Are Tablets Suitable for Engineering Students?

[amb123]

I am going to be transferring as a junior to a Chem Engineering program this Fall (probably GA Tech, but I'm still waiting to hear from a couple others.)

So, first I was considering a notebook, but it looks like a tablet may be a better idea just for the fact that you can take handwritten notes/drawings in class. So, then the dilemma became tablet or convertible.. But, seeing as I will have access to desktops in the library and at home, I may not need a convertible, but just a tablet with a portable keyboard.

So, what are your experiences with tablets? I know there are a lot of students and engineers on here, so i'd love to hear from you on whether this seems like a reasonable buy or not. And, of course, recommendations on which would work the best, what features you can't live without, etc, would be great!

Thanks so much:)
-A

 

[JasonRox]

I have one, but I only use it for games and music though.

I love it.

For your purpose, only a crackhead uses that thing for notes. Personally, that would be really stupid.

Note: You're suppose to tell your mom its for notes. I guess I can use it for graphs, and stuff, but if you got a laptop just use Mathematica (Maple sucks).

 

[Moonbear]

I have no personal experience with them, but a friend of mine had one. He tried using it for note taking, and retired it from that purpose after a week.

 

[amb123]

Wow, if I can't take notes on it, it's useless to me and I might as well get a notebook. Are you sure this isn't with old models, as I understand it these have gotten much better in recent years. Do you know why this person didn't like them for notetaking?

I am buying this with my own money, btw, so don't have to hide my intentions from mommy;)

thx!
-A

 

[JasonRox]

I have a new one!

Yes, it does suck for notes. I got the Windows CE or whatever on it. I can read PDF files, go online, etc...

I tried doing notes, but gave up after 2 minutes.

Only musics and games.

 

[Moonbear]

Wow, if I can't take notes on it, it's useless to me and I might as well get a notebook. Are you sure this isn't with old models, as I understand it these have gotten much better in recent years. Do you know why this person didn't like them for notetaking?

I am buying this with my own money, btw, so don't have to hide my intentions from mommy;)

thx!
-A

It was a few years ago, so I don't know if they've improved since then. Honestly, I know at the time I got an earful about why he didn't like it, but I can't remember any more (I probably wasn't listening too carefully; he always has a new gadget or toy...he likes his gadgets and I like giving him a hard time about his obsession with gadgets ). Maybe it was that he hoped it would automatically transcribe his handwriting into typed text with a bit of training, but his handwriting is so atrocious it couldn't figure it out?

I still prefer pen and paper for note-taking, but that's because my notes aren't always "linear" (I connect concepts and thoughts with arrows or go back and jot related notes in the margin, like if someone asks a question and I think the answer is relevant, I write it next to the section that's relevant, not just in the next empty space on the page), and I don't always take notes with complete words (I have my own short-cuts of symbols that don't always mean anything to anyone but me). Then again, the last time I was taking notes, such gadgets didn't exist.

 

[The_Professional]

I've used an Acer Tablet in the past and my experience has been satisfactory. It's very light at 3 pounds, it's much easier to use when one is traveling since your fingers are not confined together in one space as when you're using a mousepad. You navigate and scroll through the stylus pen. I thought the pen was a little too small and thin, using this continously for hours while taking notes can be a drag. The pen can be unresponsive at times as well. And if you get tired of the tablet, you can always fold and flip the screen and use it as a regular laptop. As with the model I used. The bottom plate can get really hot as well like laptops so be careful.

 

[JasonRox]

I've used an Acer Tablet in the past and my experience has been satisfactory. It's very light at 3 pounds, it's much easier to use when one is traveling since your fingers are not confined together in one space as when you're using a mousepad. You navigate and scroll through the stylus pen. I thought the pen was a little too small and thin, using this continously for hours while taking notes can be a drag. The pen can be unresponsive at times as well. And if you get tired of the tablet, you can always fold and flip the screen and use it as a regular laptop. As with the model I used. The bottom plate can get really hot as well like laptops so be careful.

3 pounds is kind of heavy don't you think.

Mine probably ways less than 1 pound.

 

[The_Professional]

3 pounds is kind of heavy don't you think.

Mine probably ways less than 1 pound.

Are you sure? what laptop is it? The norm for notebooks is 4+ pounds, Sony has a 3 lb notebook but 3 pounders aren't very common.
Additionally, going any lighter than 3 pounds cost a lot of money. Sony has a one pound carbon fiber laptop the X505 which costs $2799+

 

[JasonRox]

Are you sure? what laptop is it? The norm for notebooks is 4+ pounds, Sony has a 3 lb notebook but 3 pounders aren't very common.
Additionally, going any lighter than 3 pounds cost a lot of money. Sony has a one pound carbon fiber laptop the X505 which costs $2799+

OH NEVERMIND.

I was thinking of something else.

I take everything back that I said. My advice is terrible.

I apologize for the confusion.

 

[amb123]

Well, as far as I have read, you can take notes and store them without translating to text, which would be fine by me since I draw all over the place anyhow. This would keep me more organized. I am going to look at them on Saturday if I can find stores that carry the latest and greatest in my area. I think the weight is around 3-4lbs depending whether you want a tablet or tablet convertible to laptop. I might not need the convertible, I am thinking just the tablet will be more convenient and i'll get a portable keyboard that isn't too heavy for it.

So, i'll let you all know what I find. Any others who have experience with the newer models (not 2+yrs old), pls post.

thx!
-A