Preferred Tablet for Med School?

[BunnyMan17]

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For those who use tablets or 2 in 1s in med school, is there a particular brand or model you recommend?

I have a 2011 MBP from college that is chugging along just fine so I don't really need to replace my computer but I would like something with enough kick to avoid lag and run a few programs at once. It would be used to annotate case pdfs, take notes, annotate slides on the rare occasion I'm not using anki, etc. Right now I'm looking at the Ipad Pro or maybe the surface pro.
H&R block is saying my tax return will be about 1000 so I'd like to keep it about there.

 

[tymont12]

I really like the iPad Mini. Friend got a Surface Pro, it died within a year and was told my Microsoft he was SOL.

 

[CharlieBillings]

.

 

[bigindian4891]

My Surface Pro has been a godsend for first year, people who used an iPad switched them out for more powerful hybrids over Christmas break. Theres an even mix of Macbooks and Surfaces at my school.

 

[Osminog]

My Surface Pro has been a godsend for first year, people who used an iPad switched them out for more powerful hybrids over Christmas break. Theres an even mix of Macbooks and Surfaces at my school.

What applications/features of the Surface Pro do you find yourself using a lot?

 

[bigindian4891]

What applications/features of the Surface Pro do you find yourself using a lot?

The portability aspect (in anatomy lab, I can just disconnect the screen and carry that rather than a bulky laptop), 3D anatomy programs are considerably easier to use, and its fantastic using the pen to mark up powerpoints and pdfs. And its still quite powerful enough to be an actual computer. Go to a store and try it out, I was very hesitant but it grew on me the more I used it.

 

[Osminog]

The portability aspect (in anatomy lab, I can just disconnect the screen and carry that rather than a bulky laptop), 3D anatomy programs are considerably easier to use, and its fantastic using the pen to mark up powerpoints and pdfs. And its still quite powerful enough to be an actual computer. Go to a store and try it out, I was very hesitant but it grew on me the more I used it.

I actually have one. I was just curious about how it can be used to its full potential during med school. 🙂

 

[sovereign0]

I'm a bit on the opposite end of the spectrum. I bought a SurfaceBook thinking the touchscreen aspect would be useful. I only ever really use it as a laptop. Maybe once a month I'll disconnect the screen and use it in tablet mode to read an article or textbook. It's a neat feature to have, but IMO a tablet isn't really necessary for M1-M2. I don't regret having it (though it was really expensive), but I don't find myself needing the extra features, either.

As for clinical years, a small tablet that can fit in your coat pocket would be really useful, so you can look things up without it looking like you're on your phone texting.

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

For me, 1st 2 years: laptop. 3rd year: iPad mini in white coat, laptop at home. 4th year: lol.

 

[Lnsean]

Surface pro all the way.

 

[Batracho]

Huuuuge plug for iPad Pro + Apple Pencil. I know it's expensive, but I have been using all the time for both of my preclinical years. I have the big one (12 inch), and I love it, but smaller was is fine as well. I love that the big one is the same size as a US letter paper, which means when I read articles and other things, I don't have to zoom in at all. I am a huge fan.
That said, it is expensive and does not substitute a laptop. If I wasn't in the Apple ecosystem, I'd go with surface IMO.

 

[machete fred]

I recommend spending the money to upgrade/replace your Macbook instead of buying a tablet. I was the type of person in college who took notes on literally everything but I've found that its too time consuming in med school. Recorded lectures + anki is a way more powerful/time effective way to study. If you have to buy a tablet, I'd definitely recommend the surface pro over the iPad.