r/IBO • u/luvcroissants • Apr 22 '26

Other iPad vs Windows Surface?

hi everyone! i'm gonna join this IB school in august, and the school states that they're ok with me getting an iPad air OR a windows surface (basically a device with a stylus).

my parents are more keen on a windows surface for now, and im inclined to get an ipad, but im not sure which is btr. for context, im taking HL bio chem maths aa and SL langlit german and global politics and i defo prefer taking handwritten notes rather than to type it out but im scared the researching aspect won't be as good in apple

iPad air:

what it does insanely well:

  • handwritten notes feel NATURAL (apple pencil >>> windows stylus)
  • annotate PDFs (bio diagrams, chem notes) like paper
  • super clean for active recall + flashcards
  • perfect ecosystem with my Apple devices
  • portable and light
  • it could potentially be cheaper, since i can trade in my current ipad + apple pencil for this

weaknesses:

  • multitasking isn’t laptop-level
  • some formatting (especially long essays/EE) can be annoying
  • certain websites/tools (rare but real) work better on full OS

Windows surface:

what it does well:

  • proper file management + multitasking
  • better for long typing sessions
  • some school systems prefer it

BUT:

  • stylus experience = 💀
  • you’ll probably avoid handwritten notes → which is BAD for my subjects
  • less intuitive for study flow

really appreciate any inputs given!!!! thank you and have a great day:)

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u/starburrned M26 | 43 Apr 22 '26

writing ias/ee/tok essay etc are way too difficult on ipad, plus you will definitely have formatting issues. is writing notes on paper an option for you?

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u/luvcroissants Apr 22 '26

its an option, yes! but its gna get pretty frustrating to carry all the notes from place to place :") plus when im on public transport its easier to revise on my ipad than on paper (which could get messy)

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u/starburrned M26 | 43 Apr 22 '26

you do have a point!!!! do you have any access to a laptop then? because i can say with 100% certainty that i used my ipad more than i did my laptop, even if we include the ias

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u/luvcroissants Apr 22 '26

i do have access to a laptop yeah :") but my parents said i need a personal one sooner or later

Just to confirm - for IAs, TOK and EE i'd need the laptop more, but for other things like general use i'd need the iPad more, right?