Pages: Part of Apple’s iWork suite, Pages is a word processor that makes formatting and editing papers a breeze. Pages is also a layout tool that contains templates for flyers, brochures and more, which can come in handy both for course projects and extracurricular activities. Students can use Pages to import files created in Word and create documents that they can easily save as Word files. Pages is available in the App Store for $19.99.
Keynote: Also a component of Apple’s iWork suite, Keynote makes preparing and sharing presentations quick and easy. Students can create presentations on the iPad using one of Apple’s beautifully designed templates or by importing their own themes. Keynote can be used to import presentations created in PowerPoint and create presentations that can easily be saved as PowerPoint files. An essential app for creating impressive class presentations, Keynote is available in the App Store for $19.99.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Editor: One of the best apps out there for people who want to harness the power of Photoshop without the price. Since most people generally don’t need all of Photoshop’s tools, Elements is a happy medium, and it works great in conjunction with iPhoto. Color-correct, crop, resize and touch up photos to you heart’s content, and even automate the processes you use often. A must—available in the App Store for $79.99.
Evernote: Evernote seems to do everything: Notes, Web Clips, PDFs… all to help you remember important things in your life. Have you come across something worth saving on the internet? Need to jot some notes from class? Evernote can do it all in style with a sleek interface, seamless tools and premium file syncronization features. Grab it for your Mac and iPod touch, iPad or iPhone—free in the App Store and iTunes Store.
Caffeine: A favorite productivity app of many Mac users, Caffeine keeps your computer awake—preventing sleep mode, screen savers and display dimming—so that your it only dozes when you do. Caffeine installs a coffee cup icon on your menu bar; the cup appears empty when Caffeine is off and full when Caffeine is running. Perfect for all-nighters, Caffeine is available for free in the App Store.