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Macbook or iPad as a computer that lives in the backpack?

TomOSeven

TomOSeven

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Original poster
Jul 4, 2017
571
699
Hi everyone,

I use a reasonably powerful i7-7700 / GTX 1050 ti Mac desktop as my main computer, doing pretty much anything from web development over Android development to light gaming.

For the go, I have a Macbook Air that holds my music collection etc.
However, the screen isn't exactly easy on the eye in 2018 and the speakers aren't really up to snuff for a computer that's used for music playback.

Now I'm considering getting either a Macbook 12 (2017) or an iPad Pro 10.5. Both are supposed to have really good speakers, both have much better displays, both are a bit lighter.

On the Macbook, I could do actual work on the go. I could tether to my iPhone and do some hackerrank challenges. I also have a USB-C monitor and a Switch, so that's two USB-C devices already in the house.

On the iPad, I could download my Udemy courses, use it as a complimentary screen for my Mac. It has the same charger as my iPhone, so that's one fewer thing to carry. It's also a great way to store my millions of pages of PDF for uni and work. It's also a fair bit cheaper for the same storage size.

I absolutely wouldn't get the keyboard attachments for the iPad by the way.

Which one would you get?
 
The true is that I'm using both, the iPad for udemy, media (netflix, youtube etc), reading books and pdfs, and the macbook (2017) as my main computer for developing (Xcode and C++). Depends what you need on the road, but for writing code you can use the iPad, but there isn't much about compilers for it, so you are stuck with a mac for that. For the rest iPad is perfectly fine.

I think you better get the iPad since you already have a powerful PC at home, you can use screens to connect to it from the iPad if needed.
 
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The iPad Pro is a much more robust design simply because you can put it in a case that gives it serious durability. If this device will see rougher on the go handling, the iPP wins hands down - some of the 3rd party keyboard attachments are pretty awesome. If you need macOS for work-related usage, then the MacBook is the winner.

I have both but my MacBook goes with me the most. The iPP however travels when I know its going to see rougher travel conditions.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Those of you who used both, which do you reckon has the better speakers for music playback?
 
I went through a similar experience and settled on a MacBook 12-2016

It’s an iPad sized device with an attached full-size keyboard running MacOS instead of iOS with iPad-like battery life.
 
I have both an iPad Air 2 and a MacBook.

For productivity, the MacBook wins hands down. The iPad is an exercise in frustration for getting actual work done, and I have a dedicated external Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad. There are simply way too many compromises, and for some things, the iPad just doesn't work. For entertainment though, the iPad Air 2 usually wins.

And yes, I have a case on my MacBook, so I don't understand why people think you can only put a case on an iPad.

By the way, you can charge a MacBook with an iPad charger, although it charges more slowly. Actually, the MacBook charger isn't very big, so it's not a big deal to carry a MacBook charger over an iPad charger. The MacBook charger is just a USBC charger after all. Thus, you can charge an iPhone with a MacBook charger, as long as you have the right cable or plug adapter. If you want to use your existing USB cable for your iPhone, you can just get one of these to use with the MacBook charger:

618lOyibayL._SY355_.jpg


At home, I use a 5K iMac.
 
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TomOSeven said:
Thanks for the replies!

Those of you who used both, which do you reckon has the better speakers for music playback?
Click to expand...


The true is both, but I feel the macbook has more bass but a little less stereo separation. But at the end is your ears that decide
 
Same situation a while back and went with an iPad for my portable. However I must have fit into the category that needs more of a computer when going mobile so I replaced it with the MacBook. Happy now. Maybe I'll go back to an iPad if my needs change.
 
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I went MacBook. I like having a full keyboard and macOS when on the go. I often don't need to carry the charger but when I do it's pretty small and isn't cumbersome. I have an iPad 2017 and pretty much never reach for that because, for me, the MacBook is just much more useful (plus full keyboard!).
 
If you’re a student, MacBook, no doubt. For university, you want a laptop sooner or later.

If you are a working professional, an iPad is possible, if your workflow fits.
 
I see no reason to get an iPad except for very niche uses. So if you're in that niche, then an iPad would work better. For me, the power of a full desktop OS is unbeatable. I have my iPhone for iOS stuff.
 
Zazoh said:
Anyone have the iPad Pro with its own Keyboard, I'm wondering how that setup works?
Click to expand...
I have both, 10.5 iPP + Apple Smart Keyboard, and the '17 rMB. Some things are just easier with a regular keyboard and trackpad. If you're going to be typing on your lap quite a bit, the rMB is better. If you're going to be surfing or watching movies, then the iPP is better.
 
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BeatCrazy said:
I have both, 10.5 iPP + Apple Smart Keyboard, and the '17 rMB. Some things are just easier with a regular keyboard and trackpad. If you're going to be typing on your lap quite a bit, the rMB is better. If you're going to be surfing or watching movies, then the iPP is better.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. Thanks. I always want the best of both worlds in one spot. So close, yet so far away.
 
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