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iPad Pro MacBook or iPad?

2

212rikanmofo

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 31, 2003
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Would you guys prefer to have a MacBoo or iPad? I'm considering getting a new iPad but one thing that I don't like is that it's not a macbook replacement yet. I watch videos a lot on YouTube on my MacBook and enjoy it because I am able to use an adblocker to block all those annoying commercials and ads appearing everywhere for a cleaner experience. This is one big issue I have with the iPad. Although I can probably get away with it using the safari app and installing adguard on there to get the same experience as on my MacBook, but on the iPad I'm so use to using the YouTube app. I also find that multitasking and having virtual desktop spaces is easier on macOS than on ipadOS.

I currently use my mac mainly plex, surfing with safari, playing games using emulators like openemu, retroarch, dolphin, ryujinx, discord, chatting, messaging, facetime. Not sure if the iPad would give me a better experience for those things. If so I will just stick with my trusty mac
 
In my opinion, it’s so much more convenient to watch YouTube videos or movies on an iPad versus a MacBook. YouTube premium takes care of the ads. This is what I use my iPad Air for. Also, I don’t use the YouTube app on my iPad because I don’t see how it helps and YouTube works fine in Safari.

For doing stuff like typing spreadsheets or documents, I much rather have the MacBook. I know you can get a keyboard for the iPad, but it just doesn’t feel the same.
 
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if i had to choose one, i would keep my m2 macbook air vs my ipad air. Larger screen, more versatile overall. Still like my ipad for specific uses, even have the magic keyboard for it, but my macbook is still my favorite for sitting on the couch and surfing the web etc
 
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Different tools for different things for me. iPad for light general browsing and light media consumption, otherwise various windows machines for everything else. I had a MacBook Pro several years ago and gave it to someone who needed it more than I did. Liked the MacBook and I'd buy another but I'm just turned off by the pricing ladders on MacBooks these days (and iPads).
 
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For me the iPad Pro is the best personal home computer. Browsing, streaming services, music, banking apps, All much nicer on the iPad for me.

I like touch devices and prefer iPadOS over MacOS in many ways.

I have a windows work laptop and use that for work stuff. (For many Microsoft business related apps, Windows is beter suited because the apps have more features than their Mac counterparts)
 
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212rikanmofo said:
Would you guys prefer to have a MacBoo or iPad? I'm considering getting a new iPad but one thing that I don't like is that it's not a macbook replacement yet. I watch videos a lot on YouTube on my MacBook and enjoy it because I am able to use an adblocker to block all those annoying commercials and ads appearing everywhere for a cleaner experience. This is one big issue I have with the iPad. Although I can probably get away with it using the safari app and installing adguard on there to get the same experience as on my MacBook, but on the iPad I'm so use to using the YouTube app. I also find that multitasking and having virtual desktop spaces is easier on macOS than on ipadOS.

I currently use my mac mainly plex, surfing with safari, playing games using emulators like openemu, retroarch, dolphin, ryujinx, discord, chatting, messaging, facetime. Not sure if the iPad would give me a better experience for those things. If so I will just stick with my trusty mac
Click to expand...
I went with both... base iPad 10 (64GB) $300 USD and base M2 Mac Mini (8GB/256GB) $450. After adding additional docks and external storage, cases, etc. the grand total was under $1000 USD.

I do a TON of content creation on the Mac Mini. I also use it for game emulation and running virtual machines of DOS and older versions of MS Windows. The iPad is for portable productivity and content consumption.
 
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curnalpanic said:
A Macbook should be able to do everything an iPad can, except for things like drawing and using apps that benefits from a touch screen.
Click to expand...
That may be true, but it's also the experience of holding the device in your hand while lounging on the couch and being blessed to do Mac-like things. You may be doing the same things, but the feeling is different. I think that's what people like about the iPad experience.
 
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Jumping in here as i’m more or less facing the same dilemma.

I currently have an 2022 ipad pro 12,9 with the normal keybard, which i mainly use for surfing and videos during travel. I have around 140 travel days yearly, so plenty of time watching movies/series on flights. VLC for the downloaded stuff, then the standard apps for streaming where i have the offline stuff

Overall pleased, but it’s at a point where we need a second unit at home for my daughter and wife to use while i’m away.

One option is to get a macbook air m3 13 and bring that on my travel. I suppose the increased battery life would come in handy, even though the screen isn’t as good as on my ipad, one concern would be that it’s slightly less portable and thus less ideal for watching series/movies on flights (?), especially the short haul flights

The other alternative would be to get the M4 ipad pro with the new magic keyboard, but that’s a fairly big bump in price compared to the Macbook air, close to $500 usd to be precise, and i’m not entirely sure if it’s actually worth it.

My daughter is close to turning 3, so she can’t navigate the macbook air
 
russell_314 said:
In my opinion, it’s so much more convenient to watch YouTube videos or movies on an iPad versus a MacBook. YouTube premium takes care of the ads. This is what I use my iPad Air for. Also, I don’t use the YouTube app on my iPad because I don’t see how it helps and YouTube works fine in Safari.

For doing stuff like typing spreadsheets or documents, I much rather have the MacBook. I know you can get a keyboard for the iPad, but it just doesn’t feel the same.
Click to expand...
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! YouTube premium Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
 
212rikanmofo said:
Would you guys prefer to have a MacBoo or iPad? I'm considering getting a new iPad but one thing that I don't like is that it's not a macbook replacement yet. I watch videos a lot on YouTube on my MacBook and enjoy it because I am able to use an adblocker to block all those annoying commercials and ads appearing everywhere for a cleaner experience. This is one big issue I have with the iPad. Although I can probably get away with it using the safari app and installing adguard on there to get the same experience as on my MacBook, but on the iPad I'm so use to using the YouTube app. I also find that multitasking and having virtual desktop spaces is easier on macOS than on ipadOS.

I currently use my mac mainly plex, surfing with safari, playing games using emulators like openemu, retroarch, dolphin, ryujinx, discord, chatting, messaging, facetime. Not sure if the iPad would give me a better experience for those things. If so I will just stick with my trusty mac
Click to expand...
couldn't not have both to be honest.
 
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russell_314 said:
In my opinion, it’s so much more convenient to watch YouTube videos or movies on an iPad versus a MacBook. YouTube premium takes care of the ads. This is what I use my iPad Air for. Also, I don’t use the YouTube app on my iPad because I don’t see how it helps and YouTube works fine in Safari.

For doing stuff like typing spreadsheets or documents, I much rather have the MacBook. I know you can get a keyboard for the iPad, but it just doesn’t feel the same.
Click to expand...
I would second this. If you're mainly going to be watching videos the iPad is the better device. I also have YouTube premium and it's a great experience.
 
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