J-rap Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I never thought I'd be doing this, but am thinking of getting an iPad for my high school senior as a combination birthday/graduation gift. Right now we have my laptop shared among three people, and we really need something else. Next year, my daughter will be going abroad for the year and then off to college the following year. I don't want to put the money into a new iMac laptop right now, and I'm thinking an iPad -- maybe even a mini -- would be easier for her to lug around next year anyway. But is it worth investing in an iPad if she would need a laptop for college the following year...unless, the iPad can actually take the place of the laptop? For example, if we get a word-processing program to go with it, and a keyboard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I used an iPad instead of a computer for about a year. My kids all have iPads to do their school work on. If her needs are simply word processing, email, and internet an iPad will be more than enough and probably a lot more convenient and fun, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeschoolMamaOfTwo Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 My husband does, he loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I never thought I'd be doing this, but am thinking of getting an iPad for my high school senior as a combination birthday/graduation gift. Right now we have my laptop shared among three people, and we really need something else. Next year, my daughter will be going abroad for the year and then off to college the following year. I don't want to put the money into a new iMac laptop right now, and I'm thinking an iPad -- maybe even a mini -- would be easier for her to lug around next year anyway. But is it worth investing in an iPad if she would need a laptop for college the following year...unless, the iPad can actually take the place of the laptop? For example, if we get a word-processing program to go with it, and a keyboard? Pages for the iPad is pretty cheap. At least you don't have to buy a whole suite of office tools just for a WP program. I would definitely include a wireless keyboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 She would neeeeed a keyboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I do. I have a wireless keyboard. I love my iPad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMA Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I know people who thought to do this, but they had to buy a full computer to use certain software. You can't use Word on an iPad and Pages has compatibility problems with Word. It all depends on the software she needs for school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 I have read about the Pages compatibility problems, but then read that there are other apps such as Quickoffice and Office that don't seem to have those problems. Is anyone familiar with those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Yes to needing a keyboard and evaluating what you'll need it for. There are a handful of things I can't do on my iPad, but husband has a lot of software he can't use and the iPad isn't very helpful for him. His academic software needs to be used on the computer. Just word processing is okay, but the computer still seems to be better for any writing beyond that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I received a new iPad for Christmas with a keyboard. It is a replacement for my old computer, and I love it. I don't miss my computer at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I don't have an iPad, but being a recent graduate, I can't imagine doing all my work on anything but a laptop. Granted, all my classes were online, but I had so many various projects in additions to tons of papers and the research that goes along with it. I also had to put various projects on a CD to have printed at Office Max (some things were able to be emailed, but some I had to physically take there). There were also many computer compatibility requirements for my computer to be able to take the classes and see the graphics. That might be a good question for a college advisor, if she has one yet. Maybe you can get her the iPad and she can use her graduation money towards a laptop at that time. I can see benefits to having both, but honestly couldn't imagine doing it *all* on an iPad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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