Is it worth me getting a MacBook Air

[marcg868]

Basically I completely got rid of using a Pc for gaming and work in 2020 as it was stuffed in a corner on a cramped desk in the bedroom. Happy With my Series X for gaming and have been using my 2018 iPad Pro for everything else. However I’ve just got back into photography and have been attaching a sd card reader to my iPad and editing using it. I can do my work online training on it. And do enjoy a good couch browsing session.

Bit I do kinda miss using a laptop and the easy access to files. Kinda enjoy browsing the web on the Windows laptops at work.

Or should I just update my current iPad to a newer one?

 

[cardfan]

Always good to have a Mac or pc on hand. You won’t notice much difference upgrading iPad. I’d wait on m4 mba though.

 

[marcg868]

Always good to have a Mac or pc on hand. You won’t notice much difference upgrading iPad. I’d wait on m4 mba though.

Yeah dug out my old 2015 hp and whilst slow was great to actually type on a keyboard again.
Can I run 3ds or N64 Emulators on Mac? That’s all I’d really be interested in Gaming wise on a Mac. Mainly want it for photo editing.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

MBair is a nice computer. However, for your stated needs, you could get a laptop or Chromebook at much less expense and both will do those kinds of tasks just as well.

If you want to logically rationalize Mac, you need to be wanting to do things on it that it does better than PC and/or is generally only available on it and not PC. Otherwise, you are paying a lot more for "a laptop" that can be used for photo editing and web browsing.

Maybe the better option would be a keyboard case for that iPad Pro to make it seem very laptop-like? Then you have keys and trackpad much like a laptop.

Or keep your iPad as laptop substitute and maybe go Mac Mini for "real computer" needs at home. It reads like you probably already have a keyboard and mouse and maybe a monitor from the old gaming PC.

Now if you have already decided on MBair and this really isn't a question being asked, MBair is a fine laptop. Enjoy.

 

[marcg868]

MBair is a nice computer. However, for your stated needs, you could get a laptop or Chromebook at much less expense and both will do those kinds of tasks just as well.

If you want to logically rationalize Mac, you need to be wanting to do things on it that it does better than PC and/or is generally only available on it and not PC. Otherwise, you are paying a lot more for "a laptop" that can be used for photo editing and web browsing.

Maybe the better option would be a keyboard case for that iPad Pro to make it seem very laptop-like? Then you have keys and trackpad much like a laptop.

Or keep your iPad as laptop substitute and maybe go Mac Mini for "real computer" needs at home. It reads like you probably already have a keyboard and mouse and maybe a monitor from the old gaming PC.

Now if you have already decided on MBair and this really isn't a question being asked, MBair is a fine laptop. Enjoy.

Having a think about it maybe a M4 Ipad Pro 11 plus keyboard case would be better for me.
My Dad has the 13 and it's replaced his laptop and has it connected to printer wirelessly and edits his Cruise pictures on it.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I have relatives with exactly that (iPad with keyboard case). I’ve offered them a free MB if they want a laptop and they refuse, perfectly happy with that combo.

 

[DeepSix]

Will you be using it at Starbucks? How important is the Apple logo?

 

[marcg868]

Will you be using it at Starbucks? How important is the Apple logo?

Nope don't like Starbucks prefer Cafe Nero. Stronger Coffee without the fancy sweet shots. Nope Apple Logo not important. Use my S23 Ultra out and about.

 

[bradman83]

What software are you using for photo editing? There are some excellent choices on iPad, but also some lousy ones.

I alternate between a 14" MBP with Lightroom, Photoshop, and a handful of extra add-ins, and a 11" M2 iPad Pro with Lightroom and Photoshop. I can do amazing things with Lightroom on iPad and the Apple Pencil makes local adjustments easy.

 

[Ben J.]

I'm pretty sure you're losing a lot of speed if you're editing your photos on the SD card. Any serious photo work, you should get a M-series mac for its processing speed, and use its super fast SSD or an external NMVe. Does it really have to be portable?

 

[1BadManVan]

Having a think about it maybe a M4 Ipad Pro 11 plus keyboard case would be better for me.
My Dad has the 13 and it's replaced his laptop and has it connected to printer wirelessly and edits his Cruise pictures on it.

issue with the 11" is the keyboard for them is very cramped to type on compared to a macbook. I have an 11" air with the magic keyboard and a 13" m2 air and the air is so much nicer and faster to type on. If i had to choose one, it would be the macbook

 

[marcg868]

What software are you using for photo editing? There are some excellent choices on iPad, but also some lousy ones.

I alternate between a 14" MBP with Lightroom, Photoshop, and a handful of extra add-ins, and a 11" M2 iPad Pro with Lightroom and Photoshop. I can do amazing things with Lightroom on iPad and the Apple Pencil makes local adjustments easy.

Just the Light room App on Ipad Currently. Only for minor Edits.