What sort of computer/tablet will you guys use for DS?

[isittoolate]

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So I know this topic has been discussed here previously, but I am looking for some more feedback regarding what kind of set-up people will sue for taking notes in class as well as for use for studying at home and at school. Personally, I have been a Mac guy for the past four years and I think that even though it is more pricey, the build quality is great and I have had my macbook for 5 years now without really feeling the need to replace it (until now that is). I was debating purchasing either a macbook or a macbook air, as I am looking for something that will be more portable and less of an inconvenience to carry back and forth to school. At the same time, I want a computer with adequate specs such that it will be able to run programs well for the rest of DS.

I guess what I am trying to figure out is what are you guys looking for? Is portability or processing power your first priority? Maybe getting a powerful desktop like an iMac and then using a tablet or netbook for notes? What are your guy's thoughts?

 

[MedDevil]

Dental school isn't engineering, chances are processing power won't be your biggest priority with the software you'll be using for classes. Go for something lightweight, comfortable, and versatile--I'd say a 13" MBA is your best bet. If you're concerned about power, add a couple upgrades and you'll be set for the next four years.

 

[tommyinVA]

your school will obviously play a factor. some schools are PC-only, others are mac-friendly. i have a 13" unibody macbook from '08 and may be in need of an upgrade. a lot of the current students at my future school say they don't need anything more than an ipad for lectures or anything else at school. i may go that route and just keep my macbook plugging away for "backup"

 

[dmdluffy]

The most intensive program you'll probably run if you're a average dental student will be One Note or PPT 😛 I'd get something you'd be happy with regardless of specs. Weight is important. Just keep in mind, if you save money on the laptop, that could be money towards an ipad/tablet or graphics tablet for note taking.

 

[autoclavemonkey]

I'll probably sell my 2009 MBP and get 13'' Macbook Air / 10'' Ipad when they get updated this June.

 

[dchoi]

getting rid of my macbook pro and getting the new macbook air 13" when it comes out. will have an ipad as well, but i don't know if i will use it to take notes...

 

[drill-and-fill]

I'm thinking about selling my iPad and getting either Galaxy tab 10.1 or Surface Pro for taking notes in dschool. Anyone here use either of them?

 

[UCLAzy]

if you're getting a PC, try a lenovo business class laptop. it will last as long as a mac and the battery life is solid. it may not look stunning but it will last beyond your schooling, also might not look as enticing to a thief .

for mac, obviously there are not many choices. depends on your operating system preference.

i would not recommend a surface pro. you don't want to be tied to an outlet while in school, and you will be with a surface pro. if you already have a laptop, a surface pro is too much anyway, get a tablet (windows RT, android, iOS depending on your preference). battery life and durability should be the biggest concerns

 

[KittySquared]

Folks with iPads - what apps/prog do you use on your iPad for taking notes?

 

[PointEstimate]

Folks with iPads - what apps/prog do you use on your iPad for taking notes?

I've tried iAnnotate and Notability, but prefer Notability just a little more than iAnnotate. There are things that I like and don't like from each (you can google up reviews) so I think I'll probably either print notes (and swim in paper, which better suits my learning style since I can get easily distracted with the internet at my fingertips) or type notes in the powerpoints (and will have to get more self control to not browse the web during lectures).

I just can't get past the learning curve of shrinking and expanding portions to write notes over the PDF slides, so I really don't like taking notes on my iPad. My handwriting is messy and the nub of the stylus makes it such that I feel pinching the screen to resize things is necessary in order to write notes.

 

[ktran17]

Probably going to get some 13' laptop convertible tablet that operates using intel haswel. < estimated 12+ hours of battery life with this chip

 

[isittoolate]

I'll probably sell my 2009 MBP and get 13'' Macbook Air / 10'' Ipad when they get updated this June.

I was leaning towards. 13" MBA as well, but I guess I don't know if I would use both a MBA and an iPad. I typically have used my MacBook as a desktop when at home because on a 27" monitor I get more real estate to have articles and word up at the same time. I know I will want to have a desktop setup with a big monitor, but I'm not sure how I want to do it. Using a 13" MBA would be really convenient for taking to school, but might not be powerful enough for use as a desktop. Ideally, I would want to get an iMac because it has the best power/price ratio of the Mac line. I am not sure about giving up a laptop though...I cannot afford to do both, but could probably get a tablet with a keyboard for notes. Has anyone been successful with a setup like this? I just don't know if I would be able to give up the full functionality f a laptop for a tablet

 

[KittySquared]

I've tried iAnnotate and Notability, but prefer Notability just a little more than iAnnotate. There are things that I like and don't like from each (you can google up reviews) so I think I'll probably either print notes (and swim in paper, which better suits my learning style since I can get easily distracted with the internet at my fingertips) or type notes in the powerpoints (and will have to get more self control to not browse the web during lectures).

I just can't get past the learning curve of shrinking and expanding portions to write notes over the PDF slides, so I really don't like taking notes on my iPad. My handwriting is messy and the nub of the stylus makes it such that I feel pinching the screen to resize things is necessary in order to write notes.

FUQ that. Pen and notebook it is.

 

[bambam92]

So I know this topic has been discussed here previously, but I am looking for some more feedback regarding what kind of set-up people will sue for taking notes in class as well as for use for studying at home and at school. Personally, I have been a Mac guy for the past four years and I think that even though it is more pricey, the build quality is great and I have had my macbook for 5 years now without really feeling the need to replace it (until now that is). I was debating purchasing either a macbook or a macbook air, as I am looking for something that will be more portable and less of an inconvenience to carry back and forth to school. At the same time, I want a computer with adequate specs such that it will be able to run programs well for the rest of DS.

I guess what I am trying to figure out is what are you guys looking for? Is portability or processing power your first priority? Maybe getting a powerful desktop like an iMac and then using a tablet or netbook for notes? What are your guy's thoughts?

13' MacBook Pro!! More memory/storage and actually has a disc drive unlike the air.I love mine...very portable and powerful!👍

 

[User8088]

13' MacBook Pro!! More memory/storage and actually has a disc drive unlike the air.I love mine...very portable and powerful!👍

I believe that the new MacBook Pro's don't have a disc drive anymore either

 

[autoclavemonkey]

I was leaning towards. 13" MBA as well, but I guess I don't know if I would use both a MBA and an iPad. I typically have used my MacBook as a desktop when at home because on a 27" monitor I get more real estate to have articles and word up at the same time. I know I will want to have a desktop setup with a big monitor, but I'm not sure how I want to do it. Using a 13" MBA would be really convenient for taking to school, but might not be powerful enough for use as a desktop. Ideally, I would want to get an iMac because it has the best power/price ratio of the Mac line. I am not sure about giving up a laptop though...I cannot afford to do both, but could probably get a tablet with a keyboard for notes. Has anyone been successful with a setup like this? I just don't know if I would be able to give up the full functionality f a laptop for a tablet

Depends on what you do on your big screen. My brother uses his MBA with 27'' apple display and everything works perfectly fine. Ofcourse it's not powerful enough to play games but it's enough to play any video/movie files (Bluray ripped 1080p files). For school usage, it's more than enough. If I were to choose only one between a MBA and an Ipad, I'd probably choose a MBA. You can also continue using your Macbook/27'' monitor and just purchase an ipad down the road.

 

[Hawkteeth]

Macbook for taking notes, iPad for reading textbooks.