Want: iPad. Need: Mac. Heart says iPad. Brain says Mac…

Great words Chris “don’t talk about specs that all can be googled” I want practical usage, that’s reading the owners manual instead of just driving the car

Personally, I’ve enjoyed the iPad so much more than my old MacBook. It just feels like it does more of what I want and a more versatile device. And the apps are just great.

Yours is really the best channel for iPad users out there. The comparisons are realistic. And the softwares and usability scenarios you bring (often noob) viewers is refreshing, and sometimes groundbreaking.

I would like to say, it‘s crazy how 95% of the benefits of the Mac come purely from the Software, which the iPad Pro with it‘s M1 Chip and the Magic Keyboard could also run without a problem if Apple just gave us the option to boot into either iPad OS or MacOS each time we restart the machine. Also, while the Mac does some of the things both can do better, I think the iPad has more things only it can do, because of the Apple Pencil and Touch (and also maybe for some users the LiDar sensor). So overall, from a mere Hardware perspective, I think the iPad is clearly the more versatile device, so it just comes down to Apple not being willing to use it‘s full potential software wise (probably to keep the lower end MacBooks relevant).

great content!! love how you show the basic things on how people use both devices.

I love your style. Specs are important yes, but practicality and usability are more important for me. For this specific review iPad vs MacBook Air, I wanted to evaluate the best alternative to a true desktop. I have a Mac studio for powerhouse work so I was looking for a simple device to surf, watch vids, and do lite personal docs and spreadsheets. Specs for this purpose aren’t really helpful. So, for me, I will go with the MacBook Air! Thanks so much for your very helpful review

Signed up for your newsletter. Keep up the great vids! Using my Ipad so much more since I have been watching your youtube video’s! Thnx

Great video Chris. I had a work-issues 2nd gen iPad Pro for a year, and could almost have that as my only device. I can see how the current iPad Pro with keyboard and pencil can be a users only device. I’d give the MacBook the edge if I could only have one device.

Like you explained, I actually think this is a perfect comparison. This is actually the exact buying decision my GF was making for school. when the functionality of a laptop that you would need doesn't exceed that of a chromebook, the Ipad pro more than gets the job done, but now she got the added benefits of the apple pencil. but for some one like me who video edits and needs access to programs that do not exist on the ipad, the choice is obvious. She got The Ipad pro and loves it. On the other hand, I actually opted for an m1 pro macbook and an Ipad 9 as a combo because I needed more out of my laptop than even the macbook air provides and I still want a small portion of my budget to get apple pencil benefits. Great review and very relatable perspective as always!

I own the 11” M1 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard/Apple Pencil combo , as well as the 14” MB Pro, and I use the iPad 75% of the time. The iPad is way more versatile and goes with me everywhere. The MB Pro is definitely overkill for my needs, but as a tech enthusiast, I couldn’t settle for less. Don’t sleep on the iPad, it is by far the best tech purchase I’ve made in a long time aside from my LG CX.

Why hasn’t apple just retired the iPad and macbook lines to create a new line of products that combines the two at this point

Thanks for the balanced views. I ditched my Mac and went over to iPad a year ago. I run my life with and iPad Pro and an iPad mini 6. I’m not a power user but do edit a few videos from time to time. Using and iPhone and an an Apple Watch too. Sorted.

I use my iPad Pro with the desktop photoshop/Lightroom classic all the time with the minoring option (wired connected if I am beside my Mac or wireless if I am in bed with minimum lag). It’s soo much better than using the Wacom tablet especially now that e we can see our pen size even before drawing on it. I also love using it as a second screen when I need to use it for a video conference app while leaving my main screen for work. Best of all once I am done I can put it away and leaving my desk clean cluster free with a minimalist look.

Productivity course!!! Yes please!

The M2 Air Midnight color is outstanding. Looks great in your video(who cares about the smudges) Great job stressing the fact that the Air is for the casual user. Keep up the great work 👏🏽

Thanks. Great video! I have a few minor gripes about the ‘feel’ of the MacBook Air in comparison with the iPad. But I think I’ll make up my mind in a few days

I just love my 11” IPad Pro with Logitech Combo Touch and Apple Pencil so much… I have a Mac Mini as my desktop but I seldom use it… i run my whole life on the iPad. It’s perfect.

Well put together, thanks!😊

Great video! Bought your Nipponese wallpaper pack. I love it!

Good video, Chris, providing a starting point for this discussion. I use my M1 iPad Pro with an external Apple Magic Trackpad and the latest version of Apple’s external Bluetooth keyboard. I rely 100% on my iPad for all my office and personal work, and with the advent of Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, I find the desktop experience to be even greater. By the way, Stage Manager actually allows many more than 4 apps to be open: you can have 4 app clusters off to the side, which can each contain several apps. Thanks for a nice video.

13:19 the wholesome laugh made me sub 😂 great video brother. Much love from 🇨🇦❤️

Ayo THIS IS WHAT I WANT IN REVIEW! Had his own opinions, didnt talk about the specs but at the same time talked about the limitations. Amazing vdo. Covered everything from looks to performance to usability. AMAZING MAN!

Do you think the ipad pro with keyboard is what i need considering that i mainly use a computer for word processing (ms word) , browsing, media consumption) ?

I am leaning toward the iPad Pro for my next device due to the better screen, cameras and it can be had with cellular. I have an older 13" MacBook Air I really like but the 12.9" iPad Pro looks to be more appealing.

Thank you for the helpful comparison between the iPad Pro & MacBook Air.

I think the single critical differentiation is how MS apps words on iPad. Especially excel. If not, go for iPad. Biggest advantage is the versatility of the form factor. Reading to watching videos. Rest is sheer delta - which hardly bothers. But good content for reviews 😂

As a developer I use iPad Pro 12.9 & MacBook Pro M1 Pro I have the Mac connected at home or at work to a docking station, and I use the iPad for on the go or “light coding”. I’d say the iPad can do about 95% of the coding I need to do on the go, for the extra 5% I have my Mac connected with Remote Desktop option just in case. I just came back from a 2 weeks vacation and I only took my iPad with me. It was more then enough, and of course much easier to take with on a trip! Specially watching movies and shows during flight, or at the hotel. It’s just much easier… maybe it’s just the way I see it, but for me checking my server logs for errors during the weekend briefly from the iPad just doesn’t feel like I’m actually working… it’s always in the living room, or dining table - I usually read my personal emails & go over the news every morning on the iPad while having my morning coffee. I almost never have it in the office, even though like I said I can do 95% of my work just on the iPad Pro. Bottom line is that for me as a developer/programmer I need a MacBook Pro for the day to day work, but I also like having the iPad Pro as a companion to it, don’t see how the MacBook air can take over either of those But as you say - this is just my perspective and my setup, and the way I like my setup

I have a 2020 11 inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard, it is my laptop replacement and I love it. White Magic Keyboard getting dirty, that’s ok 👍🏻!

I’m a college student , had a laptop , sold it bought ipad pro. Honestly i can not imagine not having apple pencil , its a life changer.

Idk if I agree with your target market analysis. Even in video editing the M2 air and M2 pro 13 turn out similar numbers and cost the same. Maybe Apple wasn't confident enough to formally do it this go round, but the Air is the entry level pro model now, and they've priced it accordingly.

I literally just unboxed my iPad Pro 12.9, previously owned a mini and the bigger screen is really a game-changer!

Omg finally someone said it .. Excel on the iPad is just so confusing .. its like learning a whole new app from scratch altogether... I use my iPad as my primary device for video editing, creating artwork, typing our proposals..but the thing that frustrates me is the ms office experience .. well that's a tradeoff I just have to make... I'm just going to wait for the m2 iPad pro to be released.. hope its worth the wait and upgrade.. i'm on the 2018 ipadpro 11'' for now..

Perfect video! I guess I am probably not the only one who‘s got both 😉! And exactly because of what you say: It‘s the software! Even the Foto-App is a little different and sometimes I prefer this, sometimes I prefer the other, and I sometimes even switch back and forth within minutes! And it really sucks when the wifi isn‘t up do date 😉. I personally find the MacBook to be a little more „delicate“, I prefer to use the iPad while traveling.

Thanks for the great video. I believe even for the “average consumer” the deal maker will be the usability of Microsoft apps; they are still better on the laptop to extract the maximum productivity of them

I love my Ipad Pro, it does every "laptop function" I need it to do, plus it has a netflix app allowing you to download your movies/shows

The screen of the iPad is so much better, but the MBA fits so much more my needs as a student… If only IPad OS was better and could truly transform the device as a PC, I would go for it. Maybe I should wait until IPad OS 16 to make a choice

I purchased the iPad pro and one of my biggest peeves is that the a lot of apps and programs still consider it a "mobile" device so they either don't open or is messed up. I also use Chrome extensions which I'm not able to bc it's a tablet version of Chrome. So it's really hindering bc I use Chrome extensions for research for my digital businesses. Is it a way to fix this or it's just a down fall of ipad? I'm considering a macbook for those reasons and a few others.

I have both as well and love typing on both. If I had to choose one keyboard though the iPad’s magic keyboard feels the best to type on. I keep going back to it when I need to write up a long email.

I have the iPad Pro 2020 11” and an M1 MBA. Most of the time I use my ipad, BUT: i bought the ipad especially for notetaking with the apple pen at the university (pshychology) and at work, and I use it for media consuption too, in these areas it’s unbeatable. But when i need a good MsWord or excel or a good keyboard (writing long essays, using statistics programs etc) the MBA saves me. In the past couple of months I changed my note taking methods, and write more and more with Notion when I’m at the uni, and remain to use the ipad for reading books, learning language with downloaded textbooks cuz I can write in them, taking notes at work, and ofc wathing movies in the bed etc. I’ve never regret getting the ipad first, and I really love my MBA too. The two devices shine in different areas, so if you wanna choose between them, u really need to understand your own needs.

Outstanding video, mate! I've used the M1 12.9" iPad Pro + magic keyboard as my "laptop" for about a year. I bought the M2 Air to see how I'd do with a true laptop. As much as I liked the Air, I found myself constantly touching its screen to launch an app or scroll through a website. The iPad's XDR miniLED blows away the Air's screen, as you noted. I returned the Air and now want to see what the 14.1" iPad Pro has to offer. I still think there's a place for the Air in my work life. I'll look for the M2 Air in Apple's refurb store in a few months. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to find one with the same configuration (16GB/512GB) at a few hundred $$ cheaper.

Thanks for the effort

I prefer the iPad Pro myself, although I never had a Mac/MacBook or any computer besides iPads.

I like you glossed over how freaking heavy the iPad Pro 12 is with the magic keyboard......

Thinking of going for Mac Mini for heavy work and file server, and iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard for on the go and meetings.

I ended up getting the iPad pro over the Macbook Air due to having an iMac already, and my iPad has the cellular option that keeps me online at all times without having to use wifi or a hotspot. I'm a fan of both products, but I think the iPad pro is a more versatile piece of hardware.

Omg no SSD talks this time, awesome video!

I have an air with the keyboard and it works great but doing school work is quit tedious. I’m also taking computer science classes this year and I’m afraid it won’t be sufficient. Should I get the new Mac?

I have a iPad Pro because it’s portable and I can hold it in my hand while training in person clients and I have the MacBook air on the way for my administrative and online coaching clients for my personal training business.

I’ll buy the 11 inch iPad Pro M2. If I have to do certain things that can only be done on a Mac I already have a 2017 MacBook Air with that cool glowing Apple logo.

IDK I'm on my 2018 iPad Pro and it's a beast for power UNTIL I decide to use Procreate all day long. It's really the only app that burns my battery because of the type of activity. Even then I can do that for a really long time before needing to charge.

Good comparison, thanks.

Wow what a great timing of this video i was just thinking between ipad pro m1 12.9 inch and M2 MacBook air to buy, this video cleared my doubts .

MacAir + iPadPro (no keyboard) is greatest combo ... iPad operates as either second Mac screen or keyboard/mouse controlled from Mac

What has led me to choose the iPad Pro 12.9 as my daily computer is the app lineup from the App Store. I just find that the iPad Pro is just much more convenient and portable than any laptop. 1. Being that the iPad Pro comes as a cellular option. Since the pandemic a lot of jobs have turned into either a hybrid/office setup or home period. Either case means portability, flexibility and being able to do your work while on the go and the only way to do that is by making sure you have a stable and reliable internet connection. Next, 2. The Screen quality. I have just found that the screen quality on iPad’s is superior to what is on laptops for the price. IPad Pro screens are vivid, usually has more knits of brightness and is a touch display. Having a touch display compared to a standard non touch, allows the user to be more involved with their work and provides that element of satisfaction that just can not be obtained by using a standard non touch display. 3. More finance options means more ways to put iPads in the hands of the masses. As mentioned before, the iPad comes in both a Wi-Fi version and cellular version. Having a cellular version device means you have options to either finance the iPad yourself or purchase the device through your carrier, which is generally easier to do than applying for an actual credit card to finance the device yourself. 4. Lastly, convenience. You open the lid of whatever case on your iPad and you are in with Face ID. Face ID means you can log straight into your iPad without having to type in any password. It also means that you can make purchases by just looking at your iPad or secure sensitive information on your iPad. Speaking of sensitive information, less opportunity for virus attacks or phishing on iPad’s compared to traditional laptops. iPads are just better but in the end its all about what is needed to get the job done.

I have a 14" Mac Book Pro 2022 M1 Max and the iPad Pro M1 and i love using both of them i usually carry my computer around and use it but at home I will use my iPad to jot down notes and other writing stuff. I love having both

This is so interesting, thank you! As a current iPad Pro owner (11 inch) I was wondering wether to buy a magic keyboard or to say screw it and get an air. Battery on my pro has not been the best but is good in other ways! But for uni I think the air will be a great edition. So tempted to get the midnight colour but I worry about scratching

I think it‘s a bit like comparing a Smart-TV with a professional monitor. You can connect a Smart-TV to you computer and use it as a monitor but it‘ll be never that great for professional work because it isn’t meant to do so. You can watch TV on your professional monitor really fine but it‘s complicated to navigate when you sit on your couch and when you have no remote and tv operating system. Both device are made for different use cases and you shouldn‘t want to replace one with the other. Alone they are great but the combination of both of them leads to the superb user experience that Apple wants to offer.

Where did you get those backgrounds?? Super cool

I nice what you mentioned about who uses the Air. As a developer, I use the Air M1 and honestly is more than enough for me. I never needed a pro. The only reason that I would choose a pro is to have the possibility of using 2 or more additional monitors, but the fact that I can already use one additional monitor is more than enough to me.

There is definitely no right answer. Both are amazing devices and serve their own purpose.

I quite disagree on who the MacBook Air is for. Most webdevs I know pretty much all use Macbook airs. The same goes for a lot of artists who prefer using full desktop versions of adobe. In summary the Macbook air is for a lot of people and not just people who do a "little" bit of streaming and mostly web browsing.

They need to open up ipad os to do more. It’s the only apple device besides the iPhone i would use. If i need a laptop or desktop, I’m sticking with windows. You can do so much more and it’s almost compatible with everything.

I think an important point that many comparison videos fail to mention for us regular folks is that there are no streaming apps made for MacBook Air except maybe one. So if you are looking for a device that you can use to download shows/movies for a long trip, the iPad is the better option. MacBook Air can do it through third party workarounds I believe, but there’s no native convenient method.

I’ve watched your video twice, and other channels on the same topic. I still can’t decide between a MacBook or iPad Pro. The price of the magic keyboard for iPad Pro is terrifying. Both the MacBook and the iPad will likely need hubs/adapters for the work I do. Perhaps I should stick with my PC for now.

This was a really thoughtful and thorough comparison. Very much appreciated!

Great video, the only thing that I feel is fundamental yet neglected is the requirement for corporate profiles/VPN/client configuration. I learned this the hard way. Now I need to carry both around. . .

Are you running the Ventura beta on that Mac? I noticed every time I open my MacBook Pro, I get some sort of notification sound even when nothing has happened. Yay betas!

Your wallpaper is awesome

Basic productivity is a nightmare on iPad pro. I've bee rolling with one for 2 years. With the older keyboard, it's a significantly lighter setup. But even after two years, working with iOS to even just do email, word processing, etc. is always annoying. And every session i randomly miss an action with the touch screen or accidently touch something that collapses a window, etc. The portability is great,, but that's it.

Both for any project will come up on to go

After getting a MacBook m2 air, i feel like i didnt need it as much as i thought i would, i also have an ipad pro

this video should be call: how iPad beats MacBooks air hahahaha, your prefer option in coming out really clear in this video hahahah

Thanks for the video - quality as usual! I have both a Macbook Pro and 12.9inch iPad Pro - I'm less sold with Univeral Control as I like to use my Logitech MX Keys (MAC) and Logitech MX Master Mouse; however, the scroll function on the mouse doesn't work when used on the secondary device and also the Keyboard will not type capitals on the secondary device - works fine when using Apple Tech (like my Magic Keyboard on my Mac or my Magic mouse, but unfortunately the buggy nature of using 3rd party peripherals renders universal control useless for me! Have youy found a solution to this - or is this a case of Apple just wanting you to stay inside the ecosystem? I do love side car - over I discovered that teathering the iPad off my Mac enhances the experiance - as wirelessly its way too buggy for my impatient nature.

I have a windows desktop and looking for a extra device for my study I am still debating on macbook or ipad what do you recommend ?

I really want to get the MacBook Air but i keep hearing that it heats up with picture editing on Lightroom. I use an iPad Pro 12.9 and it gets the on done but there are something’s that a Mac can do a bit better for my line of work, would you recommend me getting the MacBook Air? I do photo editing more than anything…

Exactly found the comparison I needed to hear. Torn between iPad or MacBook Air, not practical to get both so I should choose the one that suits my lifestyle. Because of this video, I know now what to get. 😁

Thank you for not doing the generic benchmark video.

Just bought your mega wallpaper bundle. They look great on my macbook.

i know you have made a ton of m2 MBA videos, but im a engineering student and planning to buy this mac to use it with parallels or other virtual machine... can you make a parallels video review ???

Dude, I started to learn English. And your video has português CC! Thank you for the videos you made are accessible!

Is it worth it to upgrade from the iPad Air 4 to either the air 5 or the iPad Pro??

i have an ipad pro and find myself constantly reaching for my macbook mainly because file management is easier on a laptop. ipad for me is like a big iphone. still yet to utilize the ipad to it’s “pro” potential (if there was an ipad air 12.9 i would have bought that). i do love my ipad but only because i use it alongside my laptop. definitely not a replacement.

I traded my iPad Pro 11 & m1 Mac mini in for a M2 MacBook Air. The best decision. I don't necessarily miss using the Apple Pencil but I do plan to get a iPad mini to use it strictly for e-reader purposes, but I love this M2 MacBook Air.

I am deciding between an ipad air M1 cause its cheaper with a 3rd party keyboard. My only concerns are how does it handle office programs? Cause on my ipad mini 5 its useable but its missing features. So which would you choose for grad school? My m3 macbook is slower than my ipad.

is the screen quality on the 12.9 m2 worth trading my m2 15inch MacBook Air for? or should I just stick with the 15 inch air?

Like edge-to-edge display Apple Watch, every edge-to-edge display iPad models doesn't contain the notch. The iPhone models with Face ID and some MacBook models (except the 13-inch MacBook Pro, since M2 MacBook Air) does contain the notch.

If the next version of the M2 or M3 Air came with an option for WiFi only or WiFi/Cell it'd be the perfect travel computer. I have the M1 Pro and a M1 iPad Pro 12.9. I do use the iPad more but they both have their uses for me.

I'm a developer so I need the mac, wish I had more use for my iPad in it, but I end up doing everything while I'm on my mac lol

Torn between several of these products (including the MBP M1) for office products and some light video editing. Just wish the MBA and MBP would finally add touch screens! Apple’s reticence to do so for fear of cannibalizing the iPad market feels so limiting. Do you think they will ever change this to add touch screens?

Great discussion. I’ve been a MacBook Pro user for a lot of years but lately what I’ve really needed is the note taking apps that work so well on the iPad. I made the switch to the 12.9” iPad Pro in 2021 and I’ve not looked back. I haven’t seen a real need yet to even upgrade to the M1 version but I would if there were any significant differences over what I have now. For the more serious apps I keep a Mac Mini on my desk but it spends most of its time in a sleep state.

Thank you!

My thoughts: I have an IPad Air M1 (purchased in May 2022) and a MacBook Air M1 (bought 2022 also) and one think that lacks for me on the Mac is the number of apps that I use on the Ipad. I do not need super powerful apps like a blogger would need and I am retired and I only do research and writing so I do not need lots of fancy powerful apps. I use Logitech keyboards and the new one for the IPad Air M1 is not as good as the older one. I also prefer a mouse to a touch pad and I hate it when my thumb slides across the corner of the toad and my cursor jumps to the top of the text. I have even turned down the sensitivity to minimum and it still captures my thumb movement.

Not gonna lie I really dig those wallpapers 😲

Don’t you need to use the track pad to scroll through things on the Mac Book Air vs. you can use your fingers on the screen to scroll on the I-Pad. If you don’t use a regular computer most of the time (i.e. you have a company provided laptop) it’s really nice that you could use the I-Pad pro as a personal computer with a Magic Keyboard when you need a computer.

Just get both, perfect combo

great video!

Great thoughts about these devices, I totally agree. Dang apple.... I bought both! I need the macbook for running the intensive design programs etc and I got the ipad mainly for the drawing/designing with the pencil. So alas, both.

Would it be a bad idea to get the iPad while I start and go through school and then get the Mac once I graduate and get my desired job?

this video needs a update since logic pro and final cut pro are now on the ipad. for me, its the small things like adding downloaded audio to my music library or adding keywords to images to make them more searchable. small tasks like that is what I use my macbook air for.