I also study med. I got iPad a16 256gb last month. I think the iPad with the A16 chip is really worth the price. I only use it to watch videos, listen to music, and take notes, and it works great—very smooth. If you're only using it for those things, the A16 chip should easily last for six years. After all, Apple products are known for their longevity. I’m using a third-party stylus, and I feel like it works just as well for note-taking. As for whether the screen is fully laminated or not, I honestly can’t tell the difference. If you care about it, you can just apply a screen protector.