In a classroom filled with students typing away on school-provided Chromebooks or personal MacBooks, a few may be softly tapping their fingers on glass screens instead. These students appreciate iPads for their convenience and versatility, though the device choice can come with drawbacks like easy distractions and lack of important tools.
Senior Morgan Barrows had the option of choosing between a laptop or an iPad in her sophomore year after choosing to switch to a non-school provided device. Barrows ultimately decided to purchase an iPad due its practical features.
“A computer would be too big, so I figured the iPad was the perfect size,” Barrows said. With a traditional six-class schedule, backpacks can become heavy with notebooks, folders, and a laptop. iPads, on the other hand, take some weight off your back throughout the school day.
“Computers are really bulky and heavy to carry in my backpack. Since I take notes on my iPad, I don’t need to bring as many notebooks,” junior Mariam Abdelbary said.
Abdelbary added that, along with the conveniences her iPad has provided, it has significantly improved her productivity. The Apple Pencil allows her to create visually appealing handwritten notes, “It is more aesthetic, which motivates me to study,” she said.
iPads also allow users to type notes in Google Docs when paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, just like a laptop. Senior Elsa Teuteberg uses a keyboard for assignments that require typing and note-taking. When taking handwritten notes, she removes it to make reading digital information easier. “I like having the option to use just the iPad without the keyboard because it’s easier to read things compared to a laptop,” Teuteberg said.
Teuteberg made her decision to purchase an iPad after attending Hillview Middle School, which provides an iPad to each student. “I was used to iPads from middle school, so it was just easier for me,” Teuteberg explained.
While Hillview’s iPad program encouraged some students to continue using iPads in high school, it turned many students to laptops. Students at Hillview are given fifth or sixth generation models, which were released in 2017 and 2018, sometimes leading to technological delays and difficulties. “The keyboard does not work very well. I would probably get a computer when I go to high school because typing is easier and files are easier to control,” Hillview eighth grader Alex Vuchic said.
Although iPads allow users to type, they lack the built-in touchpad and mouse functionality that laptops offer. “Copy and pasting is difficult,” Barrows said. “There are things clearly designed for computers that I cannot do without a mouse.”
“There are certain features on Google Sheets that don’t work as well. I had to do my graphs on a computer for my physics class last year,” Teuteberg added.
With easy access to various apps, opening and switching between tabs becomes more seamless on an iPad. Plus, since apps can be synced from one’s phone, iPad users can easily access their personal data. “I can access all my photos really easily if I need them for an assignment. I actually left my phone at home today, which is nice with having an iPad, because I can still text people and access all the stuff that’s on my phone,” Teuteberg said.
The availability of personal data, popular games, and social media apps makes it easy for one click on a tablet to lead to prolonged distractions. “There is definitely a stronger urge to play games or switch tabs than I normally would have on a computer. Because of the touch screen, it feels more natural to just swipe to a different app,” Adbelbary said.
Even with their potential distractions and lack of certain functions, iPads work as laptop replacements for many students.
“If you are thinking about getting an iPad, get it right now. It just motivates you for school,” Abdelbary said.
