iPad Pro iPad Pro or MacBook Air

[0128672]

Yesterday I tried a base model 2020 MBA for about 6 hours, and it's a very nice rig, no doubt about it. The keyboard is crisp and responsive. I kept trying to touch the screen though out of habit 😆

But no matter how I adjusted the display settings/text size/white point, I got eye strain and a headache. I've used Airs and MBPs in the past and not had that happen. It could have just been the day, but I didn't feel that way using my trusty IPP+MK earlier in the day and later in the evening. I even matched the Air's display settings as close as possible to my IPP's, but it didn't work for me.

Also--and I physically measured with a tape because I didn't believe it--the IPP screen feels bigger even though the diagonal measurement is about the same. I also noticed colors were more vibrant on the IPP with true blacks in dark mode as opposed to dark grays on the Air.

Coming back to the iPP+MK, the trackpad didn't feel that much smaller.

 

[ascender]

The screen on the iPad Pro really is nice. There’s no ghosting and everything is very bright and crisp. You’re right @Namara, the screen feels bigger which I’m assuming is down to the bezels?

The more I use it, the more i love just removing the iPad from the Magic Keyboard and using it on my lap - whether I’m taking notes with the Pencil, reading docs or even just using the Pencil as a stylus. As someone who’s worked in technology all their life and seen initial attempts at laptop/tablet combos, it feels like we’ve finally arrived at a landmark device where you can just remove this instantly and it becomes a tablet.

 

[rui no onna]

Also--and I physically measured with a tape because I didn't believe it--the IPP screen feels bigger even though the diagonal measurement is about the same. I also noticed colors were more vibrant on the IPP with true blacks in dark mode as opposed to dark grays on the Air.

In terms of display area, a 12.9” iPad should be around the same as a 13.3” MacBook.

iPads are 4:3 so that’s around 10.3” x 7.7” = ~79.9 sq in

MacBook Air is 16:10 I believe so that’s around 11.3” x 7” = ~79.5 sq in

Content-wise though, you get more vertical space in landscape mode on the iPad so depending on the content, you could be getting more content displayed on the iPad.

Most modern videos are 16:9 so the MBA is better suited for those.

Webpages tend to just have tons of white space on the sides when viewed in landscape, though. For those, you might see more content on the iPad at 4:3.

 

[sracer]

Good evening, I can only imagine how fed up everyone is with that question, but I'm really not sure which would do its Job better for me. I've decided that I'll buy a MacBook Air later this year, until today. I took a look into the iPad Pro and now I'm really uncertain which to choose. I would use both only for school work, as well as watching Netflix/Youtube videos and maybe play some games, but thats unnecessary. My biggest problem with the iPad is that it isn't able to use 3rd party software, for example only the mobile version of office. I have a very old iMac(2011 I think) and Gen. 6 iPad. The iPad would be a little less expensive but it doesn't really make much of a difference, also I could sell my recent iPad and safe a little money. Atm I'm leaning more on the iPad side, because taking notes with the Apple Pencil is a little more comfortable I reckon. Also, I would write longer essays/ bigger texts on my iMac anyways so I wouldn't even need a good keyboard for the iPad. Is there anything I didn't thought of or some important differences I don't know about. I appreciate any tips or help. 😁
Also if there is a similar thread with the exact same problem a link would be great.

The 6th gen iPad (2018) supports the Apple Pencil. It works extremely well and I use mine every day as a digital project notebook, journal, and planner. I recommend replacing the iMac with either a new iMac (and springing for an external SSD as a boot drive) or a new Macbook Air.