Which TABLET and accessories is best for using Canvas? Am tired of lugging the laptop around.

[MaryCatherine]

Laptop is bulky in the personal-item, under the seat, world of current travel. Which tablet (iOS, no Android) is best for using Canvas to its greatest functionality most approximate to a laptop? Thank you

[chriscas]

Hi @MaryCatherine,

Since you have said iOS only, that pretty much narrows you down to iPads.  From the Canvas point of view, I don't think there will be much difference between the different iPad models as long as they continue to be supported by Apple.  If you buy an older generation device (usually less cost), it will likely stop being supported sooner than a brand new model that just came out.  This is true of any computing device, but especially tablets and phones.

One thing I will caution you on is that there are some things that don't work well with the Canvas apps and/or the Safari browser, which would currently be the only options for accessing Canvas from an iPad.  It may work well for a quick trip where you don't have much to do in your courses, but I'm not sure I'd recommend relying solely on an iPad for all of your courses without at least checking wiht your school first.

Hope this helps.

-Chris

[MaryCatherine]

Hi, Chris,

If not having iOS is better, please let me know. I go travel between states to see my family often and want to have a way to do work during the long drives. 

If Android is the way to go, then please give advice? Thank you.

MaryCatherine

[chriscas · Accepted solution]

Hi @MaryCatherine,

It's honestly very hard to make a recommendation because there are so many variables at play.  iPads are great devices, but as I mentioned originally there could be some compatibility issues.  The pixel tablet from Google is also an interesting device, but I have no recent experience with Google/Androit/Chrome devices to really say if it would be a good purchase for you.  Then there are tablets that run Windows, like the Microosft urface lineup.  They *might* be the most versatile, but even running windows they are not exactly the same as a laptop in terms of compatibility and ability to run any app/program.

I would really advise you to get in touch with your school/institituon IT staff to get their recommendations.  They will know more about what you may need to complete your specific courses and which devices would be best fit for you.

I apologize that I can't give you a better suggestion here, but I hope this helps a bit more.

-Chris