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astrylixx

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 11, 2026
1
0
Hello, I am looking for a apple device to use as a portable workstation. I live in both shenzhen china and hong kong, moving every week ish. I will mainly be using this for basic school work (all done in a browser), general web use as well as light video editing. I am debating between a ipad with the thing that turns it into a laptop or macbook. I am 100% more used to normal KB and mouse, but seeing some people's ipad desktops and they look really nice. My main question is battery life and since the ipad is top heavy, will it fall off my legs.


Most of the time, it will be used on the go on my lap, but around 30% of the time connected to a monitor keyboard and mouse.


I have ~6000 hkd. Can buy from hong kong or mainland.


I dont really use alot of tabs, mainly just a handful, at most like 10. I also have no clue what models to buy, or where to get them safely as ive heard alot of "refurb" macs/ i pads use 3rd party parts which usually have some issues or apple wont service it. Must have a warranty. Would prefer the never more boxy designs and not the weird curvy old ones. Would like above 120Hz unless that costs too much


if u need any more info, just lmk


Thanks!
 
I personally think you’d be best served with a Mac. Battery life is in my experience about twice as good and you have better support for desktop class software. The form factor is also better suited to lap usage.

Sligt bit over budget but an M4 Air from Apples own refurb shop isn’t far from 6k.

Then you’re guarantee a quality refurb with original parts.
 
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