Which tablet?

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Which tablet?

  • iPad mini

    Votes: 17 16.8%

  • iPad 3

    Votes: 13 12.9%

  • iPad 4

    Votes: 35 34.7%

  • Nexus 7

    Votes: 13 12.9%

  • Nexus 10

    Votes: 3 3.0%

  • Laptop

    Votes: 17 16.8%

  • Pencil & Paper

    Votes: 10 9.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 12 11.9%
  • Total voters
    101
BuddyTheElf

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Would love to know which tablet you own and recommend or which one you are planning on purchasing. Refering to owning one for medical school. Device feedback is encouraged! And feel free to add a device that wasn't mentioned in the comments. 😀 :biglove:
 
Last edited:
I dont have any tablet, I've been looking into getting one. However it appears that NSU will be giving ( :laugh: ) us iPads next year.
 
DolFAN said:
I dont have any tablet, I've been looking into getting one. However it appears that NSU will be giving ( :laugh: ) us iPads next year.
Click to expand...

Not yet confirmed. But I hope it happens!

Sent from my Galaxy S2
 
I have the IPad and Nexus...the Nexus is noticeably faster, the Ipad just has a ton of apps. I see no need for a laptop, and I only use my desktop when writing long assignments or heavy gaming. The Nexus 7 is significantly cheaper, so if price is the issue get that. That being said the ipad 3 is probably a better buy.
 
iPad or the iPad Mini for school and rotations/residency. TONS of medical apps. Sure, the android market supports medical apps, but there are more available for the apple crowd and they tend to be better IMO.

I was just speaking with a family member (an ophthalmologist) about whether I should get the iPad Mini for rotations and residency and he said I should definitely think about it. I have an iPad now, but I am thinking about getting the mini in a couple years for the sake of space in my lab coat. They make lab coats that fit the regular iPad, but you have to special order them (and then get it engraved, etc.). I asked him how I would be using it and he said anything but EMR since both the regular iPad and the mini are rather small for this purpose.

Many physicians that I know carry a small tablet pc around with them in the office. This is how they access their EMRs.
 
I found a thread on this topic recently. It appears, and I own an iPad myself, that many people use iPads or the nexus (I couldn't go back to pen/paper). Many people tend to use GoodReader/Notability for note taking/PDF markups and then backup/sync the notes with dropbox on the computer (I will be using a combo of GoodReader/Evernote/Dropbox next semester).

Grab a keyboard for it and you're set.

I should note that I used the Evernote app all last semester and found it to be incredibly useful. I was able to create subject notebooks for individual classes, and, within those notebooks create specific topic notebooks. I had 5 science classes, all of which were nicely organized within Evernote.
 
t5Nitro said:
I found a thread on this topic recently. It appears, and I own an iPad myself, that many people use iPads or the nexus (I couldn't go back to pen/paper). Many people tend to use GoodReader/Notability for note taking/PDF markups and then backup/sync the notes with dropbox on the computer (I will be using a combo of GoodReader/Evernote/Dropbox next semester).

Grab a keyboard for it and you're set.

I should note that I used the Evernote app all last semester and found it to be incredibly useful. I was able to create subject notebooks for individual classes, and, within those notebooks create specific topic notebooks. I had 5 science classes, all of which were nicely organized within Evernote.
Click to expand...

Evernote is awesome 👍. My school's note service uses Evernote for uploading class notes/other helpful stuff.
 
t5Nitro said:
Agreed NeuroLAX, it is so efficient.

To the OP, watch this short video, and it may sway you into a decision. See if this style is something that appeals to you or not.

http://efficientmd.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-medical-student-uses-evernote-as.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that t5Nitro. I just started using Evernote this semester and I'm still getting used to it. But I think that link you posted just caught me up to speed of how I may be able to use it in the future.
 
NeuroLAX said:
Thanks for posting that t5Nitro. I just started using Evernote this semester and I'm still getting used to it. But I think that link you posted just caught me up to speed of how I may be able to use it in the future.
Click to expand...

Same here. I just found that video after the semester ended. I will definitely be able to use Evernote to its full potential in the coming semesters.
 
i love my mac book pro but it is so heavy, i will probably get an ipad to take to class and use my mac book at home. The AIR is a nice option because its much lighter 🙂
 
Total ipad noob here. Do they sell little keyboards that you can connect to your ipad so you don't have to use the pop-up touch keyboard? It just seems like the touch keyboard taking up part of the screen would be a huge pain, at least to me.

drshark said:
i love my mac book pro but it is so heavy, i will probably get an ipad to take to class and use my mac book at home. The AIR is a nice option because its much lighter 🙂
Click to expand...

I'm actually thinking of getting an air too. My brother got one for xmas to replace his macbook pro and he loves how much lighter it is 🙂
 
For med? iPad. The app library is something important to consider, as many have said.

For personal use, I have a rooted $100 android tablet lol.
 
If you don't have a laptop then you NEED a laptop. No tablet can replace it.

Now if you have one but want either a 2nd laptop or tablet than I suggest the new Windows one. The iPad 4 does have amazing apps, but if you have an iPhone, you already have access to these apps. If you have no iPhone then an iPad is a MUST. I suggest the 4 since the mini sucks from what my friends say. It is very portable though.
 
darklabel said:
If you don't have a laptop then you NEED a laptop. No tablet can replace it.

Now if you have one but want either a 2nd laptop or tablet than I suggest the new Windows one. The iPad 4 does have amazing apps, but if you have an iPhone, you already have access to these apps. If you have no iPhone then an iPad is a MUST. I suggest the 4 since the mini sucks from what my friends say. It is very portable though.
Click to expand...

Disagree.

Tablet is enough.
 
NekoBeats said:
Total ipad noob here. Do they sell little keyboards that you can connect to your ipad so you don't have to use the pop-up touch keyboard? It just seems like the touch keyboard taking up part of the screen would be a huge pain, at least to me.



I'm actually thinking of getting an air too. My brother got one for xmas to replace his macbook pro and he loves how much lighter it is 🙂
Click to expand...

Yeah there are many companies selling iPad keyboards. I bought mine from Zagg. They all operate through Bluetooth.
 
darklabel said:
You are medicals students so I can't disagree; however, wouldn't there be less chance of compatibility issues?
Click to expand...

I will say there are some things easier taken care of on laptop, obviously. I use my iPad for 99% of med school though.
 
NontradCA said:
Has anyone used the Surface?
Click to expand...

My doctor friend got it for work, and now he is getting rid of both iPad and his labtop. He loves it! i played around with one just now at Best Buy and it is pretty sweet. It ain't no retina display but it felt like a SOLID machine. The best part is that it is Windows 8 which is >>>>>>> than OS
 
Something important to keep in mind when purchasing technology is "is this the best for ME". It doesn't need to be the best technology, but it needs to work, it needs to fit a lifestyle, and it needs to make things as easy as possible for the user.
 
I have a macbook pro and an Iphone 5, I can't justify to myself purchasing an iPad. I mean.....what purpose would it serve ME you know?
 
I personally love my nexus7, the only issue being I have not considered medical app availability. For the price relative to general use, I think google tablet > apple. My $.02
 
DolFAN said:
I have a macbook pro and an Iphone 5, I can't justify to myself purchasing an iPad. I mean.....what purpose would it serve ME you know?
Click to expand...

Gotta collect them all!!

collection-free-apple-products-e1318542265143.jpg
 
I'm debating between iPad and Surface, but leaning towards the Surface. It just has more usefulness to me, and the included Office is a definite plus. I already have Win 8 on my old laptop, love it a lot more than 7.

Also, laptop and table all in one anyone?
 
IPad mini fits in a lab coat pocket, which is good for rotations. It probably would be annoying to study from one during ms1 and 2.
 
sc4s2cg said:
I'm debating between iPad and Surface, but leaning towards the Surface. It just has more usefulness to me, and the included Office is a definite plus. I already have Win 8 on my old laptop, love it a lot more than 7.

Also, laptop and table all in one anyone?
Click to expand...

If you want to sacrifice a plethora of awesome medical apps, sure... go for the Surface. It depends on what works for you. If you don't want great medical apps, then you can save some money by purchasing a non-Apple product.
 
cliquesh said:
IPad mini fits in a lab coat pocket, which is good for rotations. It probably would be annoying to study from one during ms1 and 2.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's my only reservation on getting the Mini... I have an iPad 2 now and it serves me just fine during M1. But come time for rotations, I don't want to be carrying an iPad with me all day.
 
For years 1 and 2, what use is a tablet? I cannot think of how it might outperform a laptop.
 
NeuroLAX said:
If you want to sacrifice a plethora of awesome medical apps, sure... go for the Surface. It depends on what works for you. If you don't want great medical apps, then you can save some money by purchasing a non-Apple product.
Click to expand...
What apps do medical students find useful on the iPad? I have an iPod that I used extensively during undergrad for stuff like Taber's and other references, but do I really need a big screen for apple apps during med school?
 
chiddler said:
For years 1 and 2, what use is a tablet? I cannot think of how it might outperform a laptop.
Click to expand...

There is not much difference, other than interface. If you are doing a lot of multitasking then there's no way a tablet can outperform a laptop. If you just need something light to read notes from and run apps, then the tablet wins. So far during M1 I have used my iPad mainly for on-the-go reading, quick access to multiple ebooks, and of course the awesome apps I have downloaded. My laptop can do most of the same things (minus the apps), but then there is the weight factor. I don't think one will ever totally replace the other. Everything has a niche.

sc4s2cg said:
What apps do medical students find useful on the iPad? I have an iPod that I used extensively during undergrad for stuff like Taber's and other references, but do I really need a big screen for apple apps during med school?
Click to expand...

From pre-allo: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=970310&highlight=apps

I just started using Evernote, which is amazing for taking school notes. I know a lot of others use iAnnotate to draw notes on downloaded PDFs and such. Virtual Body 3D is worth the price for gross anatomy... having a big screen is better for this. I don't think the iPod screen will cut it, but I'm sure you can make do with it. I like Neurology so I have the Neurology journal app. There are literally tons of apps for Apple products.
 
If I was going to get the Surface, I'd probably get the Pro instead of the RT so I could have access to all (ok, most since 16bit is out) Windows apps. Otherwise probably a iPad/iPad mini (probably an iPad mini unless I get a Samsung Note II, then I'd get the iPad).

Currently have a HP Touchpad with CM9, useful but way too bulky.
 
darklabel said:
If you don't have a laptop then you NEED a laptop. No tablet can replace it.

Now if you have one but want either a 2nd laptop or tablet than I suggest the new Windows one. The iPad 4 does have amazing apps, but if you have an iPhone, you already have access to these apps. If you have no iPhone then an iPad is a MUST. I suggest the 4 since the mini sucks from what my friends say. It is very portable though.
Click to expand...

I just got an Ipad 2. Not sure if there's a significant difference compared to the ipad 4 but what are these must have apps if you dont mind me asking? Also is there something out there for recording lectures? im pretty new apple. thanks
 
Whiteshoes said:
I just got an Ipad 2. Not sure if there's a significant difference compared to the ipad 4 but what are these must have apps if you dont mind me asking? Also is there something out there for recording lectures? im pretty new apple. thanks
Click to expand...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...9.1503.21j2.23.0.les;..0.0...1c.1.PvdcJ7jSf5M

For recording lectures, go to the App Store and search for recorder. I got a free one that works just fine. But depending on what school you go to you may not need a recorder.
 
NekoBeats said:
Total ipad noob here. Do they sell little keyboards that you can connect to your ipad so you don't have to use the pop-up touch keyboard? It just seems like the touch keyboard taking up part of the screen would be a huge pain, at least to me.



I'm actually thinking of getting an air too. My brother got one for xmas to replace his macbook pro and he loves how much lighter it is 🙂
Click to expand...

There is no CD slot in the air which bothers me 🙁
 
After messing with a number of apps I finally came across notability...lecture has never been better.
 
GlowInTheDark said:
After messing with a number of apps I finally came across notability...lecture has never been better.
Click to expand...

I love notability too. When I finally downloaded it I was furious I didn't use it sooner.
 
I just got my Samsung Note 10.1 and I am loving it. I haven't used it for classes yet (since I just got it) but it is really powerful and a nice alternative to the Ipad. I understand that apple has some nicer apps, but is that really going to make or break you? I love the stylus that comes with the Note it is far superior to a capacative stylus in my opinion. The Ipad is nice, but I'm not looking for medically related apps right now. I value the multitasking capabilities, compatibility, and it's a nice solid device.

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ3krff1JCE
 
GlowInTheDark said:
After messing with a number of apps I finally came across notability...lecture has never been better.
Click to expand...

I love Samsung Note 10. 1 as well. The stylus is actually a lot like using a real pen or pencil. besides I can't imagine the most popular and the best medical app won't come out on Android


what is notability anyways?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile
 
Xlorgguss said:
I just got my Samsung Note 10.1 and I am loving it. I haven't used it for classes yet (since I just got it) but it is really powerful and a nice alternative to the Ipad. I understand that apple has some nicer apps, but is that really going to make or break you? I love the stylus that comes with the Note it is far superior to a capacative stylus in my opinion. The Ipad is nice, but I'm not looking for medically related apps right now. I value the multitasking capabilities, compatibility, and it's a nice solid device.

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ3krff1JCE
Click to expand...

You sound like you're coping with not having an iPad 😛
 
GlowInTheDark said:
It is a note taking, pdf annotating, voice recording, all things you would want for lecture app.
Click to expand...

But what if the school already records all the lectures?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile
 
cliffhuxtableDO said:
You sound like you're coping with not having an iPad 😛
Click to expand...

Haha why would you say that? If I wanted an Ipad I could have gotten an Ipad. All tablets essentially DO the same thing. The only difference is the name of the applications. Honestly, I don't really see why the Ipad is so special since it really doesn't have anything unique about it. The Note has a unique digitizing stylus, the Asus Transformer Infinity has a battery boosting keyboard, and the Surface has a designated keyboard and Microsoft Suite (a bit watered down for the RT but still the programs nonetheless). I mean sure the display on the Ipad is great, but I honestly don't worry about display as much. To me display is lower on my list of required specs. Sure the apps may be "better" on itunes as opposed to Android, but Android has really caught up and undoubtedly Windows will do the same. Right now Apple get's the newest and greatest apps, but you can certainly get by with any other tablet. I mean are the apps on itunes really that superior than android? A couple of them are on both OS's. And honestly, if you are really just considering buying the tablet for 1 or 2 apps, (as was previously suggested) why wouldn't you just get an iphone for those specific apps? Honestly the tree apps I have seen that people consistently go back to- Epocrates, UpToDate, and Medscape are all on Android now. PDF readers and annotators are on Android and so are lecture taking apps. Honestly, what can you do on an Ipad that you can't do on any other tablet?
 
Xlorgguss said:
Haha why would you say that? If I wanted an Ipad I could have gotten an Ipad. All tablets essentially DO the same thing. The only difference is the name of the applications. Honestly, I don't really see why the Ipad is so special since it really doesn't have anything unique about it. The Note has a unique digitizing stylus, the Asus Transformer Infinity has a battery boosting keyboard, and the Surface has a designated keyboard and Microsoft Suite (a bit watered down for the RT but still the programs nonetheless). I mean sure the display on the Ipad is great, but I honestly don't worry about display as much. To me display is lower on my list of required specs. Sure the apps may be "better" on itunes as opposed to Android, but Android has really caught up and undoubtedly Windows will do the same. Right now Apple get's the newest and greatest apps, but you can certainly get by with any other tablet. I mean are the apps on itunes really that superior than android? A couple of them are on both OS's. And honestly, if you are really just considering buying the tablet for 1 or 2 apps, (as was previously suggested) why wouldn't you just get an iphone for those specific apps? Honestly the tree apps I have seen that people consistently go back to- Epocrates, UpToDate, and Medscape are all on Android now. PDF readers and annotators are on Android and so are lecture taking apps. Honestly, what can you do on an Ipad that you can't do on any other tablet?
Click to expand...

I was kidding, for starters.

Also, syncing iPhone with iPad was a major draw for me.
 
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