Tablets are very popular amongst current PA school students. iPads seem to be taking over and replacing the regular laptop device. iPads come in various sizes, models, and storage capacities. Any electronic purchase for PA school must be able to withstand the productivity needs of a busy student, including constantly being online, attending virtual lectures, taking notes, downloading lockdown browser applications for exams, reading online textbooks, etc.
PA school courses are fast paced and throw a lot of information at you at once. Many PA student use iPads to physically take notes on PowerPoint slides then save them ad PDFs to virtually study off of. This avoids the extra work that taking notes separately on a word document or on paper requires. Being able to write on the iPad and have the touch screen allows PA students to be more interactive with notes! In order to write on the iPad most efficiently, buying the apple pencil accessory is necessary. The apple pencil allows you to write seamlessly on your iPad to take notes, draw diagrams, create figures, make tables, draw out calculations, write sample prescriptions, etc.
Here is a breakdown of some popular iPads PA students love:
Price: starting at $329
Display Size: 10.2”
Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Gold
Compatibility: Compatible with Smart Keyboard, Apple Pencil (1st generation)
Storage Capacity: up to 128GB ($429)
Camera: 8MP Wide
Lightning Connector
Dimensions: 9.8 in x 6.8 in x 0.29 in
Weight: 1.08 pounds
Battery: up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video
Audio: two speaker audio
Secure authentication: Touch ID, fingerprint identity sensor built into the home button
Price: starting at $899 (on amazon) or $799 (at apple.com)
Display Size: 11”, 12.9”
Colors: Silver, Space Gray
Compatibility: Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
Storage Capacity: up to 1TB ($1499)
Camera: 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide
USB-C Connector
Dimensions: 11.04 in x 8.46 in x 0.23 in
Weight: 1.41 pounds
Battery: up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video
Audio: four speaker audio
Secure authentication: Face ID, enabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition
Price: starting at $599
Display Size: 10.9”
Compatibility: Compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue
Storage Capacity: up to 256GB ($749)
Camera: 12MP Wide
USB-C Connector
Dimensions: 9.74 in x 7 in x 0.24 in
Weight: 1 pound
Battery: up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video
Audio: two speaker audio landscape mode
Secure authentication: Face ID, fingerprint identity sensor built into the top button
There are also various accessories used along with the iPads such as:
Apple Pencil
1st Generation: compatible with iPad 8th Generation, iPad Air, iPad Pro
§ Features
Pairing and charging via lightning
Pixel-perfect precision
Tilt and pressure sensitivity
Imperceptible leg
Smooth finish
2nd Generation: compatible with iPad Pro and iPad Air
§ Features
Wireless pairing and charging
Attaches magnetically
Double-tap to change tools
Pixel-perfect precision
Tilt and pressure sensitivity
Imperceptible lag
Free engraving
Matte finish
Attaches magnetically
Double-tap to change tools
Tilt and pressure sensitivity
Keyboards
Smart Keyboard ($159)
Overview: “The Smart Keyboard combines advanced technologies to create a keyboard like no other. It’s a full-size keyboard that’s fully portable, and it connects to iPad with the Smart Connector. Just attach the Smart Keyboard and start typing. And when you’re done, it folds to create a slim, lightweight cover.”
o Type or watch- folding design enables different configurations for typing email messages or watching videos
o Lightweight cover- provides slim, durable front protection
o Compatible with: iPad, iPad Pro, and iPad Air
Smart Keyboard Folio ($179)
Overview: “The Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Pro and iPad Air (4th generation) is a full-size keyboard when you need one and provides elegant front and back protection when you don’t. With two convenient viewing angles and no charging or pairing required, it’s simple to just attach the keyboard and start typing.”
o Two viewing angles- switch between two viewing angles ideal for whatever you’re doing
o Front and back protection- provides lightweight, front and back protection
o Compatible with: iPad Pro and iPad Air
Magic Keyboard ($299)
Overview: “Magic Keyboard combines a sleek design with a built-in rechargeable battery and enhanced key features. With a stable scissor mechanism beneath each key, as well as optimized key travel and a low profile, Magic Keyboard provides a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work right away. And the battery is incredibly long-lasting — it will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.”
o Full size, backlit keys, scissor mechanism with 1mm travel for quiet, responsive typing
o Built-in trackpad- designed for multi-touch gestures and the cursor in iPadOS
o Floating cantilever design- smooth angle adjustability delivers the perfect viewing angle
o Front and back protection- folds into a case to provide front and back protection for traveling
o Compatible with: iPad Pro and iPad Air
Apps for PA School
Two of most popular apps used by PA students to take notes and keep up with their classes are Notability ($8.99) and Goodnotes ($7.99). Notability’s website states that the application is used to “combine handwriting, photos and typing in a single note to bring your projects to life. Use a wide range of note-taking and sketching tools to capture every detail. You can even add and annotate PDFs in Notability. It’s the perfect place to create and organize work, school and life’s information.” Goodnotes aims to allow notetakers to “take beautiful, searchable handwritten notes and effortlessly organize all your documents and notebooks in a single place.” Both applications are easy to use and very student friendly. It is often a personal preference choosing between the two.
In addition, to utilize the iPad to the best of its ability, an attachable keyboard is great. The apple smart keyboard magnetically clicks into the iPad and is able to be used just like a normal keyboard. This allows you to use your iPad for essay writing, research papers, discussion posts, etc. that PA courses may require. Also, many PA programs are still being taught online. Virtual exams are very common now and many PA students have been able to take exams on their iPad amidst the COVID pandemic. Many required lockdown browser downloadable programs are compatible with iPads and allows students to taken exams on them.
Overall, iPads are versatile, modern products that allow students to be active in their educational journey and succeed in PA school!
