Apple iPad Pro vs. MacBook Air: Which Should You Pick?

The Apple iPad Pro vs. MacBook Air from Apple are very similar to one another. The MacBook Pro and iPad Pro both use the same M1 chip.

Which should I purchase? Now, the majority of people will find this question to be worthwhile.

I therefore made the decision this time to contrast the MacBook Air and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (M1 Chip Equiped).

Benefits of the iPad Pro A Beautiful Display

Apple refers to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s display as “Liquid Retina XDR.” Although it uses a strange marketing term, the screen is unquestionably excellent. For greater contrast than other Mac displays, thousands of mini LEDs are crammed in. The Pro Display XDR display from Apple, which costs $5,000, has a full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits. Individually brightening or dimming these tiny LEDs produces detailed, rich tones.

Connectivity for the Fifth Generation (5G) of Mobile Networks

Fast 5G networks are now available with the most recent Pro ($200 more for models that are cellular-connected). In rare circumstances, download speeds greater than 3 gigabytes per second have been made possible by Verizon Communications Inc.’s 5G lines. That’s fifty times faster than my sluggish home broadband connection. A 5G-capable iPad makes it simple to upload big files and use “Zoom” for video conferences. However, only if a cell phone base station is nearby.

A Fantastic Camera

A wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle camera are located on the back of the iPad Pro. These cameras are utilized in a variety of applications by depth-measuring LiDAR scanners. using the Notes app to scan documents, for instance.

The new 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera on the front of the display is the camera’s best feature. In comparison to the 720p FaceTime camera on the MacBook Air, this camera has a much higher resolution.

Rapid Face ID

To unlock the iPad or accept Apple Pay as a payment method, you don’t even need to move your finger. Both the iPad Pro and MacBook have biometric sensors, but Face ID on the iPad Pro performs facial recognition quicker and more easily than Touch ID on the MacBook.

Wizard Keyboard

The Magic Keyboard’s improved keyboard is just as comfortable to type on as the one on the MacBook Air. Although the trackpad is somewhat small, a Bluetooth (near field wireless communication standard) mouse connection is also an option (all iPads with the latest “iPadOS 14” are compatible with Bluetooth mouse) and Apple iPad Pro vs. MacBook Air.

It’s great that the screen can be tilted, that there is a backlight, and that there is a USB-C port. But I don’t mind how much the keyboard itself costs. Around $300 for the 11-inch model keyboard and $350 for the 12.9-inch model.

Precise Touch Method Input

It feels more natural to move maps and pictures with your finger than with a mouse. A digital notebook can be created on your tablet using the Apple Pencil. Using LiquidText to highlight text in PDFs, Penultimate (Application) to take searchable meeting notes, and Procreate to create sketches (Application). There is no discernible lag, and just like a real pencil or pen, the line gets thicker the more pressure you apply.

Three-Dimensional Sound (3D)

Apple added a “Spatial Audio” feature to the iPad Pro that allows multi-channel audio content like “Dolby Atmos” to have virtual surround sound. Wireless headphones AirPods Pro and AirPods Max support the feature, but the MacBook does not (yet). Only some models of iOS are compatible.

Benefits of the MacBook Air: Opening Many Windows

As many windows as the processor can handle can be opened on a Mac. The “M1” chip in the MacBook Air allowed for numerous openings. Only some apps on the iPad allow you to split the screen within the same app (you cannot view two Google Docs simultaneously). On the iPad, you can split the screen for up to two apps.

Long-Lasting Battery

According to claims, the MacBook Air’s battery can support 15 hours of web browsing. In a test, a YouTube video played for 10 hours and 45 minutes at 65% brightness. It took about 11 hours to use it normally and Apple iPad Pro vs. MacBook Air.

That long of a drive was impossible on an iPad. According to Apple, the iPad has a battery life of 10 hours when using Wi-Fi and 8 to 9 hours when using cellular data. During testing, it provided slightly more than 8 hours of Wi-Fi use and roughly 6 hours of mobile use. The power-saving M1 Chip processor is outweighed by the 5G and ultra-clear display.

Cost Side

Although the MacBook Air starts at $999, I advise investing in the $1,199 version with an additional 512GB of storage. The iPad Pro starts at $1099, but you’ll also need extras like the $349 Magic Keyboard and the $129 Apple Pencil. Together, they total $1,577.

More Effective Peripheral Support

The MacBook has two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack, providing better peripheral support. The iPad Pro only has one USB-C/Thunderbolt port (using the Magic Keyboard adds another, but it’s only for charging), no headphone jack.

Connection To Printers

The MacBook can also connect a printer via a USB port, whereas the iPad can only use wireless printers that support “AirPrint”.

App Support for iOS

An M1-equipped MacBook Air can run iOS apps since the M1 chip is based on the processor used in iOS devices. However, some applications, like Instagram and the Duolingo app for learning foreign languages, cannot be used on a Mac.

MacOS Power

Although the iPad has a lot of capabilities, the Mac is generally superior. Although new iPad software features are anticipated from Apple, iPadOS is currently less powerful than MacOS.

Should You Purchase a MacBook Air or an iPad Pro?

For some types of work, Macs have long been the standard. Macs have had the same screen, keyboard, and trackpad setup since the 1990s. The iPad, on the other hand, comes close to being a complete computer and offers smartphone advantages like a touchscreen, cellular connectivity, and sensors like satellite positioning systems (GPS).

The hardest choice may be between the MacBook Air’s powerful software and antiquated setup versus the iPad Pro’s simplicity and cutting-edge hardware. However, the MacBook is more effective in many ways.