iPad or other tablet for ebooks, note taking,etc?

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I was looking at the Lenovo ThinkPad x230t and would use OneNote, but a majority of my classmates use the iPad with a keyboard. Which is easier? Or is there something out there that's better?
 
buy a simple cheap laptop because all you need to do is type notes and browse the internet. you aren't going to be running crysis during lecture
 
Wow, it has been so long since someone started a thread about tablets and/or unnecessarily expensive and unnecessary study platforms!
 
Gonna disagree. I love using my ipad for all my notes. Granted, our power points and note sets are very comprehensive and I don't take many physical notes, but having it all in one small area without binders is fantastic. But it works best with a laptop.
 
I've been using the Dell Latitude 10 which is a 10" tablet with an active Wacom digitizer (basically a really accurate stylus with pressure sensitivity). It's perfect for taking handwritten notes, drawing little schematics (Pathoma style), drawing out mnemonics and annotating diagrams (especially xrays and histology). The tablet also runs full Windows so everything is simpler.
 
I'm going to vouch for that x230t that the OP mentioned. I have the older version, x220t, and it's awesome. So easy to write directly on powerpoints during lecture with the digitizer, or type up stuff if there's a lot because it has a full keyboard. There's no ipad keyboard that is as good as the one on the lenovo, you won't be able to type as fast (plus, without a digitizer, you can't write very quick and fine on the ipad). The ipad has its place, its great for ebooks and referencing information, but it doesn't come close to a laptop with a digitizer if you plan on interacting heavily with your notes (which i think is vital during the first two years). Also, I did the same thing that you mentioned in using OneNote on this laptop for all my notes.

That being said, I'm heavily debating if I want an iPad right now as I'm starting third year, because I will be doing a lot more looking up information and a lot less memorization/comprehension of facts/concepts on a few slides. Like I said, each device has its place, its up to you to decide how you want to use it.
 
I'm going to vouch for that x230t that the OP mentioned. I have the older version, x220t, and it's awesome. So easy to write directly on powerpoints during lecture with the digitizer, or type up stuff if there's a lot because it has a full keyboard. There's no ipad keyboard that is as good as the one on the lenovo, you won't be able to type as fast (plus, without a digitizer, you can't write very quick and fine on the ipad). The ipad has its place, its great for ebooks and referencing information, but it doesn't come close to a laptop with a digitizer if you plan on interacting heavily with your notes (which i think is vital during the first two years). Also, I did the same thing that you mentioned in using OneNote on this laptop for all my notes.

That being said, I'm heavily debating if I want an iPad right now as I'm starting third year, because I will be doing a lot more looking up information and a lot less memorization/comprehension of facts/concepts on a few slides. Like I said, each device has its place, its up to you to decide how you want to use it.

Did you use that to read ebooks? I'm thinking about transitioning from physical copies to solely ebooks but not sure if it's a good idea. I'm not used to it yet, but I guess I can 'train' myself haha.
 
Wow, it has been so long since someone started a thread about tablets and/or unnecessarily expensive and unnecessary study platforms!

True about the redundancy, but I've got to disagree about tablets being unnecessarily expensive or unnecessary. I've saved so much money not printing my notes, I probably could have purchased 3 iPads by now. Plus the convenience of having all my notes in one place and organized in Dropbox vs scattered throughout multiple binders has been priceless to me. But that's just my opinion. 🙂
 
I use pdf-notes via Dropbox on my iPad in residency. There is a free version that highlights/marks up anything with pdf. It's a lot easier to carry around the Schwartz's surgery. Plus on certain rotations I use the EMR on my iPad and the attendings think it's amazing to have labs on the spot.
Of course, utility is dependent on finding the books you want on pdf, and cheap.
 
I'm a huge fan of the iPad Mini, I highly recommend it. That being said, my high school was one if the first to issue an iPad to every student, and there are some obvious drawbacks:

No Word/Excel/PowerPoint- You'll have to buy the apple versions of these and hope that they're transferring over.

No keyboard- It can be a real pain trying to type quickly on a tablet touchscreen keyboard, so I'd suggest shelling out some money for an attachable "real" one.

Browser- Im assuming you're using the tablet for more than just notes, and if your professor wants you to access a site that isn't compatible on Safari, you might be screwed.
 
CloudOn is an app I use for editing word/excel on my ipad, syncs with dropbox as well.
I've only used it a handful of times, but it's also free and seems to work well.
 
I picked up an old HP Touchpad during their last fire sale. It was definitely a steal. I wouldn't want it as an alternative to a laptop (or any tablet for that matter) but it's a great supplement for sure and they have Android mods for it so it runs great.
 
I picked up an old HP Touchpad during their last fire sale. It was definitely a steal. I wouldn't want it as an alternative to a laptop (or any tablet for that matter) but it's a great supplement for sure and they have Android mods for it so it runs great.


They're having a fire sale?!
 
Id go with the ipad mini. I barely use my laptop anymore except to make powerpoint presentations. Have my mini with me all day. Textx, calls, books on google drive, internet, email, expertconsult books, medscape, whatever you need. Plus it fits in your whitecoat pocket.
 
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