Surface vs. iPad Pro vs. iPad mini

[tarheelpenner]

---

Members do not see this ad.

trying to decide which one to buy to start MS1. I have heard that mini's are better for years 3 and 4, but I don't know if I want to be using a mini during my first two years to constantly take notes. I have heard good things about both the surface and the iPad pro (w/ Apple pen). Any thoughts? I'm hoping whatever I buy will get me through all 4 years.

 

[ridethecliche]

I'd get a surface pro and a different tablet like an older nexus. That's what I'm running, but I also have a laptop running in desktop mode back home.

The surface is awesome for school, but honestly it's a bit of a pain in the ass to use on your lap in comparison. It's doable, but obviously not as easy as a laptop. I'm used to it by now, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[Semmelweiser]

A couple of med students I know speak highly of the Surface Book. You get the function of a tablet and a laptop without much compromise of the benefits offered by both device types. They also released upgraded Surface Books this past fall, and are speculating that the Surface Book 2 will hit in the first half of 2017, so you could likely get the older models on a mark down.

 

[Willfrye027]

I LOVE my surface pro4. I strongly prefer the ergonomics to standard laptops (including surface book which I thought about getting instead). I can comfortably study in pretty much any position-at a desk, on the couch, laying in bed, etc etc because there are so many ways to use it. Using Onenote and the surface pen for class has been amazing (wish I knew about it in undergrad).

One thing I did not like about the surface book is if you use the pen while is sitting upright in "laptop mode", the screen wiggles back and forth unless you stabilize it with your hand behind the screen or something. The way that they designed the SP4 to sit upright, you can write on the screen in laptop mode and it is relatively stable. I would strongly suggest a trip to Best Buy or whatever to test both out.

I also thought about using an ipad for notes, but then you are dealing with needing two separate devices. SP4 does it all at about the same cost as the ipad pro when you factor in all the goodies. Just my .2

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

Straight up all you need is a surface pro 4. Best purchase I've ever made. That being said, if you're someone who's generally only happy with apple products I'd say go with the iPad pro because I know, a bunch of classmates who got the sp4, but they're apple fanboys and girls and are dissatisfied with it because they can't use anything but apple stuff. The sp4 is a much better piece of tech objectively though due to the fact that it's a real full computer running Windows 10 as opposed to a mobile device running iOS. Some people are ruled by emotions though so you have to decide based on that.

 

[YaBoyCJ]

If you want a superior tablet experience get an iPad Pro. If you want a device that does tablet well and a computer decently get the Surface Pro 4. Either way, I think tablet writing is weird even with my superior (albeit overpriced) Apple pencil. You can't beat classic pen and paper.

Personally, I had the money for a MacBook Pro and the 9.7" iPad Pro, but I think a laptop (Mac or PC) designed to be a computer + an external monitor is the way to go for medical school. iPad Pro alone isn't enough of a computer, and Surface Pro struggles ergonomically on tiny lecture hall desks and in your actual lap. Did I mention external monitor? Your productivity will instantly change for the better.

 

[tarheelpenner]

Thank you all for your input! This is very helpful. Right now I'm thinking that I love the Surface Pro 4. But, it is quite large so I will not be able to use it for rounds, etc. in MS3. I have a macbook pro already, so the iPad might just be a useful supplement. However, it is old and getting quite slow, so maybe I should just replace it altogether with the surface pro 4? Agh. I don't know. Especially because most of what I'm reading points towards the Surface Pro being better. But this does help clear everything up! Now I just need to make a decision on whether I want to switch over from Apple or not.

 

[YaBoyCJ]

Thank you all for your input! This is very helpful. Right now I'm thinking that I love the Surface Pro 4. But, it is quite large so I will not be able to use it for rounds, etc. in MS3. I have a macbook pro already, so the iPad might just be a useful supplement. However, it is old and getting quite slow, so maybe I should just replace it altogether with the surface pro 4? Agh. I don't know. Especially because most of what I'm reading points towards the Surface Pro being better. But this does help clear everything up! Now I just need to make a decision on whether I want to switch over from Apple or not.

If you have the MacBook model with a mechanical hard drive and CD drive (circa 2012), you should upgrade to a solid state hard drive. I did that before I splurged for the retina screen model and it's a night and day speed difference--I'm talking 10-15 seconds from powered off to login screen. It'll run anywhere from $90-$200 depending on how many gigabytes you want. I did the Samsung EVO 250GB and installing it + transferring data really is simple if you follow a guide. You could shift the $900+ you'll save to something else.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I pretty much hate apple products and I am fully androided out in terms of my phone, but I think my iPad pro with the logitech keyboard is fantastic. Amazing battery life, responds quickly and reliably, makes sense.

 

[Willfrye027]

Also I would DEFINITELY check in with the tech department at your school. Our ecurriculum/blackboard site thingy absolutely does not work with iOS, which has really sucked for the iPad users who have to email themselves all the powerpoints and whatnot. Not to mention I can't access it with my iPhone. Huge hassle for the iPad people.

At home I have an external monitor set up ($100) so I can watch lectures and read textbooks and whatnot on the extra screen, which is really nice.

Also not sure why people don't like using the sp4 on their laps. Mine feels right at home on my lap as I type this. But I've heard/read that complaint from plenty of people so who knows. All I know is that I can use this thing in pretty much any position, comfortably, which cannot be said for laptops. You really have to try one out to see how many configurations you put the thing into. On the same note, I love having a touchscreen and being able to use tablet mode. I use it all the time for reading my textbooks, flashcard apps, watching Netflix, etc etc. Very ergonomic and you just pull off the keyboard and set it aside.

The writing thing on the screen took about a week to get used to. Now it feels weird writing things on paper...but then again my study style involves very minimal note taking, so its a non-issue for me. I will say the iPad pen system seemed a touch better than the windows pen. Noticeable, but not a deal breaker/maker.

I have not had issues with the screen size. I think whatever you end up using you just get used to. The graphics are excellent, however, which makes reading my ebooks soooo much nicer-I would take the graphics any day over screen size (not that you necessarily have to compromise).

 

[Mr Roboto]

I would save the money by getting neither.

 

[Willfrye027]

I would save the money by getting neither.

For something I use 12-14 hours a day, I'm glad I spent the $$

 

[Mr Roboto]

For something I use 12-14 hours a day, I'm glad I spent the $$

What do you do with it? I was 50-50 on buying one and decided against. I don't see many classmates using them as tablets (though plenty use them as computers). Is there some new level of productivity I could be reaching?

 

[Willfrye027]

What do you do with it? I was 50-50 on buying one and decided against. I don't see many classmates using them as tablets (though plenty use them as computers). Is there some new level of productivity I could be reaching?

Not really to be honest. At least not a grand worth of more productivity. I was more referring to the OPs situation (seems like he wants a new computer for med school because his old one is crapping out). If he already had a good computer, getting the latest and greatest might not be a wise use of $$. Butttt, if youre going to buy a new computer, which you will use 12-14 hours a day, you might as well get the best tool for the job (within reason/financial constraints). Just my opinion.