Which Should You Get an Apple iPad Pro or a Macbook Air

Apple iPad Pro or Macbook Air

Similar features can be found in both the iPad Pro (2021) and the MacBook Air (2020) from Apple. Both include Apple's powerful M1 CPU, up to 16GB of Memory, and 2TB of storage, so they operate similarly. Furthermore, they are both inexpensive, small, and easy to transport.

The MacBook Air and iPad Pro from Apple are virtually identical. The M1 chip found in the MacBook Pro can also be found in the iPad Pro.

If I were to buy one, which would you recommend? In modern times, this is an issue that interests most people.

This time, I thought it would be helpful to evaluate the 12.9-inch iPad Pro versus the 11-inch MacBook Air (M1 Chip Equiped).

Although they have some similarities, a tablet and a laptop have significant differences. They're designed for varied purposes and use a wide variety of operating systems, cameras, screen sizes, and cellular networks. The iPad Pro and the MacBook Air are both great work companions, but if you need a new computer for things beyond just reading email, one is bound to be a better fit.

Shape and Arrangement

A foldable keyboard is needed to use the iPad Pro as a laptop. Logitech, Apple, and others produce iPad keyboards, but prices range from $20 to $300.

An 11-inch iPad Pro with 8GB Memory, 128GB storage, and no cellular connectivity costs $799. Apple's Magic Keyboard adds $299, making it a lower-specced computer that costs $99 more than a 13-inch MacBook Air. The Smart Keyboard Folio costs $20 less than the MacBook Air, which is better but still expensive.

12.9-inch iPad Pros cost $1,099. This screen size provides a better display but no additional storage. The 11-inch and 12.9-inch models cost $100 more to double the SSD capacity from 128GB to 256GB.

A $999 MacBook Air includes an 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. A $1,249 version adds a GPU core and doubles storage. Both versions include Apple's Magic Keyboard. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard Folio and the same storage space costs $149 more than the MacBook Air.

If you have an 8-core CPU/GPU MacBook Air, adding storage costs less than the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro has 8GB RAM, whereas the MacBook Air can be upgraded to 16GB.

The MacBook Air has more RAM and storage and is easier to setup.

Software Compatibility

A MacBook laptop's keyboard contains a built-in speaker and two Thunderbolt 3 connectors.

Only two Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack come with the M1 MacBook Air.

The iPad Pro and MacBook Air differ most in operating systems after form factor. iPadOS powers the iPad Pro, while macOS powers the MacBook Air. The latter is a full operating system, whereas the former is more like the iPhone. But it gets tricky from here. Macs can run iPadOS apps, while iPads can't run some macOS programmes.

Final Cut Pro isn't available on iPadOS. Pro? Logic Remote, a simplified version, is available on the iPad. Garage Band and iMovie are accessible on both systems, however the iPadOS version has less controls and capabilities.

This sort of cross-platform availability largely depends on where developers decide to make their apps available, but for Apple-made programmes like the ones mentioned above, it's a mystery why the same version (or a version at all) doesn't exist on iPadOS even though the iPad Pro has the same processing power as the MacBook Air (and the 13-inch MacBook Pro M1). If you need the full version of any of the above programmes, the iPad Pro is not the best choice.

Connectivity

The MacBook Air wins because it has more physical ports than the iPad Pro. Unlike the iPad Pro, the MacBook Air features two USB Thunderbolt 4 connections and a 3.5mm audio connector.

This lets you charge your laptop while plugging in a flash drive. A Thunderbolt dock is needed for the iPad Pro.

The MacBook Air lacks cellular connectivity. Both devices support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, but only the iPad Pro can play Doom in the cloud over 4G or 5G in the park. The iPad Pro can also provide stable internet access if you commute by rail.

Features of the iPad Pro: Exceptional Visuals

Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro sports a screen technology the company calls "Liquid Retina XDR." An excellent screen, but described in marketing lingo that only a few would understand. Better contrast than comparable Mac screens is achieved by packing in thousands of tiny LEDs. The maximum brightness is 1,000 nits, making it as brilliant as Apple's $5,000 Pro Display XDR panel. These micro-LEDs may be muted or brightened independently, creating a wide range of tonal depth.

Connection to Fifth-Generation Mobile Networks (5G)

The newest Pro offers lightning-fast 5G connections (for an extra $200, of course). Verizon Communications Inc.'s 5G connections have enabled install speeds of more than 3 GB/s in some circumstances. That is a whopping fifty times faster than my home internet connection. Use of "Zoom" video conferencing software and the transfer of huge files are both made possible on a 5G-enabled iPad. That is, unless you are in close proximity to a cell phone tower.

Quite the Incredible Camera

The iPad Pro includes two cameras—one wide-angle and one ultra-wide-angle—on its rear. These cameras have many uses in depth-measuring LiDAR scanners. Example: using the Notes app to scan papers.

The new ultra-wide-angle 12-megapixel camera embedded in the display is the nicest part of the camera setup. The 720p FaceTime camera on the MacBook Air is no match for the resolution of this camera.

Quick Facial Recognition

You don't have to use a finger to access the iPad's settings or authorise Apple Pay for purchases. While both the iPad Pro and MacBook include fingerprint readers and facial recognition systems, the iPad Pro's Face ID is much more secure and efficient.

Keyboard Magic

The Magic Keyboard is just as nice to type on as the one on the MacBook Air. While the trackpad is on the small side, a Bluetooth (near field wireless communication standard) mouse connection is included (all iPads with the latest "iPadOS 14" are compatible with Bluetooth mouse). The fact that the screen's tilt, brightness, and USB-C port can all be adjusted is fantastic. The keyboard's cost, though, is fine with me. The 11-inch keyboard costs around $300, while the 12.9-inch keyboard goes for $350.

Direct Touch Sensitive Input

It seems more natural to drag maps and pictures around with your finger than a mouse. Also, with the Apple Pencil, your tablet can serve as a digital notepad. Use LiquidText to annotate Documents, Penultimate (Application) to take searchable meeting notes, and Procreate to sketch (Application). There is no discernible delay, and the line thickness increases with pressure, just like a conventional pencil or pen.

Sound in Three Dimensions (or 3D)

Spatial Audio is a new feature in iPad Pro that allows users to experience multi-channel audio formats like Dolby Atmos with virtual surround sound. The wireless AirPods Pro and AirPods Max headphones support the capability, however the MacBook does not (yet). For iOS only.

The MacBook Air's Benefits Provide Access to Several Windows

Macs can multitask with as many windows as the hardware allows. Thanks to the "M1" chip, many doors have opened up for the MacBook Air. iPads allow you to split the screen between two programmes, albeit not all apps can do so inside themselves (e.g., you can't see two Google Documents at once).

Rechargeable batteries with a long life span

The MacBook Air has a battery life of 15 hours, according to the company. In a test, it lasted for 10 hours and 45 minutes while viewing a YouTube movie at 65% brightness. Around 11 hours was the average daily usage.

Not even an iPad Air 2 could provide that much battery life for a long road trip. Apple states that the iPad's battery life is 10 hours when using Wi-Fi and 8-9 hours when using cellular data. In our testing, it lasted for slightly over 8 hours when using Wi-Fi and roughly 6 hours when using cellular data. While the M1 Chip's processor is economical, 5G and an ultra-clear display are power hogs.

About Costs

The base model of the MacBook Air costs $999, but I'd invest the extra $200 in the $1,199 configuration that includes 512GB of storage. You'll need extras like the Apple Pencil (starting at $129) and the Magic Keyboard (starting at $349) to round out the iPad Pro's base price of $1099. If you total it up, you get $1,577.

More Assistance in the Periphery

The MacBook offers superior connectivity to external devices thanks to the inclusion of two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack. The iPad Pro has no headphone jack and only one USB-C/Thunderbolt connector (two if you use the Magic Keyboard, although they're both for charging).

Ability to Print on Many Devices

The iPad can only print to an AirPrint-compatible wireless printer. The MacBook, on the other hand, has a USB connector for connecting a printer.

Compatibility with iOS Applications

A MacBook Air with an M1 chip can also run iOS apps because it is built on the same CPU. Instagram and the language-learning programme Duolingo are two examples of apps that can't be utilised on a Mac.

Powerful Mac OS

Although the iPad's capabilities are impressive, they pale in comparison to those of the Mac. More iPad software features are expected from Apple, however for the time being, iPadOS is limited in comparison to MacOS.

Which Is a Better Investment, an iPad Pro or a MacBook Air?

In many fields, Macs have been the standard for years. Since the 1990s, the display, keyboard, and trackpad on Macs have all looked the same. Whereas the iPad is nearly a full-fledged computer, it has the advantages of a smartphone, such as a touchscreen, cellular connectivity, and sensors like satellite location devices (GPS).

The toughest choice may be between the iPad Pro and the MacBook Air, with the former offering sophisticated software but the latter a more traditional layout. Macbooks are more efficient in many ways, though.