iPad Pro vs Macbook Air: Two very different machines, or are they? (2023)

FAQs

IPad Pro vs Macbook Air: Two very different machines, or are they? ›

Macbook Air has a touch screen and support for Apple Pencil. The Macbook Air runs Mac OS, iPad Pro uses iPad OS. The iPad Pro has a rear camera setup, the Macbook Air doesn't.

After the form factor, the major difference between the iPad Pro and MacBook Air is the operating systems. The iPad Pro runs on iPadOS and the MacBook Air runs on macOS. The latter is a full-fledged operating system, while the former has more in common with the iPhone.

A key difference between the ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ is authentication technology. The ‌iPad Air‌ features ‌Touch ID‌, while the ‌iPad Pro‌ features ‌Face ID‌. The ‌iPad Air‌ has a ‌Touch ID‌ fingerprint scanner embedded in the ‌iPad‌'s top button.

iPads are generally more portable and have a touchscreen interface, while MacBooks have a traditional keyboard and trackpad. iPads are generally more limited in terms of their ability to run complex software and multitask, while MacBooks are more powerful and can run a wider range of software.

The MacBook Pro has a bigger, brighter and better display.

The MacBook Air has a LCD Liquid Retina display, while the newest MacBook Pros have a mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display.

Run Proprietary or Desktop Software

The iPad can't run Windows or Mac software, which means no access to software that requires Windows or macOS, which includes many of the most popular games. Beyond gaming, many people bring their work home with them, and work often involves proprietary software.

It works with the same accessories as the 11-inch iPad Pro

Paired with a keyboard case like Apple's Magic Keyboard, the M1 iPad Air gets pretty close to the feel of a traditional laptop. Even though it's cheaper than the 11-inch iPad Pro, the Air has more in common with the Pro than it has differences.

The main difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your ‌iPad‌ for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the ‌iPad Air‌ will be the better choice by far.

If you want to use your iPad as a laptop, then you're going to need the Apple Magic Keyboard. After all, you'll want something physical to type on. The Magic Keyboard has just enough space to let you comfortably type, though folks like myself with large hands could still find it somewhat cramped.

Learn more. Apple's standard 2022 iPad offers more value than the 2022 iPad Air for casual tablet users. But the 2022 iPad Air is a better option if you often edit photos or videos. If you want to add the Apple Pencil, opt for the 2021 iPad or 2022 iPad Air.

Is it better to have an iPad or a laptop? ›

An iPad with the latest operating system allows users to do almost everything they need to do on a computer, here are several reasons you might choose an iPad over a laptop. It's lighter, thinner, has a touch screen, and can use apps.

Use AirPrint to print wirelessly to an AirPrint-enabled printer from apps such as Mail, Photos, Safari, and Freeform. Many apps available on the App Store also support AirPrint. iPad and the printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Features on iPadOS like split screen and picture-in-picture multitasking make the iPad Pro much more capable as a MacBook replacement. The iPad Pro also benefits from having access to the App Store. Apple's own productivity apps like Numbers and iMovie feel right at home on the iPad.

On average, your MacBook Pro is expected to last 7.2 years and a MacBook Air for 5-7 years. However, the lifespan of your MacBook depends on what tasks you use your MacBook for, how frequently it is used, and how well you care for your battery and its components.

Over the years, Apple has added touchscreens to almost every computing device imaginable, from phones and tablets to smartwatches, but it has refrained from bringing the feature to its Mac product line – even as a long list of rivals did so with their laptops and desktops.

Of course, the biggest difference between a MacBook and a laptop is the operating system. A MacBook runs on the macOS developed by Apple while a Windows laptop runs on Microsoft's Windows OS. Both are exceptional operating systems and delivers smooth performance.

Con: Computing power

Intensive apps like Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Audacity, Python, and other specialized software are best fully utilized on a powerful machine like a laptop. The iPad also doesn't have fans like a laptop, so when you're multitasking, the device will heat up.

Many workers like to stream music or other media from their iPad while they are working on the MacBook. This can be great for morale. Using the iPad as a second monitor with Sidecar is one of the biggest reasons that owning both an iPad business model and a laptop business model is ideal.

External hard drives often require an external power source when used with iPad. If an external hard drive doesn't supply its own power, and your iPad has a USB-C or Thunderbolt / USB 4 connector, you can use a powered USB hub.

Download Microsoft Word now and get the best way to create, share and edit documents from your iPhone or iPad.

How many years will an iPad Air last? ›

Apple usually supports a new iPad with iPadOS updates for at least five years and often several years longer. Most iPad models hold up well in performance, features, and storage over this timeframe which means that five years is a standard lifespan for any iPad.

We will support iPads that are still being supported by Apple and running iPadOS 14. iPads generally have a lifespan of about 5 years. Keep your software as up-to-date as possible. Plan to replace your tablet every 3 years.

On paper, the Air is the better device. It offers more impressive specifications, including a faster processor. On the other hand, the standard iPad is cheaper – by quite a margin – and still delivers an excellent experience.

The iPad is actually quite secure when compared to a PC. It's almost impossible for a virus to infect an iPad because viruses work by jumping from one app to the next. The architecture of iPadOS puts a wall around each app, which prevents one piece of software from overwriting a portion of another.

Because of their hardware, laptops can perform more difficult tasks than tablets can. A laptop's typically larger size also allows for a bigger screen, a more powerful processor, and more storage space, meaning laptops are better for graphic-intensive applications, such as gaming or processing photos and videos.

64GB or less: for internet users

An iPad with 64GB storage or less is suitable if you want to browse the internet, check your email, Facetime, or watch series. It's enough storage capacity to download apps and play some games.

What is difference between iPad and iPad pro? The standard iPad has a 10.9-inch screen, as well as an M2 processor. The iPad Pro has the same M2 chip, but still offers better performance overall. It's also slightly larger, with an 11-inch or 12.9-inch screen.

When Apple released the iPad Air, the change in name from simply "iPad" to "iPad Air" signified a change in philosophy at Apple, which was to break the iPad lineup into models with different size and power capabilities.

Apple iPad Pro (6th generation)

Apple's 2022 iPad Pro lineup is by far the most capable and impressive iPad lineup we've seen, making it our best overall pick as a laptop replacement. It's also the most expensive, by a long shot.

Why do people use iPad? ›

iPad is so versatile, it's more than up to any task. Whether you're working on a project, expressing your creativity or playing an immersive game, iPad is a fun and powerful way to get it done. Here are just a few of the countless things you can do with iPad.

The USB-C port on your iPad allows connections to a variety of devices. * For example, you can connect a digital camera or the Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader to import photos. Other USB devices that you can connect to your iPad include these: External storage devices.

Not all iPad models are equally suitable to be used as a laptop. The iPad Mini, for example, is too small to be able to work on properly and doesn't have an original Smart Keyboard. With the Apple iPad (2022/2020), you get a basic iPad and you can perform simple tasks such as text editing and browsing the internet.

What is an iPad? Everyone's heard of the Apple brand, and the iPad is the name for Apple's line of handheld computers. Apple has its own Operating System called iOS and all iPads run on this system.

Decision: If you want more storage and to get additional features, go with the 11-inch iPad Pro, which strikes a balance between price and performance. Or you can choose the 256GB iPad Air as the least expensive path to that much storage on a powerful iPad.

You can connect Magic Mouse, another Bluetooth mouse, or a USB mouse to your iPad. Note: Mouse devices are sold separately. Not all mouse devices are fully compatible with all models of iPad.

FAQs. Which are the top iPad models to consider for replacing a MacBook in 2023? The top iPad models to consider for replacing a MacBook in 2023 include the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022), iPad Pro 11-inch (2022), and iPad Air 5 (10.9-inch).

Cons: Two USB-C ports aren't enough for most people so be ready to use a dongle. Also, the MacBook Air isn't the most compact or lightest 13-inch laptop, and the display bezels that were chunky in 2020 are only harder to take in 2023.

A good rule of thumb is that if you're only going to be away from your Mac for an hour or two or even overnight, letting it sleep is probably the best method. Any longer than that and you'll want to power it down, for reasons outlined in the next section.

How often do you have to turn off a MacBook Air? ›

Many experts suggest shutting your Mac down every 2-3 days. So, if you're not planning on using your device for more than 36 hours, then a shutdown is a great option. If you're planning to leave your device for an extended period, Apple recommends storing it at around 50% battery charge.

These Mac models have Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports: MacBook Air (M2, 2022) MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022) iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)

Apple uses customized parts with specialized processes in most of their machines. This drives the price up, requiring someone to eat the additional cost so that Apple can retain its margins when selling. Demand for parts, and the cost of producing them, leads to a more expensive product.

Two-finger scroll: Slide two fingers up or down to scroll. Pinch to zoom: Pinch your thumb and finger open or closed to zoom in or out of photos and webpages. Swipe to navigate: Swipe left or right with two fingers to flip through webpages, documents, and more—like turning a page in a book.

The advantage of the Pro's display is that it gets brighter (maxing out at 1,600 nits, versus the Air's 500 nits), has significantly better contrast and delivers a more dynamic picture.

FAQs. What is difference between iPad and MacBook? An iPad is a tablet computer designed and developed by Apple, while a MacBook is a line of laptops also designed and developed by Apple. iPads are generally more portable and have a touchscreen interface, while MacBooks have a traditional keyboard and trackpad.

Do I still need a MacBook Air? You still need a MacBook Air (or any other personal computer with a user-facing file system) if you plan on manipulating files amongst different applications and disk locations at rapid speed while sometimes viewing multiple windows at the same time and swapping data between them as well.

Should I get a Mac or an iPad? Both are perfect for university and will be a great choice. Consider the types of activities you'll be using it for and how you like to work. Mac is designed around a keyboard and trackpad and is built to run desktop applications.

Not all iPad models are equally suitable to be used as a laptop. The iPad Mini, for example, is too small to be able to work on properly and doesn't have an original Smart Keyboard. With the Apple iPad (2022/2020), you get a basic iPad and you can perform simple tasks such as text editing and browsing the internet.

What does an iPad air do that a regular iPad doesn t? ›

Combined with a more advanced display, support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, a thinner and lighter design, and even a different selection of color options, many users still have good reasons to preference the ‌iPad Air‌.

A laptop has a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and better graphics compared to iPads. Therefore, laptops may do better when you execute a wide variety of tasks.

iPad is so versatile, it's more than up to any task. Whether you're working on a project, expressing your creativity, or playing an immersive game, iPad is a fun and powerful way to get it done. Here are just a few of the countless things you can do with iPad.

The iPad is actually quite secure when compared to a PC. It's almost impossible for a virus to infect an iPad because viruses work by jumping from one app to the next. The architecture of iPadOS puts a wall around each app, which prevents one piece of software from overwriting a portion of another.

So which iPad is the best for students? Overall, we think the iPad Air at 64GB is a solid choice for college. It's more affordable than the iPad Pro, yet offers a comparable performance for all your studying, research, and note-taking needs.

Can you use an iPad as a laptop for college? Yes, you can use an iPad instead of a laptop for college and this is very common because the iPad is not only touchscreen compatible with the Appel pencil, but can connect wirelessly to a keyboard as well as a Bluetooth mouse.

On average, your MacBook Pro is expected to last 7.2 years and a MacBook Air for 5-7 years.

What are the monthly subscription costs for Office365 Personal and Office 365 Home? A. The estimated retail price for Office 365 Personal is $6.99/month and Office 365 Home is $9.99/month.

If an iPad is going to be used in place of a traditional laptop, it will need additional accessories to emulate that experience. Connect any mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth or USB to use them natively within iPadOS. The iPad even has a custom cursor that recreates the experience of using touch gestures via a mouse.