iPad Pro 12.9 or MacBook Air

marcg868 · 15 Dec 2023 at 14:19

Was looking to replace my ageing laptop with another Windows Laptop as per my post in Laptop section. But thinking things through I don’t need one just to play two or three games that I played in the past.
however I am looking at the larger sized 12.9 iPad Pro to replace my IPad Pro 11 2018.
I use the device to do my work courses on, the usually browse the web instead of using phone, Microsoft Teams etc and it’s pretty comfortable. But I do wish for a larger screen sometimes especially when I’m relegated to the iPad to watch Football, F1 or the Golf and Cricket.
Also use it for light photo Editing on the go.
Also it gets taken on holiday For watching Netflix on the plane and on the balcony having a few beers Et.

Is there a new IPad Pro coming soon? Or should I try a MacBook Air?

Shadowness · 15 Dec 2023 at 15:12

iPad sounds more fitted to what you want. Especially if you get the 'pencil' which helps a lot which photo editing.

I guess there will be an M3 iPad, but the M1 and M2 chips are such power houses, I'm not sure what you would need the power for. Even M1 iPad Pros are still holding their own.

uvarvu · 15 Dec 2023 at 19:17

M3 with OLED display due Q1 2024 along with a redesign and a new magic keyboard to boot. I think the rumours are correct on the device itself but who knows on the date.

martin363 · 16 Dec 2023 at 09:32

Different machines and purposes really. I have both, the Macbook is better for coursework and General office work.

Despite Apples claims, the IPad is not a laptop, even with a keyboard, at least not as effective a laptop as the Macbook.

The IPad is a content consumption device, great for Youtube, Netflix, but also Teams. With the addition of the pencil it is also the best device out there for artistic creation, potentially CAD etc. It is not a laptop replacement tho, but it can handle laptop tasks if it is not the 'main purpose' as such.

Shadowness · 16 Dec 2023 at 09:52

Yeh I take my iPad on work trips sometimes, and connecting SSDs and transferring files, or just attaching files to emails etc can be a real ball ache on the iPad. So if you’re not really doing that sort of stuff, and it’s more for entertainment and photo editing then it would seem like the better fit.

Mesai · 16 Dec 2023 at 15:04

The iPad OS is severely limited compared to something like Windows or macOS, which is a shame given the strength of the hardware.

Look carefully at what you’ll use it for and if you get the MacBook, spec it correctly as they can’t be upgraded.

marcg868 · 16 Dec 2023 at 19:36

Mesai said:
The iPad OS is severely limited compared to something like Windows or macOS, which is a shame given the strength of the hardware.

Look carefully at what you’ll use it for and if you get the MacBook, spec it correctly as they can’t be upgraded.

Mainly gonna be for Web browsing, photo editing, and watching films on Plane, when we are away and Sky Go when i dont have access to main TV. The smaller the better.
Open to Windows also.

Mesai · 16 Dec 2023 at 20:16

marcg868 said:
Mainly gonna be for Web browsing, photo editing, and watching films on Plane, when we are away and Sky Go when i dont have access to main TV. The smaller the better.
Open to Windows also.

The iPad would work well for that, and a better screen than the MacBook Air which would be comparable in price. Just as long as you aren’t expecting to use it as a PC.

The main benefit of Apple over Windows is the hardware. For travel/on the go, the power efficiency is unbeatable.

Ollie83 · 17 Dec 2023 at 08:01

I would take in consideration the limitations of the iPads OS over that of the Air.

marcg868 · 17 Dec 2023 at 13:44

Ollie83 said:
I would take in consideration the limitations of the iPads OS over that of the Air.

I mean the only real thing I’m using it for is work training courses so that is just logging onto the works intranet and watching videos and answering questions.
very light touching up of photos that I take at Manchester Airport.
sat on the couch browsing the forums, Reddit etc. Watching football.
It also gets used for reading books round the pool on holiday.
I would like to play some old PC games but I may get another PC in the next 5 years when we turn the small bedroom into a small office.
Maybe I’m better off either keeping my IPad and seeing what the 2024 models offer over my 2018.
Current iPad is great but battery life isn’t as good as it used to be.

Ollie83 · 17 Dec 2023 at 14:12

marcg868 said:
I mean the only real thing I’m using it for is work training courses so that is just logging onto the works intranet and watching videos and answering questions.
very light touching up of photos that I take at Manchester Airport.
sat on the couch browsing the forums, Reddit etc. Watching football.
It also gets used for reading books round the pool on holiday.
I would like to play some old PC games but I may get another PC in the next 5 years when we turn the small bedroom into a small office.
Maybe I’m better off either keeping my IPad and seeing what the 2024 models offer over my 2018.
Current iPad is great but battery life isn’t as good as it used to be.

Then an iPad would be ideal! I have always gone down the MacBook route personally, but it sounds like an iPad could work for you.

Awahwah · 2 Jan 2024 at 22:37

Both?

chaparral · 2 Jan 2024 at 23:41

Many times I regret buying my 12.9 iPad instead of a laptop, if I could turn back time i would for sure of bought a windows laptop or MacBook Air/pro instead.
(Think my 12.9 pro + Magic Keyboard + apple pencil cost me around £1650 to £1850 i could have got a great laptop for that price )

But for me it a bit different as i also own a 11” pro iPad