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Although most college students will need a laptop for serious academic work, an iPad can be a welcome addition to any college student’s backpack. It can be easier to carry around campus than a laptop while still being useful for reading class assignments and taking notes. And, since all work and no play makes Joe College a dull boy, students will appreciate an iPad’s entertainment and communication capabilities. It’s a perfect graduation gift! So what’s an iPad good for, and which model should you consider?
First, any iPad makes an excellent ebook reader. Along with Apple’s bundled iBooks app, students can install various ebook-reading apps, including the free Kindle app. These apps are ideal for digital textbooks and other class materials since they can store thousands of pages of text and offer useful highlighting and note-taking tools.
For students who prefer handwritten notes or those in fields like fashion or architecture, an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil is a great note-taking tool that combines the best features of handwritten notes (which encourage better retention) with quick digital access. In a comic-style review for iMore, Serenity Caldwell called the Apple Pencil the “best stylus I’ve ever used.” Even better, iOS 11, due this fall, will bring handwriting recognition to the iPad’s built-in Notes app, so students will be able to search for text in their handwritten notes.
The iPad also works wonderfully for playing video. For a student, that could mean replaying a recorded lecture, relaxing with a favorite movie after a big test, and even calling home via Apple’s FaceTime app.
For a lot of modern-day college work, two screens are better than one. A student might work on a research paper on a MacBook while using the iPad to read reference materials or view a related video—or to chat with fellow students about a group project. With current Macs, it’s possible to copy and paste between an iPad and a Mac, making it easy to transfer information back and forth. Or, with special software like Duet or AirDisplay, an iPad can act as a second Mac screen.
It’s faster to type on a physical keyboard than on the iPad’s onscreen keyboard. Many iPad-compatible keyboards are available, but for the iPad Pro, Apple’s Smart Keyboard doesn’t require fussing with Bluetooth and charges automatically without extra cables. It functions as a padded screen protector when not in use, but opens into a screen prop and keyboard, making the iPad look like a mini-laptop.
Which iPad should you buy? Here are your options:
If you’re looking for a graduation gift that’s both fun and practical for a college-bound student, look no further than an iPad. If you’re lucky, you may even get regular FaceTime calls from it.
Come test out your dream iPad in person! At Simply Mac, we are all Apple, all the time. Our passion is to bring the Apple experience right to your neighborhood. As an Apple Premier Partner, we can offer you the same products, same prices, same warranties, and same expertise. We house a professionally trained staff who can give our customers expert advice and personalized service. With 45 locations nationwide, each with their own Apple Certified Specialists, we’re only a click or call away. Find your local Simply Mac today!
