If you're looking for a portable device in the Apple ecosystem, the MacBook Pro is probably one of your options. But the iPad Pro is also a very capable contender for your attention - its compact design, robust processor and Apple Pencil support make it a very strong choice if you want to work on the go.
Apple often touts its iPads as computer replacements, but how is that true when the iPad Pro meets the MacBook Air? This is the question we intend to resolve here.
The difference in values between these two devices is not huge, considering a 2018 MacBook Air with 256 GB of storage and a 2018 12,9-inch iPad Pro with 256 GB of storage and Smart Folio Keyboard. So the price is not the most important thing. That means you have to consider other factors.
Weight:
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air Retina weighs 1,2 kg and is considered a thin and light notebook. Although the 1,2 kg is heavier than the 12-inch iPad, which weighs 900 grams, it is the thinnest and lightest 13,3-inch MacBook Apple has ever made.
The iPad Pro has a smart keyboard which, when combined with the iPad, weighs around 2,3 Kg.
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When it comes to work and productivity, the iPad should offer a utility that comes close to the MacBook. But this is not always the case. Simple, everyday tasks you do on a MacBook can be tricky to do on the iPad Pro, such as cutting and pasting text or editing images.
Yes, you can adapt to iPad Pro and iOS, but it's not always easy because:
No trackpad/mouse: obvious downside, but doesn't make it any less inconvenient;
Some things you can't fix, like WordPress for iOS bugs that aren't addressed;
Must resort to tips for doing things that are much simpler on a notebook;
Makes you rely heavily on cloud storage for file management;
The iPad's USB Type-C port isn't the plug-and-play you'll get on a MacBook or Windows notebook, meaning many external devices aren't recognized;
iPad ProPerformance: In Geekbench benchmark tests, the iPad Pro performed faster than the MacBook Air. Approximately 25% faster on single core, and over 133% faster on multiple cores.
Display: The iPad Pro display also has a P3 wide color gamut, higher resolution, and True Tone, which equals a more advanced display overall.
Battery Life: The iPad Pro beats the MacBook Air in battery life by a few hours - 8-12 hours on the iPad Pro versus 6-10 on the MacBook Air, depending on what you're doing.
Face ID: It's an advantage the iPad Pro has over the MacBook Air, but it's not a deciding factor. In fact, there are pros and cons to both Face ID and Touch ID - the latter coming on the new MacBook Air.
4G/LTE: This is an option on the iPad, but not the MacBook Air.
Finally, the Apple keyboard is easy to use and comfortable, in addition to giving the possibility to adjust quickly, which is not the case with many notebook keyboards out there.
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Given their similar price points and different form factors, it can seem tricky to pick a winner between the MacBook Air and the iPad Pro. But in this case, the MacBook Air might still be the preference, especially for work.
This happens for several reasons. Although the iPad Pro is incredibly powerful and perfect if you want a great tablet for drawing and working on the go, but its lack of flexibility can hold you back. Internally, you can only customize your storage;
The MacBook Air, on the other hand, offers more storage and memory options, as well as Thunderbolt 3 ports, which allow you to significantly expand your capabilities if needed.
The MacBook Air's more powerful operating system and compatibility with some of the world's top professional apps are also a strong selling point, as is its excellent trackpad. These tools make it suitable for detailed work like video editing, which is easier to do than on a touchscreen like the iPad Pro.
So while the iPad Pro is fantastic - it's the best tablet money can buy - the MacBook Air is the device most people should buy if they're looking for an Apple product at this price point, and mostly focused on work. .
