Laptop vs iPad

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

I would stick with a laptop, as much as I love the iPad- I'm sure you'll need Microsoft word and PowerPoint and all that jazz. The iPad doesn't have flash player either. Good luck with school! :) ivanna

ghall184 · Jun 4, 2012

Hi. Do you recommend a laptop or an ipad for NP school? Just wondering what you all think.

I recommend a laptop for the simple reason that you are not able to use a flash drive with an ipad. You may share information with other classmates and/or need to use the school computer to finish a project that you started at home or even need to print information using another computer and all of that would be stored on a flash drive. In my opinion, ipads are great for downloading textbooks but that's about it.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jun 4, 2012

I have a laptop that I keep at home...I do not type on my iPad.(For anything except allnurses.com) I use my iPad in lieu of notebooks, so I'm able to go to class with only a small bag. (My back and shoulders are thanking me!) You can answer your own question by answering my question: Would you rather type or write? Most, including myself , can type faster than they can write, but I find that I absorb info better when I write. I use an app called Notability that allows you to take notes with a stylus and record the lecture at the same time. Just think: One iPad vs. how ever many binders you'll have in your nursing school career. Many like the neatness of typed notes, but when drawing diagrams and charts... typing quickly loses in my opinion. Hope this helps!

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jun 4, 2012

I recommend a laptop for the simple reason that you are not able to use a flash drive with an ipad. You may share information with other classmates and/or need to use the school computer to finish a project that you started at home or even need to print information using another computer and all of that would be stored on a flash drive. In my opinion, ipads are great for downloading textbooks but that's about it.

I've never ever used a flash drive beyond high school, I would always lose them. With services like Dropbox, evernote, Box.net, and even emailing, it's easy to store and share everything.

Plus, like I said, I always lose them. Especially when I need them the most. I have yet to lose my Dropbox account.

itsmejuli · Jun 4, 2012

I replaced my laptop with an Asus Transformer Prime tablet. Its Android, has detachable keyboard and USB port. :)

Stephalump · Jun 4, 2012

I've never ever used a flash drive beyond high school, I would always lose them. With services like Dropbox, evernote, Box.net, and even emailing, it's easy to store and share everything.
Plus, like I said, I always lose them. Especially when I need them the most. I have yet to lose my Dropbox account.

This is me. Flash drives are great...but only if I actually know where mine is. And, odds are, I have no idea. I even magically lose them when I keep them clipped on my key ring! It just isn't meant to be.

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

You just can't replace the power of a desktop computer and a 21" or greater monitor.

777RN, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

Hi!

I like having the ability to type (with speed on a real keyboard) and write. So, I use a Tablet PC, specifically a Dell XT2. It is a full-fledged Windows 7 laptop with touchscreen/tablet capabilities and swivel screen. I can write with a stylus or with my finger, type on the keyboard, and navigate with the touchpad or pointer device. Of course, I could also attach an external mouse (wired or wireless).

I considered getting an iPad or Android tablet for nursing school note-taking, but I really need more functionality than either one offers. So, I bought a newer Tablet PC instead. (I don't know why they aren't more popular. I've used them since they first came on the market about a decade ago and will never again buy a laptop that isn't also a tablet, because I have found them to be major productivity enhancers in work and school.) As as an example, I can annotate my PowerPoint lecture files, in color, on screen, without ever having to print them, while simultaneously recording the lecturer. I also store all my books--a veritable nursing library--on it as well.

Hope this helps!

FORTHELOVEOF!!!! · Jun 4, 2012

Love my IPad but it won't do you any good in school. You will need Word and PP for most classes, unless you want to print them out and write on paper, which would defeat the purpose of having any electronic in class.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

I had a desktop computer at home I used for serious work, typing papers, making power points, etc, and an iPad I took to classes and clinicals with me. I had all my books downloaded to my iPad through the Kindle app, and downloaded the lecture slides that were posted on line through Dropbox and took notes on them with a stylus through an app, Notability, that's sadly not available anymore. Then I had all my notes and books readily with me wherever I was. I know there are also note taking apps that will record audio as well as you take notes.

I downloaded the Mental Case app, as did many of my classmates, and we made and exchanged flashcards to study.

I used apps like Epocrates, Diagnausers, and the 5 Minute Clinical Consult at clinicals all the time.

My iPad was an invaluable tool for NP school. Anyone who says it has no purpose hasn't looked into all the possibilities. You do need a real computer available to you as well, though. I bought a bluetooth keyboard for my iPad and have typed more than one paper on it in a crunch using the Pages app. It's doable.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

evidently, i would stick to the lap/top even though i do like my ipad. however, the ipad haven't come a la par with most computers at the present time,they're close but not quite. therefore, spend your money once and not twice on the same issue... wishing you all the best....aloha~