I think its time to replace my old, outdated by the time I got it, HP Pavilion. Its served me well through school, but its time to get something a bit faster (HP is HDD).
I am a music student, so originally I was thinking about getting a 9th Gen iPad that I could use for typing notes, writing out notes on staff paper, and as an e reader for various sheet music so I don't have to print things out so much and keep up with tons of music folders.
On the other end, I recently found a walmart near me with a heavily marked down Acer Nitro with a 3050ti. I already have a windows desktop (which ironically has a worst graphics card than this laptop) with a 500GB SSD and all the perks of windows. I can easily type notes on it, and I will be able to more easily deal with the things I have to print for my job. I would also be able to game some on the weekends without having to move my whole desktop setup home when I visit.
However, the downside of not being able to view sheet music is still there, and is frustrating, but since the two would be similar in cost once I got everything I needed for the ipad to be comparable.
What do y'all think? iPad or gaming laptop?
Look to the Ipad 12.9 (can buy one of the folder generations, plenty of performance) if you want to read sheet music. Close to a4 size. If not for performing/rehearsing the sheet music and just for reference/classes etc can make do with something smaller. Note that Ipad pro has 4:3 aspect ratio, Close to 1.41:1 of paper, while other devices typically 16:9 making a4 sized music hard to show without a lot of zooming out.
3050 laptop for games seems like a Great value, and get a smaller 2-in-1 or an older Ipad in the case you dont need a full sized 12.9 inch ipad
I think I'm going to get either an older ipad or just a cheap tablet just to use as an ereader. Not sure what tablet would be a good deal though!