Tablet PC Worthwhile?

[Krismeese]

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Hi Guys,

So I know I will be in Pharm school next year, just not where yet 🙂

And I was thinking about selling my Apple G4 Powerbook and maybe picking up a tablet PC for school to use for notetaking and stuff. Since I just wouldnt use a computer in class if I had to type (especially with diagrams, graphs, pictures, etc.)

So, anyone in school right now have a Tablet PC? Is it helpful? Not worth it? Better than paper or not?

Thanks!

 

[Abilify]

This question can be better answered in the tech forum than here.

I currently use an Apple G4 Powerbook for school and I have never had issues with it. However, some schools requiring VPN access may give you trouble (like Nova). Most schools are Apple compatible for the most part. I don't know much about the tablet PC but there are rumors out there Apple will be releasing one in the next few months.

bananaface uses a tablet pc. I am sure she has some good insight on using one

I find most students that use computers in class, with the exception of that brown noser Glycerin , seem to get easily distracted with the internet while in class. It's a pitfall to think about.

 

[bananaface]

Two of my classmates chose tablets after they saw mine. I don't use the tabletting functions a ton. Originally I tried to take all my notes there, but I got tired of it. I could draw chemical structures in my notes, which I couldn't do with a regular laptop. One huge benefit is that if you have Adobe Acrobat documents you can mark them up - which works out great if you are writing a paper. Another neat thing is that you can fold a tablet flat, thus avoiding the evil eye of your professor as you sit in class and IM people. MSN messenger lets you send handwritten notes. Nothing else does yet. The current handwriting recognition software is lousy. Don't count on being able to write longhand and then convert your notes into typed text.

I have an Acer Travelmate c110, which is about 2.5 years old now. It's lightweight (2.5 lb) so I take it to class everyday. I'd recommend getting a model with a CD-ROM drive built in. Mine's external. I've never even attached it. 😳

 

[kkelloww]

I have a Gateway M275 which is their latest widescreen convertible notebook. I use it almost exclusively in tablet mode and take all my notes by hand. It's great when the prof releases their lectures on the Internet and you can get them and mark them up. Look into the convertibles because you can use them as a regular notebook and then just flip the screen around and use it as a tablet.


Oh, plus the chicks dig it!

 

[ultracet]

the only reason i ever took my computer to class was to do work other than school work...

i'm one of the ones who played during class

our profs teach off their handouts so a laptop was pointless

 

[bananaface]

I am playing during class. 😀

 

[Krismeese]

Haha. Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I will have to go by a store and play around with one for a bit, and see if I can find some current students from wherever I decide to go to see if it would be worthwhile.

Also, I am not sure if trying to take notes in the tablet is as fast as taking notes on paper or if it is as convenient to study from 🙂

 

[tennismn]

We got the IBM X41 Tablet PC's at work for a project, and I'm hooked. I use it to take notes during meetings, and the handwriting recognition hasn't been too bad for me. I translate the meeting notes to text and email them out afterwards, so it's been great for that.

I haven't used the other tools for students, so I can't comment on them. However, I'm wanting a convertible tablet very badly. Too bad the IBM's are on the pricey side.

 

[bananaface]

I recommend www.tabletPCBuzz.com for information on specific tablet models. 🙂