iPad Pro and MacBook Pro

[Videomanmac]

Hey all...I guess I am in need help of justifying my purchase, and maybe even a better suggestion on what to get. Let me explain:

Currently a high school senior, starting college in the fall of 2016. I will be majoring in Information Assurance. I am currently working towards my Cisco CCENT and my A+ cert, so a technology degree and tasks are being executed. I currently have an iPhone, Apple Watch and a shameful (yet proud) iPad 2. I pin will be a business owner, I edit videos, and am very task intensive. I will no doubt be getting the (rumored) 2016 15" MacBook Pro for college nonetheless.

However, as I am a very on-the-go person, I am thinking I'm needing something more portable. I am leaning towards the 32GB iPad Pro, but, I am slo leaning towards the iPad Air 3. However, the iPad pro seems amazing from use in the Apple Store.

Or I may just be in lust and want an iPad Pro. . The MBP is no question for school and college, but the iPad Pro?

Thanks.

 

[aw3524]

What are you planning on using the iPad for? If you just want a new iPad, then go for it, man. The Pro is comparable in weight to your iPad 2 and very slim; it's an excellent device for consumption and certain other tasks. It's a joy to use for taking notes, as well -- something that (might) not be possible with the Pencil on the Air 3.

 

[Videomanmac]

What are you planning on using the iPad for? If you just want a new iPad, then go for it, man. The Pro is comparable in weight to your iPad 2 and very slim; it's an excellent device for consumption and certain other tasks. It's a joy to use for taking notes, as well -- something that (might) not be possible with the Pencil on the Air 3.

That's a tough question! I mean, for places where I can't whip out a 15" laptop the iPad Pro would be perfect. My budget isn't unlimited, but it certainly is big. Be useful for grab and go situations, or just to watch Netflix on. Picture in Picture is something I like.

I feel like it would be too much of a hassle though to carry around both and iPad and MacBook Pro.

Any bag suggestions?

 

[Ghost31]

Just so you know, you can't pip Netflix

 

[MH01]

Get the new mbp when it comes out and an iPad Air 2. My iPad pro with KB weighs as much as a MacBook Air. It's like taking a laptop. If you can hold out get an iPad Air 3.

I take my air 2 when I want portable, I put the iPad pro in laptop portable status.

 

[mrex]

I think you need to calm down and stay in your pants.. Just get the new laptop for your school stuff at first and wait to see, if you need anything better than ipad2. It is more like you want ipp rather than you need it.

 

[Fried_Gold]

rMBP any day.

 

[GrindedDown]

rMBP any day.

I am an iPad pro fanatic and I will agree with this. The rMBP is far more indespensibpe then the iPad pro. However, I feel like the are wonderful companion devices. I love iOS and its simplicity. Note taking, capturing already handwritten notes, media consumption, pdf markup and taking notes while reading, and drawing trump on the iPad. I abso-freaking-outlet love it. However, I also work in a limited capacity with writing code, designing in 3D, and using Affinity's software. I could not do without my rMBP. I have also found that the rMBP to be significantly better in terms of ergonomics for long term use.

 

[The Game 161]

I really couldn't see the point with having MacBook pro and the pro but each to their own

 

[maflynn]

That's a tough question! I mean, for places where I can't whip out a 15" laptop the iPad Pro would be perfect.

Have you run into those situations? What tasks would you be doing? That is can the typical work on the MBP be done on the iPad?

I don't see the iPad Pro working to replace a laptop and it sounds like you're trying to justify the purchase for that reason.

 

[aw3524]

That's a tough question! I mean, for places where I can't whip out a 15" laptop the iPad Pro would be perfect. My budget isn't unlimited, but it certainly is big. Be useful for grab and go situations, or just to watch Netflix on. Picture in Picture is something I like.

I feel like it would be too much of a hassle though to carry around both and iPad and MacBook Pro.

Any bag suggestions?

OK, just remember that if your "grab and go situations" require a particular program, then make sure there's an iOS version of that available. As for bag, I throw the IPP into a sleeve (an AmazonBasics one is cheap and nice enough) and the sleeve into a backpack.

Get the new mbp when it comes out and an iPad Air 2. My iPad pro with KB weighs as much as a MacBook Air. It's like taking a laptop. If you can hold out get an iPad Air 3.

I take my air 2 when I want portable, I put the iPad pro in laptop portable status.

Eh, the 13" Air is around 3 pounds -- the naked iPad is about half that. I couldn't find an exact weight for the Apple Smart Keyboard, but AFAIK the CREATE is about 1.5 pounds and the ASK is considerably lighter than that, so you're still looking at a total package that's noticeably lighter than the 13" Air. It's also a fraction of the thickness. And that's comparing it to the Air, not its more powerful (and heavier) cousin -- probably a more relevant comparison since the OP said he's going to buy the new MBP. The IPP is heavier than an Air 2, for sure, but it never feels like taking a laptop.

 

[Videomanmac]

Instances such as working in the car, on-

Get the new mbp when it comes out and an iPad Air 2. My iPad pro with KB weighs as much as a MacBook Air. It's like taking a laptop. If you can hold out get an iPad Air 3.

I take my air 2 when I want portable, I put the iPad pro in laptop portable status.

After much lust for the iPad Pro, I have somehow talked myself out of it after reading the replies here and will purchase to the new iPad Air 3, whenever that may come out!

I do believe that I wanted the iPad more then I needed, but you only live once, right?

Thanks all for your replies, and Happy Holidays!

 

[MH01]

Instances such as working in the car, on-

After much lust for the iPad Pro, I have somehow talked myself out of it after reading the replies here and will purchase to the new iPad Air 3, whenever that may come out!

I do believe that I wanted the iPad more then I needed, but you only live once, right?

Thanks all for your replies, and Happy Holidays!

Merry Xmas to you too mate!

 

[Speechless]

I have both the rMBP and iPad Pro. Both are used quite often - but nothing compares to the productivity and education apps on the iPad.

 

[jbizzybeetle]

That's a tough question! I mean, for places where I can't whip out a 15" laptop the iPad Pro would be perfect. My budget isn't unlimited, but it certainly is big. Be useful for grab and go situations, or just to watch Netflix on. Picture in Picture is something I like.

I feel like it would be too much of a hassle though to carry around both and iPad and MacBook Pro.

Any bag suggestions?

The MacCase vertical briefcase holds both plus accessories very nicely.

 

[David58117]

Have you considered taking notes with the iPad pro and pencil?

If you want all your notes digital, I think that's a good reason. It does make it much easier to study I've found, and textbooks can be much, much cheaper when digital. If you know how to search, you can save hundreds that way..and have a fast, big screened iPad to read them on

I kind of question why you think you need a 15" for what you're planning to do.

I would tone that down to a 13" with external display - use clamshell mode when at home, and use an iPad pro as main non-intensive/note taking/studying device.

Anyway, I have the rMB/iPad Pro/quadcore Mac mini setup as a returning student, and am happy with my set up.

 

[Skylitfly]

I don't see the iPad Pro working to replace a laptop and it sounds like you're trying to justify the purchase for that reason.

Can you explain? There are bunch of Pro level apps in the app store that can get work done just as well as Mac/PC. Sometimes touch interface and simplicity is better, sometimes it's worse. You can't get it all. This works in both directions.

There are hundreds of situations when I hoped I could just do something on my iPad but was limited to do it on PC because of outdated systems in my school.

I could easily use iPad Pro as my only computer and get some serious work done on it. And soon enough I will.

 

[nightlong]

The 13" rMBP with iPad Air2 cellular is a perfect portable combo for me, they both fit into an STM bag, along with chargers and a logitech keys-to-go in the back pocket for the iPad. I will get an iPad Pro, but it will mostly be at home. I also have a smaller STM bag which takes 2 iPads and the keyboard, when I don't need the MBPr. Highly recommend these bags, well made, strong, light, and everything fits perfectly, no wasted space.

 

[maflynn]

Can you explain? There are bunch of Pro level apps in the app store that can get work done just as well as Mac/PC. Sometimes touch interface and simplicity is better, sometimes it's worse. You can't get it all. This works in both directions.

I can explain my situation,
If I want to add my RAW images to Lightroom, edit them, use some plugins to fix the noise, or sharpness, then categorize them and organize them in a specific folder. I cannot do that at all in the iPad Pro.

Say I want to attach a spreadsheet or a flowchart to an email, I cannot easily do that in iOS.

Offshoot of my first point, I cannot organize my files on the iPad like I can on my Mac.

I cannot easily create, edit or manage a website.

Can people use an iPad instead of a Mac, yes, but I don't see it replacing the full functionality of a computer, at least for how I use a computer.

I frequently use Gotomypc to remote into my work computer, or use RDP to access servers, my Mac us much better suited for that. I have on occasion remoted into my computer with gotomypc on an iPad. Its not a pleasant situation. It served a purpose, in that I was able to fix something that had to be fixed, but I cannot imagine using gotomypc on an iPad for extended periods.

Can some of the tasks listed above be done in iOS, I'm sure, but I sure wouldn't want to try, because its not the best tool to do that.


tldr; The iPad is not the best tool for content creation, and while people chafe when that reason is given, I think its valid.

Edit: I like the iPad Pro, and my kids absolutely love it, they're willing to give up getting an iPhone in place of a iPad Pro. Yet, if I were to take the plunge on this, it wouldn't be to replace my Mac

 

[Badrottie]

Forget about iPad Pro and rMBP..you could afford 13" MacBook Air...much light like iPad Pro and it has a better battery you don't have to bring your A/C adapter to the classroom. Also MBA can do ANYTHING iPad Pro might not do.

 

[Videomanmac]

Have you considered taking notes with the iPad pro and pencil?

If you want all your notes digital, I think that's a good reason. It does make it much easier to study I've found, and textbooks can be much, much cheaper when digital. If you know how to search, you can save hundreds that way..and have a fast, big screened iPad to read them on

I kind of question why you think you need a 15" for what you're planning to do.

I would tone that down to a 13" with external display - use clamshell mode when at home, and use an iPad pro as main non-intensive/note taking/studying device.

Anyway, I have the rMB/iPad Pro/quadcore Mac mini setup as a returning student, and am happy with my set up.

I'm hoping the iPad Air 3 will be able to have the Apple Pencil input. I do want my notes digital. I can type fairly fast, a lot faster then I can write. And I am a high school student, of course I know how to search very well


The 13" is not powerful enough. I need the dGPU. Our school has a 2015 15" that i use on a consistent basis and it's just a tad bit underpowered, IMO. I have a lot of tasks open, lots of browser tabs, and I create movies and such now. Processor runs at about 40-50%, but I have managed to make it jump up to a consistent 90-100%.

What major are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Videomanmac]

Forget about iPad Pro and rMBP..you could afford 13" MacBook Air...much light like iPad Pro and it has a better battery you don't have to bring your A/C adapter to the classroom. Also MBA can do ANYTHING iPad Pro might not do.

But it's a laptop. If I can whip out a 13" MacBook Air, I can "suck it in" and get my 15" Pro out.

 

[Badrottie]

But it's a laptop. If I can whip out a 13" MacBook Air, I can "suck it in" and get my 15" Pro out.

Yeah before I first got a 15" rMBP, I assumed it is little light to carry around until I got this and tried to carry it for a month I realized it is very heavy. I bought an iPad my shoulder feels better now.

 

[StoneJack]

For university, iPad will be much better device
Great note taking
Evernote note syncing
Two side app work enabling reporting and productive working.
Drawing and painting.
Email, browser all covered.
Most important: movies, games and music on iPP are incredible.

Notebooks are in past. If you need keyboard, you can have any variety of BT and iPP keyboards. Probably you won;'t need them

 

[Abazigal]

I agree that for now, the laptop represents the 'safer' option for you.

While it may be possible to set up an iPad to do precisely what you need for college, that can result in a lot of trial-and-error, and I am not sure you want to be fiddling with getting all this to work and possibly interfering with your studies.