Who’s using a MBA and iPad

[ssledoux]

How do you end up using it? And do you have a desktop too?

Curious about this myself, especially since they’re similar in size. I’m starting to think I MIGHT be able to justify the 11“ pro AND a M1 MBA, if for nothing else, just for more hard photo storage and easier access to my USBs that have photos sorted and stored.

Of course, I could just go desktop again - much bigger screen to work with. I’m just not interested in spending that much more, or having to take up all that space.

I still have an OLD iMac that really needs to have the photos removed and put on a hard drive before it crashes. I gave it to my daughter, and a lot of her pics are on it, which is scary.

 

[AppleStart2013]

I’m currently using an iPad Air 4 with magic keyboard, it handles pretty much all of what I want a computer to do (web browsing, YouTube/netflix, the occasional video or photo edit). I do find the files app a bit chaotic and transferring files to my iPad is a bit of a pain but once it’s on my iPad it works very well. For portability I can’t see using anything else other than my iPad Plus the Apple Pencil has been handy for signing documents online and for writing on documents virtually.

I am however looking to pick up an M1 macbook Air for data processing as I work in the medicine and will need something like SPSS/PSPP to run my data when I do research. I‘m debating whether to pick up the 8 gb ram or 16 gb, is the 16 gb version worth the extra cost over 8 gb?

 

[spiderman0616]

Curious about this myself, especially since they’re similar in size. I’m starting to think I MIGHT be able to justify the 11“ pro AND a M1 MBA, if for nothing else, just for more hard photo storage and easier access to my USBs that have photos sorted and stored.

Of course, I could just go desktop again - much bigger screen to work with. I’m just not interested in spending that much more, or having to take up all that space.

I still have an OLD iMac that really needs to have the photos removed and put on a hard drive before it crashes. I gave it to my daughter, and a lot of her pics are on it, which is scary.

I have a 2019 15" MacBook Pro from work that sits on my desk hooked up to 2 large monitors running in clamshell mode with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. It basically acts as my "desktop computer" even though it's a notebook. If we are ever able to travel for work again, that's the main device I will travel with other than my iPhone (and Nintendo Switch of course!). The only downside is that I have really grown to hate that butterfly keyboard. I haven't had any mechanical issues with it or broken any keys yet like a lot of others have, but I just hate typing on it. I gave it the benefit of the doubt for the first few weeks I had it, and I can type pretty fast on it, but I just don't like how it feels.

I have used my iPad Pros for work probably more than most people would be willing to, but for a lot of things, I REALLY need my two big monitors so I can run conference calls on one, and look at other information on the other. iPads just don't properly do multi-monitor support yet for what I need to do in my day job. If they came up with a chip for iPad Pro that could do what the M1 does or even surpasses it, added proper multi monitor support, and could get the battery life up to where the Mac is, I would seriously be second guessing my choice to go back to full time Mac usage.

 

[spiderman0616]

I’m currently using an iPad Air 4 with magic keyboard, it handles pretty much all of what I want a computer to do (web browsing, YouTube/netflix, the occasional video or photo edit). I do find the files app a bit chaotic and transferring files to my iPad is a bit of a pain but once it’s on my iPad it works very well. For portability I can’t see using anything else other than my iPad Plus the Apple Pencil has been handy for signing documents online and for writing on documents virtually.

I am however looking to pick up an M1 macbook Air for data processing as I work in the medicine and will need something like SPSS/PSPP to run my data when I do research. I‘m debating whether to pick up the 8 gb ram or 16 gb, is the 16 gb version worth the extra cost over 8 gb?

I truly believe that whenever I buy another iPad again, it will be one of the Air models. These seem to be the sweet spot for both Macs and iPads. That new Air is a beast!

 

[ssledoux]

I truly believe that whenever I buy another iPad again, it will be one of the Air models. These seem to be the sweet spot for both Macs and iPads. That new Air is a beast!

Yeah that Air is pretty awesome. If I didn’t already have the pro/MK, I’d definitely go for the air.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

I did for years then I replaced my MacBook Air 2019 with an Acer Swift 3 Windows 10 ultrabook earlier this year. I still have my Retina iPad mini (4th generation). I use the latter more frequently than the Acer.

There is a Mac mini 2018 and Windows desktop PC at home as well. For my particular needs I am well covered without a notebook computer running macOS.

 

[jmgregory1]

Yeah that Air is pretty awesome. If I didn’t already have the pro/MK, I’d definitely go for the air.

I've been internally debating whether I can justify upgrading to an M1 MBA, from my 2013 15" rMBP. It's not really a money issue, but whether I'll use it enough. I've spent the past two years mainly using my 12.9" iPad Pro (with folio keyboard and Magic Trackpad starting this year) for both work and personal use, and didn't think I would ever go back to using a laptop as a primary work device again.

But the thing that is likely going to convince me to get an M1 MBA is battery life. It's the one thing the iPad Pro just can't compete with. I was hoping Apple would update the iPad Pros this fall with new chips and maybe the mini-LED screen that will help boost battery life. I doubt they can improve battery life to the same extent that the M1 MBA or MBP has, and who knows when they'll launch a new iPad Pro.

I do really like the MacBook Air, had one I bought in 2011 and considered it to be one of the best laptops for size, performance and battery life at the time. Clearly the M1 ups the game further, so it's definitely an appealing upgrade to consider.

 

[ssledoux]

I've been internally debating whether I can justify upgrading to an M1 MBA, from my 2013 15" rMBP. It's not really a money issue, but whether I'll use it enough. I've spent the past two years mainly using my 12.9" iPad Pro (with folio keyboard and Magic Trackpad starting this year) for both work and personal use, and didn't think I would ever go back to using a laptop as a primary work device again.

But the thing that is likely going to convince me to get an M1 MBA is battery life. It's the one thing the iPad Pro just can't compete with. I was hoping Apple would update the iPad Pros this fall with new chips and maybe the mini-LED screen that will help boost battery life. I doubt they can improve battery life to the same extent that the M1 MBA or MBP has, and who knows when they'll launch a new iPad Pro.

I do really like the MacBook Air, had one I bought in 2011 and considered it to be one of the best laptops for size, performance and battery life at the time. Clearly the M1 ups the game further, so it's definitely an appealing upgrade to consider.

Well, I got on that bandwagon today. I placed my order for an M1 MBA. I have never owned a laptop, but everything I’m reading about it just has me intrigued. There is only one thing I can’t do on my iPP that I really want to be able to do, and I’ll be able to do it with the MBA, so I’m justifying the purchase. As of now I’m planning to keep my iPP. Maybe my usage will change and I’ll actually use it off the keyboard every now and then.

In fact, I’m thinking of just not keeping the MK for the pro and getting a cheap bluetooth keyboard and stand so it’ll sit higher up like a desktop screen. If I can figure out the sidecar thing, I won’t have to be looking down at both screens.

Not sure about logistics there, but I won’t need the iPad to have a keyboard attached all the time if I have the MBA for things that require a keyboard, and if I put it up on a stand, I can’t use the MK Anyway.

 

[spiderman0616]

I've been internally debating whether I can justify upgrading to an M1 MBA, from my 2013 15" rMBP. It's not really a money issue, but whether I'll use it enough. I've spent the past two years mainly using my 12.9" iPad Pro (with folio keyboard and Magic Trackpad starting this year) for both work and personal use, and didn't think I would ever go back to using a laptop as a primary work device again.

But the thing that is likely going to convince me to get an M1 MBA is battery life. It's the one thing the iPad Pro just can't compete with. I was hoping Apple would update the iPad Pros this fall with new chips and maybe the mini-LED screen that will help boost battery life. I doubt they can improve battery life to the same extent that the M1 MBA or MBP has, and who knows when they'll launch a new iPad Pro.

I do really like the MacBook Air, had one I bought in 2011 and considered it to be one of the best laptops for size, performance and battery life at the time. Clearly the M1 ups the game further, so it's definitely an appealing upgrade to consider.

Same. The reasons I initially switched from MacBook Pro to iPad Pro were heat, speed, and battery life. Touch screen and Pencil were nice-to-haves, iPadOS was quirky but awesome and getting better and better. The situation has changed though now that these M1 Macs exist. All the reasons I ran away from MacBooks as my full time devices were now resolved. I was already mostly using my iPad Pro as a laptop. It became clear to me after switching up to the 12.9 with Magic Keyboard that what I really needed was an M1 MacBook.

 

[Robbosan]

My 11" pro iPad is just a media/forum and photos for work device for me, and love it, have never had a keyboard/pencil for any ipad. I wouldn't buy a air, screen bleed etc, TID no thanks and no pro motion. I don't use a mouse even on my 27" 5k iMac but tried the MKB, which i liked but still need a folio too and for $500AUD here is a rip imo.
Can get a M1 Air for $1439AUD on sale and don't need any case.
I couldn't have one or the other need both iOS and mac, i tried the 2020 air back in March but was too hot and not that fast.

Might get the new one and if i don't like it will go to my daughter for UNI next year.

 

[MBAir2010]

I cant imaging not using my MacBook air and iPad for my artwork.
the other  programs like pages, notes and numbers sync well with the MacBook and iPad.

 

[ssledoux]

Same. The reasons I initially switched from MacBook Pro to iPad Pro were heat, speed, and battery life. Touch screen and Pencil were nice-to-haves, iPadOS was quirky but awesome and getting better and better. The situation has changed though now that these M1 Macs exist. All the reasons I ran away from MacBooks as my full time devices were now resolved. I was already mostly using my iPad Pro as a laptop. It became clear to me after switching up to the 12.9 with Magic Keyboard that what I really needed was an M1 MacBook.

I know you’ve talked a lot on these boards about using your iPP. Are you happy with your M1 Air Over your 12.9 pro? Has it changed how you used your iPad, or made it unnecessary for your workflow?

At this point, I plan to hang onto my 11” pro. I’ve never owned a laptop, and if I don’t love the experience, I’ll just have to try to work around the limitations on my iPad, but I’m just wondering about your experience since I’ve read a lot of your posts.

 

[spiderman0616]

I know you’ve talked a lot on these boards about using your iPP. Are you happy with your M1 Air Over your 12.9 pro? Has it changed how you used your iPad, or made it unnecessary for your workflow?

At this point, I plan to hang onto my 11” pro. I’ve never owned a laptop, and if I don’t love the experience, I’ll just have to try to work around the limitations on my iPad, but I’m just wondering about your experience since I’ve read a lot of your posts.

Yes, I would say I've even been one of the more outspoken people when it comes to using iPad Pro as my full time computer. Here's my experience with the switch back to the Mac so far--keep in mind that I've only had the M1 MacBook Air for about three days:

Pros:

1) The MacBook Air is thinner and lighter than the 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Pencil attached to it. And that slight reduction in weight and thickness is noticeable and much appreciated, even when just carrying it around the house.

2) The design of the MacBook Air, as stale as some people think it is (I personally have always thought it was great and still do), makes it easier to pick up off of my desk or a table than an iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Two things I never figured out how to do gracefully with the iPad Magic Keyboard: picking it up off of surfaces, and opening it. The MacBook Air as well as my work MacBook Pro remain open-able with one finger. I also have the Apple brand leather sleeve for my MacBook Air, and that makes it even easier to pick up off of things.

3) The loss of the touch screen and Pencil have not affected my workflow at all, because I had mostly already stopped using both not long after I switched up to the 12.9" Pro.

4) All my favorite apps from my iPad Pro work on my M1 Mac other than a couple of odds and ends that I don't need that much. Even LumaFusion seems to work pretty well. I will eventually just pony up for LogicPro if I need to do a serious project, but LumaFusion or iMovie will do for now. (With the exception of Affinity--see below)

5) The huge trackpads on MacBooks are much more pleasant to use than the iPad trackpad on the Magic Keyboard, especially when you need more space for multi-finger gestures like pinch to zoom.

Cons:

1) I love the Affinity apps by Serif, but they are not allowing the iPad versions to be downloaded to the Mac--they want you to re-pay, and the Mac versions are $50 each. I would have to spend $100 just to get Mac versions of what I already had on iPad, and another $50 to add Affinity Publisher, which I was patiently waiting to be added to iPad. For now, I just decided to buy Pixelmator Pro, since it seems to work ok for photo editing and graphic design, but I'd really rather have my Affinity apps back.

2) In some situations, I miss the fact that the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro puts the screen closer to your face. I find myself zooming in more often so I can read the screen better. This is not unique to the M1 Macs, it's just a laptop thing in general. I have the same problem on my 15" MacBook Pro from work. I blame it more on my old eyes than the design of the laptops.

3) No Pencil support. I would love to have that on the Mac, even just for signing documents and stuff.

I will mention that I've been using the Max/Plus sized iPhones since they first became available, so the iPhone 12 Pro Max serves me very well for my touch screen type tasks. I much prefer to use that in bed or on the couch than a Mac OR an iPad.

So far I'm incredibly happy with my new setup. The last time I did this, I regretted it pretty quickly. This time I am not so far.

 

[jmgregory1]

Yes, I would say I've even been one of the more outspoken people when it comes to using iPad Pro as my full time computer. Here's my experience with the switch back to the Mac so far--keep in mind that I've only had the M1 MacBook Air for about three days:

Pros:

1) The MacBook Air is thinner and lighter than the 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Pencil attached to it. And that slight reduction in weight and thickness is noticeable and much appreciated, even when just carrying it around the house.

2) The design of the MacBook Air, as stale as some people think it is (I personally have always thought it was great and still do), makes it easier to pick up off of my desk or a table than an iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Two things I never figured out how to do gracefully with the iPad Magic Keyboard: picking it up off of surfaces, and opening it. The MacBook Air as well as my work MacBook Pro remain open-able with one finger. I also have the Apple brand leather sleeve for my MacBook Air, and that makes it even easier to pick up off of things.

3) The loss of the touch screen and Pencil have not affected my workflow at all, because I had mostly already stopped using both not long after I switched up to the 12.9" Pro.

4) All my favorite apps from my iPad Pro work on my M1 Mac other than a couple of odds and ends that I don't need that much. Even LumaFusion seems to work pretty well. I will eventually just pony up for LogicPro if I need to do a serious project, but LumaFusion or iMovie will do for now. (With the exception of Affinity--see below)

5) The huge trackpads on MacBooks are much more pleasant to use than the iPad trackpad on the Magic Keyboard, especially when you need more space for multi-finger gestures like pinch to zoom.

Cons:

1) I love the Affinity apps by Serif, but they are not allowing the iPad versions to be downloaded to the Mac--they want you to re-pay, and the Mac versions are $50 each. I would have to spend $100 just to get Mac versions of what I already had on iPad, and another $50 to add Affinity Publisher, which I was patiently waiting to be added to iPad. For now, I just decided to buy Pixelmator Pro, since it seems to work ok for photo editing and graphic design, but I'd really rather have my Affinity apps back.

2) In some situations, I miss the fact that the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro puts the screen closer to your face. I find myself zooming in more often so I can read the screen better. This is not unique to the M1 Macs, it's just a laptop thing in general. I have the same problem on my 15" MacBook Pro from work. I blame it more on my old eyes than the design of the laptops.

3) No Pencil support. I would love to have that on the Mac, even just for signing documents and stuff.

I will mention that I've been using the Max/Plus sized iPhones since they first became available, so the iPhone 12 Pro Max serves me very well for my touch screen type tasks. I much prefer to use that in bed or on the couch than a Mac OR an iPad.

So far I'm incredibly happy with my new setup. The last time I did this, I regretted it pretty quickly. This time I am not so far.

Reading your review and comparison is exactly what I needed to hear. I will get my order for a new M1 MBA in today. Like you, I enjoyed having the iPad Pro be touch and Pencil capable, but I really don’t use either since they added trackpad capability (I even bought a new Magic Trackpad 2 to go with the iPP). And in my case at least, I’ll continue to use both and simply sell my old 15” rMBP. It’s not that the iPad isn’t still a fantastic device, I just think it will take on a different role once I have the new MBA.

 

[spiderman0616]

Reading your review and comparison is exactly what I needed to hear. I will get my order for a new M1 MBA in today. Like you, I enjoyed having the iPad Pro be touch and Pencil capable, but I really don’t use either since they added trackpad capability (I even bought a new Magic Trackpad 2 to go with the iPP). And in my case at least, I’ll continue to use both and simply sell my old 15” rMBP. It’s not that the iPad isn’t still a fantastic device, I just think it will take on a different role once I have the new MBA.

Yep--as I've said a few times in some other threads, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro actually ended up pushing me back into the Mac. Too bad I had to spend so much money to figure that out!

 

[jmgregory1]

Yep--as I've said a few times in some other threads, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro actually ended up pushing me back into the Mac. Too bad I had to spend so much money to figure that out!

Because I stopped traveling as much as I had been, due to the pandemic, I didn't bother ordering the Magic Keyboard. I was using an extra Mac keyboard and trackpad I had initially working from my home office, with my iPP sitting on a stand, but then went back to the Keyboard Folio and new Magic Trackpad2, just so I could pick it up and move from room to room and for actual travel again.

I also figured Apple was going to upgrade the iPP to more than the A12Z chip, so my plan had been to wait until they released a new A13 or A14 based iPP - that is until seeing just how good the M1 MBA and MBP were. I'm super excited to get the new MBA.

 

[Robbosan]

Just ordered a base model M1 air will pick up today, sick of being tied down to my 27" iMac in my home office. Was looking at 12.9 iPad, have a 11" now 4G which i need for work photos.
A 12.9 256gb wifi and MK is $2408AUD, M1 Air 256gb was $1439.
I prefer a trackpad don't even use a mouse so the M1 was a no brainer. Don't need to spend $150 on a folio too.

 

[MBAir2010]

Just ordered a base model M1 air will pick up today, sick of being tied down to my 27" iMac in my home office. Was looking at 12.9 iPad, have a 11" now 4G which i need for work photos.
A 12.9 256gb wifi and MK is $2408AUD, M1 Air 256gb was $1439.
I prefer a trackpad don't even use a mouse so the M1 was a no brainer. Don't need to spend $150 on a folio too.

are we planing to use any iOSX apps on the M1 MBA? there is an artistic app on the ipad i would love to run on a MacBook air which i was excited to hear BigSur has that feature. i would like to eliminate photoshop (CS4) from my life.

 

[Robbosan]

are we planing to use any iOSX apps on the M1 MBA? there is an artistic app on the ipad i would love to run on a MacBook air which i was excited to hear BigSur has that feature. i would like to eliminate photoshop (CS4) from my life.

Not sure yet.

 

[MyAppleWorld]

Yep--as I've said a few times in some other threads, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro actually ended up pushing me back into the Mac. Too bad I had to spend so much money to figure that out!

Because of the trackpad?