Ipad Air worth the money? Already have MBP.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2014

I have been using an iPad Air to go paperless since the start of this semester. I use the amHybrid Stylus (runs anywhere from $5.95 to $7.95) to take hand written notes using GoodNotes. GoodNotes integrates with DropBox, Box, Google Drive, and your iPad (photos / camera) to bring in PDF files, images, etc.

I used the summer break to scan in all tables and figures where I believed I would need it the most (A&P II and Microbiology) so that I can quickly import them into notes. But even when I'm unprepared, I can take a screen shot of a page (web, ebook, etc.) and then use ScannerPro to scan the portion of the picture that I want, and quickly paste into a notebook page.

Below are some examples of notes I've taken (please forgive my hand writing):

Thank you.

7237dallas · Feb 15, 2014

Thank you! That's what I'm hoping to be able to accomplish! I love Evernote, but I've noticed when I just type my notes I don't retain as much as when I handwrite them. I know I'll definitely use the Ipad Air I'm just trying to justify spending the money.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2014

Hi 7237Dallas:

I also use Evernote, but more as a database storage system for me to lookup information that I've captured via different means (i.e. rarely am I typing directly into Everynote).

BTW, GoodNotes works great for annotating PDF and related documents. There's a symbol drawing tool (for drawing straight lines, triangles, and the like) that make using a highlighter a breeze (i.e. if your goal was to highlight a straight line of text, and you accidentally wiggled in the middle, the tool will keep the highlight straight anyway).

Thank you.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Feb 15, 2014

I have the ipad3. I think that's what it is. The one that came out before the air. I like it but I don't go as indepth with it as pmabrahm does. I just started using quizlet with it to help me with tests. I study at alot of odd places and quizlet has been very good to help me study. The one reason I think it is worth it, is it is light weight and I can take it anywhere. I still like to handwrite my notes. That is how I remember stuff. But then I take my notes and put them into quizlet and study from that. I may try the stylus thing for a couple of classes. With my physiology class my professor makes outlines for us and then we take notes from hers so it's very easy. But maybe for my psych and soc classes I could use the stylus.

BusiestBSN · Feb 15, 2014

I have an ipad and use the Notability app. You can download power points and documents, write on them with a stylus, type on them, high light, draw etc. I am in nursing school and this semester I decided to go paperless to save money. I love it because it keeps me organized by each class and it stores everything without weighing down my backpack.

ixchel · Feb 15, 2014

I use an ipad mini, with a bluetooth keyboard case that has the ability to turn the tablet 360 degrees so I can change the orientation from landscape to letter if I would like. I use pages and keynote, which export to word and powerpoint when needed, or pdf. Everything goes to icloud, which is accessible from any computer or mobile device. I have my textbooks in bookshelf, which is a really crappy app, but I can take it with me wherever I go. I do keep the paper copies of books at home because I just like the feeling of having a book in my hands. I use noteability for pdf, which allows note taking and recording with the pdf documents as you view them (some professors upload their powerpoints as pdf). I am completely paperless and have been for the last 4 semesters, and wouldn't do it any other way. I rarely use my macbook anymore, which is good because it's almost dead anyway. I keep my calendar up to date on it, and it syncs with my phone, keeping me organized and ensuring I don't miss anything. I have separate calendars created for each class, for the university in general, plus one calendar for each of my kids, and one for my husband, and then one for my personal things, so that if I ever just want to look at everything for one class, or if I want to look at everything but school or something like that, I can tell it what calendars to hide. I would recommend a million times over that someone get an iPad for school. This is honestly the best investment for school that I have made.

nekozuki, LPN · Feb 15, 2014

pmabraham: You are amazing, and those are some killer notes. I gave up on any such electronic devices and simply use a 49 cent spiral notebook. Did you have the really labor over those notes, or can you scribble them down at the same speed you'd do on pen/paper?

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2014

Good day:

BusyBSN, Notability excels for being able to record lectures, and type; but, I found it to be extremely poor in the hand writing department compared to GoodNotes. It seems Notability is more featured for typing than handwriting.

nekozuki, those notes where taken during a fast paced lecture. Most of the time I have the figures and tables prescanned so I can just type, select image, and pull the figure / table in from DropBox. Sometimes the teacher will go over an area of the book itself (that I have in PDF form) where it is just easier to take a screen shot of the page, then use Scanner Pro to narrow down on the section of the page, save it to photos, then tap in GoodNotes to insert it. BTW, at least on IOS 7 (I'm not sure of previous versions as this is my first Apple product in quite some time), I just quick double tap on the home button to switch between open applications. The double tap allows me to easily glide between GoodNotes, ScannerPro, Photos / Camera, and other open applications.

On the handwriting speed, I find I can write just as fast using the cheap stylus (when TruGlide Apex has greater production runs and reviews, I might switch to it) as compared to pen and paper... PLUS, one of the features I really appreciate is the lasso tool where I can move note sections (text, pictures, etc.) around the page or to other pages. This comes in handy when a professor gives an indication that a given outline area will be short, then 3/4ths of the way in, expands it. I've had that happen too many times in the past. On paper, I would end up drawing lines, numbering, writing "see page x of y" and it would be a pain come test review / preparation time. With GoodNotes, I just lasso the area, cut, paste it where I want leaving room, and then all of the notes are together.

Thank you.

ixchel · Feb 16, 2014

Good day: BusyBSN Notability excels for being able to record lectures, and type; but, I found it to be extremely poor in the hand writing department compared to GoodNotes. It seems Notability is more featured for typing than handwriting. nekozuki, those notes where taken during a fast paced lecture. Most of the time I have the figures and tables prescanned so I can just type, select image, and pull the figure / table in from DropBox. Sometimes the teacher will go over an area of the book itself (that I have in PDF form) where it is just easier to take a screen shot of the page, then use Scanner Pro to narrow down on the section of the page, save it to photos, then tap in GoodNotes to insert it. BTW, at least on IOS 7 (I'm not sure of previous versions as this is my first Apple product in quite some time), I just quick double tap on the home button to switch between open applications. The double tap allows me to easily glide between GoodNotes, ScannerPro, Photos / Camera, and other open applications. On the handwriting speed, I find I can write just as fast using the cheap stylus (when TruGlide Apex has greater production runs and reviews, I might switch to it) as compared to pen and paper... PLUS, one of the features I really appreciate is the lasso tool where I can move note sections (text, pictures, etc.) around the page or to other pages. This comes in handy when a professor gives an indication that a given outline area will be short, then 3/4ths of the way in, expands it. I've had that happen too many times in the past. On paper, I would end up drawing lines, numbering, writing "see page x of y" and it would be a pain come test review / preparation time. With GoodNotes, I just lasso the area, cut, paste it where I want leaving room, and then all of the notes are together. Thank you.

Have you found a good thin point stylus? I can't write with the normal thick ones. They just really bug me. I think I'd switch to hand writing on my iPad if I had a good thin point one that's firm like a regular pen.

7237dallas · Feb 16, 2014

Well, now I'm just debating on the Ipad Air or Ipad mini?? I know I'll definitely use it, and if I want to take notes on it I'm wondering if the smaller mini would be less beneficial?

ixchel · Feb 16, 2014

Well now I'm just debating on the Ipad Air or Ipad mini?? I know I'll definitely use it, and if I want to take notes on it I'm wondering if the smaller mini would be less beneficial?[/quote']
Find someone with a small tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard before you decide this. The keyboard on the mini is smaller and different. You'll have to use the "fn" key for things that you are used to using the shift key for. If you think you can get used to that, get the mini. Let this be a huge part of what you base your decision on because if you can never get used to the keyboard, you'll regret getting the mini. Also, my previous keyboard didn't have the option of turning the ipad so that it wasn't in landscape. This is annoying to me on the mini, but not as annoying on the regular iPad. So if you do decide you can tolerate the iPad mini, get that because the size really is nice (is the size of a smaller sized spiral notebook). But if you can't adjust to the keyboard, get the big one. Either way, try to find a cover that has the ability to change the ipad's position as you use it. I'm pretty sure all of the case manufacturers call this 360.
eta: Just recently got this case and I love it:
CoverBot iPad Mini Ultra Bluetooth Keyboard Station GREEN with Magnetized Detachable Case For 7.9 Inch New Mini iPad with IOS Commands
http://amzn.com/B00EAA3M6K