Brother will need some device to type essays on for middle school. How should I convince my parents to get it for him?

[WilliApple]

Hello!

My brother is going to Middle School next year and when I was in middle school, we typed essays a lot, and a laptop made middle school SO MUCH easier. He has NOTHING except a Nintendo Switch. Can't type essays on that, huh.

However, I went to look for the best deal on iPads and here is what I found:
$314.99 - iPad 10
$249.99 - Magic Keyboard Folio
= $564.98

Uhh, that for an iPad and a keyboard with the A14 chip!? Yes, if what he was being an iPad kid and not needing the keyboard, that would be worth it.

Then I remembered, the M1 MacBook Air Walmart deal!

That thing costs $699.

If the M1 MacBook Air has longer software support than the iPad 10, how much longer will it be?
I remember the days of the 2013 MacBook Air and Pro getting the latest macOS from 2020.

I know my Apple stuff very well, so I am thinking what I should convince my mother to get for his (summer) birthday, since it will
1. Make his middle school life a lot easier
2. Potentially give him a device for high school, but judging him, he would want to upgrade before High School, and parents got both me and my sister a new MacBooks when our laptops were only 2 and 3 years old.

Yes, I know Chromebooks exists, but I would feel hyprocrital for convincing my parents get him one because 1. I hate Chromebooks, 2. It likely won't last 3 years. Not to mention that he hates Chromebooks as well.

So I am wondering what I should do, iPad or Mac for him.

And if we do the MacBook, how should I convince my parents to get it for him?

On the side, he says that he wants to "game" on it and "start a YouTube channel", but the definition of gaming is Minecraft and Roblox, both have Apple Silicon native support. He also expressed interest in making his own Roblox games with Roblox Studio. This is why I think the MacBook would be the perfect fit for him. He also wanted his own MacBook or iPad for YEARS at this point.

 

[coffeemilktea]

However, I went to look for the best deal on iPads and here is what I found:
$314.99 - iPad 10
$249.99 - Magic Keyboard Folio
= $564.98

You can get Bluetooth keyboards for about $20 to $30 that work perfectly well with the iPad and will even fold for easy carrying, so you'd realistically be looking at a little under $350 total for a device that can game, stream, and film content for a YouTube channel.

Though if your parents were willing to buy you and your sister new MacBooks, maybe they'll be willing to spend $699 on an M1 MacBook Air for him, even if it doesn't sound like he's all that interested in computers? I guess you can tell them it's an investment in his educational future, and that you're getting a good price on it? 🤷‍♂️

 

[Bazza1]

An iPad and its software (built-in and 3rd Party - and including support for peripherals like scanners, printers and external drives) is nowhere near as capable as a MacBook. I believe your brother would soon find it limiting and frustrating - just imagine doing middle school work on an iPhone - essentially the same OS.

While an M1 MacBook is not the latest and greatest, it still (largely) runs the most recent MacOS, and most 3rd Party apps - including MS Office / 365 and peripherals - are fine with it. (Heck, I still run a 2017 Air running Monterey for work travel with no issues). Its one piece, not far off the overall size of an iPad, and, as you note, seems a much better fit for things your brother might like to do when not using it for school, like Roblox Studio.

As noted by coffeemilktea above, a MacBook should be an easier 'sell' as an educational investment, and to your brother for its convenience and capabilities. Meanwhile, while noting the Walmart pricing, I'd also encourage you and your parents to explore Apple's own online refurb site. Arguably better than factory (each device individually checked), they come with discounted prices, full warranty (including the ability to add AppleCare) and free shipping. Stock and prices changes regularly.