Hi all. Am trying to think about what supplies teen will need for college as a potential Chemical Engineering major. My question is about note-taking devices. Been watching videos where many recommend getting an IPAD for note-taking? Those of you who may already have kids in college, do you agree? What if you are not already part of the Apple universe? Also many of the videos also say that for the everyday laptop for engineering student it might be better to get a Windows based laptop since some of the apps engineering students use won’t work with Apple’s operating system without work-arounds. I also saw another device mentioned called “remarkable” which is an e-ink note taking only device. Do kids ever use IPADs for note-taking but a Windows laptop for everything else or would that make it hard to transfer information? Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.
My recent chem E grad used a Dell 2 in 1. She liked being able to “write” her notes with the e pen on the screen. Just be sure your child checks with the school they are going to matriculate to make sure they have the right configuration for memory and such.
My 2 kids use Samsung Galaxy tablets with special pen. Both have Windows laptops. One wanted iPhone for group chats in college. We are not Apple family. More like Samsung Galaxy + Windows one.
But a lot of students using Macs. DD was actually helping another student to download pictures from camera. She was the only one who had coverters to bring data to computer.
At my kid’s school most STEM students use an iPad to complete PDF problem sets and take notes since they ofter require drawing graphs and formulas. For now my son prefers good ol’ graph paper, but there is no issue with compatibility with a Windows computer since almost the entirety of everyones works and notes is on the cloud and can be easily accessed by both.
Also I think situation varies by majors and by schools. Humanity kids can use either ones. I believe CS kids prefer Windows and then Linux etc.
I know that my CS kid mostly uses VMs anyway but I can’t imagine that kid would even consider MAC.
Most programmers prefer Macs. Most production systems run on Unix, which runs natively on Macs. They’re stable, user-friendly, and work well with most programming tools. You don’t need to install any developer tools. If you want to do iOS app development, you need a Mac.
Interesting. I have a family of computer programmers (at least 5, different generations too), none ever used Mac. But none of them involved with app development.
Yes, same here. They are so much better suited for all kinds of programming than Windows machines.
But back to OP’s question: I think an iPad works best even if you’re not part of the Apple ecosystem. It’s very versatile, long lasting, and your kid will appreciate being able to do much more with it than with a dedicated note taking device like ReMarkable.
Would you do the iPad for note taking and a Windows based computer/laptop for everything else?
I’d personally do iPad with MacBook just because of the seamless integration and “handoff” feature, but a windows laptop will do as well if that’s the student’s preference. Remember that almost everything is online and accessed via a browser these days and the few on-laptop softwares needed for engineering are available on both platforms.
Your daughter/son can double check with the department but I personally know several CS and engineering students (including ME majors) that have used MacBook all 4 years.
I will definitely look into that. I am a little leary about getting a Macbook because most of the videos I’ve seen suggest that the required programs they use in engineering run better in Windows unless you do some sort of work around for iPAD but you may be right. This leads me to another question though, is there a Windows based tablet that is as good as the iPAD?
No.
It’s not an issue have the two, really. My kids did it all through HS.
As for the computer, the best thing to do is check with the department. A lot of schools have this listed on their sites. Still, many of the engineers I know prefer the occasional inconvenience and get a Mac. Our school lists both as an option, but if a Mac I’d go no less than an M3 Pro.
On thing to keep in mind is the size. My son was happy to have the extra weight for more screen real estate. I think this is common and why so many also have an iPad.
My two in college also use Samsung Galaxy tablets. They were so much less expensive than an iPad. Both just wanted to be able to take notes, access class materials, and other basic things. They didn’t use them as as primary device or to watch movies etc. So they researched and decided the $250 Samsung made the most sense. They are both happy with them.
I’m think this is such a personal and school specific choice.
My D’s department recommended avoiding Macs as there was something glitchy with Aspen. There were also no Mac specific supports on campus.
We are a Mac family and she had an iPad in HS but easily switched to the Dell and continues to use it at work now after graduation. (All PCs at her company).
And weight was a big consideration for her and she didn’t care about screen size.
I think big screen size is critical for a laptop (unless you will buy/bring a monitor).
But my kids do not carry around laptops. They carry only a tablet and a phone.
Tablet with a pen is a life saver according to my kids. They get power points electronically from teachers and write on top of them notes during lectures.
A double wide monitor was one of the best gifts we ever game my son. He loves it! But I’m glad he wanted the larger laptop to feel more free to do work in public spaces.
Use coconotes AI. It listens to your lecture and creates the note.
I have many colleges students using it and use it as an adjunct to their notes.
I do AI for medical charting and a patient of mine showed me what he uses for college. Wish I had that. We just had cassette tapes of pork lectures.
I second checking with the department once accepted.
My kid used a MacBook Air + iPad middle school thru sophomore year of college, then ran into an incompatibility with some software (related to research…?). She now uses a Surface Pro and likes the 2-in-1 tablet and laptop options (with addon stylus and keyboard).
ETA: Get the college provided property insurance! Seriously. At kid’s school it is $10-15 per month and completely replaced a MacBook Air that was ruined freshman year. “I have no idea how it fell and cracked, Mom! I didn’t do it!” 
I am very much interested in Coconote AI.
Dd just looked and said that it is very pricey. Is there discount version for students? Any versions cheaper for Android? Any other great note taking AIs, Apps?
DD’s professor has thick Spanish accent and she has difficulty to follow him. If AI would help, life would be much easier.
No idea. I don’t use it. Lots of my patients that are college students do. I thought it was free but maybe it’s just a trial. You will have to go on their website for more information. I am not linked to this company. It was just a suggestion. I know it works well since that is what my patients are telling me. My office is close to a local college and how I know. I see lots of their students.