Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MBA and iPP - Anyone use both?

W

waynewayne

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 10, 2009
27
4
Hi all - I currently use an 11” iPP with magic keyboard as my main computing device. It has served me well for around a year.

I now need access to a couple of desktop only applications now since my trusty 2010 MBP packed in. Having considered a couple of options the one I favour the most is an entry level MBA.

Does anyone use both an iPP and a MBA? Part of me wonders if there is too much crossover - would I be better to exchange the iPP for the MBA and a lower spec iPad? I like the note taking abilities and do some super basic graphic work (simple website things) on the iPP just now which I think would limit just how far down the food chain I could drop.

I’ve not checked trade in prices, but I am thinking the price offered would make it logical to just keep the iPP I have as the saving vs a new iPad would likely be fairly small.

I doubt there is one “right” answer so thought I would see how others use their devices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eltoslightfoot
I use both the new iPad Air and the MBA. Honestly, I find value in both as some things are just easier to do on a computer vs iPad. The iPad is my content consumption device.
 
I have a iPad Pro and a M1 MBA. I use the iPad Pro at work and at home, it is primarily used in Sidecar mode for the MBA (which I like a lot). The iPad Pro was my main computing device until I got the M1.
 
Great, that sounds similar to what I had in mind. A portable, 2 screen set up!

Do you have advice, or anything you wish you had known or done differently? Happy with base spec M1 MBA etc?
 
waynewayne said:
Great, that sounds similar to what I had in mind. A portable, 2 screen set up!

Do you have advice, or anything you wish you had known or done differently? Happy with base spec M1 MBA etc?
Click to expand...
I have been very happy with the base M1 MBA. To date, this Mac has been the best Mac I have owned and has been a pleasure to use. No problems thus far and there have been several times when I forced the system to use 1Gb swap in Memory.
 
  • Like
Reactions: James_C
I've had my M1 MBP for a couple months now and actually feel a bit guilty about the lack of use my IPP 12.9 is getting. In the past, I would use a new laptop more at first because it was new, fun, etc. But then I would go back to using the iPad and find a good system in which I used both. The iPad is easier to use for consumption - reading, watching movies, etc. With the M1 MBP however, I haven't gone back to the IPP at all. I think a lot of it has to do with the battery life. I can use this thing all day and not come close to running out the battery. I think that makes it easier for me to tolerate the relative lack of portability and just use my iPhone for more stuff than I used to. It doesn't hurt that I can play some decent games off Steam either.
 
I got the M1 MBA last year but it's kinda been collecting dust. For personal use, it's rare that I need to run desktop-only apps.
 
My 11" iPad Pro has become little more than a second screen for my Mac via Sidecar. It makes for a great dual-screen solution on the go without taking up a lot of space or adding weight/bulk to my bag.
 
At the moment I am doing a lot (relative term - a lot for me) of writing and its more or less all on my 11” iPP and MKB. I was thinking if I had a MBA I would likely do the guts of my typing on that So might see my iPP use drop significantly. For some of the quick and simple graphic work I do I think having the iPP with pencil would still be awesome.
 
waynewayne said:
Hi all - I currently use an 11” iPP with magic keyboard as my main computing device. It has served me well for around a year.

I now need access to a couple of desktop only applications now since my trusty 2010 MBP packed in. Having considered a couple of options the one I favour the most is an entry level MBA.

Does anyone use both an iPP and a MBA? Part of me wonders if there is too much crossover - would I be better to exchange the iPP for the MBA and a lower spec iPad? I like the note taking abilities and do some super basic graphic work (simple website things) on the iPP just now which I think would limit just how far down the food chain I could drop.

I’ve not checked trade in prices, but I am thinking the price offered would make it logical to just keep the iPP I have as the saving vs a new iPad would likely be fairly small.

I doubt there is one “right” answer so thought I would see how others use their devices.
Click to expand...
If you only need a Mac for a few tasks and still enjoy using your iPad, why not consider a 2014/2015 era Mac. You would then have your iPad and a computer for the same cost as trading and buying an M1 Air. You could even consider a 15" for its larger screen.
 
I have a 12.9 IPP and have certainly used it less, but I still use it. Like others have said each have some advantages depending what you are doing. One example, if I’m using Affinity photo and want to make some precise selections its hard to beat the Apple Pencil!
 
I have a 11 iPP - it used to get a lot of love with the keyboard folio while the MBP (2019) gathered dust.
After the M1 MBA, I have removed the KB folio and use it in tablet mode now.
I'd say it is a 50:50 usage split now - They both have their use cases.
But I had to keep only one, it would be the M1
 
I have a iPad Air 3rd Generation and a Macbook Air M1. I use them both all the time. I game (Hearthstone and Teamfight Tactics), stream (Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, etc.), and that kind of consuming activities on the iPad. I do everything else on the Macbook. It works for me... :)
 
I use my 12” IPP waaaay less than I used my old iPad Air 2. The bigger size is not as convenient as the old 9.7”

Similar story with 13” MBP that replaced my 12” MacBook - a bigger screen resulted in me using it less 🤷‍♂️
 
  • Like
Reactions: eltoslightfoot
Received my M1 MBA yesterday and I have an 11" iPP which I don't intend to give up any time soon, so I suppose you could say I use both.
Pretty nifty with Sidecar, too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eltoslightfoot
I have both. In my mind, they are designed for two different purposes. The iPad is for consumption and very light tasks. A laptop can do consumption but is also a content creation system.

I have tried to make my iPad Pro 11" work as a laptop by buying the Magic keyboard, etc. In the end, it was a shadow of what a laptop could do. As a result, I sent back the Magic keyboard and lost all the weight and bulk.
 
shapesinaframe said:
I use my 12” IPP waaaay less than I used my old iPad Air 2. The bigger size is not as convenient as the old 9.7”

Similar story with 13” MBP that replaced my 12” MacBook - a bigger screen resulted in me using it less 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
so true.
i never really used my 13 MBP because the 12 was just the perfect size.
ended up using the 11 iPP with keyboard lot more instead.

with the 13 MBA M1, its a lot less skewed now.
both seem to be getting equal amount of usage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eltoslightfoot
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back