Laptop/Tablet

Stephalump · Dec 26, 2012

I have an laptop and an iPad. I use the iPad WAY more but I wouldn't want to be without a computer, either. Quite a few of our online assignments used flash (with isn't compatible with the iPad) and projects and papers would've been murder.

jolie_tasso · Dec 26, 2012

For those of you with non-iPad tablets, which ones do you have? Were they a great deal cheaper? Any issues or regrets? I'm looking to get a tablet soon but unsure about which kind.

DawnJ · Dec 26, 2012

You want a good computer to do your homework on but that can stay at home and be a laptop or desktop. That is non-negotiable for me unless you want to be teathered to the campus computer lab.

A tablet is nice to have to look up things when in the classroom, but most of my colleagues use their phones. I took my iPad a couple times and to clinical once, but especially at clinical, found I was thinking too much about it getting stolen. It is too big to carry with me along with all my other things hanging off me and in my pockets and I was also thinking about it as an infection vector.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Dec 26, 2012

I have a MacBook Pro that I take to both class and clinical...I don't typically use it in class but I generally have it in case...I was thinking about getting a tablet but this is light enough and I don't need ANOTHER gadget!

PatMac10,RN, RN · Dec 27, 2012

It wasn't required, but yes I got one back in HD and it has saved me so many times!

traumanurse2b? · Dec 27, 2012

For those of you with non-iPad tablets which ones do you have? Were they a great deal cheaper? Any issues or regrets? I'm looking to get a tablet soon but unsure about which kind.[/quote']
I have the Asus Transformer Prime. Its the 2nd generation transformer (there is a 3rd now). It has a keyboard that docks onto it and has a separate battery which increases your battery life to 18 hours (non use, about 8 hours if you're using it the whole time). The transformer prime is really great, has ice cream sandwich OS, and has a program (came on the tablet for free) called polaris office that allows you to create word docs, spreadsheets, and PowerPoints in microsoft 2003 format. It has the front and back camera also. The only complaint I've had is that some of the websites that I've used for school that require flash don't work. Other than that, it is really awesome. I paid $500 plus $150 for the keyboard for mine, but that was 1 year ago. My model sells for $350 now and the 3rd generation one goes for $500. Hope this helped :)

Music in My Heart · Dec 27, 2012

Thus far, I've found no 'office' software for a tablet that is anywhere near as useful as either the Micro$oft package or the OpenOffice.org suite. I also find tablets too bulky to carry around on my person (thus far) and I'd not for one second leave a tablet out of my sight.

I'd recommend a cheap laptop or notebook computer... you shouldn't pay more than $500 for it ($350 should get you what you need).

jolie_tasso · Dec 27, 2012

I have the Asus Transformer Prime. Its the 2nd generation transformer (there is a 3rd now). It has a keyboard that docks onto it and has a separate battery which increases your battery life to 18 hours (non use, about 8 hours if you're using it the whole time). The transformer prime is really great, has ice cream sandwich OS, and has a program (came on the tablet for free) called polaris office that allows you to create word docs, spreadsheets, and PowerPoints in microsoft 2003 format. It has the front and back camera also. The only complaint I've had is that some of the websites that I've used for school that require flash don't work. Other than that, it is really awesome. I paid $500 plus $150 for the keyboard for mine, but that was 1 year ago. My model sells for $350 now and the 3rd generation one goes for $500. Hope this helped :)

Thanks so much for the advice!! I'm still on the fence. I have a laptop that works perfectly, but its physical condition isn't good enough for me to tote it around. I am pretty torn between getting an iPad or another tablet, but I think the only reason I wouldn't get an iPad is if the other was cheaper.

boricualuna · Dec 31, 2012

Thanks so much for the advice!! I'm still on the fence. I have a laptop that works perfectly, but its physical condition isn't good enough for me to tote it around. I am pretty torn between getting an iPad or another tablet, but I think the only reason I wouldn't get an iPad is if the other was cheaper.

Word of advise. You might want to wait until you see what the program requires you to have. I know the Associate degree program I'm currently is requires all nursing students to purchase Skyscape and have it uploaded on a hand held device. I know from my experience Skyscape will only work on multiple devices (laptop, handheld devices and tablets if they are all the same ex: MacBook, itouch/iPhone, and ipad) since I already had a MacBook and an Ipad I had no choice but to get an IPad if I wanted a tablet to have Skyscape.