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iPad Pro Make sense to carry an iPad Pro 12.9 and a MacBook Pro?

andrew5494

andrew5494

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 22, 2015
105
32
Toronto / The 6
Hey Im starting college and usually use an iPad for assignments. its really handy for note taking and has replaced my notebook. The problem is Im getting into computer programming and need a real computer.
Is carrying Botha stupid?
maybe get the new Surface Pro?
Thanks!
 
andrew5494 said:
Hey Im starting college and usually use an iPad for assignments. its really handy for note taking and has replaced my notebook. The problem is Im getting into computer programming and need a real computer.
Is carrying Botha stupid?
maybe get the new Surface Pro?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Last year, I starting taking classes to bolster my education. I took calculus and physics. My iPad Pro, with the Pencil, and the app GoodNotes were invaluable. The Pencil and the iPP, especially the new one, gives an experience that's unparalleled.

I see no problem carrying both devices. I do to many places I go. They're two different tools that excel at what they're designed for. You can use your iPad as the ultimate note taking device and computer for most tasks, and use the MBP when you need a 'real' computer.
 
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I'd prefer a laptop + iPad.

The Surface Pro works too though but the tablet experience will be very lacking. Also, I think the Surface Pro is a poor purchase at this time because of the lack of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3. Considering that you will be in college for a number of years, USB-C will be far more ubiquitous soon.

Anyway, if you do go for MacBook Pro + iPad Pro, I'd suggest the 10.5" because its lighter. Trust me, weight matters in college. In fact, I'd recommend going for the retina MacBook if you can. Many have been surprised at how capable the retina MacBook really is so it is worth reading up if it might work for you. The portability may be worth it but it lacks Thunderbolt.
 
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I have been carrying daily; 2015 (15") MacBook Pro, 12.9" (2015) iPad Pro, 9.7" iPad Pro and iPhone 7+ - not 'because I can' - but because I've switched from iMacs, to MacBook Pros, and with the advent of the 12.9" Pro and its size, speed and memory - we've replaced the computers with iPads almost entirely
I run and have for almost 30 years, a mobile entertainment company, focusing on weddings, parties and corporate events/holiday parties.

We used the iMacs for a long time pre-thin build (2011s) w/1TB internal drives able to host all of the media internally and w/redundant external HDDs, they were perfect - the MacBook Pros took a while to hit the TB internal mark and I was hooked on the SSDs Appl was beginning to use - still, external drives were the optimal solution but the MBPs are expensive - easily broken/busted in a 'party' atmosphere... whether by spilled drinks, spilled laptop or just stupid decisions, the iPad was certainly the 'way to go' - yet still too slow and without the internal storage necessary to host the media
ITunes Match was increased a couple years back to 100,000 songs, iPads were increased to 2/4GB RAM & local LTE speeds have exponentially increased while data prices have decreased allowing a one and a half pound (12.9") iPad to be always connected, without AC, the batteries last an entire event plus - and with USB 3 I/O (12.9" only pre-10.5"'inclusion) allowing us to use external DACs for connecting to the console/controller.

I'm definitely a 'niche' need/anomaly, but I'm sure plenty small business owners are/will or have contemplated switching to iOS. Fortunately, in my case, the audio production and love 'DJ/VJ' iOS apps are aplenty and with longevity. I have the MacBook Pro still for some of my harder workflow tasks, including video and audio editing and grading/finalizing. That said, I'm floored by the 'speed' of the new iPad Pro 10:5" (I'm waiting on the 12.9" to get here, but have had the 10.5" for a couple days) performance using iMovie, exporting 4K edits and projects is amazingly quick, twice the speed of my original iPad Pro which was still fast!

My computer bag w/MacBook and two iPads with Pencils and a Bluetooth keyboard (Magic 2) w/some other odds and ends is less than 10 pounds and made outta real leather. I rarely carry my chargers anymore ...for either MBP or iPads as their easily lasting a day - and while I've found the 12.9" models perfect in pairs for my business, the 9.7"/10.5" perfect for my personal iPad'ing, and the laptop power there when necessary to be the best of all worlds ...as it wasn't long ago I was humping Class A A/B amp racks and speakers, halogen light racks and LPs (vinyl records) or CDs in their heavy boxes - today's AIO controllers w/USB sound cards built in with active speakers and LED lights have decreased weight by many fold! I've NO Problem schlepping a 4.5lb laptop and a pair of one pound iPads around;)

TL/DR; no, it's not ridiculous to carry both as they're definitely different tools for different jobs.
 
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andrew5494 said:
Hey Im starting college and usually use an iPad for assignments. its really handy for note taking and has replaced my notebook. The problem is Im getting into computer programming and need a real computer.
Is carrying Botha stupid?
maybe get the new Surface Pro?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
If I'm in your shoes, since a real computer is needed, I'd definitely have to buy a Macbook. As for the iPad Pro 12.9", I'd probably sell it off and get a smaller iPad.
 
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You could carry one on your back and one in the front. They will double as bullet proof vest :D

Just kidding. I would recommend you carry what you think works for you. Personally I would only carry the computer as it serves the purpose of both devices. Just my two cents. Either way it's not stupid if it works for you.
 
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andrew5494 said:
The problem is Im getting into computer programming and need a real computer. ....maybe get the new Surface Pro?
Click to expand...

(this post has nothing to do with iPad)

I suppose you considered the Surface Pro because you wanted a 2-in-1 hybrid, but I really don't get why the Surface Pro would be considered "good" for programming.

IMO if you're serious about a career in software engineering you're going to want to get familiar with the industry standard - a Unix based operating system. Windows is just not going to cut it. You want to get familiar with using vim / emacs / shell commands (not powershell) that are all commonplace across AWS instances or really any VPS. By far the vast majority of programmers in software engineering work in a *nix environment, not Windows. e.g. both Android and iOS are based on *nix.

The only situation where Windows would be a superior platform is if you're working with .NET or Windows Phone (is that still a thing?). Otherwise I'd strongly recommend getting a MacBook. Or any laptop where you could e.g. install some Linux distro like Ubuntu.

Really, don't get Windows if you're serious about programming, unless you're sure you want to work @ Microsoft.
 
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I like the idea of the MBP and 10.5" for what you are doing OP. Whatever you think would work for your usage flow. Not sure what MBP (folks who use them can probably chime in); but both are great for computer usage. You can also get a bit of an educational discount on both.

Good luck with your studies.
 
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andrew5494 said:
Hey Im starting college and usually use an iPad for assignments. its really handy for note taking and has replaced my notebook. The problem is Im getting into computer programming and need a real computer.
Is carrying Botha stupid?
maybe get the new Surface Pro?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
First and foremost, you should speak with your college advisor to see what system (macOS or Windows) they recommend for programming. Depending upon the college, they may have some software packages that integrate well into the course material/notes/assignments that might be macOS or Windows based.

Assuming that they're pretty open and don't lean one way or the other...

I'm a big fan of the iPad (all varieties) and the Macbook Air. But the right tool(s) for the right jobs. For your use cases (based on the little that you described), I'd say that a Surface Pro would fit just right. Notetaking is one of those tasks that the Surface is great at. MS Office for Windows will easily handle any MS Office-based assignments you are given. As good as Office for Mac has gotten over the last few years, there are still differences that can create headaches.

There are a variety of expansion options for the Surface Pro that aren't available for the iPad Pro. Full support for USB accessories, drives, etc. Full support for printers. With the Surface Pro you'll have greater flexibility to accommodate a wider range of scenarios.

My recommendations are based on both my personal, first-hand experiences with both platforms as well as the experiences of my daughter (who just finished her degree) who used a 13" MBA for those years.

I think that having both an iPad Pro and a Macbook Pro is not financially wise for a college student.
 
For programming having both is helpful. You can use the Macbook for programming and the iPad for reference or setup the ipad as a very portable second screen which is super helpful development.
 
akdj said:
I have been carrying daily; 2015 (15") MacBook Pro, 12.9" (2015) iPad Pro, 9.7" iPad Pro and iPhone 7+ - not 'because I can' - but because I've switched from iMacs, to MacBook Pros, and with the advent of the 12.9" Pro and its size, speed and memory - we've replaced the computers with iPads almost entirely
I run and have for almost 30 years, a mobile entertainment company, focusing on weddings, parties and corporate events/holiday parties.

We used the iMacs for a long time pre-thin build (2011s) w/1TB internal drives able to host all of the media internally and w/redundant external HDDs, they were perfect - the MacBook Pros took a while to hit the TB internal mark and I was hooked on the SSDs Appl was beginning to use - still, external drives were the optimal solution but the MBPs are expensive - easily broken/busted in a 'party' atmosphere... whether by spilled drinks, spilled laptop or just stupid decisions, the iPad was certainly the 'way to go' - yet still too slow and without the internal storage necessary to host the media
ITunes Match was increased a couple years back to 100,000 songs, iPads were increased to 2/4GB RAM & local LTE speeds have exponentially increased while data prices have decreased allowing a one and a half pound (12.9") iPad to be always connected, without AC, the batteries last an entire event plus - and with USB 3 I/O (12.9" only pre-10.5"'inclusion) allowing us to use external DACs for connecting to the console/controller.

I'm definitely a 'niche' need/anomaly, but I'm sure plenty small business owners are/will or have contemplated switching to iOS. Fortunately, in my case, the audio production and love 'DJ/VJ' iOS apps are aplenty and with longevity. I have the MacBook Pro still for some of my harder workflow tasks, including video and audio editing and grading/finalizing. That said, I'm floored by the 'speed' of the new iPad Pro 10:5" (I'm waiting on the 12.9" to get here, but have had the 10.5" for a couple days) performance using iMovie, exporting 4K edits and projects is amazingly quick, twice the speed of my original iPad Pro which was still fast!

My computer bag w/MacBook and two iPads with Pencils and a Bluetooth keyboard (Magic 2) w/some other odds and ends is less than 10 pounds and made outta real leather. I rarely carry my chargers anymore ...for either MBP or iPads as their easily lasting a day - and while I've found the 12.9" models perfect in pairs for my business, the 9.7"/10.5" perfect for my personal iPad'ing, and the laptop power there when necessary to be the best of all worlds ...as it wasn't long ago I was humping Class A A/B amp racks and speakers, halogen light racks and LPs (vinyl records) or CDs in their heavy boxes - today's AIO controllers w/USB sound cards built in with active speakers and LED lights have decreased weight by many fold! I've NO Problem schlepping a 4.5lb laptop and a pair of one pound iPads around;)

TL/DR; no, it's not ridiculous to carry both as they're definitely different tools for different jobs.
Click to expand...

Respectfully, can you please elaborate on what you do that requires two different sizes of iPads? I can see the Mac/iPad combo for sure but what’s a 9.7 missing that has you going over the the 12.9 and vice versa?
 
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