iPad Pro 11 to MacBook Air M2

[1BadManVan]

I’ve been debating this back and forth for awhile now and can’t draw a conclusion. I own an M1 IPad Pro and while it’s a great device, I don’t find myself reach for it much. I generally use my phone to scroll while on the couch and in bed. So generally it sets at my desk on a charger

My main reason I went iPad was for the cellular connection when I travel remotely. But even then, I still usually go for my phone anyways. I don’t use a computer for work, this is purely for personal use, watching content, paying bills etc.

My reason for considering the switch is the times I do need to use it for certain things, I find using some desktop websites still not that touch friendly. So where I sit now is, do I just invest money into a magic keyboard or just cut my losses and move to a MacBook.

I’ve never owned a MacBook in my life, always been a pc guy but even then, I haven’t owned a pc of any kind for several years. There’s definitely been a few times I really wish I had something with a proper mouse and keyboard for desktop websites. Just trying to book some campsites I had to borrow my wife’s laptop because it wouldn’t load certain parts of the site lol.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I have a 5G iPad Pro 11" (with Magic Keyboard) and M1 Air.

The screen is better on the iPad, but significantly smaller of course. And harder to multi-task with. But if you're just checking email/web/watching videos, I find the iPad OK. It's only if you plan to have multiple sites and/or apps going at once that the MacBook is a better solution.

 

[1BadManVan]

I have a 5G iPad Pro 11" (with Magic Keyboard) and M1 Air.

The screen is better on the iPad, but significantly smaller of course. And harder to multi-task with. But if you're just checking email/web/watching videos, I find the iPad OK. It's only if you plan to have multiple sites and/or apps going at once that the MacBook is a better solution.

My hope is stage manager helps a bit with multi tasking. I’m definitely not a heavy multitasker, that’s how I’ve gotten by using an iPhone for 99% of my usage.

For me it’s down to the debate of investing more money into this set up and get the magic keyboard or start over on a mac. It’s a tough one, chose the 11” on purpose to keep it ultra portable to take in my bag to work. I just find I don’t use it that often at work, I still tend to reach for my phone. What’s tempting me to keep it is I already have a desk and monitor set up for my Xbox, so I could finally plug my iPad into it and run a dual monitor set up sometimes when needed when i get iPadOS 16

 

[Taylor22]

I’ve got a 11” IPP and recently sold my 14” MBP to purchase the M2 Air. My use case is field service work and while I like the touch aspect of the iPad and portability for doing field work it doesn’t work well in the office. Keyboard is smaller than a laptop and working on multiple spreadsheets (excel) gets super clunky on the iPad. MacOS is far superior for that sort of thing. I plan to use the MBA for detailed data entry and blueprints with the iPad in sidecar. Magic Keyboard definitely helps the iPad but I don’t find it totally replaces my Mac.

 

[BeatCrazy]

My hope is stage manager helps a bit with multi tasking. I’m definitely not a heavy multitasker, that’s how I’ve gotten by using an iPhone for 99% of my usage.

For me it’s down to the debate of investing more money into this set up and get the magic keyboard or start over on a mac. It’s a tough one, chose the 11” on purpose to keep it ultra portable to take in my bag to work. I just find I don’t use it that often at work, I still tend to reach for my phone. What’s tempting me to keep it is I already have a desk and monitor set up for my Xbox, so I could finally plug my iPad into it and run a dual monitor set up sometimes when needed when i get iPadOS 16

I do expect Stage Manager to help with multi-tasking, but 11" is going to be cramped. My eyes are decent, but as I get older I just want "more screen", so I'm primarily using a 12.9 iPad Pro, and I'm about to crack open a 16" M1 MacBook Pro to see how that works for me while on the couch

 

[UBS28]

I was thinking of replacing my M1 12.9 iPad Pro with the M2 MBA, but in the end i don’t need it. If there is something that the iPad totally sucks at, I can simply go into any PC or MAC that I have from my iPad and do it from there.

So I am basically running Windows or Mac OS on my M1 12.9 iPad Pro if needed.

 

[4743913]

I advise people to go with a lowend iPad and use the $$ they saved to get a Macbook Air.

the most expensive iPad with an M1 is still just an iPad

 

[1BadManVan]

I advise people to go with a lowend iPad and use the $$ they saved to get a Macbook Air.

the most expensive iPad with an M1 is still just an iPad

Another option I could explore as well.

 

[1BadManVan]

I was thinking of replacing my M1 12.9 iPad Pro with the M2 MBA, but in the end i don’t need it. If there is something that the iPad totally sucks at, I can simply go into any PC or MAC that I have from my iPad and do it from there.

So I am basically running Windows or Mac OS on my M1 12.9 iPad Pro if needed.

Yea except I have neither of those platforms. Just an iPhone and an ipad

 

[Isamilis]

I’ve been debating this back and forth for awhile now and can’t draw a conclusion. I own an M1 IPad Pro and while it’s a great device, I don’t find myself reach for it much. I generally use my phone to scroll while on the couch and in bed. So generally it sets at my desk on a charger

My main reason I went iPad was for the cellular connection when I travel remotely. But even then, I still usually go for my phone anyways. I don’t use a computer for work, this is purely for personal use, watching content, paying bills etc.

My reason for considering the switch is the times I do need to use it for certain things, I find using some desktop websites still not that touch friendly. So where I sit now is, do I just invest money into a magic keyboard or just cut my losses and move to a MacBook.

I’ve never owned a MacBook in my life, always been a pc guy but even then, I haven’t owned a pc of any kind for several years. There’s definitely been a few times I really wish I had something with a proper mouse and keyboard for desktop websites. Just trying to book some campsites I had to borrow my wife’s laptop because it wouldn’t load certain parts of the site lol.

Go for it. iPad seems didn’t fit with your needs. You will also enjoy the long battery life, cool, light, silent and yet powerful machine. Don’t worry about mouse, trackpad in MacBook is very good (most people I knew, prefer to use it than mouse).

 

[1BadManVan]

Go for it. iPad seems didn’t fit with your needs. You will also enjoy the long battery life, cool, light, silent and yet powerful machine. Don’t worry about mouse, trackpad in MacBook is very good (most people I knew, prefer to use it than mouse).

Yes I’ve always heard they are one of the best trackpads in any laptop

 

[Dealmans]

Yes I’ve always heard they are one of the best trackpads in any laptop

I even use one with my 24” iMac

 

[alien3dx]

My m1 rarely touch as my work mostly on imac 2017.
My ipad , sometimes surf and take note and sync back 2017 when i got idea upon surf . ipad mini easy to hold and travel . Doing job remotely imac ? We try before in ipad mini and not workable so we bought old 2011 before and still okay but not usefull much and air drop not available .

ipad mini and m1 much easier for us upon travel and meet customer.

 

[1BadManVan]

Yea this is all purely for personal use. I travel for work but that’s for driving trains, so I just use my iPad for when I’m staying at a bunkhouse away from home

 

[Isamilis]

I always bring my iPad + MK when I travel with family 2-3 days with minor work. If it’s business trips I bring my office windows laptop. I bring MacBook only if I plan to do specific project that requires it (like writing thesis or complex presentation).
IMO, iPad is capable to do more things (for personal/hobby), but it’s limited for serious work stuff. If your work use windows laptop, then probably iPad alone is sufficient.