical school with the laptop you purchase as a college freshman...people did...people regretted doing it).
It is a nice device to have in class simply because of its unobtrusive nature. If you are running off to a lecture that you wont need a full computer for...take the ipad in case you want to look something up quickly (or if you get bored...not saying, just saying). There are some very cool medical apps available and the great screen uses them well.
I could go on forever. I would say this--do not buy the iPad with the impression that you will need it. I assure you that it is not a need-based item for our curriculum. That being said, they make some things easier in the day-to-day activities. It is a wonderful toy and I love it because I'm an Apple fan-boy who bought into the "ecosystem", and if you think studying will be less irritating when using it, then it's not a bad idea. If the money is just burning a hole in your pocket, definitely go for it...the fun factor combined with their utility is worthwhile.
I currently find myself using the iPad more than anything else right now. As an M2 doing nothing but studying for boards, the USMLE Q-bank app is fantastic to answer questions on and 100% easier on the eyes than a computer screen (unless it's one of those fancy schmancy retina display notebooks that came out last year...I want one). I keep my laptop open for a quick wikipedia/medscape reference when needed, but it's pretty tablet heavy at the moment.
A note on the different sizes: the full size iPad with a thin case will fit in the outer white-coat pocket, but its snug. The mini clearly fits. I love the full size screen (on my 3rd generation iPad) but question it's usability on the wards next year...it's sort of bulky in that pocket. So although I wouldn't want to do lots of reading on the mini for studying purposes, I may switch over to a retina display mini for wards, where I'll primarily be using it for quick references.
That was far more than I think you really asked for or wanted, but hopefully something in there answered your questions. Please ask anything else and I'll try to respond.
As the great Ferris Bueller once said--"It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." But is a 1961 Ferarri really ever necessary?
