Is an iPad worth 400+ for College/ University Work? What apps would you recommend?

thebananapimp

Hi All,

I couldn't really find a better place to put this so I decided to put it in here:

I have just written an article for my student newspaper, Epigram [Bristol Uni] about how I justify spending £400 on an iPad. I use it pretty much entirely for Uni-Work and with student debts expected to rise to £53,400, raising the cost of a degree to almost £30,000, if an iPad can boost your productivity and therefore grades by even 2% then it's definitely worth it.

Please let me know if you think I've missed any apps out that I would find useful!

Azari

The saddest thing about this is that they may award a degree to someone who actually believes that buying something without a keyboard in order to assist their studies is a good idea.

Of course if you bought this in addition to a keyboarded device the above does not apply. In that case they are simply lending you too much money.

fluffnutter

Some great free advertising for Apple! Spamtastic!

custardy

Netflix and games to increase productivity?

missile

A well written article, but unless this is part of your course work is it wasted time and effort?

I would suggest an iMac would be far more useful but a Windows laptop would be cheaper

anatomical

I'm in the middle of doing my dissertation, and I do not like the idea of writing 10000 words on a touch screen. I would also find it hard to have two documents open side by side and still be able to read them on a smaller screen. I use this technique a lot when writing essays so I feel using an ipad would slow me down a lot.

As for the diary app, my diary cost me £1.99 from tesco and is working out just fine.

I'm sure there is potential for the right person to increase their productivity using the ipad, but knowing myself and lots of other students I feel the temptation of games apps and the fun stuff would mean it would be used more as a tool for procrastination than studying.

[Deleted User]

BTW, the rumour is that there will be a 'Google Nexus' Android tablet available in the summer and will only cost about £130... far more student friendly

Now, i have an iPad 2. I'm also the proud owner of a 2:2 degree (and an MSc before you take the mickey) - obtained before universe internet availability (although we did have dial-up internet in our flat..)

Would it have helped? Yes, probably. It does sound like you are an over-funded first year student since you've avoided mentioning any reading of study material or writing essays.

I would have used it mainly as an e-reader of science papers and for wasting time. It's not suitable for essay writing - a netbook might be more appropriate for a student really.

Your article isn't even that 'student' focused... i'm surprised the editor let it in the paper

CKhalvashi

I think that it depends what you do for work and what you’d use the iPad for, however for students, I wouldn’t recommend it.

I use mine when working off-site (mainly others offices), and find it fantastic, as anything that you may wish to demonstrate can be done easily, but again, it’s upto the industry you’re in.

I also tend to leave mine in the car when not in use, as it’s small enough to fit in my (lockable) glovebox.

CK

[Deleted User]

Just realised you completely missed 'Itunes U' from your review

xxJudexx

No way would I recommend a student buying an ipad. I agree that using a computer/laptop is the best thing as you can have more than one thing open at the same time. I won my ipad but I would never have bought one. Uni is for studying not faffing about with new technology. I was able to get a 2.1 degree while also playing for a sports team and being the treasurer of a society all without the aid of an ipad. They are fun, no doubt but i doubt I would have got the degree I did if I hadn't had my laptop with me.

fluffnutter

xxJudexx wrote: »

No way would I recommend a student buying an ipad. I agree that using a computer/laptop is the best thing as you can have more than one thing open at the same time. I won my ipad but I would never have bought one. Uni is for studying not faffing about with new technology. I was able to get a 2.1 degree while also playing for a sports team and being the treasurer of a society all without the aid of an ipad. They are fun, no doubt but i doubt I would have got the degree I did if I hadn't had my laptop with me.

So how did people manage in the centuries before PCs and laptops were invented?