Laptop vs iPad/Tablet for mechanical engineering

[uzdlebron]

Hi guys, sorry I didn't know what other channel to put this into but I have a question for any current or graduated engineering student. So i'm currently deciding between either getting a laptop (HP Envy x360 16Gb R7 7730U), iPad air (256gb) or Samsung Tab S9 (256gb). I am going into my first year of engineering and have been told by many that an ipad/tablet will be the better choice as it'll make taking notes a lot easier. The doubt that i have in my mind is that will the Tab S9 or iPad air be able to run all the applications that I would need for engineering for atleast the first 2-3 years. Any advice is appreciated, Thank you!!

[svmlegacy]

The tablet is a great addition for note taking, but I wouldn't run without having a non-windows machine alongside it.

 

Lots of people run MS Surfaces that will run many of the apps you'll need, while staying portable. I personally ran a home desktop and a chromebook, though.

[uzdlebron]

 

20 minutes ago, svmlegacy said:

The tablet is a great addition for note taking, but I wouldn't run without having a non-windows machine alongside it.

 

Lots of people run MS Surfaces that will run many of the apps you'll need, while staying portable. I personally ran a home desktop and a chromebook, though.

Hi, 

I already have a good home desktop, so from your experience would it just be better to get a tablet then?

[Vecna]

54 minutes ago, uzdlebron said:

 

Hi, 

I already have a good home desktop, so from your experience would it just be better to get a tablet then?

Personally, I don't think so. A keyboard will always be faster for note taking and the lack of some useful basic apps at a moment's notice can be frustrating. Don't take my word for it though. This is just my preference

[DripplessNewt]

The tablet is great for notes. Thats all its great for. As an engineering student you will be expected to run certain windows only programs. Now you can run them on school computers or your desktop, it is just up to you on if thats okay. I would also recommend talking to people at your school and see what they use and if they recommend it.