Struggling to decide: iPad Pro OLED vs MacBook Pro vs waiting for MacBook Air M5

[Electixs]

I’ve been going back and forth on this for weeks and could really use some real-world opinions.


Right now I’m using an older iPad Pro (3rd gen) and a MacBook Air M2. Both still work fine, but the batteries are clearly getting weaker, so I’m thinking about replacing them — ideally without ending up with two overlapping devices again.


Most of what I do is pretty simple:
Streaming, browsing, reading, some emails, occasionally logging into another machine via TeamViewer. I also use the device a lot in bed and sometimes in the kitchen when cooking (recipes or a video running in the background). Performance isn’t critical — display quality, battery life and quiet operation are much more important to me.


One big factor for me is fans.
I had a 2020 Intel MacBook Pro that I used a lot in bed, and over time the fans got loud and annoying. That experience really stuck with me, so I’m very hesitant about buying another laptop with active cooling, even though I know Apple Silicon is a completely different story.


Here’s where I’m at with the options:


iPad Pro 13" (OLED, no keyboard):
The display is fantastic. OLED really does make a difference for media, and the lack of any fans or vents is very appealing. For watching alone, I don’t mind holding the iPad at all. The main downside is ergonomics — watching together isn’t great without a stand, and in the kitchen it’s a bit awkward. iPadOS is also still limiting when it comes to file handling or remote work.


MacBook Pro 14" (Mini-LED):
On paper, this is almost perfect. Great battery life, very good display (even if not OLED), and full laptop usability. It stands properly on a counter, works perfectly for TeamViewer, file management, multitasking, etc. Price-wise it’s not that far off from an iPad Pro once you add accessories.
The only thing holding me back is the fan. I know it’s much better than on Intel Macs, but I’m worried about long-term dust buildup and whether I’ll end up annoyed again in a couple of years.


MacBook Air (current or future M5):
Fanless is a big plus. But the display is clearly worse than both the iPad Pro and the MacBook Pro, and there’s no ProMotion or Mini-LED. From M2 to M4 or even M5, the only upgrade I’d really notice is battery life. From what I’ve read, the M5 Air in 2026 will still use a standard LCD without ProMotion or Mini-LED, which makes waiting feel a bit pointless.


So that’s the dilemma:
I want the peace of mind of a fanless device, but I also want the flexibility and usability of a real laptop. The MacBook Pro feels like the most complete solution, yet my past fan experience keeps me from fully committing. The iPad Pro feels great for media, but always slightly compromised outside that.

 

[Boppi]

MacBook Pro 14" (Mini-LED):
On paper, this is almost perfect.

Then there's your answer.

The only thing holding me back is the fan. I know it’s much better than on Intel Macs, but I’m worried about long-term dust buildup and whether I’ll end up annoyed again in a couple of years.

It's more than much better. Based on how you described using your MacBook, you will not hear the fans at all in a new M series. I use mine much the same, and have a monitoring app, and the fans don't run at all under normal use like yours. Zero rpm.

You will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[chown33]

One big factor for me is fans.
I had a 2020 Intel MacBook Pro that I used a lot in bed, and over time the fans got loud and annoying. That experience really stuck with me, so I’m very hesitant about buying another laptop with active cooling, even though I know Apple Silicon is a completely different story.

If lint got pulled in, it could easily accumulate. It would then act as a blanket, preventing heat transfer out of the MBP. Did you ever open the case and clean out dust and lint?

Another possibility could simply be what the MBP was resting on while in bed. A fuzzy blanket or deep comforter would compress, and effectively surround the intake vents. This would block airflow, and make the fans run faster, in a futile attempt to cool the unit. Putting something solid between the MBP and any bedding could make a big difference in airflow. A friend of mine uses a bamboo cutting board. It's inexpensive, and they come in various sizes.

 

[JamesMay82]

I always post about the iPads robustness. I find laptops more prone to scratches even if you really look after them as any bit of grit fluff, pet hair can agitate the screen if you’re unlucky. Especially if used in bed.

So for your use I’d be leaning towards iPad more…

I just got the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard for Christmas and it’s very good… I do have slight buyers remorse where I think the iPad Air would of been good enough… Apple Store even told me I don’t need the pro..

Only thing to consider carefully is how you back up photos and your other data etc… iCloud isn’t a back up so you can’t rely on that…

 

[Alameda]

If lint got pulled in, it could easily accumulate. It would then act as a blanket, preventing heat transfer out of the MBP. Did you ever open the case and clean out dust and lint?

Another possibility could simply be what the MBP was resting on while in bed. A fuzzy blanket or deep comforter would compress, and effectively surround the intake vents. This would block airflow, and make the fans run faster, in a futile attempt to cool the unit. Putting something solid between the MBP and any bedding could make a big difference in airflow. A friend of mine uses a bamboo cutting board. It's inexpensive, and they come in various sizes.

This isn’t really so.
The Intel MacBooks ran much hotter than the M-series. This user isn’t likely to make his fans run. I never notice the fans on my M1 MBP

 

[Alameda]

I’ve been going back and forth on this for weeks and could really use some real-world opinions.


Right now I’m using an older iPad Pro (3rd gen) and a MacBook Air M2. Both still work fine, but the batteries are clearly getting weaker, so I’m thinking about replacing them — ideally without ending up with two overlapping devices again.


Most of what I do is pretty simple:
Streaming, browsing, reading, some emails, occasionally logging into another machine via TeamViewer. I also use the device a lot in bed and sometimes in the kitchen when cooking (recipes or a video running in the background). Performance isn’t critical — display quality, battery life and quiet operation are much more important to me.


One big factor for me is fans.
I had a 2020 Intel MacBook Pro that I used a lot in bed, and over time the fans got loud and annoying. That experience really stuck with me, so I’m very hesitant about buying another laptop with active cooling, even though I know Apple Silicon is a completely different story.


Here’s where I’m at with the options:


iPad Pro 13" (OLED, no keyboard):
The display is fantastic. OLED really does make a difference for media, and the lack of any fans or vents is very appealing. For watching alone, I don’t mind holding the iPad at all. The main downside is ergonomics — watching together isn’t great without a stand, and in the kitchen it’s a bit awkward. iPadOS is also still limiting when it comes to file handling or remote work.


MacBook Pro 14" (Mini-LED):
On paper, this is almost perfect. Great battery life, very good display (even if not OLED), and full laptop usability. It stands properly on a counter, works perfectly for TeamViewer, file management, multitasking, etc. Price-wise it’s not that far off from an iPad Pro once you add accessories.
The only thing holding me back is the fan. I know it’s much better than on Intel Macs, but I’m worried about long-term dust buildup and whether I’ll end up annoyed again in a couple of years.


MacBook Air (current or future M5):
Fanless is a big plus. But the display is clearly worse than both the iPad Pro and the MacBook Pro, and there’s no ProMotion or Mini-LED. From M2 to M4 or even M5, the only upgrade I’d really notice is battery life. From what I’ve read, the M5 Air in 2026 will still use a standard LCD without ProMotion or Mini-LED, which makes waiting feel a bit pointless.


So that’s the dilemma:
I want the peace of mind of a fanless device, but I also want the flexibility and usability of a real laptop. The MacBook Pro feels like the most complete solution, yet my past fan experience keeps me from fully committing. The iPad Pro feels great for media, but always slightly compromised outside that.

If you want to do the things a real computer can do, the iPad will frustrate you.

Today’s MacBook Pro will not bother you with fan noise. The CPU load has to get very high to trigger the fans, which doesn’t happen with movie viewing or web surfing. The M-series processors really are much better in this regard.

If you shoot a bunch of video and edit it and then render out a 30-minute video file, then the fans will come on. It’s that sort of thing which triggers the fans in my experience.