It’s such a cash grab that Apple makes you buy a new keyboard and Apple Pencil
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
M3 pro 14 inch Mac Pro vs m3 MacBook Air- 13 inch, 512 gb 16gb ram?
- Thread starter Milly342
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I would personally go with M2/16/512, which is $1279 in the Education Store. If you can wait for the Back to School promo, you will likely get a $150 gift card.
As for iPad, iPad 10 should work. 256GB ($479) with USB-C Apple Pencil ($69). If you start later in the year, iPad 11 should be out.
Total = $1279 + $479 + $69 - $150 = $1677.
Certified Refurbished iPad Air 4 ($469) is also a viable alternative. It has a slightly better screen but the camera placement is in portrait, rather than landscape. With the iPad Air, you can also pay an additional $40 to upgrade to the Apple Pencil 2 ($109 refurbished), which has wireless charging and pressure sensitivity. The total would be $1707.
You could also shop at other places for better deals.
I honestly don't think you can tell the difference in your usage.
Another thing to take note of is that the M2 MBA only supports 1 external monitor, whereas the M3 MBA supports 2.
gotcha, im probably gonna go with the mac air because i do like the pros screen but its also much heavier and builkier and less portable
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
The iPad won't get macOS because Apple is not going to make the same mistake Microsoft made:
Trying to shoehorn a keyboard and mouse OS on a device meant for a very, VERY fat fingertip.
Even docked on the MK, the device would have to ASK if you want to use macOS, since macOS and iPadOS are VERY different even if they share design elements.
Folks have a hard time accepting that many (perhaps most?) iPad users DON'T WANT macOS. If they want a Mac they'd get one.
The iPad is its own thing, and us iPad fans like that about it.
gotcha, so for college is it suppsoed to be a primayr device or more of a secondary device to a macbook?
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
You have several questions to answer:
1. Budget. Can you do both? If not, MBA.
2. Do you need an iPad at all? --If you're not going to use the Pencil then the MBA is all you need
3. If both, an MBA and even a base iPad will give you most of the iPad capabilities and a portable SECOND SCREEN. People grossly underestimate that bit.
My setup is incidental: I bought an iPad Pro M1 as my only device but after 6 months realized I needed a Mac to do a few things the iPad couldn't, so I got an MBA M2 13". Its thinness and lightness made it my go to for "work" stuff. The iPad is now for "fun" stuff and "light/couch work". When traveling, I bring both and pick the right tool for the job at hand. Combined they weight LESS than my trusty old 17" MBP I gave up only after it died 2 years ago.
It could've gone the other way around: buy a Mac and then realize I need to draw, so then buy the iPad.
Which iPad depends on your needs (and obviously budget):
Graphic Artist? iPad Pro + Pencil
Anything else: fit the iPad to your budget
But no matter what, get the Mac first.
The iPad is not there yet as a standalone device for EVERYONE, even if it is for most people.
Its similarity to iPhone is its greatest asset, because EVERYONE (in Apple world) knows how to use an iPhone.
But if you're wishing for the iPad to get macOS, then just get a Mac and be done with it.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
The iPad is INTENDED as a secondary device for Mac users, and primary for everyone else.
But, watch this video for clarity:
Just consider this specific example: iPad has a limited version of Safari compared to the Mac version, and iPad cannot run alternative web browsers. Let's say you get a course assignment that only supports Firefox or Chrome. What would you do?
In this way, when you are going into a world of unknown needs that could be specific, you should not make your primary device something that cannot meet certain needs.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
While I agree with your point, your example is flawed as the iPad can be set up to use the desktop version of Safari, as well as run Chrome and Firefox.
Still, there are certain iPad limitations that can be easily avoided by just using a Mac.
Chrome and Firefox on iOS/iPadOS are just Safari with different skins. They're all still WebKit-based. Unless you're in the EU (soon).
I run Chrome all the time on my iPad. Firefox works as well.
i am running a 2011 MacBook pro. will my mind be blown as well??
Last edited:
Right, but they are all webkit at their core. I use Firefox to sync my activity with my other devices, but for iOS and iPadOS, it is basically a Safari cake with Firefox frosting.
All browsers run on an "engine" which is what they use to display web pages. On a computer, each browser has a different engine. Safari uses WebKit, Chrome uses Blink, and Firefox uses Gecko.
iPads on the other hand are very locked down. They do not allow other browser engines to run. So even though you can run "Chrome" or "Firefox" on an iPhone or iPad, all that really is is Safari/WebKit, with a different coat of paint on it. It's always surprising to me how many people, even those who are into tech and peruse forums like this, are deceived about this.
What this means in practice is that on an iPad, if Safari can't display a webpage properly, there's no alternative and you're SOL. Because "Chrome" and "Firefox" and all the different iOS browsers are really just re-skinned Safari.
Many education systems are now web-based and there are some that will not be optimized, or designed at all, for Safari. It's needless to risk running into that limitation that a Mac would not have. And that's just one example of the iPad's inflexibility being a problem, there are certainly others too. Your primary system, especially when it is work or school dependent, should be as flexible as possible IMO.
Gotcha, I’m probably gonna get a cheaper iPad to go along with the Mac air. Also is the MacBook Pro m3 pro much better than the m3 air with 16gb and 512ssd?
You would not notice a difference between the Air and the Pro from a performance standpoint. They would both seem equally fast to you.
The Pro has some nicer things like the display and speakers. But it is bigger, thicker, and heavier. So it’s a trade off.
yep, i held is and its decently heavier and bulkier but the display is nicer, ik I wouldnt notice much of a difference but is the $300 extra worth it for the m3 pro?
That’s really up to you. You know the pros and cons, at some point ya just gotta make a choice