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brandonnnnnnn

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 22, 2015
190
153
TX
I know these are totally different, but the base iPad Air is the same price from the education store. Please don’t think about devices you already have or need. What would you choose? Let’s say if this was a free gift and you can select one.
 

Lsmachado

macrumors 6502a
Sep 20, 2018
832
1,763
Texas
I know these are totally different, but the base iPad Air is the same price from the education store. Please don’t think about devices you already have or need. What would you choose? Let’s say if this was a free gift and you can select one.
Well, if I were an audiophile, I’d choose the AirPods Max, but since I’m not, I’d choose the iPad.
 
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secretk

macrumors 65816
Oct 19, 2018
1,494
1,228
I personaly would choose the iPad Air. I can find wireless NC headphones (hey Sony) for half of the price of AirPods Max. Now maybe the sound quality of the AirPods Max is better but I doubt that any regular person would appreciate this. Also the case (is this even a case) is atrocious. And btw I am above regular person when it comes to an audio. Not an audiophile but I do sing and tend to record myself at home singing so I do appreciate good quality headphones as I need it in my ears during recording.

For me AirPods Max is a luxury item that you buy to use at home (because of the nice audio quality) but you never carry around because of the lack of protective case. And the price does not justify this.

iPad Air on the other hand offers (for me) far more benefits. Especially if someone decides to pair it up with a pencil. I do see people carrying around iPad Air on trips or while commuting to work. I see them brainstorming ideas on the iPad instead of just free flowing papers.

On the flip side though maybe AirPods Max make sense in the sense that I would never buy that thing. Like I would not spend my money on them. I would on an iPad Air. I am OK receiving them as a gift though because I would keep them (because of awesome audio quality) or I would sell them and will have some money.

So it depends what you want. If you want to give a gift that people would keep - for me would be an iPad Air. If you want to give a gift something that a person would never buy themselves because of the high price - AirPods Max.
 
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Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,632
4,457
Well, if I were an audiophile, I’d choose the AirPods Max, but since I’m not, I’d choose the iPad.
If you follow the audiophile community (I do and I play music), Airpods max are crap for the price in terms of sound quality. You can find $100 heaphones that sound much better. Airpods Max are only worth if you value the Apple features and the brand recognition / status symbol they represent....
 

Absrnd

macrumors 6502a
Apr 15, 2010
915
1,670
Flatland
If you follow the audiophile community (I do and I play music), Airpods max are crap for the price in terms of sound quality. You can find $100 heaphones that sound much better. Airpods Max are only worth if you value the Apple features and the brand recognition / status symbol they represent....
The crap factor has been debunked already :)

 

Digitalguy

macrumors 601
Apr 15, 2019
4,632
4,457
The crap factor has been debunked already :)

That's your opinion based on this video. I generally don't watch videos from this guy. He doesn't compare them to anything else by the way. A much more trustworthy guy in the headphone community is DMS.

Again, as I said, they "are crap for the price in terms of sound quality"
 
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ouimetnick

macrumors 68040
Aug 28, 2008
3,552
6,345
Beverly, Massachusetts
Already have an iPad. I would save the money for a rainy day. What if I need to get my hearing aids repaired, car fixed, phone fixed, vet bill, etc. If I had neither and was given the money to spend on either, I’d go with an iPad. My AirPods Pro work well for me. I prefer listening through my stereo or HomePods. I haven’t used the new AirPods Max Pro, so I can’t comment, but for how often I wear headphones, the APM aren’t worth it.

If you wear headphones for 8 hours a day like some folks wear AirPods/AirPods Pro, then perhaps the AirPods Max would be a wise investment.
 

brandonnnnnnn

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 22, 2015
190
153
TX
Thank you all for the feedback...I have decided I will be returning the AirPods Max tomorrow. I bet they are nice and work well, but can't justify the cost. I actually don't have an iPad, so I see it would benefit me more.
 
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ouimetnick

macrumors 68040
Aug 28, 2008
3,552
6,345
Beverly, Massachusetts
Thank you all for the feedback...I have decided I will be returning the AirPods Max tomorrow. I bet they are nice and work well, but can't justify the cost. I actually don't have an iPad, so I see it would benefit me more.
There isn't any valid comparison between an iPad (computer) and AirPods Pro Max (headphones) It's one thing to compare iPad with other computers or iPads and headphones with other headphones, but not cross compare.
 

Astonish_IT

macrumors regular
Sep 1, 2017
155
147
If I have to choose only between them, I mean no other brand earphones..etc , and if i had an iPad that fits my needs, then I would buy the Airpods Max.

If I was someone who loves sketching, drawing, or just love a media consumption tablet...etc then I would buy the iPad Air paired with an other brand nice earphone.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,896
13,218
iPad Air.

At 13.6 oz, I don't think I'll find the AirPods Max particularly comfortable for long usage. The only OE headphones I could use for long were the Bose Triports (5 oz).
 

MevetS

Cancelled
Dec 27, 2018
374
303
AirPods Max. Since it is unlikely I would buy them, but I sure would like them. From all I have read, they are the best noise canceling Bluetooth headphones available.
 

kp98077

macrumors 601
Oct 26, 2010
4,296
2,760
Whistler, BC
honestly, iPad to me is very boring, I received a paid of the Aipod Max today, absolutely beautiful....
nonetheless, the OP, this is bogus.. lol doesn't seem like a "real" problem..
 
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Cashmonee

macrumors 65832
May 27, 2006
1,504
1,245
If you do not have an iPad already and need/desire one, then this is a no-brained. Get the iPad. The AirPods Max is decidedly a luxury product of dubious value. The iPad on the other hand is an excellent device that has proven its worth in many people’s lives. I see no scenario where it is worth getting the AirPods Max honestly. If you want noise canceling headphones that are on-ear/over the ear there are much better options when you consider value. If you want audiophile, use at home, then go a different route entirely and get some good wired headphones.
 
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Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,879
4,694
Johannesburg, South Africa
I know these are totally different, but the base iPad Air is the same price from the education store. Please don’t think about devices you already have or need. What would you choose? Let’s say if this was a free gift and you can select one.
I would take the iPad Air in this case, the AirPods Max are first gen and I am already reading of niggles with them, the iPad on the other end is solid and you can do a lot more with it. You can always get cheaper ANC headphones that provide similar audio quality to AirPods Max.
 

Euroamerican

macrumors 6502
May 27, 2010
468
345
Boise
TABLET versus HEADPHONES? As a gift or spontaneous purchase for making life better or more productive?

It would seem to me that the tablet has a potential to scratch many more itches than headphones!
 
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Royksöpp

macrumors 68020
Nov 4, 2013
2,404
4,017
Well, if I were an audiophile, I’d choose the AirPods Max, but since I’m not, I’d choose the iPad.

They are not audiophile level headphones. Not even close. They are maybe a notch or two above the Sony and Bose, but not much higher than that. You’re mostly paying a premium for the materials and build quality. This is coming from someone who bought the Max on launch, so I know exactly what I’m talking about. As an audiophile I was never fully pleased with the sound quality of the Max. I’m only a small percentage though. To an average joe the Max could be the best sounding headphones in the world. To me, they are only just decent. Sound quality alone should not be a deciding factor when purchasing these. I learned that the hard way.

I know these are totally different, but the base iPad Air is the same price from the education store. Please don’t think about devices you already have or need. What would you choose? Let’s say if this was a free gift and you can select one.

An iPad is an incredible device and a very wise investment. You can play games, edit photos and videos, create art with the pencil, and so much more. The magic keyboard can transform it into a mini laptop and it can also connect to an external monitor. The iPad is the best it’s ever been and it’s only going to get better with software updates. I couldn’t recommend it enough. Just make sure to choose 256GB.
 
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