Apple's iPad Perfect for College Students
University Students Should Be a Targeted Demographic for Apple's New Tablet
Hardcover books obsolete?
One fantastic feature of Apple's iPad is its book reader. Though the iPhone allows for users to read books on it, the iPad is larger, which may appeal to some college students seeking to purchase eBooks of their textbooks. The ability to buy books to display on the 1.5 pound device is a huge selling point, as eBooks are typically cheaper than their hard-bound brethren. Carting a 1.5-pound device to college classes is easier on the back than carrying about 20 pounds of thick hardcover books.
Note taking ability and calendar feature
Another nice feature of the Apple iPad is the ability to take notes. College students will appreciate this application since all class notes can be kept together in one compact place. If a friend needs to borrow notes, there's no need to worry about when you'll get your notes back. Simply send the notes via email, another handy feature built into the iPad.
College students will also find the calendar feature of the iPad helpful as they organize their busy college life. They can easily keep track of tests, final exams, study dates and social events using this feature.
iTunes, YouTube and pictures
Today's young adults are hooked on their iPods for listening to music or watching videos. Buying music from the iTunes store is easy and watching movies or YouTube videos should be quite comfortable on the large 9.5 by 7.5 inch screen.
The iPad can be used as a digital photo frame when not in use and has many ways to import and export photos, including docking it with a computer or downloading via email.
Cost
The cost of the Apple iPad is one that should appeal to the college crowd. Though it won't be available until late spring, the Apple iPad should be in stock just in time for back-to-school shoppers. iPads with just wi-fi will retail for just under $500, though 3G will be worth the upgrade. The top of the line model, a 64GB iPad with wi-fi and 3G will retail in the US for $829, with less GB models available for a bit less. This pricing should be well within reach of college student's budgets. A downside is that 3G will require a separate monthly fee of between about $15-$30, depending upon desired service level.
Apple would be smart to hone in on the college crowd because the features dovetail quite well with the needs of university students. This demographic, the YouTube generation, is into their gadgets and love their iPhones and iPods and all that they have to offer. Appealing to college students would be a slick business move too because college freshmen would be looking to make a long-term investment, which can translate into other sales in the future as the iPad upgrades with newer technology.
Sources:
iPad features and specs
Engadget.com: The Apple iPad: starting at $499
Published by Carly Hart
One of AC's Top 1000 Content Producers, Carly Hart's interests include news, politics, parenting, frugal living and consumer related issues. A Featured Contributor in the Shopping and Fashion category, she... View profile
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17 Comments
Post a Commentthe ipad is amazing but what do students do when they want to type these notes up? mac does not have a powerful word processor like "word"! mac should produce a word processor, flash and bigger hard drive for me to be interested
2 words - Stylus & multitasking!
As a current college student, I can see the benefits of this. My nursing class this semester has be using 8 books just for one class--totaling over $400 (many were used). With iPad I could get a hold of a book for class even before it starts and get a jump on reading. No hoping the school bookstore or Amazon is sold out.
Of course there SHOULD be a discount for college students :-)
Oh. And for those times when significant amount of typing is needed there is a traditional keyboard available for 70 bucks.
Would think students with an ipad would have a significant advantage over those without. Grades wise that is.
Advantages:
Quickly find what you're looking for with FIND feature. Don't have to waste time paging through the book.
LIGHT and CLEAN. Laptops are clumsy. Especially when you add a case. Ever try and hold a laptop out in front of you. No. You have to place it on your lap or on a desk. Ipad could be looked at while walking or on bus. And it can be handed back and forth. Laptop not so much.
CHEAP College campuses with WiFi allows for 15 dollar per month internet.
It's Apple so it's quality.
Cool apps.
If it ends up with a camera on it. BIG BONUS.
FUN FUN FUN
ithis, ithat, ican't keep up!!
I agree completely, apple did funk up a bit on the ipad by not allowing flash or multitasking. Though I could argue the multitasking bit because of the amazing application switching speed. But being a college student myself and spending a personal high of $900 on books this spring, I can confidently say that the ipad could be an excellent investment for college students. This would of course depend on the pricing and availability of ebook versions of my books. How nice it would be to be stumped in the middle of one of my diffy q problems and just push a couple of buttons (on my textbook/ipad) and find my way to a solution off of cramster. Phenomenal is the appropriate word. Or what if I'm just fed up with that subject? Just a couple taps and bam there's a different subject. No more "oops, left that book at the dorm. guess i'll chalk it up". This thing could be integrated into the college environment so seamlessly that we students never knew how to live without it.
As a medical student my textbooks are thick and numerous, and I as well as most of my class already rely on laptops for reading ALL of our class books . I have well over 150 pdf medical books, and with iPad's 10 hour battery it can replace 90% of what I use my laptop for and 100% of what I use loose leaf paper for. Having all my class notes handwritten and saved digitally on the same device which contains all of my class powerpoint slides and textbooks makes this product a must buy for any university student. Fingers crossed for a PDF reader app which would let me highlight sentences and handwrite notes in the texbook margins. Any iPhone stylus ranging from $2-20 will work on the iPad and with a screen that large this is a dream come true.
The iPad is useful for only a few things. I can see it replaceing college text books for a little less than it would cost to buy hard copies, and a ton less in the weight department. Definately has flaws since it lacks flash, running multiple apps, weird keyoard, and an relatively small hard drive. Overall I'll probably wait for one of the future models. flash, hard drive space and 1st gen bugs will keep me from getting this one.
Sounds good for everyone but I agree with CJ.