M1 MacBook Air or an iPad

[a_rodriguezh]

I have a MacBook Air 2020 (i3) and I was planning on buying an iPad, mainly to serve me as a second display (SideCar). But I don't know if my money is better spent switching to an M1 MacBook Air. I can't really afford buying an iPad and switching my laptop. I was planning on buying an iPad Air 2020 or an iPad Pro 2018.

What do you think is the better option? Upgrading my laptop or buying an iPad. And, is the iPad Air 2020 better than the iPad Pro 2018?

Pd.: I know it depends on the user, but I want to know your thoughts.

 

[ghanwani]

I don't like the way multitasking works on iPads, so for me, I'd go with the M1 MBA. Even if I was going with an iPad, I would pick the iPad Pro (probably 11") with a magic keyboard, at which point it costs and weighs as much as an M1 MBA.

 

[Ray2]

I've used iPads since the first one. Mostly for travel where they served as a versatile hub for communications, planning and photography. I finally bought an 11" iPP last year and put my 2018 T2 mini (nothing but problems) in storage. Didn't work out, typing this on my new M1 Air (delighted with it). There's just too much lacking in iPadOS: from Disk Utility to interface/ergonomics to compromised apps (Apple's Work apps amongst others).

 

[freddyonderstal]

As a funeral director I use my iPad when at home at a family.
Most of the time it’s in my bag, but for showing things or making a card, I use the iPad.
To make all the forms, I use my MBA M1. It’s more easy and multitasking isn’t a problem on the MBA.
So I think the MBA and Mac OS is more easy to use, I can easily store documents on the main desktop. On the iPad, it cost more actions to do so.
It’s very handy to automaticaly sync the devices, so I can open documents and other things on both devices.

My iPad is the standard one, it suits perfectly for the things I have to do on it.
My MBA is the M1.

 

[capathy21]

Depends on if you prefer one device or two. To me, there is too much redundancy having a 13 inch MacBook as well as an iPad Pro. However, many users loving having both. If I were you, I would upgrade to the M1 Air. If you are located in the US, you can flip that 2020 i3 and purchase an M1 and not spend much at all.

 

[Mainsail]

I am a little curious as to why the OP feels it necessary to go from the 2020 i3 MBA to the 2020 M1 MBA? I understand that the M1 chip has advantages, but will your use case really see that much benefit on a day to day basis? It's going to cost a few hundred bucks to make the change, and an new MacBook/MBA model is likely in 2022. Why not wait and check out the update?

I have a 2020 i3 MBA and it does everything I want/need. I would prefer the M1, but not worth the time and money to switch for my use right now. I am going to see what comes out in 2022.

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

My beef with the MBA is the screen. Its washed out and small. I could have dealt with the small part but the washed out when compared to the pros or the iPad was something I couldn't deal with. I ended up getting a base iPad and a MBP 16 M1. Expensive, but I wanted the screen.

Unless you are heavily multitasking or the iPad doesn't have the software you need available I'd go with the iPad or if you need to jump up go with the MBP.

 

[chanerz]

I vote for the M1 MBA.

 

[Ray2]

I am a little curious as to why the OP feels it necessary to go from the 2020 i3 MBA to the 2020 M1 MBA? I understand that the M1 chip has advantages, but will your use case really see that much benefit on a day to day basis? It's going to cost a few hundred bucks to make the change, and an new MacBook/MBA model is likely in 2022. Why not wait and check out the update?

I have a 2020 i3 MBA and it does everything I want/need. I would prefer the M1, but not worth the time and money to switch for my use right now. I am going to see what comes out in 2022.

Just turning it in will show you why. There's a world of difference between an i3 Air and the M1 Air. As there was between my i7 mini and my M1 Air.

 

[Mainsail]

Just turning it in will show you why. There's a world of difference between an i3 Air and the M1 Air. As there was between my i7 mini and my M1 Air.

Well, I have a laptop that I am perfectly satisfied with now. It will cost me a few hundred bucks to switch from 2020 MBA i3 to the M1. Meanwhile, Apple is likely to release a new entry level MacBook in 2022 that I might be interested in. I would prefer an M1 to an i3, but there is no urgent or compelling reason for me to swap now and then possibly swap again in a few months. Too much hassle plus unnecessary switching cost (time and $).

So, I am wondering why the OP feels compelled to make the switch now in light of new offerings rumored to be around the corner. His situation might be different than mine. Perhaps, he is running into issues with his 2020 i3 MBA that the M1 will solve. That's why I asked the question.

 

[danb1979]

I have a MacBook Air 2020 (i3) and I was planning on buying an iPad, mainly to serve me as a second display (SideCar). But I don't know if my money is better spent switching to an M1 MacBook Air. I can't really afford buying an iPad and switching my laptop. I was planning on buying an iPad Air 2020 or an iPad Pro 2018.

What do you think is the better option? Upgrading my laptop or buying an iPad. And, is the iPad Air 2020 better than the iPad Pro 2018?

Pd.: I know it depends on the user, but I want to know your thoughts.

IMO M1 MBA and iPad Air 2020; sell your MBA i3 to cover the costs on the other

Look to buy either via the Apple refurb store or used, but still with decent warranty etc

Best of both worlds then, more so if you don't need an iPad Pro

 

[a_rodriguezh]

My MBA 2020 i3 is a bit laggy when I try to multi-task and the battery discharges very quickly. I don't know all the perks that come with the M1 chip, only that it's way faster and it's more battery efficient. I thought about changing my laptop now, to try to get the most money I can out of it, before it values drops dramatically.

Note: I know that maybe the multi-task problem is a ram related thing, but still I think the M1 chip could help

 

[danb1979]

My MBA 2020 i3 is a bit laggy when I try to multi-task and the battery discharges very quickly. I don't know all the perks that come with the M1 chip, only that it's way faster and it's more battery efficient. I thought about changing my laptop now, to try to get the most money I can out of it, before it values drops dramatically.

Note: I know that maybe the multi-task problem is a ram related thing, but still I think the M1 chip could help

The M1 is leagues ahead of the i3 now...

I don'r really multi task; but over the last week or so my wife's MS Surface has crapped itself (works PC) and they won't replace it until next year (so she's going to go for an MBA hopefully)

She's been using my MBA to sort the last bits of her work out and she's had it connected to her 32" monitor and with god knows how many tasks going and it hasn't struggled once, whereas her Surface would have been taking off with the fans blazing at full speed and then stalling etc...

I think you'd be very surprised at how powerful & efficient the M1 is!

 

[Mainsail]

The M1 is leagues ahead of the i3 now...

I don'r really multi task; but over the last week or so my wife's MS Surface has crapped itself (works PC) and they won't replace it until next year (so she's going to go for an MBA hopefully)

She's been using my MBA to sort the last bits of her work out and she's had it connected to her 32" monitor and with god knows how many tasks going and it hasn't struggled once, whereas her Surface would have been taking off with the fans blazing at full speed and then stalling etc...

I think you'd be very surprised at how powerful & efficient the M1 is!

I dont think there is much question that the M1 is superior to the i3. The question is whether it is worth it to switch right now from the i3 2020 MBA to the M1 2020 MBA, when it is likely that a new MBA model will be released next year?

 

[a_rodriguezh]

I dont think there is much question that the M1 is superior to the i3. The question is whether it is worth it to switch right now from the i3 2020 MBA to the M1 2020 MBA, when it is likely that a new MBA model will be released next year?

My thoughts on this is that probably the next MBA is going to have the same M1 chip. And by doing the switch right know I'm maximizing the value of my actual computer.

 

[Mainsail]

My thoughts on this is that probably the next MBA is going to have the same M1 chip. And by doing the switch right know I'm maximizing the value of my actual computer.

The rumors are an M2 chip, but I suspect more like an M1X. I would be stunned if Apple released a brand new MBA model with a complete redesign but the exact same M1 chip. Upon releasing the 2022 MBA, it is very possible that Apple will continue to sell the 2020 design as a low cost option but with a maybe an updated chip. So, Apple might offer two options:

• 2020 MBA model with M1X ($999). Kind of the "SE" of the MacBook line-up
• 2022 MBA model with M1X ($1,199)

As I recall, they did something similar last time they updated to the Retina display MBA in 2018.

 

[wilberforce]

I I was planning on buying an iPad, mainly to serve me as a second display (SideCar).

I think this is a poor reason to get an iPad. SideCar doesn't work that great and is overrated, IMO.
If you want a second display, get a second display - i.e., a separate monitor.
There are other very good reasons to get an iPad (I have two), but this isn't one of them, IMO.
If you are determined to get an iPad for a second display, I would get the 12.9". The others are too small, again IMO.

 

[Mainsail]

I think this is a poor reason to get an iPad. SideCar doesn't work that great, and is overrated, IMO.
If you want a second display, get a second display - i.e. a separate monitor.
There are other very good reasons to get an iPad (I have two), but this isn't one of them, IMO.
If you are determined to get an iPad for a second display, i would get the 12.9". The others are too small, again IMO.

I agree about SideCar. However, the iPad does provide another screen, even if when it is operated independently. For example, Hand-off allows you to copy content from your iPad and seamlessly paste to your Mac, and visa-versa. So, there is a certain synergy in having both devices. This is one of the big advantages of the Apple ecosystem. It can be seamless when moving between devices. It just isn’t cheap. ?. So, each user needs to weigh the cost benefit for their workflow.

Edit: I do agree that an inexpensive external monitor is probably a better solution for maximizing screen real estate. Another option is to set-up additional desktops in Mission Control on your MBA, so you can easily swipe between full sized screens on your MacBook.

 

[MBAir2010]

is sidecar is where one can draw a picture on an iPad, the place that jpg into a MacBook "pages" poster with type?
or
one can move the iPad screen over to a MacBook to finish a project?
thanks in advance!

oh, i have no horse in this iPad, MPA race,
you really can't go wrong with either

 

[wilberforce]

I agree about SideCar. However, the iPad does provide another screen, even if when it is operated independently. For example, Hand-off allows you to copy content from your iPad and seamlessly paste to your Mac, and visa-versa. So, there is a certain synergy in having both devices. This is one of the big advantages of the Apple ecosystem. It can be seamless when moving between devices.

Yes, I quite often use iPad in conjunction with Mac, like for hand marking up documents in iCloud with Apple Pencil, but not in sidecar mode. This is using a Mac as a Mac, an iPad as an iPad, and using the Apple ecosystem to sync between the two in iCloud

 

[wilberforce]

is sidecar is where one can draw a picture on an iPad, the place that jpg into a MacBook "pages" poster with type?
or
one can move the iPad screen over to a MacBook to finish a project?

IMO, I have not found sidecar works well, if at all, for that.
Sidecar has two modes: extend the Mac display - in which case it becomes like a small second monitor, with very limited touch functionality, and if you try to use the Apple Pencil it often lags and the pencil tip is often not aligned with the cursor location. Basically it is only useful as a "dumb" small second display for the Mac.

The other mode is is mirror mode, which can be useful for some things. In this mode the Mac screen is duplicated on the iPad, which means you can simultaneously work on a document on the Mac and on the iPad. So for example, if you have Photoshop open, and for example using the Lasso tool, you can either draw the Lasso outline using the mouse/trackpad on the Mac, or you can draw the Lasso outline on the iPad using the Apple Pencil. For certain things, it is much easier to draw freehand with a Pencil than with a mouse/trackpad. (Thinking of your cartoons!) So this is useful going back and forth from mouse/trackpad/keyboard to Apple Pencil.

However there is one big caveat: in mirror mode the resolution and aspect ratio on the Mac is reduced to match that of the iPad (so it can mirror exactly). This is another reason to get the largest (12.9") iPad, if using sidecar.

But I still think it is more effective to use iPad with iPad apps, and Mac with Mac apps, and sync files via the cloud.

For example, I use Adobe Fresco to draw graphics on iPad with Apple Pencil (which works well), then open the file in Photoshop on the Mac, syncing via Adobe Creative Cloud.

Using Photoshop Mac app (or any other Mac app) on the iPad via sidecar is kind of clumsy, IMO.

Sure would like to hear from any others who have found that they can really effectively use sidecar for anything more than just as a small extra monitor

 

[Mainsail]

My MBA 2020 i3 is a bit laggy when I try to multi-task and the battery discharges very quickly. I don't know all the perks that come with the M1 chip, only that it's way faster and it's more battery efficient. I thought about changing my laptop now, to try to get the most money I can out of it, before it values drops dramatically.

Note: I know that maybe the multi-task problem is a ram related thing, but still I think the M1 chip could help

It does not sound like your current i3 is causing significant issues, unless "a bit laggy" and "better battery efficiency" amount to major disruptions to your work flow. But, only you can judge how impactful this is to your use.

With tech, every time you trade or sell old for new, you are going to take a hit. If you think you will keep the M1 for a long while, then it is probably makes sense to make the switch now from the i3. If you think you are going to be interested in the new MBA model likely to be released next year, I would wait and see. The M1 is going to take a giant hit too when the new MBA model is released. That's just the way tech works. In general, swapping devices more frequently does not lead to more economical ownership. Kinda like buying new cars.

 

[Mainsail]

Back to the question at hand; both iPad and MBA are more than capable of handling casual computing activities (email, web browsing, photos, calendars, content consumption, etc..). But, they have different operating systems, so they excel at different things.

iPad: Reading, marking-up, and note taking
MBA: Productivity apps and multi-tasking

Also, there are certain apps that might not run on an iPad. For example, if you need R for school or business analytics, you might have a tough time finding a decent app for the iPad. YMMV.

 

[Teledatageek]

I think this is a poor reason to get an iPad. SideCar doesn't work that great and is overrated, IMO.
If you want a second display, get a second display - i.e., a separate monitor.
There are other very good reasons to get an iPad (I have two), but this isn't one of them, IMO.
If you are determined to get an iPad for a second display, I would get the 12.9". The others are too small, again IMO.

Any recommendations on a portable monitor? I am trying the Dell C1422H and am really underwhelmed with the display quality as compared to my MBP 14. I should have known better... I find a 2nd monitor useful for any trips over a couple of days. I had thoughts of going back to an iPad for the 2nd display - I have been back and forth in that mode, but really need none of the iPad features as I always have my MBP with me. Although the new mini is appealing for a different use case, maybe not big enough when called upon to be a 2nd monitor even at much better resolution than the the Dell.

 

[StoneJack]

Any recommendations on a portable monitor? I am trying the Dell C1422H and am really underwhelmed with the display quality as compared to my MBP 14. I should have known better... I find a 2nd monitor useful for any trips over a couple of days. I had thoughts of going back to an iPad for the 2nd display - I have been back and forth in that mode, but really need none of the iPad features as I always have my MBP with me. Although the new mini is appealing for a different use case, maybe not big enough when called upon to be a 2nd monitor even at much better resolution than the the Dell.

There are portable monitors, which use Sony batteries (just for information)