I pad versus Laptop

[Steve A]

In the market to buy 2 new i pads or laptops for my kids,one 16 and doing GCSE the other in 2nd year of bio medical science degree at uni.Both have laptops which have served them well over the pat 3 yrs but time to upgrade.
Everyone is going on about the i pad 2 with its portability,weight,accessibility etc but I seem to think laptops are still the way for students as they are compatible with more programmes and devices,easier to input information etc.In short more suited to their needs.
What do the members think your views would be appreciated.

[KKOB]

Well, as they've already got lappies, I'd go for the iPads. Do the lappies really need upgrading?

[Steve (redding43)]

If the laptops really need upgrading then go for that. An ipad2 is great (I'm typing on one now) but for a student who will need to type essays, plug in printers, share files with friends, easily navigate websites etc then an iPad will not come close unless you spend lots on extras such as Bluetooth keyboards, specific printers etc etc

I'm sure they would more prefer a iPad as its much more the thing to have but for me it does not come close for real study assistance.

As I say, depends on their laptop. A 3yr old laptop could probably be upgraded with some cheap RAM and maybe a hard drive. They could have the best of both

[starman™]

Although I am a big ipad advocate and love the things, I still revert to my laptop for things like presentations, spreadsheets and word. Tablets have a far superior battery life but they havent become the laptop killer yet like the laptops have killed off the desktop.

[Steve A]

Ive already upgraded the existing laptops once to 2gb ram ,neccessary drives and copiers,sufficient memory etc but they are looking chatty as well so I think laptops are the way cheers.