Is a Laptop Necessary?

[evooo8]

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Hi, I will be entering medical school next fall. I am definitely in need of a new computer right now. My question is if a laptop is really necessary to succeed in medical school. I currently take all my notes in my undergrad classes with pencil and paper and have rarely ever needed to bring my laptop to school. Not sure if I am going to need to change this next year.

My debate now is whether to just get the Mac mini ($500) and maybe get a ipad or windows tablet to take notes on ($200) or just shell out the $1,100 for the MacBook Pro.

I personally prefer a desktop over a laptop, because of the larger screen size. My 19" monitor vs 13" MacBook Pro and also so I am actually forced to use my desk and won't attempt to study on my bed. But again, if many recommend that a laptop is necessary then I will probably go with the MacBook Pro.

 

[Mad Jack]

Yes, a laptop is 100% necessary. You'll understand why when you start.

I hook my 13" MBP up to my TV when I'm feeling like a larger screen. 42" of perfectly calibrated glory.

 

[Mehd School]

We take all of our written examinations on a laptop and you probably will too.

 

[Mad Jack]

We take all of our written examinations on a laptop and you probably will too.

Same. We have in-class quizzes every week, and all of our final exams that are taken online while sitting in the classroom.

 

[Petypet]

75+% of years 1 & 2 were spent on my laptop.

 

[JRO38]

.

 

[valkener]

Get the MBP.

 

[LChristmas]

Some schools include a laptop in the cost of attendance. Check with your school to see if you will receive a laptop during your first week. If not, buy one.

+1

My school includes a $2000 technology fee in return for a MBP and an iPad mini. I would hate to see someone buy a new laptop only to get a second one during the first week.

 

[abolt18]

I bought a laptop beforehand thinking I'd need it... I have never needed it. I may use it once a month out of convenience. I use nothing but my iPad that the school gave us. We take our tests on our iPads, histo labs on them, there is next to no actual need for a laptop here at KCOM. And if you REALLY need to use a computer the school library has plenty that are always available. Also, my laptop is a Lenovo, got it for 1/2 the price as the MBP and functions just as well (especially for anything you need in med school). Don't fork out the money just for the name.

I've spent maybe 0.00001% of my studying time using my laptop.

 

[MrWonderful]

if you go to PCOM, you need one

 

[hallowmann]

At almost every school that doesn't provide you with one, you'll need a laptop. Most schools flat out say it's a requirement. Now whether you should get an MBP or a cheaper alternative is up to you, but I wouldn't buy 2 computers when you can just connect the laptop to a monitor and peripherals.

 

[Mehd School]

I bought a laptop beforehand thinking I'd need it... I have never needed it. I may use it once a month out of convenience. I use nothing but my iPad that the school gave us. We take our tests on our iPads, histo labs on them, there is next to no actual need for a laptop here at KCOM. And if you REALLY need to use a computer the school library has plenty that are always available. Also, my laptop is a Lenovo, got it for 1/2 the price as the MBP and functions just as well (especially for anything you need in med school). Don't fork out the money just for the name.

I've spent maybe 0.00001% of my studying time using my laptop.

Well, that's an interesting flip of the coin. I can't imagine never having to use my laptop though. Just goes to show you the difference from school to school.

 

[Seth Joo]

Hi, I will be entering medical school next fall. I am definitely in need of a new computer right now. My question is if a laptop is really necessary to succeed in medical school. I currently take all my notes in my undergrad classes with pencil and paper and have rarely ever needed to bring my laptop to school. Not sure if I am going to need to change this next year.

My debate now is whether to just get the Mac mini ($500) and maybe get a ipad or windows tablet to take notes on ($200) or just shell out the $1,100 for the MacBook Pro.

I personally prefer a desktop over a laptop, because of the larger screen size. My 19" monitor vs 13" MacBook Pro and also so I am actually forced to use my desk and won't attempt to study on my bed. But again, if many recommend that a laptop is necessary then I will probably go with the MacBook Pro.

A lot of schools usually administer their exams on computer so you will need a laptop. Its not a huge expense.

 

[kp11]

A lot of the students at my school have switched to using the Surface Pro 3, as it does everything you need to do. They seem to think it's perfect for the job. I personally have a macbook Air and an iPad (both 2+ years old) and think it works just fine.
You need SOMETHING electronic in class to take notes on though. I only used paper for the first 3 months like I did in undergrad, and found it to be way more trouble than its worth.

 

[Member10billion]

I use my laptop for EVERYTHING. It is absolutely essential. I use my iPad for books and question banks.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Absolute necessity. You don't need something crazy. You can probably get by with a 350 buck dell from Walmart.

 

[supremus]

Get a PC instead.

 

[microshar88]

i think you should get a macbook air 13 inch. i have the mbp, and its quite heavy sometimes when i compare it to my lil bros mb air.

 

[apr27]

I have a 15" MBP (retina). Everything else is like watching sports in non-HD.

 

[NeuroMaster316]

Depends on your school. You need to see if it's required for your classes.
I personally believe, in this day and age, a laptop makes your educational life easier. I mean I use my PC for every single thing I do, and I can't imagine studying without it.
I'm starting med school next year and plan on buying a laptop (actually a "laplet" Surface pro 3/4). But as stated above, you have some very cheap choices, so you can buy an affordable one which I recommend getting against a tablet since a laptop has way more functionality than a tablet.
(BTW Apple sucks lol)

 

[ortnakas]

I'd get a laptop. You can always get an extra monitor if you want a bigger screen when you're studying at home.

 

[valkener]

The new MBP's are super light. Now, the Air is obviously light as a feather but the newest MBP are also super light and have much more computing power. I would just walk into an apple store and see what you like best.

 

[evooo8]

So I ended up getting the MacBook Pro Retina 13" Thanks for all your advice!