Pairing the right phone, laptop, tablet, and desktop

[hughstondavis]

I currently use the following devices:

Galaxy S8+ - daily use for messaging, mobile entertainment, and listening to music.(personally love the headphone jack)

 

XPS 15 9560 - in class assignments and studying in the library

 

a 3 screen desktop with an i7-4790k, with 1833 ddr3 ram, and a 1080ti - for gaming and harder to run engineering programs(solid works, autodesk products)

 

I was thinking about getting an Ipad pro for school to take notes. I am trying to solve the problems I have taking notes and staying organized due to ADHD.  There seems to be no clear competitor that can take on the major factors that make the Ipad pro good. Some of these things include screen quality, note taking apps, and the Apple pen.  My main concern is that my technology "ecosystem" is going to have to change to become more streamline by getting an iphone on my next upgrade.  Has anyone had any experience with the IPad pro for school or work, and what are your opinions on pairing up the right devices for daily life. 

[Xiee]

9 minutes ago, hughstondavis said:

I was thinking about getting an Ipad pro for school to take notes. I am trying to solve the problems I have taking notes and staying organized due to ADHD.  There seems to be no clear competitor that can take on the major factors that make the Ipad pro good. Some of these things include screen quality, note taking apps, and the Apple pen.  My main concern is that my technology "ecosystem" is going to have to change to become more streamline by getting an iphone on my next upgrade.  Has anyone had any experience with the IPad pro for school or work, and what are your opinions on pairing up the right devices for daily life. 

How about a Microsoft Surface Pro? I mean since you are already on an all-Windows setup (except the S8), might as well complete the circle. It will be easy to share files and move around from your desktop and laptop. And for the same price you get better hardware (in my opinion).

[r2724r16]

4 minutes ago, hughstondavis said:

what are your opinions on pairing up the right devices for daily life

I like to use products of the same ecosystem. I use a MacBook Pro 13", iPhone X, and iPad Air 2 for daily life. But I also have a Windows desktop (which I don't use as much as I used to). I would recommend that you get an iPhone and an iPad Pro (as you mentioned above).

10 minutes ago, hughstondavis said:

any experience with the IPad pro for school or work

iPads are great for school (I've owned an iPad 3, iPad 4, Mini 2, Pro 9.7, Pro 10.5, Air 2, etc.), but I still prefer having a laptop with a proper keyboard if I'm taking notes.

[hughstondavis]

3 minutes ago, Xiee said:

How about a Microsoft Surface Pro? I mean since you are already on an all-Windows setup (except the S8), might as well complete the circle. It will be easy to share files and move around from your desktop and laptop.

Thank you for your response Xiee.  The main issue I have with the Microsoft Surface Pro was the stylus.  I tried a surface pro that my college was using, and I have to say that the stylus wasn't great.  While I am biased towards windows/android due to my comfort and familiarity,I have to say that the apple stylus was worlds better than the surface's stylus.  This might have changed in the new generation, and I will have to go see if I can test one in store. Thank you for your consideration, and well thought out response.

[hughstondavis]

Just now, r2724r16 said:

I like to use products of the same ecosystem. I use a MacBook Pro 13", iPhone X, and iPad Air 2 for daily life. But I also have a Windows desktop (which I don't use as much as I used to). I would recommend that you get an iPhone and an iPad Pro (as you mentioned above).

iPads are great for school (I've owned an iPad 3, iPad 4, Mini 2, Pro 9.7, Pro 10.5, Air 2, etc.), but I still prefer having a laptop with a proper keyboard if I'm taking notes.

Thank you for your response.  I feel like I might have to take a hit to my pride and get an iphone soon.  The biggest problems I have with it are the notch, the lack of headphone jack, and learning apple OS again. My xps 15 is touch screen, but it's not good enough to take notes on by using a stylus.  Typing notes isn't great for me, because I have to do drawings in many of my classes, and I have found that the notes don't help me study or understand the material when typed.  I haven't tried to find a proper program for organizing notes on my laptop, but I have tried using google drive(love google drive).  Just found that even that failed to be useful. Thank you again for your opinion.

[Xiee]

1 minute ago, hughstondavis said:

Thank you for your response Xiee.  The main issue I have with the Microsoft Surface Pro was the stylus.  I tried a surface pro that my college was using, and I have to say that the stylus wasn't great.  While I am biased towards windows/android due to my comfort and familiarity,I have to say that the apple stylus was worlds better than the surface's stylus.  This might have changed in the new generation, and I will have to go see if I can test one in store. Thank you for your consideration, and well thought out response.

No problem. I have an older Surface Pro 2 (RIP due to water damage) and I can definitely relate. However, a few friends of mine who have the newer ones say that the stylus has improved by a decent margin. Maybe you can check out some displays from shops who sell the newer versions?

I say go for the Ipad since you already have a good grasp of the quality of the stylus vs the one Microsoft has. 

[hughstondavis]

Just now, Xiee said:

No problem. I have an older Surface Pro 2 (RIP due to water damage) and I can definitely relate. However, a few friends of mine who have the newer ones say that the stylus has improved by a decent margin. Maybe you can check out some displays from shops who sell the newer versions?

I say go for the Ipad since you already have a good grasp of the quality of the stylus vs the one Microsoft has. 

Yeah, I feel like investing into apple is a full plunge. first it's the ipad, then a watch, then you have to get a phone because you have the other two. Next thing you know you are in the gym talking to someone about your new airpod pro's that you paid a months rent for.  

 

[r2724r16]

1 minute ago, hughstondavis said:

I feel like I might have to take a hit to my pride and get an iphone soon.  The biggest problems I have with it are the notch, the lack of headphone jack, and learning apple OS again.

The notch is really not an issue. It took me 2 minutes to get used to it. As for the lack of a headphone jack, you'll have to deal with it (although lightning to 3.5" jack adapters are available). And I find iOS a much better OS than Android (I've owned an S10, S10+, 7T, 6T, P30 Pro, and literally every Android phone in the last five years) but that's personal preference.

4 minutes ago, hughstondavis said:

My xps 15 is touch screen, but it's not good enough to take notes on by using a stylus.  Typing notes isn't great for me, because I have to do drawings in many of my classes, and I have found that the notes don't help me study or understand the material when typed.  I haven't tried to find a proper program for organizing notes on my laptop, but I have tried using google drive(love google drive).  Just found that even that failed to be useful.

^ More reasons why you should buy an iPad Pro.

[hughstondavis]

1 minute ago, r2724r16 said:

The notch is really not an issue. It took me 2 minutes to get used to it. As for the lack of a headphone jack, you'll have to deal with it (although lightning to 3.5" jack adapters are available). And I find iOS a much better OS than Android (I've owned an S10, S10+, 7T, 6T, P30 Pro, and literally every Android phone in the last five years) but that's personal preference.

^ More reasons why you should buy an iPad Pro.

yeah, I think with a bluetooth DAC/amp I could cram by the lack of audio jack.  The big issue just being another extra device. Really fell in love with the S6 and then S8, I guess I can get an ipad and then figure out the phone situation within next 2 generations

[Founders]

1 hour ago, hughstondavis said:

yeah, I think with a bluetooth DAC/amp I could cram by the lack of audio jack.  The big issue just being another extra device. Really fell in love with the S6 and then S8, I guess I can get an ipad and then figure out the phone situation within next 2 generations

It sounds like you've pretty much made up your mind in regards to the iPad and I say go for it. With iPadOS you may find that you don't need your laptop as often which would be a nice plus for you, one less thing to carry. I have an iPhone 10 and I've been quite happy with it. The notch back in 2017 was fine, 2019 into 2020, not so much. I wouldn't recommend the iPhone 11, not because it isn't a good phone, because it is. It's just if rumors are anything to go by the next iteration of the iPhone will fix all the 11's short comings. Keep your S8 for now and wait till the next iPhone release if you're still interested in switching to iOS.