iPad Pro vs Macbook Air

[John80]

I have a Macbook Air 2014. I only use it to do presentations in Keynote. Later I use it to present solution for customers, I connect it to projector.

My newest plan is to purchase iPad. My wife and I want something to browse the press, simple games etc. At first I wanted to buy iPad Air 2 but I came to conclusion that it might be better to buy an iPad Pro also for presentations.

My questions:

Does makeing presentations on iPad gets just as easy and pleasant as Macbook?
Is there a problem with adding and editing photos on Keynote?
Is the iPad connected to the projector may cause problems with the displayed image?
Is it better to take the 9.7-inch or wait for the second version of the larger iPad?

I'm very sorry for my English. It's not my first language, I still have lot to learn...

 

[pika2000]

I have used my iPad mini to edit PPTs on Powerpoint on the go. But it's minor edits. For major ones, doing it on a laptop is still better and faster, especially if you have mastered some keyboard shortcuts. A laptop is also more versatile, especially when dealing with projectors/screens with different resolutions/aspect ratios.

On the other hand, if you just want to use pre-made templates and simple presentations, I think the iPad is perfectly capable. Just make sure you consider things like lightning to VGA dongle (for use with VGA projectors/screens) into your budget.

 

[John80]

Hi! Thanks for answer.

Well, right now I also have to use Display to VGA or HDMI dongles, so it's not a problem. My presentations have a lot of animations and they are not as that simple. I'm wondering is there someone who use iPad for presentations rather than Macbook or Mac. Is it confortable?

 

[Abazigal]

Depends on the complexity of your keynote presentations. I have used keynote on my iPad to prepare simple presentations (i.e.: 1 image per slide, info in bullet points, minimal animations) and it's quite doable.

Generally, I find that it can be a bit cumbersome to type, because the virtual keyboard takes up about half the screen. But the touchscreen makes it easier to manipulate images and move them around. So overall, I find that I tend to take longer on my iPad, but I enjoy the process more.

Haven't noticed any issues with connecting my iPad to a projector. If it works with your MacBook, it should work with an iPad.

I am working on a 9.7" iPad Pro, and it's doing fine for my needs. Don't think a larger iPad would help much in your case.

 

[sracer]

I have a Macbook Air 2014. I only use it to do presentations in Keynote. Later I use it to present solution for customers, I connect it to projector.

My newest plan is to purchase iPad. My wife and I want something to browse the press, simple games etc. At first I wanted to buy iPad Air 2 but I came to conclusion that it might be better to buy an iPad Pro also for presentations.

My questions:

Does makeing presentations on iPad gets just as easy and pleasant as Macbook?
Is there a problem with adding and editing photos on Keynote?
Is the iPad connected to the projector may cause problems with the displayed image?
Is it better to take the 9.7-inch or wait for the second version of the larger iPad?

I'm very sorry for my English. It's not my first language, I still have lot to learn...

I have a 2014 11" MBA and a 12.9 iPad Pro and use my MBA for presentations.

I would not recommend an iPad for creating KeyNote presentations nor for presenting them.

I use a presentation remote control for advancing slides and it works well with the MBA. Unfortunately, the iPad doesn't support remotes. Apple's recommended solution is to use an iPhone or iPod Touch to control presentations... which they don't use themselves during their presentations.

 

[Abazigal]

I have a 2014 11" MBA and a 12.9 iPad Pro and use my MBA for presentations.

I would not recommend an iPad for creating KeyNote presentations nor for presenting them.

I use a presentation remote control for advancing slides and it works well with the MBA. Unfortunately, the iPad doesn't support remotes. Apple's recommended solution is to use an iPhone or iPod Touch to control presentations... which they don't use themselves during their presentations.

Or you can present via AirPlay mirroring, but setting up the infrastructure to support this might be opening up another can of worms.

 

[GrindedDown]

It's worth noting that an ipad pro with the apple keyboard is a rather capable device. Apple even kept a lot of common keyboard shortcuts in their software. I would say it is worth looking further into. There are a number of additional benefits to the ipad pro vs an air, but that's for another discussion.
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[dumastudetto]

It's worth noting that an ipad pro with the apple keyboard is a rather capable device. Apple even kept a lot of common keyboard shortcuts in their software. I would say it is worth looking further into. There are a number of additional benefits to the ipad pro vs an air, but that's for another discussion.
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^ This.

I'd go with the iPad. It's very clear to me the Mac is a dead platform and iOS is where you should be. iOS devices are more powerful and have a richer more complete app ecosystem.

 

[sracer]

Or you can present via AirPlay mirroring, but setting up the infrastructure to support this might be opening up another can of worms.

yes, the infrastructure can be an issue... and that approach makes sense if you will be "anchored" to the iPad/Macbook.

When discussing the use of devices for presentations, there are many aspects to consider. And many different solutions depending upon the presenter's style, physical layout of the room, where the devices will be, etc.

For some lectures and presentations, I like to simply have a small remote control in my hand and have the freedom to walk around. That style is currently not possible with the iPad.

For seminars, I am a bit more stationary and so the need for a remote control is less important. the iPad Pro can work pretty well for this.

Then, in some venues, it is not possible for the presentation system (iPad/MBA) to be physically close to the point where I will be standing, and so that requires a remote control.

For presentations, my Surface 2 (the much maligned "crippled" Windows RT tablet, not the "Pro") is more "pro" than my iPad Pro. I'd like Apple to address that.

 

[Abazigal]

yes, the infrastructure can be an issue... and that approach makes sense if you will be "anchored" to the iPad/Macbook.

When discussing the use of devices for presentations, there are many aspects to consider. And many different solutions depending upon the presenter's style, physical layout of the room, where the devices will be, etc.

For some lectures and presentations, I like to simply have a small remote control in my hand and have the freedom to walk around. That style is currently not possible with the iPad.

For seminars, I am a bit more stationary and so the need for a remote control is less important. the iPad Pro can work pretty well for this.

Then, in some venues, it is not possible for the presentation system (iPad/MBA) to be physically close to the point where I will be standing, and so that requires a remote control.

For presentations, my Surface 2 (the much maligned "crippled" Windows RT tablet, not the "Pro") is more "pro" than my iPad Pro. I'd like Apple to address that.

Care to elaborate how a surface 2 can be better at presentations than an iPad? Genuinely interested to know.

Since I own an iPhone, I can and have used it as a remote for my iPad.

I have an Apple TV set up in my classroom. iOS 8 makes AirPlay mirroring more convenient as a wifi signal is no longer needed, and I readily carry around a tray with my teaching materials, an Apple TV, a 10m long HDMI cable and power cord. If I have a bit of time to set up before a lesson or presentation and the projector sports a HDMI port, it can be done.

I have completely moved beyond the need for a presentation remote, which I find to be expensive and limited in its utility (for my use case, that is).

 

[sracer]

Care to elaborate how a surface 2 can be better at presentations than an iPad? Genuinely interested to know.

Here's a few of the reasons why it is better.... (there are things that it does that the iPad ALSO does, but I'll list only the Surface 2-exclusive reasons)

• True/full support for multi-display (wired and wireless-casting) Very helpful for displaying content from apps other than PowerPoint
• Full support for USB media and peripherals
• Full support for Bluetooth peripherals
• Full support for network printing (not restricted to AirPrint-only printers)

I don't often use the Surface 2 for presentations, but when I do, it is extremely capable. I prefer to use my 11" MBA.

Since I own an iPhone, I can and have used it as a remote for my iPad.

I find the iPhone or even iPod Touch to be woefully inadequate as a presentation remote. But clearly that's a personal preference/style issue.

Two reasons why: The iPhone (even the SE) is too large to use comfortably and keep in the hand... not to mention if someone is using an iPhone 6S+. Second reason, touchscreen. Without physical buttons to advance/rewind a slide, you have to look down at the screen to find the spot to touch. Then there's the accidental touching of the screen. If you keep the phone on a podium/lectern rather than in your hand while presenting, then those things wouldn't be issues.

I have an Apple TV set up in my classroom. iOS 8 makes AirPlay mirroring more convenient as a wifi signal is no longer needed, and I readily carry around a tray with my teaching materials, an Apple TV, a 10m long HDMI cable and power cord. If I have a bit of time to set up before a lesson or presentation and the projector sports a HDMI port, it can be done.

I have completely moved beyond the need for a presentation remote, which I find to be expensive and limited in its utility (for my use case, that is).

yep, understood. Personal preferences and priorities. I don't know how much presentation remotes are where you are, but my go-to remote works great and costs only $35.

 

[Abazigal]

Here's a few of the reasons why it is better.... (there are things that it does that the iPad ALSO does, but I'll list only the Surface 2-exclusive reasons)

• True/full support for multi-display (wired and wireless-casting) Very helpful for displaying content from apps other than PowerPoint
• Full support for USB media and peripherals
• Full support for Bluetooth peripherals
• Full support for network printing (not restricted to AirPrint-only printers)

I don't often use the Surface 2 for presentations, but when I do, it is extremely capable. I prefer to use my 11" MBA.

By multi-display, do you mean opening an app on your desktop without it showing on the projector screen? I think the iPad allows something like that with split-screen multitasking. For example, I can have keynote in presentation mode, and another app (say safari) open in split-screen and it won't show on the projector screen.

And I present content from non-ppt apps all the time. PDFs in notability or PDF expert. Videos from Documents app. Sometimes, I just open a whiteboard app like Showme and write away with my Apple Pencil. I can't really say I miss those features you mentioned, but I guess I have simply evolved my usage habits to accommodate the iPad, such that those are non-issues for me. For example, I am not really perturbed by the lack of USB support as my files are all synced in dropbox.