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Reviews | How useful is an iPad for IAS / UPSC Preparation?

245

Comments

  • A few things to consider:
    1. Can you read on the digital screen for a long period of time?
    2. Can you live with the feel of being away from the paper ?

    Now which iPad to buy:
    1. get the one which supports the apple pencil
    2. based on your budget and preference get an ipad which atleast has 128gb in case of 9.7model or the 256gb ipad pros(12.9 or 10.5)
    3. Do not buy the lte+wifi version as all our phones now support wifi hotspot, so spending an extra 8-10k is not feasible.
    4. do not put a screen guard on your ipad as it will unnecessarily strain your eyes and give you a headache, basically do not baby your ipad

    Use of ipad:
    1. it gives you power of accessing and integrating all your notes at one place. Better notes management.
    2. integrating current notes with static parts is one of the best features. eg. you made a note in ipad from ncert now you read an article on the web, so its easy to have everything at one place rather than separate sheets of paper.
    3. copying diagrams, tables and other schematics into notes is much easier
    4. if you are someone who has to travel to another city for writing mains ipad certainly serves as a saviour in preventing the logistical hassle to carry notes and books
    5. taking printouts if you need is easier
    6. eco friendly :P

    apps:
    2. I personally use goodnotes, but you have option of either using goodnotes or notability(both you have to purchase and do not come for free), these two apps are far better than evernote if you intend to write down your notes by hand rather than typing them.
    3. a choice between notability or goodnotes is again personal preference, both have their pros and cons
    4. the safari browser enables you to convert any article on web into a pdf, which can be saved for reference at later use. I personally used this extensively to collect and later on compile information from various sources.
    5. you can also convert your notes into pdfs and send them across to your all other devices
    6. the best part for me was being able to write my tests on it. As it did save me a lot of time usually spent in printing and scanning the test copies if you take the online course.

    the bottom line(personal opinion)
    3. get the ipad pro, it has a better processor and will enable faster and lag free experience, as these note taking apps use significant resources.
    4. get the 256gb, even 64gb would probably do but over time lag and hang events may be possible, so just for future proofing
    5. a 12.9" ipad completely serves as an a4 sheet, better ease of taking notes. But this is no deal breaker.

    ios"
    1. you will not be able to freely transfer files between ipad and computer like we do it in android. everything has to go through itunes

    besides there is no other drawback, ipad will certainly help you in better organising your study material and retrieving it as per need. The only caution: do not spend time on it watching movies and shows ;)

    Thanks you gave a brilliant pros and cons list. I don't have a budget to buy iPad pro, I will buy iPad 9.7" version if it comes within my budget during the sale.

    Two doubts
    1. What do you mean screen guard gives additional strain to eyes? I thought it will protect the screen.
    2. How did you write tests on ipad?
    Super! But do buy the pencil as well to use it to max potential, as someone here already mentioned it.
    1. It will protect the screen, but a glass screen guard usually leads to rainbowing effect on the screen especially on white backgrounds.and the plastic ones reduce the visibility and clarity to an extent which matters if you intend to use the ipad for ling periods of time.
    2. The coaching centres upload pdf of the qca on their sites, download them on any of the two apps mentioned above. Write the tests using apple pencil, save the file as pdf and email it back to them. Voila!
    Just curious, wouldn't it be a lot different to write answers on digital screen, since we have to write on physical sheets.
  • For note making in Evernote/onenote
    Reading and highlighting pdf
    Good

    For writing answers
    Bad idea

    I’m using 9.7 since 3 months
    It’s serving its purpose very well

    I’ll definitely recommend switching to enotes
    Saves time
  • For note making in Evernote/onenote
    Reading and highlighting pdf
    Good

    For writing answers
    Bad idea

    I’m using 9.7 since 3 months
    It’s serving its purpose very well

    I’ll definitely recommend switching to enotes
    Saves time
    Is it the new 26k version? Does it work well or does it hangs in between while studying?
  • A few things to consider:
    1. Can you read on the digital screen for a long period of time?
    2. Can you live with the feel of being away from the paper ?

    Now which iPad to buy:
    1. get the one which supports the apple pencil
    2. based on your budget and preference get an ipad which atleast has 128gb in case of 9.7model or the 256gb ipad pros(12.9 or 10.5)
    3. Do not buy the lte+wifi version as all our phones now support wifi hotspot, so spending an extra 8-10k is not feasible.
    4. do not put a screen guard on your ipad as it will unnecessarily strain your eyes and give you a headache, basically do not baby your ipad

    Use of ipad:
    1. it gives you power of accessing and integrating all your notes at one place. Better notes management.
    2. integrating current notes with static parts is one of the best features. eg. you made a note in ipad from ncert now you read an article on the web, so its easy to have everything at one place rather than separate sheets of paper.
    3. copying diagrams, tables and other schematics into notes is much easier
    4. if you are someone who has to travel to another city for writing mains ipad certainly serves as a saviour in preventing the logistical hassle to carry notes and books
    5. taking printouts if you need is easier
    6. eco friendly :P

    apps:
    2. I personally use goodnotes, but you have option of either using goodnotes or notability(both you have to purchase and do not come for free), these two apps are far better than evernote if you intend to write down your notes by hand rather than typing them.
    3. a choice between notability or goodnotes is again personal preference, both have their pros and cons
    4. the safari browser enables you to convert any article on web into a pdf, which can be saved for reference at later use. I personally used this extensively to collect and later on compile information from various sources.
    5. you can also convert your notes into pdfs and send them across to your all other devices
    6. the best part for me was being able to write my tests on it. As it did save me a lot of time usually spent in printing and scanning the test copies if you take the online course.

    the bottom line(personal opinion)
    3. get the ipad pro, it has a better processor and will enable faster and lag free experience, as these note taking apps use significant resources.
    4. get the 256gb, even 64gb would probably do but over time lag and hang events may be possible, so just for future proofing
    5. a 12.9" ipad completely serves as an a4 sheet, better ease of taking notes. But this is no deal breaker.

    ios"
    1. you will not be able to freely transfer files between ipad and computer like we do it in android. everything has to go through itunes

    besides there is no other drawback, ipad will certainly help you in better organising your study material and retrieving it as per need. The only caution: do not spend time on it watching movies and shows ;)

    Thanks you gave a brilliant pros and cons list. I don't have a budget to buy iPad pro, I will buy iPad 9.7" version if it comes within my budget during the sale.

    Two doubts
    1. What do you mean screen guard gives additional strain to eyes? I thought it will protect the screen.
    2. How did you write tests on ipad?
    Super! But do buy the pencil as well to use it to max potential, as someone here already mentioned it.
    1. It will protect the screen, but a glass screen guard usually leads to rainbowing effect on the screen especially on white backgrounds.and the plastic ones reduce the visibility and clarity to an extent which matters if you intend to use the ipad for ling periods of time.
    2. The coaching centres upload pdf of the qca on their sites, download them on any of the two apps mentioned above. Write the tests using apple pencil, save the file as pdf and email it back to them. Voila!
    Just curious, wouldn't it be a lot different to write answers on digital screen, since we have to write on physical sheets.
    Will it be different? Yes. Will it be drastically different? No. To counter this you can write a few tests in physical format as well, as that too is important to decide on pen you choose
    It would save a lot of time though which you probably would end up in scanning and printing the sheets.
  • Do you have to put tempered glass? How's the screen response with apple pencil on tempered glass compared to without it?
  • Don't!!! I repeat don't put tempered glass and other screen protectors. They just kill the experience and give a headache over long periods of use. Specifically the glass ones leads to colour distortion and rainbow effect
  • Don't!!! I repeat don't put tempered glass and other screen protectors. They just kill the experience and give a headache over long periods of use. Specifically the glass ones leads to colour distortion and rainbow effect
    But without tempered glass, it would be prone to scratches.
  • What about brands other than apple.
    Lenovo tab4 10 has same specifications as 9.7 wala ipad . Can anyone provide review on this.
  • What about brands other than apple.
    Lenovo tab4 10 has same specifications as 9.7 wala ipad . Can anyone provide review on this.
    Its ram is 2gb. IMO, android devices don't perform good at this ram. My old phone continuously hangs doing multitasking
  • Don't!!! I repeat don't put tempered glass and other screen protectors. They just kill the experience and give a headache over long periods of use. Specifically the glass ones leads to colour distortion and rainbow effect
    But without tempered glass, it would be prone to scratches.
    @AspirantAnonymous I also have the same doubt.
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