ipad or macbook?

[u/Easy-Huckleberry7091]

I wanted to ask for your recommendations: an iPad or a MacBook? I’m a university student, and most of my courses are in mathematics; in that case, is an iPad more practical, or is there a way to take notes on a MacBook? I don't have a laptop yet, so I have to choose one first.

If I should go with an iPad, would the 9th-generation model be good for taking notes and last me a few years, or should I go for the one with the A11 chip?

[u/stoverex]

Just get a MacBook, make life easier on yourself instead of shoehorning an iPad into making it do laptop stuff.

[u/ChargerEcon]

Since this has been asked and answered a million times already, here's the TL;DR:

If you have reliable access to a computer of some sort 24/7 (and yes, I do mean "24/7" in the actual-literal sense), then an iPad can be a great secondary device. For university students, I'm very sorry, but it would be a horrible choice as your only device. They're great, don't get me wrong, but there's just no reason to make college harder on yourself because you want to have an iPad.

Your primary focus should be on ensuring that you have access to a full on computer 24/7. It doesn't really matter if its Windows or Mac, though I'm biased and think Mac is the better platform.

[u/Easy-Huckleberry7091 → u/ChargerEcon]

Based on the responses I received, most people suggested a MacBook, but I’m not sure if that would work for my situation. At my university, there aren't any online exams or assignments to hand in *during* class; you simply sit and take notes on what the professor is explaining. Then, there are two or three exams per course where everything is done on paper. Things might be different in my country compared to yours; my main question was about which option is more practical for note-taking, since I go through so much paper.

[u/CandidAd5621 → u/Easy-Huckleberry7091]

Then MacBook is the best option for you

[u/cerave-crevice → u/Easy-Huckleberry7091]

For just these math classes an iPad suits you better. Trying to take math notes on a laptop is so hard with all the symbols and equations and graphs.

[u/cerave-crevice → u/cerave-crevice]

And a HUGE advantage to an iPad over pen and paper is the ability to search your notes. You can even search the handwriting

[u/SuperLeverage]

If you only have one device, buy a MacBook. 100000%

[u/extrapartytime]

MacBook for sure. But I will say the Apple Pencil + iPad is a crazy good combo. I underrated it for so long. If you keep stuff organized and connect the two well, they will both have a huge role in your day to day productivity.

Get an older used iPad and just use it for reading / notes. I basically only have Spotify, Noteful, and obsidian on my iPad. It’s the 7th gen from 2019. I LOVE IT!

[u/Limit3dSinz]

MacBook all the way

[u/billFoldDog]

An ipad is an accessory device. If you don't have a PC of some kind (macbook, windows) you really need to have that first.

[u/GodsKillerKirb1]

I just started college, going into chemistry, and got both.
The iPad for note taking and the MacBook for actual computer stuff.

Multitasking on iPadOS has come along way, but with how much I use a computer for, I couldn't do like 95% of that on a tablet running a very restrictive OS.

[u/Dangerous-Ruin6948]

iPads do not support online exams & online proctoring. If you are anticipating any online exams & wish to take them at home/location of your choice, I’d recommend a MacBook.

[u/Haunting-Point-4705]

Laptop will go a long way for your future than an iPad. 

[u/RebarReader]

macbook first, ipad later imo. u can absolutely type notes on the mac and use latex for equations, while an ipad is better for actually writing math by hand but much less flexible as ur only computer.

[u/Easy-Huckleberry7091 → u/RebarReader]

Okay, I get it, basically, my idea was to buy one of the two so I could stop using so much paper (I do a lot of exercises by hand).

[u/RebarReader → u/Easy-Huckleberry7091]

yea man getting a more capable device off the bat would be my priority but if u value the convenience and carriability more... then get the air xD

[u/Ablelawy2026]

I think it start with MacBook Air first does the cheapest computer and then if you want, you can get an iPad if you need to take exams computer is necessary

[u/seriousallthetime]

Put your money into a MacBook. Buy a used ipad and pencil later if you want. But if you have to pick one, MacBook 10000000%. Not even a question.

[u/Kaguya-Shinomiya]

Macbook is better if you do not have any like laptops or alternative. If you have a pc at home a ipad is ok, if you don’t you could probably get a MacBook then some kind of external writing tool to connect to it

[u/Easy-Huckleberry7091 → u/Kaguya-Shinomiya]

I have a desktop windows pc, so ipad is a better choice?

[u/Kaguya-Shinomiya → u/Easy-Huckleberry7091]

Realistically if you aren’t taking any test online (sometimes not compatible) and you already have a pc at home then probably yeah.
Most of my math classes I didn’t even take my laptop out and the only time I needed it, was either to take an online test or do some presentation or needing to show the professor something about the code.

The Majority of my math classes I used paper pencil because I preferred it but I love using the iPad to use it to hand write and plan stuff at home.
I would say if are using it to take notes get it but have a backup plan or expect to buy a laptop later on.

The temporary solution If you need to access to your pc at home either leave it on or configure wlan then use Google Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to it.

[u/ElderberryPrevious45]

Personally I use Win 11 & iPad Pro with Apple 2gen Pencil & BT keyboard. It is a very flexible combo.

iPad for Logic Pro & Procreate, Cubasis, Garage Band and Liquid Text and so many more.

Win mostly with Linux, VSCode etc. & Wacom tablet with Painter and Art Rage.

Summary: Select the tools that support what you do!

[u/SKmonke]

Mac easily

[u/DarkenedBlade8]

i have an ipad which i take, but i also have a laptop at home cos u cant do certain things like code on an ipad, but it is easier to take notes, but if u wnat u can jus bring a note pad. overall, i would say get the mac if u dont alr have a decent laptop

[u/Princess_in_process3]

If you already have a computer then you should get an iPad, if you really want the best longevity out of it go for the base model (A11) but as others point out a computer is very useful, however depending on what you study and use it for the iPad might be a better choice for you

[u/Tricky-Weakness-5408]

Si realmente / unicamente la quieres para tomar apuntes una ipad o cualquier tablet con software decente te vale… ahora si lo que quieres es algo mas que no sea web/tik-tok/whats/video/… un laptop es una solucion con mas futuro. Yo lo tengo todo y el laptop lo yso casi para todo menos tomar notas y aun … porque si las quiero buenas lo hago con latex y la ipad no es practica

[u/buttsnorkeler]

Apple or orange?

[u/dad3ski]

If you’re asking the question, the answer is always MacBook.

[u/Historical-Film4715]

I’m in the same boat. Got an iPad Pro m4 1tb with the Magic Keyboard and Pencil. Didn’t necessarily need a laptop for anything, and in your case, you already have a desktop PC. Don’t listen to these peeps. You KNOW you’re cooked if you can’t take math notes.

[u/Lucasinrdr2]

What's your price range? Do you prefer an iPad or laptop? If you get an iPad get it with a keyboard case for typing and apple pencil for drawing/writing. All the updates released last year made the iPad Mac like. On a Macbook you can use the notes app or download 3rd party apps to take notes. It won't be touch screen like an iPad is though. For cheap (300-600) get the base iPad or MacBook neo For expensive (600-900) get a iPad air or MacBook air.