Tablet for studying

[jard]

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That's not strictly a Step 1- related topic but I need your opinion so I decided to ask about it anyway.

I'm thinking of purchasing a tablet to use for studying during my STEP 1 preparation. I think it's gonna be useful while studying some ebooks in pdf form that I have and for note taking during class.

I can't choose between the following two options:
Option 1: Apple iPad (the wifi model with 32 gb of space)
Option 2: Google Nexus 7

The pros of the iPad is that it has a larger and better display, it can be used for note taking and there are more apps available for it. My main problem is that it costs twice the price of the Nexus plus that I would prefer an Android tablet.

The pros of the Nexus is that it is cheaper, has better tech specs (except for the screen) and it runs Android (that's a plus in my opinion). The main problem is that it has a 7 inch display which I think it would be too small for reading textbooks in pdf form.

Can you help me decide what to do? Thanks! 🙂

 

[thepoopologist]

iPad. Some books will still be difficult to read but it won't be as bad as reading on a 7" tablet

 

[withrye]

I'd suggest not getting a tablet to study in the first place. Even on an iPad's larger screen, PDF scans of textbooks are awkward and clumsy. The font is often quite small relative to page size, and you may find yourself being forced to zoom in anyway and awkwardly scroll around. On the iPad, there's an app and publishing company called Inkling that makes really good digital versions of texbooks. Unfortunately, they have a pretty small medical library right now.

I have an iPad, and I don't think it passes muster for serious long term studying of PDF texbooks. I do all of that on my laptop, where the larger screen, larger keyboard, and dedicated trackpad space all work together to make studying easier and much, much faster. It's also better for taking notes, but that obviously has more to do with having a better keyboard and more flexibility with note taking programs.

 

[Ronin786]

I'd say go with the iPad if you can afford it. Its an overall better tablet and you'll likely get more use out of it in the future.

I've gotten good use out of mine as far a reading PDFs and looking up the FA errata when I'm off the computer. Plus if you carry it around and think of something you can always quickly look up something.

That said, don't expect to use it as your main study source as it probably won't be an efficient use of time.

 

[jard]

Well, after reading your posts I think that the real dilemma is getting an iPad or not buying a tablet at all.

I do have a laptop and I have tried studying on it but I cannot get used to it. I think the main reason is that I dont find the positioning of the screen that comfortable. I ended up printing some of the lecture notes of our professors because of that. Battery life is not that great either. I've never used it for note taking during a lecture.

My idea was that the touch screen would make the ebooks I have easier to read (I wont have to print them), as well as a tablet would be easier to carry with me and use it for note taking. But I dont know if that justifies spending 600 euros on purchasing one. Perhaps I should stick to using my laptop and save the money.