Are you wondering if you should buy an iPad for college? As a student who finished college recently, I’ve seen students use laptops, notebooks and iPads in class for taking notes and studying.
Throughout college I used a MacBook, but recently my girlfriend got an iPad for school and loves it. I’ve had the chance to try it out and see if it’s worth getting.
Should You Buy an iPad For College?
Yes, an iPad is great for college as you can take notes, complete assignments and it’s affordable. For college, iPads are super useful as they are very user friendly and portable. More and more college students are beginning to get iPads because they are great for staying organized.
In this post, I share 14 reasons why you need an iPad and what it can do. I also compare the iPad with the MacBook and the HP Envy. Finally, I’ll tell you why the iPad is the best option for students.
14 Reasons Why You Need an iPad For College
Note Taking
The iPad is great for taking notes. On the App Store there are note taking app’s like GoodNotes and Notability. These apps make it super easy to take neat and organized notes.
The iPad makes it a lot easier to take notes compared to a computer and even on paper. On app’s like GoodNotes and Notability you can insert graphics and images wherever you want on your notes, with no effort. If you use the Apple Pencil, you can write notes as if it was on paper.
When I saw my girlfriends notes, I was super impressed with how good they looked. As she showed me how everything worked I was shocked to see how user friendly the Ipad is. If you tend to have messy notes, the iPad will instantly improve your note taking game.
With all of the different features that GoodNotes and Notability offer, it makes iPads the best way to take notes in college.
All Your Schoolwork Is in the Same Place
With the iPad, all of you school work will be in the same place. Your notes, assignments, agenda and even textbooks can all be on your iPad. Having all of these in the same place will save you space and keep you organized.
As someone who’s unorganized, I would constantly struggle with losing or misplacing assignments. Having all of my work in the same place would have helped me a lot throughout college!
Portable
The iPad ranges from 12.9 inches to 8.3 inches so it’s super portable. Compared to a MacBook or other laptops the iPad is way more compact, and lightweight. Whether it’s going to class or traveling, there will always be room for your iPad.
The iPad is easy to carry around campus whether it’s in your backpack or in your arms. The iPad can be used for so many different things that it will make your backpack way lighter!
Your iPad will replace textbooks, notebooks, your agenda and so many other things! For some classes you will be able to just bring your iPad instead of a backpack.
Say Goodbye to School Supplies!
Once you get an iPad you will no longer need to purchase school supplies. No more notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners you get the point!
With all of the different apps that the iPad has to offer, it just makes it so much easier to have everything in the same place. I think it’s pretty awesome that Apple came out with a product that is seriously changing the game for students.
When I was in college I would use notebooks and my MacBook. With how user friendly and how capable the iPad has become, if I had to start over I would choose the iPad every time.
Notes Can Be Transferred to Your iPhone
If your iPad dies or if you are out and you want to study you can transfer your notes from your iPad to your iPhone. Enabling iCloud Drive and GoodNotes will allow for your notes to be shared between your iPhone and iPad.
If you don’t have an iPhone, you can always take screenshots and send them to yourself that way you will have your notes with you at all times.
The iPad has made it easier than ever to study no matter where you are!
Scan Documents
Scanning documents is a super useful feature of the iPad. If there is a work sheet that you have to do in class you can literally scan it, write on it using your Apple Pencil and then connect to a printer via bluetooth and submit the assignment.
In college or university, at some point you will have to annotate. With the iPad you can scan a page of a book or textbook and write all over it. This will keep you annotations clear and organized.
When it comes time to study for finals, you can scan practice exams and work on them on the iPad. This way you can attempt the practice exam multiple times without having to reprint a new copy.
Having the ability to scan documents will come in handy if you ever need to scan a document for a classmate, teacher or even your parents.
Having this when I was in college would have saved me so much time and kept me really organized.
App Store
The App Store offers so many apps that will help you with school, keep you entertained and organized. Apps like Goodnotes or Notability are essentials for taking notes but there are other great apps to keep you organized.
There are agenda apps where you can write important dates like birthdays, exams and school events. There are also apps that will send you reminders so you will never forget when your assignments are due.
If you use your iPad effectively you will always stay organized. Having all of these utilities in the same place makes it impossible to forget when assignments are due or when you have a big exam coming up.
Some apps that I’ve used for school are:
- Chegg
- Quizlet
- The Homework App
- Photomath
- Canva
Affordability
Apple products tend to be on the expensive side. Compared to other tablets, the iPad does cost more money. However, it’s capable of doing so much more than comparable products and it’s more user friendly.
The iPad starts at $329, which is pretty affordable when compared to computers and laptops. The iPad Air and iPad Pro are more expensive and range from $599 to $1199.
Compared to MacBooks or even other laptops the iPad is very affordable for the value it provides.
If you’re not sure which iPad to get, here are some things to know.
A standard iPad does the job, however the iPad Pro and iPad Air have better specs. You’ll notice a better display, longer battery life and a bigger screen.
If you’re not sure which iPad to get, it all comes down to personal preference, storage, budget and how you plan on using your iPad.
The iPad is a good investment for school. If you are deciding between a laptop or iPad, it makes more sense to get an iPad as it provides a lot of value for a reasonable cost.
Compatible with Keyboard and Mouse
The iPad can be used with a keyboard and mouse. If you prefer typing instead of using the Apple Pencil, there are iPad cases that will fold open with a keyboard and prop the iPad up like a laptop.
The iPad can be turned into a thin and mini computer which is great for high school, college and university!
Can Be Used as a Kindle
If you need to buy a book for a class, most of the time you’ll find it on the Kindle App. On the Kindle App you’ll be able to read your book for class, no matter where you are.
Whether you’re reading it in your dorm room, on your way to class or in class because you forgot to read it, if you have your iPad, your book will always be with you.
Keynote and iMovie
In college and university you will have to do presentations. The keynote app on the iPad is great for making presentations directly from your iPad.
The keynote app will offer you themes for presentations. It makes it super easy to make an appealing slideshow in a short amount of time. The iPad will come with the Keynote app so you don’t have to worry about paying for it!
If you are into making videos, using iMovie is great. It’s super simple and easy to use. I’ve been using iMovie to make presentations for years now. It takes more effort and creativity then making a slide show but the effort was always rewarded with good marks!
Supports Google Drive
Throughout the pandemic, Google Drive became my best friend. All of my group projects were done using Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides.
Since the iPad is made by Apple and Google Drive is made by Google, often times people think that they are not compatible, which is wrong. Google Docs, Sheets and Slides can all be found on the App store.
If you are looking to do a group project ,google drive is great because everyone can work on it at the same time no matter where they are.
User Friendly
The main reason most people purchase Apple products is because of how user friendly they are and the iPad is no different. What makes it so amazing for school is how it keeps every aspect of school in the same place.
The interface is super easy to navigate, there are countless apps to help you with school and if you any questions there is plenty of information online.
The note taking process has become so user friendly that many students are switching from a traditional notepad or laptop to the iPad.
Long Lasting
Back in 2013, I got the iPad 3rd generation. At the time it didn’t do anything near what the new iPads can do. Once I got my first MacBook, I slowly stopped using my iPad.
A few months later I sold my iPad for a good amount of money as it was in good condition and it still ran very well. If you take care of it, eventually when you no longer need it anymore you will be able to find someone who wants it.
My grandmother has had her iPad for at least 6 years now. Every now and then I have to help her with something on it so I get the chance to use it. The battery is still great, it runs quickly and is perfect for her needs.
If you take care of your iPad it will last you throughout your time in school and way longer!
iPad vs MacBook vs HP
Below I compare iPads, MacBook’s and the HP Envy 13. According to Laptopmag.com the HP Envy 13 is the best laptop for college students.
Every product listed below is based off the price for a 256 GB device. This is a good amount of storage for most college students. You’ll also find the retail price and display size, as these are factors you should consider when looking for a device for school.
| Products | Price | Display Size | Storage |
| iPad Pro (5th gen) | $899 | 11 inches | 256 GB |
| iPad Air (4th gen) | $749 | 10.9 inches | 256 GB |
| iPad (9th gen) | $579 | 10.2 inches | 256 GB |
| Mac Book Pro | $1299 | 13.3 inches | 256 GB |
| Mac Book Air | $999 | 13.3 inches | 256 GB |
| HP Envy 13 (2021) | $899 | 13.3 inches | 256 GB |
Why the iPad Is the Best Option for Students
The iPad has the most affordable price point for the function and capabilities. While you sacrifice a bit of screen size in comparison to a laptop, it still is the best option. If you prefer a larger screen, you can upgrade the size on the Apple website for an additional cost.
When it comes to school, the iPad can do more than the Mac’s and HP Envy 13. Apple released a product that is built for college and university students, but can be beneficial to anyone.
The iPad is capable of doing so many different things, yet it’s an extremely light and compact product. If you are debating between getting a laptop or iPad I recommend the iPad.
Final Thoughts on Should You Buy an iPad For College
If you are going to college or university you will want either a laptop or iPad. In this post, we went over the most important reasons why an iPad is a great choice for college students.
Do you use an iPad for college or are you considering it? Please let me know in the comments below.