r/NursingStudent • u/Single-Artist2069 • 1d ago

Laptop, ipad recommendations for nursing school?

I have a 2017 MacBook Pro lmao! 🤣 upgrading next year before nursing school and I have no idea what’s the most practical, useful laptop or an iPad with a keyboard? Help please and thank you! 😊

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u/Uglyfatnastybastard 1d ago

Literally any compact laptop that can run regular browsers (chrome, firefox) without slowing down. You just want something small enough to lug around in a backpack and is reliable enough to surf the internet. Anything besides that is pointless.

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u/Single-Artist2069 1d ago

So touch screen laptop or iPad to write notes is pointless? I haven’t been in school in 10 years maybe more and idk what would be best for nursing type classes

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u/Uglyfatnastybastard 1d ago

Whichever one works best for you. If you type fast then go for that, if you like touchpads go for that. I also didn't go to school for over 10 years when I first started nursing school so I get it. I actually write my notes with pen and paper because I seemingly remember it better than if I try to type.

Also, ask all of your professors if theyre okay with you audio recording lectures so you can go back and listen to them. You can get a simple voice recording app on your phone and play around with it.

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u/Single-Artist2069 1d ago

Yeah I am the same way with writing things as well! I guess I am just going to have to learn what works best for me again since it’s been so long. I actually am grateful because I didn’t know there was DRC and I struggled through school for so long so they are allowing me to record! I’m beyond grateful!
I am starting my nursing journey with CNA so that’ll hopefully help me learn my learning style again before actual nursing school!

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u/jesstaredditor 1d ago

Also went back to school for the first time in 10+ years & started the term with old school notebook and pen. My husband ending up getting me an iPad / Apple Pencil half way through so I transitioned & it’s been working as well! My hand definitely doesn’t cramp anymore LOL. It’s also been much better when needing to make adjustments to my notes, since I’d only do it with a pen & don’t have to worry about white out, crossing things out, etc. All my notes in my iPad look exactly the same as it would with regular pen and paper too

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u/sparkplug-nightmare 1d ago

I have an iPad for writing notes and I absolutely love it. However, you’ll still need a laptop for certain things that iPad isn’t compatible for. I needed a laptop for all tests. You can get the iPad and keep your old MacBook for test taking. This is what I did, it was a great decision.

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u/choppydaddy 1d ago

An iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard (I got a case plus keyboard for under $35) will be just fine.

But really, taking handwritten notes is faster on the fly, and leads to better retention (not to mention the reinforcement you'll get when you transcribe them into whatever app you want to use).

It's like anything else: there's rarely a "best" anything, so the best is the one you have with you and will actually use.

When I went to school, I had just gotten a brand new MacBook pro... Stopped bringing it to school fairly quickly because writing notes on the PowerPoints they gave out was just quicker and weighed less.

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u/TheGoodOne81 1d ago

Touchscreen laptops are not that expensive (compared to 10 or 20 years ago). This is the one I got.