Apple's 2020 MacBook Air vs. 2020 iPad Pro

[Tech198]

Sorry buster, but I don't believe in buying features like 3-lens cameras, if i'm not gonna use it.. ever

I *might* try it, but that doesn't mean i'll automatically like it. And if i don't like it, its going back in the box to Apple.

I think the iPad pro vs Macbook (something....) has now became a common trend moving forward, particularly the gap is closing... a trackpad can now be used with a tablet that was not possible before..

But here is another annoying thing you may want to use a Mac..

The latest IOS 13.x has restricted which fields you can edit by long press and the magifine glass... You can no longer do it in address bar in Safari. nor field on a webpage (apart from password fields)

to me, that is not just a huge assonance, but a major step back. More so, it forces me literally to only use a Mac for 90% of my stuff.

 

[one more]

For BitTorrent you should buy a raspberry pi and set up a local server.

I would if I knew how to, but I would rather get a 150$ simplest/smallest any OS something when my MBP is no more. 😉

 

[scupking]

And I’m guessing the i5 version of the air (only $100 more) beats the iPad Pro?

 

[thunng8]

And I’m guessing the i5 version of the air (only $100 more) beats the iPad Pro?

you mean performance. Not a chance. Not even +$250 i7 can Beat iPads multi core and Graphics performance.

 

[ericwn]

Over the last decade, Apple devotees have argued that one should spend hundreds of extra dollars to get a Mac instead of a PC because of the various nuanced advantages that OS X (now MacOS) has over Windows.

Now, suddenly, everyone is like, "Sweet, you can use a mouse with an iPad, so might as well use the iPad as a computer. No need for a Mac anymore." It's quite the 180--suddenly, differences between operating systems are irrelevant, as if mouse support by itself turns the iPad into a real computer.

Yeah, the iPad is an unreal computer then. Technology changes all the time. It’s just that users stop to accept change at some stage in their lives.

 

[ericwn]

iPadOS is too gimped and too overpriced. I'd take the Macbook Air since it can bootcamp other OS' to remove Apple restrictions or even a $649 Pixelbook Go as a tweener.

But isn’t iPadOS free and comes when you purchase the hardware?

 

[Mainsail]

There are some people that need a Mac and there are some people that are better off with an iPad. And, there are some people that would benefit from access to both.

If you do a large amount of your work on a rig with multiple monitors, get a Mac because you clearly need lots of windows open simultaneously. Of course, if you are frequently pushing your system with multiple heavy load applications, you might not be a typical MBA customer, so this article really does not apply to you. Some of the criticisms are coming from people that have requirements that would not be met by an iPP, but would not be met by an MBA either. They are not considering that we are comparing two $1,000 devices designed for everyday consumers.

If you primarily work with one app at a time, then I would seriously consider an iPad. With pencil and trackpad/mouse support, it’s a pretty versatile alternative to a traditional computer.

There is a third option. Rather than buying an MBA or an iPP, you could get a Mac Mini plus a regular iPad. Yes you would need to have a monitor, KB And mouse for the Mac mini. But, a lot of people buy these to use with their laptops in clamshell mode anyway.

 

[ingambe]

There is a third option. Rather than buying an MBA or an iPP, you could get a Mac Mini plus a regular iPad. Yes you would need to have a monitor, KB And mouse for the Mac mini. But, a lot of people buy these to use with their laptops in clamshell mode anyway.

It’s a way better bunk for bucks to buy a MBA and a dock

 

[revelcos]

Even after incorporating the new mouse and trackpad capability of iPadOS, iPad Pro is still in shackles. Many apps are still mobile app. I can’t simply include reference and bibliography while using MS Word, neither by the mobile version of MS Word nor by integrating of other apps like Mendeley.

 

[Mainsail]

It’s a way better bunk for bucks to buy a MBA and a dock

You are probably right. I have a 2019 MBA that I primarily use with a monitor, KB, and mouse. I tend to use my base iPad as my mobile device. I was just trying to identify a Desktop ($750 on sale) plus iPad ($250 on sale) alternative that kept the cost about the same as an MBA or iPP, $1,000.

I mention this alternative because this is how my wife works. She hates being hunched over a laptop, and she doesn’t like trying to use multiple windows on a 13.3 in screen. So, she keeps it simple. When she needs to work on multiple apps, she uses a desktop with a nice big screen. When she is mobile, she uses an iPad purely as a tablet.....one app at a time. It works great for her.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Easy choice between the two... MacBook of course. Why would anyone want the gimped iPad?

Believe it or not, there are purposes for iPads that laptops can't meet. Sheet music, for one.

 

[The Game 161]

Believe it or not, there are purposes for iPads that laptops can't meet. Sheet music, for one.

Indeed, is a way better option for my needs. I’m sure it will only get better over time as well when it comes to a files system.

 

[RogerWilco]

There is a third option. Rather than buying an MBA or an iPP, you could get a Mac Mini plus a regular iPad. Yes you would need to have a monitor, KB And mouse for the Mac mini. But, a lot of people buy these to use with their laptops in clamshell mode anyway.

Except that Apple intentionally crippled the mini by not including a GPU.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Except that Apple intentionally crippled the mini by not including a GPU.

Intentionally crippled? Talk about hyperbole. How about intentionally kept costs low and focused on CPU power since these things are typically used for their horsepower rather than their graphics capabilities.

 

[Dydegu]

While I am tempted by the new MacBook Air, I ultimately can’t justify lugging 3 computers to and from work. I already bring my 11” iPad Pro and work-issues windows laptop everywhere I go. At home, I have my 5k iMac for the heavy lifting.

And I know that a Mac will not be able to do the things I do on my iPad, much less do them the way I want them done. No touchscreen or stylus support, no inbuilt 4g, no ability to detach the keyboard, the list goes on.

The iPad is not a “laptop replacement” for me (and countless other people like myself). It’s a “laptop alternative.” It’s not a replacement because there’s nothing there to replace. For me, the iPad turning into a laptop isn’t the goal; the whole point is to let me do things I previously couldn’t. So the people who say that an iPad can never replace a laptop are missing that this is precisely the point.

Long live the iPad!

Apple fundamentally disagrees on that point, obviously. I'm interested to see what iPadOS 14 has to offer to help their case, especially in terms of trackpad support.

 

[Ilikechainrestaurants]

Am I the only one who finds one of the biggest limitations of an iPad setup-as-laptop-alternative to be the "lap" part? When in a cramped hotel room or sitting on a sofa or in a car, etc. I find the pro really annoying to use for anything more than an email or two. It's unsteady and obviously not the best writing experience. I'm glad I have it and it's great for non-business trips where I can use it as an "emergency laptop" but I can't imagine it pulling full time duty.

 

[Mainsail]

Except that Apple intentionally crippled the mini by not including a GPU.

Again, we are talking about people that would have otherwise purchased a $1,000 entry level MBA? What percentage of typical everyday consumers even know that there is a difference between the integrated graphics of an MBA vs Mac Mini? What percentage of these these consumers would ever notice the difference?

 

[Mainsail]

We keep having these weird conversations. The OP posts a comparison of two devices that are both largely used by everyday consumers for routine tasks and productivity applications. Then someone replies that an iPad is useless because it cant meet their particular requirements, which includes a list of tasks and that would be completely inappropriate for a MBA.....like hooking up multiple monitors or running dozens of apps at the same time.

Its like I am trying to decide between buying a compact car or a small fuel efficient pickup, and my friend keeps pontificating about his giant truck with the expensive tow package to pull a horse trailer.

 

[tha_man]

I really like the new Air. Good upgrades, nice price... perfect notebook for daily operations and even for certain professional tasks, which doesn't require the greatest computing power. iPad might be more powerful, but its OS is still too limited and clumsy for multitasking compared to macOS. Even with keyboard and trackpad support.

But if Apple will be switching to ARM Macs, I think Air is the most probable candidate. Most users are not using it for heavy work, it's more meant to be portable internet/office machine. So even if going ARM would cause it to lose some of the pro software (I think most probable candidates are 3D modelling / CAD), it wouldn't affect most of it's users. Also, for home use it would benefit to have better graphics performance for gaming and Apple could easier reach low price point with less expensive CPU.

 

[Pstein15]

My problem exactly. Trying to decide. Currently my most used devices are a MacBook 12, a 2015 IPAD pro 12.9, and a 2016 IPAD pro 9.7. Less used are my 2019 IPAD mini, my 2015 MacBook Air.

Basic MacBook Air $ 999. Basic 11 IPAD Pro $ 799. New magic keyboard, $ 299.

I know decision can't be made on price alone. Even on basic browsing, the Mac gives me information that the IPAD just doesn't pull up. Still, a lot to be said for a device that is so convenient to use. I'm waiting for reviews of the new Magic Keyboard. Though I, as a hunt and peck typist, love the MacBook 12, my wife, a fast typist, hates the keyboard. That's why I'm considering a change.
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Shouldnt the comparison be between the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro? I mean I know they just came out. Comparing the MacBook Air to the iPad air is more relevant as well.

I think the author made the right comparison. The new Magic keyboard due in May, makes it more of an apples to apples comparison. No pun intended.

 

[kp98077]

I have both. Honestly feel the screen on the air sucks! Or maybe it just does compared to the iPad Pro 12.9.....still hate iPad file system.

 

[d0nK]

iPad = social media.
Proper computer = audio, video, photo work.

 

[RAKras]

I think the comparison and discussion have merit, but regardless of hardware comparisons, in most cases, IOS is not a replacement for a substantial operating system like MacOS.

This is particularly true for those of us using Microsoft Office products on a regular basis (for work) - Office IOS versions are inadequate for work as they lack features and "essentially" require storage/sync to Microsoft's OneDrive.

 

[Tozovac]

Do you want to mostly take in content? iPad Pro.

Do you mostly want to produce content? MacBook.

Why even ask?

Now, if only so many app and content makers didn’t think we were all only using iPads or iPhones.

 

[theorist9]

People still don’t get that....

The thing about vision, which Steve had in spades, is that you have to be able to look beyond the present....

So when the iPad was introduced in 2010, I knew without a doubt that this was the future.

[emphais mine]

You have strong opinions, and that's fine. But there's two problems here. First, your predictions of the future are pure speculation on your part (just like they're pure speculation on mine). But (with exceptions, like in your last para), when discussing this, you don't speak as if you recognize this is just your personal speculation, and that you're thus just as likely to be wrong as right.

Second, and related to the above, your language towards those not of your opinion is often condescending or suspicious...that those of us who don't agree with you are being obstinant, lacking in vision, and generally 'not getting it'. In another thread, you accused those in a different camp of being blinded by their agendas.

No. To the extend others disagree with you, it's not because we're being obstinant, or lacking in vision, or not getting it, or pursuing a hidden agenda. It's simply that we've done our own informed analysis, and have come to a conclusion that is different from yours.

Now, you might argue that, in using the word "cultists", I was myself being condescending towards those with differing opinions. No, that was an entirely different situation. In those cases, the people weren't insisting that they were entitled to their own opinions, but that they were entitled to their own facts. If someone insists the latter (e.g., that the world is flat), then the term cultist is appropriate.