Nursing School Tablet

[DomLaki]

Hi Everyone,

First off its been about two years since I last posted and I have good news! I got into the program!

I start Jan 9th, 2017. I bought a back up school laptop for cheap. But now I'm wanting a tablet. I'm at war with the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 4.

I really like them both and i've been edging towards the Surface Pro 4 but, I really don't wanna pay the price for it. I like the iPad Pro because it's cheaper and can do the same things. However I've been reading a lot of institutes edge more to the Surface Pro 4 due to the fact it's better.

I like how I can sync my calendar with the iPad but the iPad also lacks a stand which could help me considerably in lecture. Then there is simplicity. The iPad is simple. It's easy to use and pretty friendly. The Surface Pro 4, looks a little more complicated. I want to be able to take notes, draw etc etc but with ease. The keyboards both are great with the Pro having a better one by a margin.

The Pro is more powerful too. I'm not looking for the most speed or processing. I just want something where I can load my ebooks for class and be able to switch back and forth to note taking and drawing.

I'm not really a microsoft fan boy or an apple fan boy when it comes to tablets either. I mean I have 1 high end Microsoft laptop and an IPhone 6s Plus.

Its just frustrating choosing either one. Each are great to their own.

If anyone has any input or experience with any of them it would be appreciated if you shared with me.

Thanks,

Dom

[FutureNurseInfo]

Do you really need a tablet for school?

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Surface Pro

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

How do you envision yourself using a tablet in class? Have you checked the program's policies on use of computers during class? Many instructors are well aware that students are surfing the net, chatting, Facebooking, Snapchatting, etc - therefore, they do not allow computer usage during class. So, don't count on being able to use it 100% of the time.

Many instructors provide a copy of their slide decks &/or organizational notes. If so, you COULD use a tablet to annotate slides and type in additional information. If this is what you envision, the Surface will definitely outperform any other tablet... that stylus is just unbelievable & the keyboard feels like a regular laptop. I'm speaking from experience- since I got my Surface, I rarely use my iPad.

Also - be sure to obtain information on the tech platform & applications used by your program. The school will have recommendations on compatible devices. Most schools also have discount programs available for purchasing software &/or devices. The savings could be significant.

[DeeAngel]

I would post this question to Reddit and you will get the answers you need about the two computers there.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

I used an iPad Air throughout the RN program it worked well. A classmate got the iPad Pro (the largest one) with a keyboard, and the pen and used it for the last semester of our program; it worked well for him.

[verene, MSN]

Also - be sure to obtain information on the tech platform & applications used by your program. The school will have recommendations on compatible devices. Most schools also have discount programs available for purchasing software &/or devices. The savings could be significant.

This! In my program tablets are perfectly fine to take notes on, read e-books, and the like, but the required exam software does not run on any tablet - a laptop is required. Make sure that if you get a tablet it meets tech requirements for your program or you have access to an alternate machine that meets those requirements.

[MyAimIsTrue, BSN]

I'm using the Surface Pro and so far it's been great for nursing school. I thought I would be lugging it around to class, but I don't do that. I'm still a pen and paper notetaker. I use it to write papers, do online Kaplan, Elsevier, etc.

[soapfloats]

I have two iPad pros. They're just big iPhones that you can draw really well on.

The pencil and keyboard will cost a few more hundred dollars on top.

[crislaudys07]

I am also doing research on tablet to buy for school. I am trying to decide on the Surface Pro or the Surface Book. What did you end up choosing and how is it working for you?