To complete the MacBook offer that could replace any iPad Pro portability needs, a 12” MacBook would be neat. Maybe Apple is afraid of cannibalizing iPad Pro sales? Maybe, but they have always stated that their Mac, iPad and iPhone teams compete against each other to offer the best product, so…
I think Apple doesn't know how to price such a device to make sense financially for them. They know there is a demand and that they are leaving some money on the table, but they don't want to make a cheaper Macbook air. Back in 2015-2017 it was easy. The cheap model was the old design. So they could price the Retina Macbook at $1300 base model and make good money. Now it's harder. It would definitely sell at that price, but how do you price is on par with the 15* model... Logically it should be priced $999, which Apple just does not want to. And they cannot make it a pro either... So they just give up...
Yeah, pricing such device would be difficult, because as you said, a smaller MacBook should be priced cheaper than the 13.6” MacBook Air…
to be honest it's understandable that none of these options make financial sense for Apple, so us fan of the 12" MacBook should problably just accept it won't happen (hopefully my maxed out 12" MacBook will last many more years)
No, and I didn't even upgrade to Ventura (which is possible), because of its bad reputation, so I am leaving it on Monterey, where everything works fine, including universal control.
Increasing the 13" M2's Air's price means that all the other laptops would increase in price; Apple dropped its price so they could hit their 15" target price. What Apple could to is replace the 13" M1 Air with a 12" M1 Air.
very unlikely they put M1 in a new device. And again Apple is unlikely to sell a current 12" Macbook for cheaper as they know it would cannibalize higher priced model, while a more expensive 12" would still sell to those looking for a ultra light Macbook, but again it's too tough to justify in the current line...
This makes sense provided one wants a laptop. For those that desire the tablet experience the (more expensive in some configurations) iPad is the way to go. Writing and drawing with the Apple Pencil, editing vertical photos in full screen and playing keyboard music without having to plug in external hardware are things that my MacBook Pro (as powerful as it is) will never be good at. The iPad can do all of these in addition to office, home and student work (although for those tasks I DO reach for my MBP when I at home and not traveling).
However… you can’t remove the screen from the MacBook without voiding its warranty.
Unlike the MacBook, removing the iPad from its keyboard does not void its warranty.
Well, yes, but if you are using your iPad as a laptop replacement (title of this thread) then you probably have it in a keyboard case, and it will weigh about the same as an MBA......perhaps more. Compare the weight of the 12.9 in iPad Pro + Apple MK to the larger screen 13.6 in M2 MBA. Compare the cost of a 12.9 in iPad Pro (with 256GB storage) + Apple MK to a base model M2 MBA (256GB storage). The iPad set-up will be more expensive. In general, I believe the MBA with MacOS is a better laptop option than an iPad for for most people. I guess this is the reason I see tons of people on laptops working remote at the local coffee shop and very few on iPads. There certainly are exceptions, and I am not hating on the iPad. For example, I am sure there are folks that have a workflow that would allow them to use their iPad away from the office and an iMac when back at their desk. My wife does this. But, it is a much more expensive set-up than using a MBA that you can take with you and then plug into a 23in monitor (often on sale at big box stores for like $125) at your desk.
I think the big issue with this thread (and therefore with comments like this one) is that people assume that iPad as a laptop replacement means no need for the iPad only features in addition to the laptop features.
I agree that there are people that might want or need iPad only features, and those individuals might be better-off using an iPad as their mobile solution rather than a traditional laptop. But, then it isn't a laptop replacement.....by definition. And, that is the title of this thread.
If it replaces their laptop, then it is a laptop replacement.
I guess you can call it a replacement. You can also use a hatchet to pound nails and say it is a replacement for a hammer. But, it is heavier, more expensive, and not as good as a hammer at doing the job of pounding nails. But, yeah, you can do it and call it a replacement if you want.
It's a matter of priorities and while I agree that if I had to choose one device on the go I would pick a laptop, it would definitely not be a MacBook as for me cellular is a priority and I don't want to have to mess with connecting a MacBook to my Samsung smartphone all the time... Pen support is not always necessary but sometimes I need it for annotation (I am a teacher but I can see many students having the same need). What do they do? They use pen and paper instead, which is less efficient but cheaper. Having said that if I could not use a Windows convertible or cellular laptop at least, I would prefer my cellular iPad pro with MK to a MacBook and would connect remotely to Windows (even with the risk of not having a connection in some places).
I've used a hatchet as a hammer while camping because it works perfectly well at that task and saves me bringing a hammer. Because its head is heavier, it can do a better job of driving nails, but if you are hanging a smaller item, you might consider using an HatchetMini to hammer the nail.
Well, if you are saying that using an iPad as laptop replacement is like using a hatchet as a hammer replacement, then I guess we are in complete agreement.I've used a hatchet as a hammer while camping because it works perfectly well at that task and saves me bringing a hammer. Because its head is heavier, it can do a better job of driving nails, but if you are hanging a smaller item, you might consider using an HatchetMini to hammer the nail.
An iPad is perfectly capable of being a laptop replacement for most of what people use their personal laptops for, but it can't be a laptop replacement for some of what people use their work laptops for.
I'm saying that if an iPad can replace your laptop, then it is a laptop replacement.
Correct. It isn’t for me but is, in combination with a keyboard case, for my girlfriend.