Most colleges and universities require computers, and many students assume they need to buy laptops during back to school season. This is a mistake because a tablet is often the superior option.
Laptops used to be the best choice for people who needed a computer that could be used in a dorm room, the library, the classroom, and the lab. But times have changed - tablets are now more portable and more flexible without sacrificing functionality.
Plenty of Power
When the iPad was first released, some dismissed it as a toy. Even many fans called it a consumption device: something handy for reading websites, watching video, or playing games, but useless for actual work. The justification for these beliefs was shaky at the time, and Apple's slate has only become more capable in the years since, transforming into a worthy laptop replacement for many students.
The release of Microsoft Office for the iPad completed this shift. Students who need to work in the widely-used file formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx can do so on an Apple iPad Air.
Although the Android version of Office is still in development, quite a few people use the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and other high-end models to take the place of a laptop.
The collections of useful and inexpensive productivity apps for iOS and Android go well beyond Office - the iPad is very popular in education, and there's a corresponding array of available software.
The situation is even more clear cut when talking about Windows tablets. Models like the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 are as capable as any laptop running Windows, and come in designs that better fit the college lifestyle.
Every Tablet Is a 2-In-1
A traditional laptop is essentially a clamshell that's half screen and half keyboard. When you want to enter a lot of text, a keyboard is a great thing to have, but it's in the way for almost everything else you use a computer for.
You can't rip the keyboard off a laptop when you want to draw or sketch on it, or take handwritten notes. There's no way to take the keyboard off when you want to lighten the load in your bag, or when you need to lean back and read a few hundred pages of an eBook by tomorrow morning.
These are all reasons why tablets have become so popular. You can add a keyboard to an iPad Air or Surface Pro 3 when it's time to write a term paper, but leave the accessory in your dorm when you want to handwrite your class notes.
A keyboard can be added to ANY tablet, and many are sold with them. Companies like Logitech and Belkin make add-on ones for Apple models, while Samsung and Microsoft make keyboards for their own devices.
Think Outside the Laptop Bag
Don't fall into the trap of thinking 'I'm going to college, therefore I need a laptop.' There are alternatives.
And let's not forget the fringe benefits: No one is impressed when you pull a laptop out of your bag, but a slim and powerful tablet ... that will get you some envious glances.
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