Good Device for taking to University

[Peter Boyle]

Hi,

 

I am starting my second year of university in September and after experiencing what it's like to lose my notes countless times I've decided I want to start taking my notes using a laptop/tablet. I would like to keep the device under £1000 as I have a good gaming computer at home. This device will mainly be used for note taking and entertainment purposes so it doesn't need to have a massive storage capacity either.

 

I have been looking and liked the look of the iPad Pro 11 inch model. Usually I wouldn't go for a device like this as when I used iOS many years ago I found that it was un needed effort to carry out tasks such as transfer files etc. I looked at them in the apple store and they seemed ok but was just wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for a device that I could consider.

 

It would also be preferred if the device had support for something like the apple pencil or a similar stylus as that is how I would take most of my notes. I have looked at the previous versions of the iPad that support the gen 1 apple pencil and I really don't like how the pen charges using the lightning port on the iPad so I would like to avoid that if possible.

 

Thanks in advance

[bellabichon]

I'll start off by saying this. Do not get the iPad. When the iPad first launched, the idea of having a fast, lightweight media consumption device was a big hit in the market. However, in 2019, I wouldn't recommend an iPad to anyone other than extremely serious artists who cannot survive outside the Apple walled-garden ecosystem. Using the iPad will almost always feel like using a neutered PC, especially when it comes to file management (something that's extremely important when you're trying to keep all your notes organised). Also, if it breaks, Apple's gonna charge you way too much money to fix it. 

 

If portability is a big problem for you, I'd recommend one of the Microsoft Surface Pro line of devices. They're a bit on the pricey end (still less than Apple, but not by much), but they run full Windows 10, have fast SSDs and reasonably fast CPUs, and pretty good screens. You don't need to get the latest model (6) as not much has changed from the previous one (5) and you could probably save a few bucks. They have good cloth keyboards (sold separately, unfortunately) and come with a stylus and Windows 10 pen support. If portability is extra important for you, and you don't mind sacrificing on performance, you could even opt for the Surface Go, a much smaller version, but at about half the price.

 

If neither of those options sound enticing, I'd really just recommend you pick up a Dell Inspirion of some denomination or another. They're pretty well rounded, and you can find half-decent styluses for them. 

 

Good luck, and I hope you can find what you're looking for.

[Peter Boyle]

12 minutes ago, bellabichon said:

I'll start off by saying this. Do not get the iPad. When the iPad first launched, the idea of having a fast, lightweight media consumption device was a big hit in the market. However, in 2019, I wouldn't recommend an iPad to anyone other than extremely serious artists who cannot survive outside the Apple walled-garden ecosystem. Using the iPad will almost always feel like using a neutered PC, especially when it comes to file management (something that's extremely important when you're trying to keep all your notes organised). Also, if it breaks, Apple's gonna charge you way too much money to fix it. 

 

If portability is a big problem for you, I'd recommend one of the Microsoft Surface Pro line of devices. They're a bit on the pricey end (still less than Apple, but not by much), but they run full Windows 10, have fast SSDs and reasonably fast CPUs, and pretty good screens. You don't need to get the latest model (6) as not much has changed from the previous one (5) and you could probably save a few bucks. They have good cloth keyboards (sold separately, unfortunately) and come with a stylus and Windows 10 pen support. If portability is extra important for you, and you don't mind sacrificing on performance, you could even opt for the Surface Go, a much smaller version, but at about half the price.

 

If neither of those options sound enticing, I'd really just recommend you pick up a Dell Inspirion of some denomination or another. They're pretty well rounded, and you can find half-decent styluses for them. 

 

Good luck, and I hope you can find what you're looking for.

Thanks a lot. The file management was what I was worried about with the iPad. The last apple device I owned was the original iPad mini so wasn't sure if they had loosened up on not letting you into the files of the device but seems they haven't. Thanks again for the suggestions, I'll look into them now

[LukeLinusFanFic]

31 minutes ago, Peter Boyle said:

Hi,

 

I am starting my second year of university in September and after experiencing what it's like to lose my notes countless times I've decided I want to start taking my notes using a laptop/tablet. I would like to keep the device under £1000 as I have a good gaming computer at home. This device will mainly be used for note taking and entertainment purposes so it doesn't need to have a massive storage capacity either.

 

I have been looking and liked the look of the iPad Pro 11 inch model. Usually I wouldn't go for a device like this as when I used iOS many years ago I found that it was un needed effort to carry out tasks such as transfer files etc. I looked at them in the apple store and they seemed ok but was just wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for a device that I could consider.

 

It would also be preferred if the device had support for something like the apple pencil or a similar stylus as that is how I would take most of my notes. I have looked at the previous versions of the iPad that support the gen 1 apple pencil and I really don't like how the pen charges using the lightning port on the iPad so I would like to avoid that if possible.

 

Thanks in advance

Under 1000 pounds? Then I'd surely recommend the surface pro. as someone that has been using it in uni for two years, it's a godsend for note taking, and I don't know how I'd manage without it.

If you are willing to wait a couple months (depends on when your semester starts), word has it that the surface pro 7 will finally have a design refresh with type c and other modern features. Not neccecary, but a nice to have if your next semester begins in late october like mine does.

[genexis_x]

Get a 2 in 1 convertible or a Windows tablet. Not Surface though, I don't like their anti-consumer behaviour

[Sorenson]

File management ion an iPad is fine, I don’t know what that other guy is talking about. Ive been using an iPad Pro 12.9” for taking notes for about the past two years and it’s great. Just be realistic about what it can and can’t do. I tried the surface book 2 before going with the iPad and I didn’t like the way the writing felt. It is much smoother on the iPad. Plus the iPad has a fantastic screen and speakers.

[Peter Boyle]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm going to go in to physically try a few of the options you all have mentioned as i feel that whatever device feels more natural to write with will probably be my first choice. Thanks again everyone

[bellabichon]

14 hours ago, Sorenson said:

File management ion an iPad is fine, I don’t know what that other guy is talking about. Ive been using an iPad Pro 12.9” for taking notes for about the past two years and it’s great. Just be realistic about what it can and can’t do. I tried the surface book 2 before going with the iPad and I didn’t like the way the writing felt. It is much smoother on the iPad. Plus the iPad has a fantastic screen and speakers.

File management on the iPad sucks. It's really just undeniable. You can't move, copy, duplicate, delete, or do anything else to your files with any ease. Also, you can't use USB ports to move anything onto a USB or other portable storage. 

[Sorenson]

21 minutes ago, bellabichon said:

File management on the iPad sucks. It's really just undeniable. You can't move, copy, duplicate, delete, or do anything else to your files with any ease. Also, you can't use USB ports to move anything onto a USB or other portable storage. 

i must not be understanding those options clearly. i mean it was so hard to find, going into the file management ap and all.