With Apple releasing its newest and most powerful iPad to date, along with new trackpad compatibilities, a lot of national chatter was created about the first iPad that could truly replace the functionality of your MacBook. I decided to put it to the test. And after two full semesters using it, I am here to share life-saving tips on how I use my iPad Pro for college... and why you should too.
Going into my senior year of college, my MacBook was outdated, slow, and on its last leg. I knew that if I was going to make it through the last year of undergrad and three more years of law school I would need to update my dinosaur of a computer. So, in my usually fashion, I began doing extensive research to find the laptop that would be able to get me through my next phase of schooling. Little did I know, that the perfect computer wasn’t a computer at all.
Why I chose the iPad Pro
After careful consideration (and way too much time spent agonizing in indecision), I ordered the 12.9 inch iPad Pro (4th generation) with 128 GB of storage. To complete my laptop replacement, I additionally purchased the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
Because of its compatibility with Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, I knew that I would need the iPad Pro. Replacing my laptop would have been near impossible without a trackpad. Plus, the magic-like floating setup of the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard an additional bonus.
12.9“ vs. 11”
One factor that lead me to the larger version was its similarity to the look and feel of a MacBook. Since I wanted it to function as a laptop I figured it should be comparable in dimension. Another selling point was that the 12.9 inch iPad Pro was compatible with the full-size keyboard. The 11 inch model correlates to the condensed keyboard which seemed inadequate for taking in-class notes and typing papers/projects. The last aspect that pushed me to the larger model was the sheer increase in screen size. I knew that as a student, I use the “split screen” feature often and having more real estate would be beneficial.
How much storage do you need?
When choosing the storage size for your iPad, you don’t really need to drop the extra cash for the extra space. Since there’s no desktop for files, everything is saved on an external workspace, like Dropbox. These external workspaces don‘t take up much more room than your average app. I opted for 128 GB of storage which is the standard issued package. A year later, I have used 11 GB of those 128.
Handwritten Notes on the iPad Pro
Being able to take handwritten notes was the number one reason that I wanted an iPad instead of a new laptop.
Being an engineering major, typing notes in class wasn’t really an option for me. A lot of what I was learning was math and chemistry based. Which don‘t translate well into neatly-typed outlines.
The idea of being able to hand write my notes and not have to keep up with 7 different notebooks excited more than I would like to admit. With just a click or a swipe, I can switch between subjects or lectures and even have then pulled up side by side.
The app I use to take my handwritten notes on is Notability. Check out this article I wrote about choosing the right app for you and how I use Notability to make college life easier.
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard and Their Worth
The Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are pricey. When getting my iPad, I debated if I should skip out on the accessories and save some money. I can confidently say that the pencil and keyboard are worth every single penny.
The Magic Keyboard doubles as a protective case for the iPad itself and attaches magnetically to provide both the “floating“ design easy dettachment. The keyboard is also the main component that gives it the ability to replace your laptop. While you can get a standard bluetooth keyboard for a fraction of the price, the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard is invaluable to maximizing the efficiency of the iPad. Without the trackpad, its just an iPad that you can type a little bit faster on.
As you know, handwritten notes were a big selling point for me. So, naturally I wanted the Apple Pencil. It did not disappoint. The pencil itself feels like, well.... a real pencil. Its crafted to have the same weight and distribution as a normal pencil. Except it never runs out of lead or ink. And it magnetically snaps right on the edge of your iPad. No more wasting time digging through your bag for a pencil.
Gone are the days of carrying around a rainbow of pens and highlighters in your backpack. The Apple Pencil has honestly saved me enough money on ink to pay for itself. With the Apple Pencil, you can create and save any color your heart desires. Save them to your favorites to switch effortlessly and color code your notes.
Where the Magic Keyboard turns your iPad into a laptop, the Apple Pencils makes it better than a laptop. After all, how many times have you wished your MacBook was touch-screen?
Overall Experience with iPad Pro as my Primary Laptop
After an entire year under my belt, I know this iPad like the back of my hand. So, I’m here to tell my honest opinion on whether you can toss aside your current laptop.
Favorite Features
Split screen
Okay, I know my MacBoook also had the screen splitting feature. But it was clunky and awkward. Exiting one of the tabs always sent my current tab into a new desktop and my minimized tab was nowhere to be found. Running two different apps (or two tabs of the same app) is SO much more efficient and user friendly on the iPad Pro.
turn pictures into documents
With Apple’s new update, creating a pdf is now as simple as snapping a picture. Simply tap the camera icon in your Notes app and scan your document. I constantly am using this to turn loose leaf paper or class handouts into documents. Gone are the days where I have a folder with a bunch of random papers. All of my scans get labelled and filed for easy access.
Face ID
Face ID on laptops should be mandatory in my opinion. This saves me SO much time. As a student, you have dozens of accounts with passwords that you need constant access to. My iPad is set up to automatically enter my username and password when it recognizes my face. From Pinterest, to my bank account, to my school email, I no longer have to waste time trying to remember which password combination I used for each account.
Drag and Drop
I am not sure if there is an exact term for this, but I use this feature almost every day. Within the split screen feature you can long-click and drag on the mouse pad (or hold and drag on the screen) and drop images, charts and other relevant objects from one screen to another. I can add pictures from articles directly to my notes or add my excel chart to my lab report by simply dragging it across the screen.
The Downfalls and Shortcomings
While the iPad Pro is insanely powerful and an adequate replacement for a laptop, there are obviously some aspects where it falls short.
microsoft applications
Since the iPad does not have the specs to use downloadable programs, MS Word and Excel have to be run through the app. The apps (more notably Excel) are not nearly as powerful as the software run on a MacBook. They have all the basics, but are less user friendly and missing some features to bring them up to par with their programed versions. Microsoft has announced that they will be working to close the gap though!
Zoom
In a day and age where Zoom is the current classroom, the camera on the iPad makes that a little more difficult during sessions with your camera on. When the iPad is attached to the keyboard, the camera is to the left of the screen, giving off an awkward angle as you face the screen. And you know the trick on MacBooks where you can run Safari over your Zoom screen? It doesn’t work on the iPad because you technically “exited the app” and your camera turns off.
COding software
This was a minor inconvenience and might not apply to many people, but I thought I’d include it for full disclosure. You cannot download coding software to run on an iPad. I was in two Computer Engineering courses this semester and both of them required coding software. I ended up just using my classroom’s computers instead since they were more suited for coding than most laptops anyway.
Is the iPad Pro right for you?
The iPad Pro‘s most notable selling point is that it truly does it all. It encompasses whatever you need in that moment. Whether it‘s typing up a history essay, creating lab reports, taking handwritten notes, or simply watching Netflix on your next road trip, the iPad Pro is your one-stop-shop. The convenience of having all my notes, documents, planner and texts messages in one place has saved me so much time and energy.
I was a little nervous diving straight in and saying goodbye to my laptop in college. But I haven’t looked back with regret once. And after two semesters, I am so happy to share tips on how I use my iPad Pro for college.
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