I have a 2012 15" cMBP, and there's nothing wrong with besides the fact that it's so cumbersome to carry around. So while I'd love to buy a new laptop, it's not really a need. That said, I'd like something lighter to carry around; whether around campus or to the coffee shop. Note taking would be the biggest thing in class, as well as doing various readings. All of my intense work would be done on my laptop. I know the iPad Air 3 is around the corner, but the iPad Air 2 still seems like a wonderful machine. It'd mainly come down to a 64 GB Air 2 or a 128 iPad Pro. The 32 GB iPad Pro just doesn't seem like enough, unfortunately. What do you all think?
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iPad Air or iPad Pro to supplement MBP?
- Thread starter BallparkDreamer
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How big is your bag? 
Seriously, assuming you are not interested in drawing or hand-writing notes with the Pencil, the only significant difference between Air 2 and Pro is the size/weight. So if you are interested in a device that you can carry around, it comes down to how much you are willing to carry.
Seriously, assuming you are not interested in drawing or hand-writing notes with the Pencil, the only significant difference between Air 2 and Pro is the size/weight. So if you are interested in a device that you can carry around, it comes down to how much you are willing to carry.
How big is your bag?
It can fit either just fine
. I currently use it to lug my 15" MBP haha.
It can fit either just fine
Okay, can you get to an Apple store or Best Buy or some other store where you can try holding the devices in your hand? Pick the one that feels good to you.
Yeah, I can easily do so. If the only difference is really only weight then it looks like I just have to see them side by side. 64 GB Air 2 is also much cheaper, haha. Forgot to mention that I'd also use things like excel on it. I assume excel is fine on the Air 2 though.
Excel is fine on the Air 2, as long s you don't have too many columns. If you plan to do complex spreadsheets, that might be a reason to look at the Pro.
Oh and of course the Pro is more future proof, but the Air2 is cheaper, so that balances out.
Is note taking on a tablet really easy? Or would something with a keyboard be more suited to the task? I ask because I struggle to one finger type emails on any tablet.
I would likely use the Pencil if I got an iPP, or even a keyboard. I'm mainly looking for something super portable, yet it doesn't need to be super powerful either. I don't typing emails on a touch screen, but extensive notes would be a pain, yes.
I have a 15" rMBP and a 1st Gen Air (which I'm selling) and a iPad Pro ... and in my opinion the iPad Pro is vastly superior to the Air ...
I only used the Air as an eBook/PDF reader after a while ... while the Pro
... It's a better media consumption device due to its big screen and solid speakers,
It's a better typing experience to me as its onscreen keyboard is almost the size of my macbook pro keyboard and I've typed with it with both hands with speeds quite reasonable for a keyboard you can't feel (I disliked all the cover keyboards i saw and found myself to prefer typing on the screen in landscape anyway)
I've also been taking notes on the iPad Pro with the apple pencil and once you get used to how slick the screen is ... its a pretty solid experience in that regard too (my handwriting is just as good (or bad) on the iPad Pro with the apple pencil as its on normal paper)
also the Pro is definitely more future proof ... as a supplementary device I think it shines ... while the air I barely ended up using after a while ...
I'm an econ major and I can't believe it took me this long to realize...but drawing graphs would be so nice on the iPad Pro...I might've just convinced myself.
Yeah you do bring up a good point. I ~am~ looking for something more portable, but I think I need to step back and not make an irrational decision.
Yep!
I've use word with the on screen keyboard, and also made slides on it when I was away from my computer.
It worked very well, and I was able to sync my rMB with it.
I've had the air 2, and do think the iPP is the better buy.
If you're a student - the iPP is absolutely the better buy.
Viewing PDFs is much better, and annotating with the pencil is great. The bigger size also makes split screen with a PDF/note taking app much better.
I use mine for notes in class, - being able to download handouts/slides and annotate on it, then email it to the professor (or wirelessly print) is so much easier,,I've saved so much paper by using devices for notes (coming from a surface pro 3), and having allll of your notes saved and available on your phone/tablet/laptop has been a lifesaver.
Check out goodnotes and liquid text.
@David58117 Yeah, a lot of that is what I'd use it for. Ideally I would be able to leave my laptop at home, unless I knew I was doing more intensive work. Did you opt for 32 or 128 GB? Really wish they had a 64 GB option.
32gb.
Yeah, its kind of a slap in the face that they didnt make the minimim 64gb..
I dont play games though, and really just use it for pdfs and note taking.
I would just like to cast my vote for the iPad pro. It's amazing how much easier it is to get work done just simply because it has a bigger screen. On top of that, Netflix...0h my god. I've found my ultimate Netflix machine. It's good to know its a bit more future proof as well