is 64 gigs of ipad air m1 enough for a medical student?

Bearing in mind that the space on an iPad cannot be increased, I strongly recommend that you buy a model with 128 or 256GB (unfortunately the iPad Air 5th generation doesn't exist with 128GB, so you should go to a 256GB model).

That said, see if you can find a 256GB model at an attractive price.

Reagards

Giulio

64 GB? In general, very likely no.

What is your current usage on your iPad Air 5th gen?

And what will that storage usage be in, say, three years?

This with the addition of training-related radiology and MRI and other medical scans, and training-related videos and other training materials, books and small and large PDFs, and the inevitable blizzard of certification and recertification and related paperwork?

64 GB? Not unless you want to full-time manage your storage. And you probably don't want to have to think about that with everything else happening over the next years.

Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.

A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.

Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device. 

Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping. 

Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.

My granddaughter just finished Med School and is now in residency. I can tell you for a fact that based on her use of a 256GB mode iPad, you want that. She took a lot of notes and camera photos of diagrams, etc.

Good luck!

Hello~ Click on below and compare…

iPad - Compare Models - Apple

I would encourage you to purchase a model with enough storage to serve you over the long term. Good luck and enjoy whatever device you choose.

~Katana-San~

I would not recommend the 64GB model, especially for future proofing aswell. I myself own a 64 GB iPad and am running out of space after 1 year of basic use in writing, reading and so on...

Carol B. wrote:

My granddaughter just finished Med School and is now in residency.

Congratulations to your granddaughter!

Congratulations to your granddaughter!

Thanks, IdrisSeabright!