iPad Pro iPad Pro vs 15" Macbook Air Pricing

[teh_hunterer]

But @darngooddesign issue is that you called out the heaviest iPad keyboard accessory to prove a weight factor. When they are merely suggesting there are alternatives where weight would be negligible.

I'm just saying that the full laptopification of an iPad (which means trackpad) incurs a weight penalty compared to a MacBook. And I'm not saying that because I think it's a bad tradeoff, but because it excites me about what an ultraportable Apple silicon laptop could be.

If people want to use different accessories, or they still prefer the iPad anyway, that's fine. The modularity, the touch screen, cellular, these are advantages the iPad has over the MacBook.

Meanwhile, I wouldn't call their posts "merely suggesting" at this point.

 

[darngooddesign]

I'm just saying that the full laptopification of an iPad (which means trackpad) incurs a weight penalty compared to a MacBook. And I'm not saying that because I think it's a bad tradeoff, but because it excites me about what an ultraportable Apple silicon laptop could be.

If people want to use different accessories, or they still prefer the iPad anyway, that's fine. The modularity, the touch screen, cellular, these are advantages the iPad has over the MacBook.

Meanwhile, I wouldn't call their posts "merely suggesting" at this point.

You are correct. I wasn’t merely suggesting, I am actually saying that your iPad is heavier than a MacBook Air because you bought Apple’s heaviest keyboard instead of a lighter keyboard/trackpad or lighter keyboard and BT mouse. You should have bought a MacBook Air instead since weight is your primary concern, which is fine.

However, since you are excited about ultraportables where small size is the reason for getting them, the 11” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard weighs 2.36 pounds, which is around .44 pounds less than the 13” M1 MBA and around .56 pounds less than the 13” M2 MBA. And in even better ultra portable news, the iPad 10 with Smart Keyboard Folio (trackpad) actually weighs less than the 12” MacBook. Sure, the iPad10 is compromised compared to the 11” iPad Pro, but the 12” MacBook was compromised compared to the MacBook Air; early on at least the MacBook had a retina Screen but once the Air got Retina the only MB advantage was it’s tiny size.

 

[teh_hunterer]

You are correct. I wasn’t merely suggesting, I am actually saying that your iPad is heavier than a MacBook Air because you bought Apple’s heaviest keyboard instead of a lighter keyboard/trackpad or lighter keyboard and BT mouse.

And since not one person in this thread has disputed the fact that lighter accessories exist, I don't know where this aggro is coming from. Though I'm not aware of a keyboard+trackpad case for the 12.9" iPad where it ends up coming under the 2.7lb MacBook Air.

You seem to be irritated by the fact that someone might really require a trackpad and keyboard case for their usage, and that going to a case without a trackpad, and/or getting a separate mouse, isn't suitable for them.

You should have bought a MacBook Air instead

No, I shouldn't have. And this is where you take it from what should be a cordial discussion about the different setups, to a bitter argument, because of your insistence of telling people what to do and making baseless assumptions about them like:

since weight is your primary concern

However, since you are excited about ultraportables where small size is the reason for getting them, the 11” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard weighs 2.36 pounds, which is around .44 pounds less than the 13” M1 MBA and around .56 pounds less than the 13” M2 MBA.

Correct, and I do take an 11" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard with me some days. Other days, I take my 14" MacBook Pro. Depends on what I'm doing. And when you go between two different devices that each have their advantages and drawbacks, it isn't surprising that you might theorise about a future device that would incorporate most of the advantages of both.

When I have the iPad, I enjoy the modularity, and the cellular, and the touch screen, and the fact it is so light and easy to whip out and start working immediately, wherever you are. I also enjoy the system level VPN, which will stay connected all day regardless of how often the iPad is asleep. When I have the MacBook Pro, I enjoy the full desktop experience of macOS, and the fact I can run any software I want on it, and how once I have it plonked down somewhere, I can simply work faster and better on it.

And merely discussing the idea of a potential perfect future device that Apple may or may not come out with, should not result in someone latching on and making all sorts of passive aggressive assertions and insisting you buy certain current products in the lineup.

 

[darngooddesign]

And since not one person in this thread has disputed the fact that lighter accessories exist, I don't know where this aggro is coming from. Though I'm not aware of a keyboard+trackpad case for the 12.9" iPad where it ends up coming under the 2.7lb MacBook Air.

You seem to be irritated by the fact that someone might really require a trackpad and keyboard case for their usage, and that going to a case without a trackpad, and/or getting a separate mouse, isn't suitable for them.


No, I shouldn't have. And this is where you take it from what should be a cordial discussion about the different setups, to a bitter argument, because of your insistence of telling people what to do and making baseless assumptions about them like:




Correct, and I do take an 11" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard with me some days. Other days, I take my 14" MacBook Pro. Depends on what I'm doing. And when you go between two different devices that each have their advantages and drawbacks, it isn't surprising that you might theorise about a future device that would incorporate most of the advantages of both.

When I have the iPad, I enjoy the modularity, and the cellular, and the touch screen, and the fact it is so light and easy to whip out and start working immediately, wherever you are. I also enjoy the system level VPN, which will stay connected all day regardless of how often the iPad is asleep. When I have the MacBook Pro, I enjoy the full desktop experience of macOS, and the fact I can run any software I want on it, and how once I have it plonked down somewhere, I can simply work faster and better on it.

And merely discussing the idea of a potential perfect future device that Apple may or may not come out with, should not result in someone latching on and making all sorts of passive aggressive assertions and insisting you buy certain current products in the lineup.

Nonsense, you are more than welcome to use whatever devices, computers, or accessories that you want to. No one is telling you what to do.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Nonsense, you are more than welcome to use whatever devices, computers, or accessories that you want to. No one is telling you what to do.

I suppose this is getting off topic at this point, but perhaps consider your language if that's what you think.

You should have bought a MacBook Air instead

a MacBook Air would be better and you should buy one of those

So use a lightweight mouse and a lightweight keyboard.

don't carry the heaviest iPad Keyboard

don't use a messenger bag

you chose the wrong bag

 

[darngooddesign]

I suppose this is getting off topic at this point, but perhaps consider your language if that's what you think.

"You should have bought a MacBook Air instead"
You complained about the iPad/MK being heavier than a MacBookAir

"a MacBook Air would be better and you should buy one of those"
A MacBook Air would have been better because it's lighter.

"So use a lightweight mouse and a lightweight keyboard."
That would make the iPad lighter than a MacBook Air

"don't carry the heaviest iPad Keyboard"
The heaviest keyboard makes it heavier than a MacBook Air

"don't use a messenger bag"
You complained about having too much weight in a messenger bag with back that hurts

"you chose the wrong bag"
You did if the bag is uncomfortably heavy.

I was offering solutions to your dilemma of Apple heaviest keyboard making the iPad heavier than the MacBook Air, not telling you what to do.

 

[teh_hunterer]

I was offering solutions to your dilemma of Apple heaviest keyboard making the iPad heavier than the MacBook Air, not telling you what to do.

As I said before, I never had a dilemma. I merely stated that turning an iPad into a full laptop (laptops have keyboards and trackpads) incurs a weight penalty, and so it's interesting to see what Apple is going to do next: whether they are planning another ultraportable laptop or not, because they would have a bit of weight to play with compared to the iPad.

 

[Zest28]

As I said before, I never had a dilemma. I merely stated that turning an iPad into a full laptop (laptops have keyboards and trackpads) incurs a weight penalty, and so it's interesting to see what Apple is going to do next: whether they are planning another ultraportable laptop or not, because they would have a bit of weight to play with compared to the iPad.

I'm pretty sure you can find an iPad Air with a 3rd party keyboard that weighs less than a MacBook Air.

 

[teh_hunterer]

I'm pretty sure you can find an iPad Air with a 3rd party keyboard that weighs less than a MacBook Air.

With inbuilt trackpad?

 

[Zest28]

With inbuilt trackpad?

Did you look at all 3rd party options for the iPad Air?

 

[Zest28]

Just as I figured, you didn't even bother checking, because even with the official Apple Magic Keyboard, the iPad Air + Apple Magic Keyboard is only 1.062kg, which is lighter than the M2 MacBook Air.

And you can get the weight down even further with 3rd party keyboards as Apple tends to have the heaviest ones.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Just as I figured, you didn't even bother checking

OK friend, no need to be rude. Actually, I got confused for a sec there because I thought you were talking about the 12.9" iPad Pro: I know the Air and Magic Keyboard is lighter (I have an 11" iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard after all). But you're comparing an 11" tablet to a 13" laptop which wasn't the point at all.

My original point (had you bothered checking, ha) was that screen size for screen size, you pay a weight penalty for turning an iPad into a laptop - case in point the 12.9" iPad with keyboard+trackpad cases are heavier than the 13" MacBook Air.

And my point is true, but it's not some big dunk on the iPad, so there is no need to overreact.

 

[Zest28]

OK friend, no need to be rude. Actually, I got confused for a sec there because I thought you were talking about the 12.9" iPad Pro: I know the Air and Magic Keyboard is lighter (I have an 11" iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard after all). But you're comparing an 11" tablet to a 13" laptop which wasn't the point at all.

My original point (had you bothered checking, ha) was that screen size for screen size, you pay a weight penalty for turning an iPad into a laptop - case in point the 12.9" iPad with keyboard+trackpad cases are heavier than the 13" MacBook Air.

And my point is true, but it's not some big dunk on the iPad, so there is no need to overreact.

You can’t compare the 12.9 iPad Pro to a M2 MBA, as it is a premium device like the 14” and 16” MacBook Pro’s (also have 120hz mini-LED display despite not having FaceID and worse camera’s than the 12.9 iPad Pro).

The M2 MacBook Air should be compared to the iPad Air as they are much more close in features.

 

[teh_hunterer]

You can’t compare the 12.9 iPad Pro to a M2 MBA, as it is a premium device like the 14” and 16” MacBook Pro’s (also have 120hz mini-LED display despite not having FaceID and worse camera’s than the 12.9 iPad Pro).

The M2 MacBook Air should be compared to the iPad Air as they are much more close in features.

It's not like what you're saying has no merit, it's just got little to do with what I was saying.

I'm talking about the practicalities of design and the weight of devices, and not purchasing decisions for today.

The reality is, Apple used to sell a 2lb laptop, and now their lightest laptop is a 2.7lb laptop. Maybe Apple is still going to make an ultra portable laptop again now that they've got Apple silicon, or maybe they consider the iPad to be close enough that they don't actually feel the need to do a smaller laptop anymore.

Personally, while the iPad is great, when an 11" iPad with keyboard and trackpad case is 2.4lbs, Apple could make a 12.5" MacBook at under that, and I find such a device to be more compelling. And the inherent weight saving of the laptop form factor is the reason for that.

And that is really all I'm saying.

 

[BhaveshUK]

It's not like what you're saying has no merit, it's just got little to do with what I was saying.

I'm talking about the practicalities of design and the weight of devices, and not purchasing decisions for today.

The reality is, Apple used to sell a 2lb laptop, and now their lightest laptop is a 2.7lb laptop. Maybe Apple is still going to make an ultra portable laptop again now that they've got Apple silicon, or maybe they consider the iPad to be close enough that they don't actually feel the need to do a smaller laptop anymore.

Personally, while the iPad is great, when an 11" iPad with keyboard and trackpad case is 2.4lbs, Apple could make a 12.5" MacBook at under that, and I find such a device to be more compelling. And the inherent weight saving of the laptop form factor is the reason for that.

And that is really all I'm saying.

I absolutely understand your perspective. The weight penalty imposed by the Magic Keyboard is significant.

During my recent two-week travel experience with the 12.9 iPad Pro, I found myself carrying both the Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio, and I found the convenience lacking. Moreover, there were instances where the limitations of iPadOS significantly hindered my productivity. I was wishing for the existence of a 12.5 MacBook too!

 

[teh_hunterer]

I absolutely understand your perspective. The weight penalty imposed by the Magic Keyboard is significant.

During my recent two-week travel experience with the 12.9 iPad Pro, I found myself carrying both the Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio, and I found the convenience lacking. Moreover, there were instances where the limitations of iPadOS significantly hindered my productivity. I was wishing for the existence of a 12.5 MacBook too!

I've done the same thing with both the 11" and 12.9" iPad Pros, and I know the feeling. And the Smart Folio also adds a bit of weight to the equation.

It's almost worth it, too. But when you go for this setup it is heavy enough that you are probably using it as a laptop replacement, and at least for my usage it just isn't quite there to fully replace a MacBook for me. But the iPad does have a lot of positives that I wish would be incorporated into the Mac, like the touch screen and cellular.

I did find the 11" iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard to be a tremendous travel device, but these were true vacations and not work travel.

 

[Abazigal]

12.9" M2 iPad Pro, 256GB Storage, 8 GB RAM, Magic Keyboard, $1,548

15" M2 Macbook Air, 256GB Storage, 8 GB RAM, $1,299

I understand the iPad Pro has a better screen, speakers and camera, but still, the value proposition is extremely strange here

Another possibility is simply supply vs demand.

Apple expects the 15" MBA to be a product with mass appeal, and it's priced to maximise profits (ie: it is this price that will sell X units over time that results in the most amount of money earned vs any other pricing strategy).

The iPad Pro could be a more niche product, and its higher price tag reflects that fewer people will buy it (over say, an iPad Air). But Apple knows that the people who do get one likely have fairly specialised workflows, hence the pricey accessories as well.

Granted, I say this not knowing how much each product costs to make, so it could also simply be that the iPad just costs more to manufacture.

 

[darngooddesign]

As I said before, I never had a dilemma. I merely stated that turning an iPad into a full laptop (laptops have keyboards and trackpads) incurs a weight penalty, and so it's interesting to see what Apple is going to do next: whether they are planning another ultraportable laptop or not, because they would have a bit of weight to play with compared to the iPad.

Your dilemma is weight. When buying Apple's heaviest keyboard, the 13" iPad is slightly heavier than a MacBook Air. When putting too much weight in a messenger bag, it is too heavy for someone with a back that hurts.

Apple already has solved the weight issue. The 11" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard weighs less than the MacBook Air and iPad 10 with Smart Keyboard Folio weighs less than the 12" MacBook.

And backpacks are better for your back when carrying a lot of weight.

I've owned almost every Apple ultraportable laptop, and would welcome a new one, but nothing is rumored on the horizon. So for now, the smaller iPads are Apple's ultraportables.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Your dilemma was when buying Apple's heaviest keyboard, the 13" iPad is slightly heavier than a MacBook Air.

I don't own a 12.9" iPad nor was I ever in the market for a MacBook Air.

Your Dilemma was when putting too much weight in a messenger bag, it was too heavy for someone with a back that hurts.

My bag was never too heavy nor does my back hurt.

You're just finding excuses for your rudeness, and never once understood what I was talking about.

 

[geta]

Why choosing if you can have both… each device for different usage.

 

[BhaveshUK]

I've done the same thing with both the 11" and 12.9" iPad Pros, and I know the feeling. And the Smart Folio also adds a bit of weight to the equation.

It's almost worth it, too. But when you go for this setup it is heavy enough that you are probably using it as a laptop replacement, and at least for my usage it just isn't quite there to fully replace a MacBook for me. But the iPad does have a lot of positives that I wish would be incorporated into the Mac, like the touch screen and cellular.

I did find the 11" iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard to be a tremendous travel device, but these were true vacations and not work travel.

Definitely! The setup I have with the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard came incredibly close to being "worth it" on the trip. However, I encountered certain limitations in Microsoft Office (which can't be attributed to Apple) and Keynote (can be attributed to Apple), and these frustrations significantly hampered my productivity. It was at that point where I felt my ability to perform work tasks was greatly hindered.

If I had the opportunity to make the purchase again and the 12.5-inch MacBook existed, my ideal setup would consist of the 12.5 MacBook, accompanied by a second-hand iPad Pro 11 at a reduced cost. This combination would provide me with the best of both worlds, enabling me to tackle my work effectively on the MacBook while still benefiting from the iPad's exceptional illustration and second screen capabilities.

Moreover, as someone with an actual bad back due to surgery, the weight of that combination in my luggage would not be a deal breaker.

 

[darngooddesign]

I don't own a 12.9" iPad nor was I ever in the market for a MacBook Air.

Then you already know that the smaller iPads with Magic Keyboard are lighter than the MacBook Air. Those are Apple's ultraportables.

My bag was never too heavy nor does my back hurt.

You're just finding excuses for your rudeness, and never once understood what I was talking about.

"Probably because you wear a backpack, and maybe because your back doesn't hurt. If you use a messenger bag, it all adds up. It depends what else you carry as well. Add enough pounds because an extra pound doesn't bother you, and eventually your bag is too heavy."

You spent a lot of time taking about the heaviness of the largest iPad with the heaviest keyboard and the MacBook Airs. But you are interested in ultraportables which means you should be talking about the 11" iPads. which are lighter with a keyboard/trackpad than both the MacBookAir and the 12" MacBook.

It's possible you don't understand how to get your point across.

Good day Sir.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Definitely! The setup I have with the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard came incredibly close to being "worth it" on the trip. However, I encountered certain limitations in Microsoft Office (which can't be attributed to Apple) and Keynote (can be attributed to Apple), and these frustrations significantly hampered my productivity. It was at that point where I felt my ability to perform work tasks was greatly hindered.

If I had the opportunity to make the purchase again and the 12.5-inch MacBook existed, my ideal setup would consist of the 12.5 MacBook, accompanied by a second-hand iPad Pro 11 at a reduced cost. This combination would provide me with the best of both worlds, enabling me to tackle my work effectively on the MacBook while still benefiting from the iPad's exceptional illustration and second screen capabilities.

Moreover, as someone with an actual bad back due to surgery, the weight of that combination in my luggage would not be a deal breaker.

I've thought about that exact same setup. The whole thing would come in at the same weight as a 14" MacBook Pro, but as you say with the best of both worlds and the ability to have a second screen.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Then you already know that the smaller iPads with Magic Keyboard are lighter than the MacBook Air. Those are Apple's ultraportables.

And as I already said, those iPads with magic Keyboard are heavier than Apple's ultraportable laptop from 2015, and have smaller screens than said laptop (from 2015).

"Probably because you wear a backpack, and maybe because your back doesn't hurt. If you use a messenger bag, it all adds up. It depends what else you carry as well. Add enough pounds because an extra pound doesn't bother you, and eventually your bag is too heavy."

Its possible you don't understand how to get your point across.

An aside in response to someone saying "A pound on my backpack more or less doesn’t bother me the slightest, and I wonder how many others would care about that in real life outside of the forum spec sheet comparisons."

That you have taken out of context and latched on to for some bizarre reason.

It's possible you have comprehension issues, because I must have said my point is essentially the following 5 or 6 times:

"I'm just saying that the full laptopification of an iPad (which means trackpad) incurs a weight penalty compared to a MacBook. And I'm not saying that because I think it's a bad tradeoff, but because it excites me about what an ultraportable Apple silicon laptop could be."

That we're still going around in circles about this is frankly astounding.

 

[darngooddesign]

And as I already said, those iPads with magic Keyboard are heavier than Apple's ultraportable laptop from 2015,

The 11" iPad Air/Pro with MagicKeyboard (trackpad) is lighter than the MacBook Air, and the iPad 10 with SmartKeyboardFolio (trackpad) is lighter than the 12" MacBook Air. And you can get lightweight trackpad keyboards for the 11” iPad Air/Pro.

and have smaller screens than said laptop (from 2015).

Yes, small screen and small size is what makes something ultraportable instead of just more portable.

I said good day sir!