Jun 25, 2020 If you're a student, you definitely want to get a tablet to help you get through school. With a tablet, you can easily take notes by typing or even sketching them out, annotate text in digital textbooks, work on reports and presentations, and everything else for the classroom. But the problem for a lot of students is a limited budget. Aug 18, 2011 The best and most flexible note-taking app for just about any breed of smartphone or tablet is Evernote (free). There are Evernote apps for iPhone/iPad, Android, BlackBerry, Palm OS. Jun 05, 2020 The Best Laptops for College Students in 2020. After choosing the college or university you'll be attending, your next most important decision is which notebook you'll carry around campus.
BestiPad for StudentsiMore2020
If you're a student, you definitely want to get a tablet to help you get through school. With a tablet, you can easily take notes by typing or even sketching them out, annotate text in digital textbooks, work on reports and presentations, and everything else for the classroom. But the problem for a lot of students is a limited budget. Fortunately, you can pick up an iPad Air 3 for pro-level features at a mid-range price. It's the most affordable option with a ton of useful features.
Best Overall: iPad Air 3
The iPad Air 3 is the perfect iPad for students. It has a beautiful 10.5-inch Retina display, giving you plenty of screen estate to read on, write with, draw on, watch on, and more. The display has a roomy 2224-by-1668 resolution, wide color support with True Tone technology, and is fully laminated with anti-reflective and fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. This means you see fewer fingerprint smudges all over, and the screen looks better in dark and dingy environments.
It comes in three colors: Space Gray, Silver, and Gold, so you can pick the one that suits your style the best. The base model comes with 64GB of storage, but you can get 256GB for $150 more. The iPad Air 3 still has Touch ID, a headphone jack, and uses Apple's A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine, so it's pretty fast and quite powerful. And it has a decent 8MP camera along with a 7MP front-facing camera, so you can scan documents or do video calls with ease.
The best part about the iPad Air 3 is that it provides users with features that were once only available on the iPad Pro line, but at a much more affordable price. This includes Apple Pencil support, though it's only first-generation Apple Pencil, and the Smart Connector, so you can use accessories like Apple's Smart Keyboard.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Support for Smart Connector and 1st-gen Apple Pencil
- 10.5-inch Retina display
- Still has 3.5mm headphone jack
- Can go up to 256GB storage
Cons:
- Still uses Touch ID
- Only starts at 64GB storage
Best Overall
iPad Air 3
Perfectly balanced
The iPad Air 3 offers the perfect balance of powerful pro-level features and affordability.
Source: iMore
If you want to save a good chunk of change and don't mind a smaller size screen, then the iPad mini 5 is a fantastic option that's even friendlier on the wallet. With the iPad mini 5, you're getting pretty much the same specs as the iPad Air 3, but in a smaller package and sans Smart Connector.
The iPad mini 5 has a 7.9-inch Retina display with True Tone, utilizes Touch ID for biometrics and security, has the A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine, and comes 64GB or 256GB capacities. You can even use the first-generation Apple Pencil with it, just like the iPad Air 3 and iPad Pro lines, but it is missing the Smart Connector. This means you won't be able to use accessories that require the Smart Connector, like Apple's Smart Keyboard. But the iPad mini 5 can still make use of Bluetooth keyboards, so it's not a big drawback at all. Plus, some could argue that there are quite a few Bluetooth keyboard options out there that are better than Apple's Smart Keyboard anyways.
Pros:
- Super compact 7.9-inch screen
- Most of the same specs as iPad Air 3
- Inexpensive
- Supports 1st-gen Apple Pencil
- Goes up to 256GB storage
Cons:
- Smaller screen
- Still uses Touch ID
- No Smart Connector
Best Value
iPad mini 5
Small but mighty
iPad mini 5 is just a smaller version of the iPad Air 3 but sans Smart Connector. Plus, you can save even more change.
Source: iMore
When you're trying to really stretch your dollar, then the iPad is a decent option for those on a budget. It's slightly less powerful than the iPad Air 3 and iPad mini 5 because it uses an older A10 Fusion chip, but it should be able to handle most tasks that students need it for.
The 10.2-inch Retina display gives you plenty of room to work with, and it also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and has a Smart Connector, so you can use accessories like Apple's Smart Keyboard. For biometrics, it still utilizes the older Touch ID, and it only comes in 32GB and 128GB storage capacities. However, if you're using it for school, it should still be plenty to work with, especially if you make use of cloud storage like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. On the plus side, it still has a 3.5mm headphone jack like the others, so you don't need to buy a new pair of Bluetooth headphones if you don't already have them.
Pros:
- Least inexpensive iPad
- 10.2-inch screen
- Supports 1st-generation Apple Pencil
- Has Smart Connector
Cons:
- Still uses Touch ID
- Uses older A10 Fusion chip
- Only comes in 32GB or 128GB capacities
Best on a Budget
iPad
Pinch those pennies
The iPad is slightly less powerful than other options, but it supports Apple Pencil (1st gen) and has a Smart Connector.
Source: Joseph Keller/iMore
If you have the money to spare, then you can't go wrong with the iPad Pro. It comes in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch varieties, so you can pick whichever size suits you the best. For example, if you want the power but in a more portable package, then the 11-inch size is what you want. But if you want an iPad that replaces an actual laptop computer, then the 12.9-inch is the way to go. Both sizes have the Liquid Retina display and start at 128GB of storage, but you can get one with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB if need be.
The iPad Pro (2020) also features a bezel-less design (goodbye Home button!), so it makes the most of the screen size you choose. It utilizes Face ID for biometrics, and it has the latest A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine from Apple. The rear camera is a whopping 12MP, so you can take the best photos of documents, presentations, and other school necessities. There is also a 7MP TrueDepth camera on the front, so you can chat with schoolmates and brainstorm for group projects.
Another main differentiator between the iPad Pro and the other iPads we've mentioned is the fact that the iPad Pro (2020) is the only one that works with the second-generation Apple Pencil. So if you prefer the new Apple Pencil design (flat sides) and features, then you will need an iPad Pro to use it. And of course, there is the Smart Connector for accessories like the Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard.
The only real negative about the iPad Pro is that it isn't cheap, and may be out of range for most students. But if you can afford it, then it's the best iPad to get for power and features. It also lacks the standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
Pros:
- Comes in 11 or 12.9-inch sizes
- Uses Face ID
- A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Compatible with second-generation Apple Pencil
- Can go up to 1TB for storage
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only comes in two colors
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
Best Power
iPad Pro
Pro power at a price
The iPad Pro comes in two sizes and four storage capacities. It has Face ID and has the latest silicon. But it's not cheap.
Bottom line
Even though Apple is currently selling four different iPad models right now, the iPad Air 3 is the best overall pick for most students. That's because it packs in Pro-level features at a modest price that is within reach for most students.
The 10.5-inch screen gives plenty of space, you can go up to 256GB of storage, and it even has a Smart Connector and supports the first-generation Apple Pencil. And Apples A12 Bionic chip provides plenty of power for anything you need to do for school.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Christine Romero-Chan has been using iPads since they first came out a decade ago. She knows the ins and outs of iOS and the hardware and can give the best iPad recommendation for everyone. You can follow her musings on Twitter and check out her photography on Instagram.
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BestMacBook for StudentsiMore2020
Whether you're still in high school or racing across your college campus, a laptop is an essential piece of equipment for every student. Apple makes some of the best laptops around with its MacBook lineup. Whether it's a powerful MacBook Pro, or a light and portable MacBook Air, Apple's laptops will power you through any task you'll meet. For most students, the 2020 MacBook Air is the best choice. It has enough power to face most any academic challenge you come up against, while still offering up to 12 hours of battery life.
Best Overall: MacBook Air (2020)
Most students looking for a new MacBook should pick up the MacBook Air. It's less expensive than other MacBooks, as well as lighter. And though it might not be as powerful as the MacBook Pro, it offers enough power for the average student to get through their daily scholastic workload, especially when outfitted with the optional quad-core Intel Core i7 processor.
The 2020 MacBook Air should also have enough battery to take you from class to class. Like previous versions, the latest iteration of the MacBook Air features up to 12 hours of battery life. This version also features an improved, scissor switch-based Magic Keyboard, just like the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Pro is probably overkill for most students. Sure, some will be able to take advantage of its more powerful processors available to it. Still, if most of what you're doing is writing papers, putting together presentations, or doing research on the web, you probably don't need the level of power a MacBook Pro offers.
Pros:
- Great balance of price and power
- Light and portable
- Scissor switch keyboard is back
- Touch ID
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
Best Overall
MacBook Air (2020)
Sweet spot of power, portability, and price.
Lightweight, yet with enough power to get you through most academic tasks, the MacBook Air is the perfect student computer.
Source: iMore
Because the 2019 MacBook Air uses the same processor as the 2018 model, you can save a good deal of money by going with the 2017 model of MacBook Pro. No Retina display, no Touch ID, but it's still a fairly capable machine, even if the processor is a few years old at this point.
Best Mac App
You should also have enough battery life to get through your daily workload. Like the more recent models, the 2017 MacBook Air is rated for up to 12 hours of battery life.
While I'd still recommend the newest MacBook Air for most people, the 2017 model is still a solid alternative if you're looking to save some money. It's not flashy, and it won't win any awards for speed, but it'll still be a dependable device throughout your academic life.
Pros:
- Relatively cheap
- Still a solid performer
- USB-A ports
- SD card slot
- Excellent battery life
Best Value
MacBook Air (2017)
A capable computer for the money.
The 2017 revision of the MacBook Air is still a capable machine that will get you through most of your tasks without hassle.
Source: Rene Ritchie / iMore
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the computer to get if you need the most power that you can afford in a portable package. You can configure it with several options, whether you need that eight-core processor, 64GB of RAM, or 8TB of storage.
But even at its base configuration, a six-core Intel Core i7 with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU, it'll still handle any task a student can set to it besides the most computationally intense workflows. If you want a no-doubt-about-it machine, get this MacBook Pro.
Pros:
- Latest Intel processors
- Configurable up to 8TB of storage
- Myriad of expansion options
- Bigger display
Cons:
- Bigger than other options
- More expensive
- May be overkill for most
Best for Power Users
16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
Most bang for your buck.
The 2016 MacBook Pro will perform great at any task you set it and should last you well after your academic career is over.
Best Power Alternative: 13-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
Though this model won't reach the heights of the 16-inch model, for those students that need or want more power than the MacBook Air can offer while sacrificing as little portability as possible, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a good choice.
It's missing some advantages of the 16-inch model, namely the bigger screen, large storage options, and discrete GPU. However, it's powered by recent Intel quad-core Core i5 processors, so you'll still have enough power for fairly demanding tasks, such as photo and video editing, graphic design, and mobile music production.
Pros:
- Balances portability and power
- More portable than 16-inch model
- Option for up to four Thunderbolt 3 ports
Cons:
- No discrete GPU
- Limited to quad-core processors
- Limited storage choices
Best Power Alternative
Best Note Taking App For College Students Mac
13-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
A big step up from a MacBook Air.
This is the MacBook you should get if you need a step up in power from the MacBook Air.
Bottom line
Whether you need a computer for high school or college, the most recent MacBook Air is the right choice for most students. Whether you're writing papers, putting together a Powerpoint or Keynote presentation, or even editing some images for a photography class, the MacBook Air will be a reliable performer in your academic pursuits.
It doesn't have the power of something like the 16-inch MacBook Pro, nor even the 13-inch MacBook Pro. But it's still a capable machine at a solid price. The Retina display is beautiful and vibrant, and the built-in Touch ID sensor makes everything from authorizing operating system tasks to paying for things online with Apple Pay more convenient and secure.
The MacBook Air, for a long time, was the best Mac for most people, including students. Thanks to recent revisions, it occupies that space again, offering a light, portable package with enough power and battery life to get you through an entire day of school.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Joseph Keller is a senior writer at iMore. An Apple user for more than a decade and a half, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Rene Ritchie has been covering the personal technology industry for a decade. An outspoken analyst and critic, he writes at iMore.com/vector, podcasts at applepodcasts.com/vector, and you can find his show at youtube.com/vector. Follow him @reneritchie on Twitter and Instagram
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Hubba HubbaMake sure you have all the ports you need for your Mac with a USB-C hub
The MacBook Pro (Late 2016 and newer) sports at least two, and up to four Thunderbolt 3 ports, but that's all. What to do if you need other ports? Get a hub!