Which laptop for nursing?

ThatBigGuy · Apr 26, 2015

Honestly, you'll do way more word processing than drawing diagrams in nursing school. Combine that with being more of a laptop person, I'd stick with the laptop. I was in a similar scenario as you were years back, but I bought both. I ended up using the laptop 97% of the time for school work, especially since our Blackboard/Canvas and textbook websites didn't always work properly with the tablet.

I've even upgraded the software and hardware several times in my laptop, so even though it's 6 years old, it's still working great for my web surfing and word processing needs post-nursing school. I still have my tablet, but it's basically just turned into an overqualified reader.

Ryno · Apr 27, 2015

I've actually been considering the same thing for when I start in the fall. I'm leaning towards the Surface Pro 3 myself since it can do everything a laptop can do while only being the size of a tablet. Also the Surface Pro 4 is rumored to be coming out this fall too though so I'm considering waiting to see if that's a better option.... decisions decisions :)

TooManyCats, ASN, BSN · Apr 27, 2015

I have both a tablet and a Macbook Air. I **NEVER** use my tablet, it's somewhere collecting dust, but my Macbook looks like it's been run over by a truck it's used so heavily.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 27, 2015

When I got into nursing school, I got a new mid-rage laptop. Mine's wide enough to use the extended keyboard, but more importantly, it's got a decent processor (not great), is 64-bit capable, and therefore has decent RAM. I ended up using Dragon voice dictation software and it was great! I generally used it for almost everything I wrote. Once my professors had a handle on how I spoke, they recognized that I write just how I speak, just more formally when writing. That also had the effect of speeding up certain aspects of school... like those horrific nursing care plans. I still have that laptop and it's quite decent still. It's nowhere near the top of the line now and never was, but it's more than adequate for what I need, even today.

What I have found is that you'll likely never use the tablet like it could be used because you'll rarely need the touchscreen capability. There were only a couple times over the years that I would have preferred to "draw" on the screen when taking notes in OneNote. Most of the time, I did quite well with my laptop and a trackball mouse. My professors would have hated to hear me droning on in class, dictating my notes, so I never did that. Also, fortunately for me, I sat in the back with a couple of other computer users and our keyboards were soft clicking, so we were very quiet and non-disruptive.

ACW2015 · Apr 27, 2015

I actually just made this decision last week after hours and hours of research. I went to best buy set on getting the surface pro 3 since it was on sale for $1149.99 (the 8gb 256 i5 model) and I signed up for the student discount which was another $100 off, which made it $1049.99. However, when I got there and started playing with it, I felt that it was definitely more tablet than laptop. Although it was super light and neat, I don't think I will enjoy typing 10 page papers and care plans on the detachable keyboard and 12" display. My top choice was the newest MacBook Pro with retina 13" display, however, I wanted the 8gb 256gb model, and it came out to $1375 on sale, a bit more than I wanted to spend. I ended up purchasing the newest dell xps 13 9343 model with QPS touchscreen (i5 8gb 256gb SSD storage) on sale for $1110, the same specs was showing at $1399.99 on dell.com, I got it from the Microsoft online store which is 1299.99 - 10 % student discount - 5% for sending text MSSTORE. I've been using the laptop for a couple days now and love it. its 2.8 lbs, and have an infinity edge 13.3 screen, and a full normal keyboard. I got the touchscreen version and love it, glad I chose this laptop.

BrownS27 · Apr 29, 2015

:no:Did anyone get a Mac labtop and wished they got a PC labtop?......(because of compatibility issues?)

Campfire · Apr 29, 2015

I couldn't afford a $1,000+ laptop. I bought a $400 Toshiba from Staples (ended up paying $300 after a rebate), downloaded Microsoft Office for free from my college and it works great for me!

The surface pro was all the rage with the IT Dept at my job when they first came out, but they ended up hating them and all went back to laptops.

BrownS27 · Apr 29, 2015

Microsoft free from your school!?!? I need to go there! :yes:

Deb.... The LAST thing I want to do is pay a million dollars for a labtop that will be obsolete once I finish school.....(hell once I walk out of the store! I swear their worse then buying a car!)

i I just HATE slow labtops! If anybody has suggestions of a good budget labtop I'd be extremely greatful! (Oh and..... Free Microsoft word.... Yeah I'd be all ears for that one!) please IM me about that!

Mami.RN, MSN, RN · Apr 29, 2015

I have Lenovo and I loved it. It is fast enough for me with lots of memory. I got it on sale last black friday. I also got free microscoft in my college.

direw0lf, BSN · Apr 30, 2015

Oops. I just asked this question. :shy: :facepalm:

Leonardsmom,LPN · Apr 30, 2015

I have both, for writing papers the laptop is a must. I did write a couple of papers on my iPad last semester with a Bluetooth keyboard, but the word processing apps for the tablet in my opinion fall short. I do however use my tablet in class for recording lectures and following along with powerpoints. I use an app called goodnotes which allows me to highlight the text and make quick notes writing on the slide. Definitely have found that to be helpful but for the majority of my projects my laptop is my first choice.