I have the iPad Pro 2018 with the magic keyboard. I generally use it in 'laptop' mode, however I do enjoy the touchscreen. With these new M1 macs it got me thinking if it's worth it to move to an M1 MacBook Air. I would generally do photo/video editing of the family on this machine. I have the new iPhone 12 Pro Max and it's so big that I'm thinking maybe no need for another touch screen device. I do a lot of web browsing on my tablet now. Has anyone else considered switching back to a MacBook after using the iPad Pro?
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Macbook Air M1 or..... iPad Pro??
- Thread starter dwd3885
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Personally, I don't see the point of an iPad with mouse/trackpad or an notebook with touchscreen or having a notebook AND an iPad.
Since almost 10 years, I go with a desktop Mac and iPad (Pro) combination. Best combo you can have (unless you really, really need a notebook for work or something).🙂
Since almost 10 years, I go with a desktop Mac and iPad (Pro) combination. Best combo you can have (unless you really, really need a notebook for work or something).🙂
I currently have both and now I'm thinking of getting rid of the iPad.
Apart from reading books on it, what's really the point of the iPad now? It's still the nicest piece of hardware I've ever held, though...
Apart from reading books on it, what's really the point of the iPad now? It's still the nicest piece of hardware I've ever held, though...
Hmm, you're giving me ideas here.
Currently, I am using a friends MBA Early 2015. Now I am seriously considering trading in my iPad Pro, and then getting a MBA M1. At least I can get some off the initial price...
Update:
Apple are offering me $400, for my iPad Pro 11". Apple Care expired on 9th Nov 2020. Hmm, interesting...
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I got rid of my iPad Pro. I wanted to like it and have it replace a laptop. It mostly does but the "laptop like" experience on iPad just isn't good.
I did get rid of my iPad.
When I had the MBP 16", having the iPad Pro 12.9" for portability and battery life made sense. But the MBP M1 has better battery life than the IPP and a more versatile OS. There were really only two iPadOS apps that I felt I couldn't do without and luckily they both run on the MBP. It was a no-brainer to dump the IPP and have only two devices: the MBP M1 and iPhone 12 Pro. The perfect combination IMO.
I think it comes down to the apps you need +
Need pencil?
Need to hold in bed or sofa?
Need accelerometer?
Need portrait mode?
Need better than a 720 camera that only faces the user?
Need Lidar?
Need Pro Motion?
Despite the advances in M1 laptop, it brought the laptop to battery and performance of the iPP without the features above.
If you don’t require legacy technologies, the iPad line is more advanced and more likely the future of computing.
Need pencil?
Need to hold in bed or sofa?
Need accelerometer?
Need portrait mode?
Need better than a 720 camera that only faces the user?
Need Lidar?
Need Pro Motion?
Despite the advances in M1 laptop, it brought the laptop to battery and performance of the iPP without the features above.
If you don’t require legacy technologies, the iPad line is more advanced and more likely the future of computing.
I have an iPad Pro 11" (2020) with magic keyboard (typing on it now) and just recently got an M1 MBA to replace my older 12" MB.
I use the iPad and macbooks for different purposes. The iPad is for bringing around to different places, taking notes with the Apple pencil, and reading with highlighting/annotations using the Apple pencil. Also useful for just browsing Safari. The macbook is for multi-tasking (especially if Zoom needed), working with things like Office apps (my iPad does not play well with Office, even with the magic keyboard), and others.
I guess I find the iPad and macbook complementary for me. Have even taken to carrying them both around with me these days...
I use the iPad and macbooks for different purposes. The iPad is for bringing around to different places, taking notes with the Apple pencil, and reading with highlighting/annotations using the Apple pencil. Also useful for just browsing Safari. The macbook is for multi-tasking (especially if Zoom needed), working with things like Office apps (my iPad does not play well with Office, even with the magic keyboard), and others.
I guess I find the iPad and macbook complementary for me. Have even taken to carrying them both around with me these days...
Same for me. Just got my M1 MacBook but keeping my iPad Pro 11 magic keyboard combo. Its perfect for lying in bed or the sofa and I can attach to the keyboard when I want to type (instead of having to grab my laptop) and also when watching video I don't have to hold the thing up.
I think there's a use case for both. Having said that its an expensive combo and I'm lucky enough to be able to afford both, but for a lot of people one or the other is probably sufficient.
Since you already have the iPhone 12 Pro Max OP, an M1 MBA sounds like it would fit your use better, especially at $400 off.
Acclimating to my M1 MBP (Coming from an iMac) and an iPad Air 4. Both have different uses, but I much prefer the MBP for everything except art, reading content and pdf mark ups. If the iPad Mini gets the Air 4 treatment, I may switch to that depending on the weight and price.
Acclimating to my M1 MBP (Coming from an iMac) and an iPad Air 4. Both have different uses, but I much prefer the MBP for everything except art, reading content and pdf mark ups. If the iPad Mini gets the Air 4 treatment, I may switch to that depending on the weight and price.
I tried to get by with an 11" iPP, missed having a desktop OS so got a M1 Air and it has made my iPP redundant. I did get it with the intention of learning to illustrate, one day I'll get round to it.
I didn't enjoy editing photos in Affinity (prefer Lightroom) but did like the 'Photoshop' aspect of it, especially with the pencil. Only watched videos on LumaFusion to see what I could do, didn't get round to trying it, but felt doing things like a speed ramp was a lengthy workaround (maybe there's a proper function for it now). Some websites were still broken trying to access menus with touch and I missed the web page inspector to get around things.
I didn't enjoy editing photos in Affinity (prefer Lightroom) but did like the 'Photoshop' aspect of it, especially with the pencil. Only watched videos on LumaFusion to see what I could do, didn't get round to trying it, but felt doing things like a speed ramp was a lengthy workaround (maybe there's a proper function for it now). Some websites were still broken trying to access menus with touch and I missed the web page inspector to get around things.
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I have the iPad Pro 12.9” 4th Generation and currently use a MacBook Pro 13” 2017 model. From the time that I got my first iPad Pro 12.9” it has reduced the usage of my MacBook. Reduced, not eliminated it.
Using a keyboard, with trackpad, helps make it feel like a computer but it doesn’t replace the MacBook for many things.
Using a keyboard, with trackpad, helps make it feel like a computer but it doesn’t replace the MacBook for many things.
I have a 2020 IPP with Magic Keyboard that I have been using fervently since it was purchase 6/20. I just bought a M1 MBA on 12/24 and plan on keeping the iPad Pro, even though most of my daily use will be on the MBA whereas before, it was the IPP. The iPP is good for going mobile with work, reading in bed, taking pictures, and other things that just aren't as convenient with the MBA. When the IPP no longer fills a need, I will sell it or give it away to a family member.
The iPad Air 4 with the Magic Keyboard for me is still the lighter device. And I still prefer picking that up over the M1 if I need a device to use anywhere.
The M1 MBA I have is amazing and of course very powerful, but it is still the heavier device and the heavier OS for me.
But with The M1 I probably have stopped doing the iOS acrobatics to get my iPad to become my primary working device. The idea that the Mac exists to keep iPadOS light is true as ever with this M1.
The M1 MBA I have is amazing and of course very powerful, but it is still the heavier device and the heavier OS for me.
But with The M1 I probably have stopped doing the iOS acrobatics to get my iPad to become my primary working device. The idea that the Mac exists to keep iPadOS light is true as ever with this M1.
personally for me i have both the m1 air and the 1st gen 11inch pro And I carry it to the studio everyday. My job is a music teacher so having the ability to mark stuff on music paper with screen sharing over zoom/skype is vital. The M1 air is used to jot down notes, assign homework, research topics and find sheet musics for my students, which I can then just save it into iCloud Drive and see it on my iPad. Although its a bit costly combined, it really helps with productivity
Both the iPad Pro and MacBook Air have their place. That touch screen is great, but it’s not a full computer.
I agree. I really like my iPad Pro. It has gotten a lot closer to being a replacement for a lot people, and already is for some. I think Apple will keep enough of a difference between the two so that the iPad Pro doesn't cannibalize the MBA.