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boombox15

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 17, 2013
272
22
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I am considering how I would like to spend some extra money now. My two options are to buy a 13 inch MacBook Pro with the touch bar and only that. The other option is to buy the 13 inch MacBook Pro without the touch bar and buy the $649 iPad Pro. Is the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro really with giving up the MacBook Pro with the touch bar?
 
I’ve not got a MacBook Pro (got 2015 12” MacBook) but I don’t see the need for the touchbar itself.

So I’d be looking at the other differences - the number of USB-C ports and the extra processing power.

The iPad Pro is great.
 
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You have to think about hope YOUR uses. What are you using a MacBook Pro or an iPad for? Do you need more portability (iPad), or would you like something more ergonomic (laptop)? Do you prefer the creativity and the interactivity the iPad offers, or do you need something that makes data entry, precise movements, moving through lots of windows/applications easy? Can you do everything on an iPad you would need to do on the MBP?

I’ve been using the new iPad Pro for a week. While I do think it is worth the money as a product, it’s not worth the money for me personally. Worth/value is all based on circumstances. The iPad Pro really is super fast, has a gorgeous display, incredible speakers, a lightweight sturdy design, a great camera, and even better, more powerful software on the way. For that, it’s definitely worth the money. However, I’ve noticed for my uses, I use the iPad for the same stuff I use my recently purchased laptop for. The iPad is amazing when it comes to notetaking, media consumption, and portability, but to me, it’s not worth $650 (plus $99 for an Apple Pencil) to be able to take better notes and have my backpack weigh less. I’m willing to deal with boring old paper notetaking and a heavier backpack for $750 back. So again, all depends on your uses. Gotta think how things apply to you personally.
 
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I am considering how I would like to spend some extra money now. My two options are to buy a 13 inch MacBook Pro with the touch bar and only that. The other option is to buy the 13 inch MacBook Pro without the touch bar and buy the $649 iPad Pro. Is the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro really with giving up the MacBook Pro with the touch bar?

I own the Non-Touch Bar model. To me, you're receiving the extended battery life and the Touch Bar functionality is nice, but not completely necessary either unless you want the convenience. I plan on purchasing the 10.5 iPad to compliment my laptop. My suggestion is purchase the Non-Touch Bar model and 10.5 iPad. You have the best of both devices for whatever purposes that might be.
 
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Is the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro really with giving up the MacBook Pro with the touch bar?
Depends on how you'll use the iPad (and laptop). For me, I did exactly that. Forgone the purchase of a MBP in lieu of the iPad. Of course I have a Surface Book and an old MBP, so my computing needs (desktop quality apps) are being satisfied but those machines. Personally I had trouble justifying spending 3,000 on a laptop, and couldn't bring myself to do that. Where as the iPad is a nice companion device that works along side my laptop. For me, its not replacing it, but giving me some nice features.
 
From everything I have seen and read, the touch bar is essentially useless. No reason to spend the money on it. If you need mouse support, I would go with the MacBook. If you don't, I would go with the iPad Pro. Replaced my MacBook a few weeks ago.
 
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From everything I have seen and read, the touch bar is essentially useless. No reason to spend the money on it. If you need mouse support, I would go with the MacBook. If you don't, I would go with the iPad Pro. Replaced my MacBook a few weeks ago.

Exactly right about the touch bar. I had one, then quickly got rid of it to downgrade to the one without it. Saw the novelty at first but man, it's a bad gimmick, imo. I'll be getting an iPad Pro in the coming weeks... come on back to school 2017 promotion lol.

But take my word for it, don't get the touch bar. Don't waste that money which could be spent on the iPad Pro.
 
I'd definitely take the 13" nTB MBP plus the iPad Pro. The Touch Bar doesn't really add that much.

I don't have a lot experience with the Touch Bar, but from what I read also, it just seems it needs more developer support to currently expand on it's capabilities as it is now. Also makes me wonder, there is only so much you can do with the Touch Bar at the moment. Which it seems limited.
 
The Touchbar has to be the single most useless change Apple has made in years. I have a MBP with it for work and so far the only thing I use it for is changing keyboard language (coding using US keyboard and using Finnish layout for everything else). Otherwise it just makes pressing function keys and Esc worse. I just don't see it being something app developers will want to spent time on because then you are just constantly looking between the main screen and a tiny strip doing things that you'd normally do with a keyboard shortcut without moving your gaze.

So definitely MBP + iPad Pro.
 
It's definitely worth it. It's a fantastic device. I thought I was in love with my 9.7" Pro, and this 10.5 machine is even better. For me, there were three killer deciding factors:

1. Bigger screen. I didn't mind the 9.7" but it always felt slightly constrained with all that bezel. I was really happy that they decided to do a 9.7" Pro, but I think it was only because the 10.5" wasn't ready yet.

2. Keyboard size. No longer do my hands feel cramped when typing on the Apple Smart Keyboard or the onscreen keyboard. In fact, I never used the onscreen keyboard for normal typing on any of my old iPads, but I do it all the time on this one.

3. ProMotion. It's hard to describe how much nicer it makes the iPad screen as far as look and usage, and it makes the Pencil WAY less laggy.
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The Touchbar has to be the single most useless change Apple has made in years. I have a MBP with it for work and so far the only thing I use it for is changing keyboard language (coding using US keyboard and using Finnish layout for everything else). Otherwise it just makes pressing function keys and Esc worse. I just don't see it being something app developers will want to spent time on because then you are just constantly looking between the main screen and a tiny strip doing things that you'd normally do with a keyboard shortcut without moving your gaze.

So definitely MBP + iPad Pro.
If there was ever a hint that things are going to go more and more toward touch based iOS devices and less and less toward traditional Macs, the Touchbar is the biggest telltale sign of that. I know people that have one and really like it, but it depends on the applications you're using. I think if I were buying a new MacBook Pro right now and still keeping my iPad Pro, I would definitely buy one without the Touchbar just to keep the price down.
 
I am considering how I would like to spend some extra money now. My two options are to buy a 13 inch MacBook Pro with the touch bar and only that. The other option is to buy the 13 inch MacBook Pro without the touch bar and buy the $649 iPad Pro. Is the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro really with giving up the MacBook Pro with the touch bar?

Get the MacBook, no question, I’m using iOS 11 right now on the iPad 10.5 and it’s a much more practical device to use now but no way would it replace my MacBook Pro.

Don’t forget the added cost of the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil to take advantage of the capabilities of the iPad Pro, otherwise you might as well but a regular iPad and save some money
 
Get the MacBook, no question, I’m using iOS 11 right now on the iPad 10.5 and it’s a much more practical device to use now but no way would it replace my MacBook Pro.

Don’t forget the added cost of the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil to take advantage of the capabilities of the iPad Pro, otherwise you might as well but a regular iPad and save some money


He wasn't saying should he get an iPad Pro OR a MacBook. He is buying a MacBook either way.

He said his choices were:

13" Non-TouchBar MacBook Pro AND an iPad Pro

Or

13" TouchBar MacBook Pro and no iPad.
 
Non TB MBP + iPad Pro combo is the sensible choice IMO. You could use your MBP for desktop class apps while using the iPP 10.5 to lounge, catch up with entertainment/books or take notes.
 
I am considering how I would like to spend some extra money now. My two options are to buy a 13 inch MacBook Pro with the touch bar and only that. The other option is to buy the 13 inch MacBook Pro without the touch bar and buy the $649 iPad Pro. Is the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro really with giving up the MacBook Pro with the touch bar?

Depends what you need to run, and whether you want a touch-screen.

If iOS will do what you want, then get the iPad. It's faster, better battery life, touch screen, 120hz display, lighter, cheaper, etc.

If IOS will not do what you want, then you get the Macbook Pro.

If you're on the fence, I'd wait until IOS 11 is out, then re-evaluate.

What are you honestly going to use the device for?

I have both a macbook pro 13 (2015) and an iPad Pro.

I spend most of my time lately with the iPad Pro because it is simply more convenient for what i am doing most of the time. But i do some things that won't work on the iPad, like Xcode, VMware Fusion, etc. And some things that are just less annoying on the Macbook.

But that's my use case.

What do YOU need to run?

Unless you need the Macbook to run applications that the iPad either can't or can't do as well, I'd suggest the iPad Pro every day of the week. Its cheaper, faster, better battery life, has the option of the pencil (which really is neat for note taking, if you do that), touchID for my password manager, etc.


Without knowing what you actually need to run, this question is not really possible to answer. If your usage fits within the IOS application suite, then there's little reason to get the Macbook.
 
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