I have used an ipad 2 in undergrad for the past year... i wrote a fairly detailed synopsis on it in another thread. Overall it is a great supplemental tool, but in no way can it replace a computer... i thought it would be a time saver, but it has ended up being more of a time waster. I love it, but i wouldn't rely on it as a primary tool...
Here is my synopsis from the other thread...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=813879
I recently won an ipad from work and have had it for about a year... so i feel i can weigh in accordingly.
When i first got it, i thought it was a godsend... however it has actually been more of a time waster, than saver. I seriously love it, but i definitely don't think it should be used in lieu of a primary computer, but rather as a tool to supplement your personal computer.
I have and continue to spend money on apps to make it school savvy. Here is a list of apps that i have found useful, with price and description:
Atomic Browser, $1, tabbed internet browsing
-Microsoft Quick Office, $15, edit and create word, excel, and pp docs
-GoodReader $3 and Noterize $4, edit and annotate PDF docs, both have different features that i like. GoodReader has a very good doc organizing features.
-UPAD, $5, best note taking app out there (and i bought 4), can write, type, record 30 min of audio per file, and then email it to yourself as PDF. ***Key feature - you can write very large in the tab, it then shrinks it down to regular paper level.
-Keynote, $10, best app for pp docs, much better at editing, and overall more user friendly.
-Dropbox, free, this is the best way i have found to toggle documents between primary computer and ipad.
-istudiez pro, $3 (i think), basically it is a calendar app meant for keeping track of school assignments, grades, etc. Very useful if used properly.
After the past month of trying to figure all this out, i finally feel i have it where i like, however i know things will keep coming out and i will keep refining it.
Also recommend: Calculator Pro, Skype, Pandora, Angry Birds, Words w/ Friends, and Zynga Poker
Now other things to consider.... i was actually surprised at how easy it is to type on. I can type pretty much just as fast as i can on a normal keyboard. However, you have to hold your wrists up in a funky position, and typing for more than 15 minutes gets tiring. So if you plan on doing a lot of typing, buy the wireless keyboard. For writing you have to buy a stylus that simulates a figure, so the tip is pliable and about a 1/4 inch in diameter. It is really not conducive for accurate writing, especially if your writing sucks like mine, that is why UPAD is essential. Even still i don't love it.
It is also important to consider that while browsing the internet, some sites automatically go into "mobile mode", which kind of sucks and i haven't found a way around this yet.
Other random thoughts:
I have the basic 16GB, wifi, straight $500
Now if you are going to use it for school, you might want to go for the 32GB or 64GB, which are much more expensive. Especially if you want to download music or videos on there.... i had to limit my music/vid library to 8 GB. It is nice that if you want the 3G, it is not contractual, it is only a flat fee month to month and you can cancel anytime.
So between the $500 for ipad (free for me), $50 for initial apps, $50 case, and the hundreds more you will spend on apps, music, etc. You have to decide if it's worth it. If you want the 64GB 3G plan on $830 plus $25 a month for the 3G.
Overall, it is awesome and i love it, however, if i had not won it... i would not have bought it for myself. My personal laptop does way more than it can... and i don't have to keep buying apps.
Good luck, hope this helped!
