I use the Macbook Air M1 + iPad Air 4, both are the base models. I use them for a little bit of studying for a course I’m doing through work, media content and personal note keeping (Craft Docs) The iPad tends to get used for research and quick handwritten notes, using it with the Craft app is so easy to drag and drop links to reference at a later time. The Macbook is used for writing long form notes and projects.

I started with an iPad Air 4 and then bought a Mac Mini. I used the iPad when I was on placement at the hospital last year-good for portability, checking and marking notes, taking down information on spreadsheets etc. Also used it for video calls (all on Teams and Google Meet) and had to screenshare. Thankfully it was all supported, though my own video does get cut off when I present (not complaining because I can just read off of my notes ✌️) Other than that I use the iPad for media consumption and playing Genshin. But it massively annoys me how limited it is, and how the long-awaited proper monitor support is only going to be limited to the M1 chips. What a disappointment. Then I use the Mac Mini for literally everything else, it’s very fast (I switched from an old Windows PC and laptop) and I enjoy using it on the daily, and as far as the Apple ecosystem it’s fun to jump between all these devices without disturbing your workflow. I really wish Apple would stop calling the iPad with keyboard a ‘laptop replacement’ when they don’t do much to actually make use of its powerful chips.

I'm doing a social science doctorate and to be honest I only need a laptop for using rederencing software when writing papers; otherwise everything else gets done through my 3rd gen ipad pro. I can have all my books, notes lectures, papers, drafts, survey instruments with me all the time. Writing papers with the magic keyboard is fantastic, and when i do need to insert references using software i switch to an older macbook air. If you're doing a social science or arts course in college you could definitely just have the ipad and be great with it. I'm completely paperless in my studies now thanks to the pencil and notetaking. It's perfect.

Bingo on the first tip. I worked in an electronics department, and would often end up selling a tablet for someone who wanted a computer, but with the little bit of work they were doing… they didn’t need one.

I cannot imagine anyone choosing iPadOS over macOS tbh. iPadOS is so incredibly limited compared to macos

As someone who has a gaming desktop and an (awful) work laptop I don’t really need a MacBook but the m1/2 air have me really tempted. I had an i7 MacBook Air like in 2012 and absolutely loved that machine. Traded it in for an iPad and kinda wish I had kept it. Still worked fine just slow.

If you're a student I would recommend instead getting a second hand M1 Macbook Air and a base model ipad with apple pencil OR a second hand ipad with apple pencil as well. The iPad just isn't gonna cut it for school, especially if it's your only device. I deeply struggled with multitasking, cause split screen just isn't enough, it's too crammed unless you've got the quite expensive 12.9" one... and everything just takes longer to do! No matter what you do, the workflow just is slower

I love my iPad but sometimes I find myself stranded without access to Final Cut, which really puts a halt to my channel. I was hoping the MacBook Air would be a little cheaper but it doesn’t seem quite the right price for my uses.

I’m grateful to have both.. m1air and iPad Air with magic keyboard .. if I had to choose .. iPad only because I’m in school and all my books are ebooks

I can’t help but feel that something is missing in between. By the time I’ve upgraded the M2’s hard drive and memory, it’s a very expensive piece of kit. But the iPad is just falling short. Especially for file management. Both in iPadOS but also Lightroom. At the same time, buying the M2 feels like buying an outdated piece of equipment. Really tricky.

I purchased an Apple renewed Mac Mini M1, Apple renewed iPad Pro 11, a "used like new" Logitech Slim Folio Pro keyboard case from Amazon for $20 (it was actually brand new), and a 3rd party pencil. All totaled I spent less than the cost of a Macbook Air. I have the best of both worlds; a powerful work computer in my home office and a very capable mobile device for when I am not at home. Plus the iPad Pro really compliments the Mac Mini workflow in my office. I use both machines together with univeral control.

I like a combo of both. I just got the ipad air 5 (purple of course) and it's working great for me in conjunction with the M1 Macbook Air. I just don't see the need to upgrade the laptop when it's working fine. I have a windows pc at work so this is my personal computer that I use for graduate school coursework and surfing the net.

The perfect combo is iPad mini + MacBook Air but I’m dreaming of a new MacBook 12’ + iPad mini ! that would be a killer on the go combo with the best of both worlds

Great comparison, very informative. I have the iPad Mini 6 (terrific) and I'm still on the fence about the MBA2 (very tempted). I've been watching your videos for a while and like your content and presentation style, so you've got a new subscriber here.

Using an USB-C to DisplayPort cable, you don't need a dongle to connect to a monitor, which needs to have a displayport connection of course, but most monitors still do. I'm looking at replacing my 2019 iPad air and might switch to the MacBook air, because I want to use this for work on location.

You want a tablet to draw, take notes and also use productivity apps. Buy an iPad. You want to use desktop apps, buy a mac. Even when the iPad makes a lot of laptop Job, stills being a tablet

I use both the M1 iPad Pro and the M1 MacBook Pro; I love them both, and can use them separately or together. I understand that iPad OS is currently lacking in iPad OS 15 but 16 will be bringing the to OSs closer together. I can’t say that the iPad will be any better for things that people need from a heavy duty machine such as the M2 Air, but iPad OS 16 is an exciting addition to M1 iPads. I hope there is a new video when iPad OS 16 drops!

i like to take notes and i am intrigued by the procreate and some other apps.. that's y i am considering ipad air but my current circumstance makes the price point a bit of a turn off since i am not a content creator, it isn't a must have for me and i have a windows desktop just that sometimes i need a smaller screen due to eye strain

I bought both for college

I use the apple pencil all the time. Note taking, scribble and sketching are of prime importance to me. That's why I got the iPad, and it's a Bullseye.

I find that the iPad is better for content consumption. I still keep my ipad since I can download netflix movies to watch offline since unlike the mac it has a native netflix app

I use the m1 iPad Pro already so I want to get a M2 MacBook Air with 256gb storage and 24gb ram. I figured I can always get more storage if I need it later by getting a external portable SSD.

Great video! I have this dilemma as well. Im currently using an MSI gaming laptop which i bought quite recently to upgrade from my 6 year old acer laptop. For a while, I was happy with my choice since I've always wanted a powerful gaming laptop as a reward to myself after I got my first job, but after nearly 3 months of use, I find myself not utilizing the full capacity of the device. I stop playing games and most of my work revolves around spreadsheets and data. And my current means of entertainment revolves around reading ebooks, comics and manga, as well as, movies and tv series.Also, I am a casual illustrator. I really think that i should sell my gaming laptop, and get myself an ipad air/pro as it fits perfectly with my needs but for some reason, it is hard to justify the price and I still think that my laptop is still a way better device than an ipad.

"Don't Choose Wrong" easy, need a computer? Buy a Mac. Need a tablet? Buy an Ipad

Been contemplating getting a MacBook air m1 version or getting a new ipad. Ive the 2017 pro ipad currently. Not sure what to do. Planning on studying down the line. Obviously ipad doesnt support everything so need to wait until i know for sure what im doing study wise.

A very fair and honest review, thank you for sharing your experience with the tech devices!

I use the macbook air m1 and ipad air both base models both good

I'd say for a student the M1 Macbook air is best from performance/price ratio + utility

I like that studio ghibli background in the corner

I use an 2020 iPad Pro 11 with Magic Keyboard and I love it! Laptop replacement.

As long your job don’t need a Macbook just go for a IPad Air+ pencil, the ability to draw and paint on a tablet is a big advantage for IPad over Macbook. And able to choose how you want to use a Ipad is a advantage too.

Next time is better to compare the thickness side by side not one on top of another.

Cant Reformat a drive? Cant use multiple photo libraries, and use it from a drive. Some times thethe website’s don’t function because they glitch with ios… Not saying this is a deal breaker it just something to be aware

Right now in the US, the ipad air plus Magic Keyboard is more than the M1 MacBook air

I’m using the air 5 and it’s great

I've done pretty will with the iPad for school and I'm computer science but I have a Mac studio at home so. Sometimes I think I should have gotten a Mac book

For google photos organization, which is the better tool to do this task? On macbook air or ipad air?

I have no issues sharing content on my iPad with my classes.

Sadly I don’t have a Mac but I love iPadOS for now maybe when I get a Mac I will choose the Mac

I think I’ll keep my 4th iPad for another 2 yrs- and I could try out a MacBook Air in the meantime :) I find the iPads (even non silicon kind) just last and last (for my use case that is). Still GREAT for note taking etc. :)

Thx this helped alot

Don’t forget, that the 64gb M1 iPad Air will not support stage manager or the „problems“ with the 128gb ssd…so after all, whatever you do, you should upgrade the storage and not stick to the base models

Great video Tom!

Peep that Nextbit Robin

It may sound stupid but what do u exactly play on the screen in the background??

I chose the macbook m2 and for me although I would love an ipad, it would always be secondary to my laptop. Plus I think that ipados feels a little too much like ios and Im not sure i would be able to get myself into as productive a mindset as when im using macos.

I’m going to be taking a Pre-Media program at college in September and I notice I work better on a iPad than a traditional laptop aka a MacBook. But some courses require me to have a MacBook due to the creative applications that I will be using in class. But I want to understand what the difference between each air devices that have the M1 and M2. I’m sorry if you don’t understand what I’m saying.

i bought the ipad air because its touchscreen and i find it easier with a touchscreen device.

Is it too different between two displays cos I am so much caring of it? Officially ,m2 mac air has better one -retina XDR display.

Hi Byte. Could you help me please? As you know because of the Apple discounts for students (back to-school plan), I could buy an iPad Pro + an upgraded M2 MacBook air (with 16 gigs of ram) for quite the same price as 14-inch Macbook pro. I feel like choosing the iPad and MacBook air combo over the just MacBook pro makes more sense. What do you think ? which one should I choose? and even if it needs to upgrade the base model of M2 air or not? Thanks alot.

Honest review. 👍👍👍

Great video - subscribed!

Thank you 🙏🏻

Pls make a vid about this iPad Home Screen so I can use it

My requirements are Web browsing, Ms office and a bit of media consumption. Iam confused between ipad Air, ipad pro 12.9 inch and macbook m1. Can anyone suggest me, which one to go for. Please help.

whats the wallpaper called is so beatiful

Hello ! what M2 model did you bought ?

The iPad is a note taking, digital art, and consumption device. Anything else is simply beyond the capability of its OS.

For artists, the decision is a no brainer

Don’t buy an iPad unless you have a computer

What wallpaper is that???

Apple needs to add cellular data to the MacBooks otherwise people will keep converting to the iPad.

I’m in at 4 min

Ipad team.

👌🏾

Hello, I'm stuck between ipad air 5 / ipad 10th generation (logitech keyboard + apple pencil 1) or macbook air m1, both of them equal 25k. The results have not been announced yet, but the departments I want are law or psychology. I have assembled a solid pc at home, I don't have a laptop or ipad other than that, and I can't take a pc and work with it. Which one do you think I should buy, everyone says ipad is more comfortable, they say there is no cost of copying in terms of presentation and working (as far as I have read from videos and forums) and this photocopying thing confuses me about macbook. Also, I am too involved with computers since I was 5 years old and I can write too fast, but I have no idea if I have difficulty in handwriting with mechanical writing. In fact, both are absolutely necessary, but we do not have that much, although we do not have them, but I will try to take them into account because it is important. Anyway, it's been too long, I'd be glad if you reply. 🫡 (In my country which is Turkey, both ain't cheap)