Secondary computer- Ipad vs Macbook

[mdbradigan]

If it was only one machine I'd generally agree with you...but he already has a MacBook Pro.

Sure - and I kind of agree with the previous poster who said "why not just carry around your MBP"? But - I have an i7 32GB Dell work-provided laptop that is extremely fast...and is 6 pounds... and I find myself carrying around my macbook whenever I have to go mobile, despite its limitations.. where I tried carrying around my ipad for 4 months and NEVER enjoyed it. So - if the point is super light stuff, absolutely - iPad. If the point is "light and mobile computing" - I vote macbook all day every day. I seriously can't get over how lightweight it is... and how uncompromising compared to a tablet. Again, totally my opinion, but I'd strongly suggest the o.p. try out a tablet for at least a week or two first.

Also - fwiw - I tried using a chromebook too - and found that limiting - so perhaps I'm just picky. The fact that I can carry around a crazy small and lightweight computer that does perfect window snapping, has all my programs natively and can run them all pretty well, has an excellent mousepad, has an ..acceptable keyboard (I don't love it, that's for sure - but I can deal) etc. - it's seriously a game-changer for me. I *love* my macbook.

Totally just my opinion. And o.p. may have completely different experience.

 

[CrystalQuest76]

You really have the answer within your question. Your primary machine is a MacBook. You want a secondary machine to primary consume media and occasionally edit a Word document or do minor editing of Photos. For those purposes, an iPad for $360 (you don't even need an iPad Pro) will meet your needs.
If you are going to edit paragraph or more of text on a regular basis, I would recommend getting a cheap bluetooth keyboard (amazon sells a number of different brands for less than $30). For those times that you need to look at a secondary document while editing a primary, you can use split screen on an iPad. Factor in a cover/case for the ipad and you will spend just over $430 plus tax. that is a lot less than a new MacBook.
While others above have posted that a full MacBook is better than iPad, that is unnecessary since you already have one. For those times when you need to do serious document creation or design development you just plan ahead and have your MacBook with you.
Save money and get the iPad. Apple executives are getting lots of money already; they don't need you to spend your hard earned money and buy a second laptop.
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For me buying another full laptop would be a waste of money.

You are so correct. So many people seem to think that just since they have the money, then they should spend it. Disappointingly, bank executives are actually encouraging this mind set because they pay so little interest on savings accounts. People feel there is no incentive to save. Even though interest rates stink, people should be saving or avoiding buying on credit (which makes things more expensive since credit costs money). Saving money for emergencies is important and not a crime (even if you have parents). Even if you are making lots of money now, things happen (like an economic implosion that results in you getting laid off and many others and not getting a new job quickly).

63% Of Americans Don't Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency: Forbes Magazine

 

[fig]

Trying out the iPad is absolutely a really good suggestion, I'm actually in the middle of figuring out if I'm going to go iPad Pro + iMac over my current MBP and will be doing the same.

I just have a hard time justifying the cost of another notebook when there's already a machine that can very easily meet those mobile needs.

 

[Scorcher]

Trying out the iPad is absolutely a really good suggestion, I'm actually in the middle of figuring out if I'm going to go iPad Pro + iMac over my current MBP and will be doing the same.

I just have a hard time justifying the cost of another notebook when there's already a machine that can very easily meet those mobile needs.

Ok, so a friend of mine has the ipad pro 9.7. I played around with it a little. I've got to say that the apple smart keyboard is a bit on the heavy side (when its folded back and you hold the ipad in your hand) my friend also has one of the silicone back covers for the ipad and with all that, the whole package is a bit bulky.

I read some people's opinions that the ipad is the way to go, since i already have a mac and that buying another computer is a "waste" of money. But if you take the ipad pro with 256 gb, and add the aple smart keyboard, and than also some kind of back cover you're getting realy close to a 1000 dollars and that's laptopt taritory in my book.

So i dont think the discussion should be about price, but about functionality. What could you get out of an ipad that you cant get from a macbook. I think the ipad is a better tool for reading books, and drawing ( of course that pincil will cost you another 100 bucks). Also with ios 11 apple improved multi tasking and file sharing, but in almost every other way i guess the experience is superior on a mac.
On a mac the keyboard is better, the os is more flexible and more robust than ios.

For that reason I think that the mac is the way to go.
I can still have my macbook pro as my "truck" , staying at home being the power house that i need it to be, and when i travel, go to meetings and confrances I can take the 12 inch macbook with me. A machine that is powerful enough and portable

 

[1-tabbycat-1]

I'll put in a vote for an iPad. A couple of years ago I had a HD crash on my MacBook so I purchased an iPad to hold me over while the MacBook was getting repaired.

Of course I still use my MacBook Pro quite a bit but the type of work I do does not require a lot of typing so I am finding I can do more and more with just an iPad (and an iPhone). I now can go away on business trips for a couple of days with only an iPad.

Sure, sometimes when I only have an iPad there is a task to perform that would be easier on a 'real' Mac. But there is usually a work-around or it can wait until I am back in the office.

 

[Fattytail]

It’s a year since this thread was created, but I have to say I still favor the MacBook, and this is having extensively used all of the updates in the latest version of iOS. Unless you know you’ll only be needing media consumption capabilities, the MacBook works so much better. And it’s nearly the same size and weight as an iPad with a Smart Keyboard case anyway.

 

[radiologyman]

MacBook 12 is an ultraportable done right and nothing short of an engineering marvel. I owned 3 MacBook Pro's before and 3 Sony ultraportables but this is something that convinced me to switch to MacOS for good. While Ipad can be great for occasional book reading or watching youtube video, MacBook 12 is so much more versatile. I have not used my Ipad for years just because ergonomics is superior to Ipad and I can accomplish so much more on MB 12. In fact I don't use any other of my home computers directly, I just remote into them when I need to do something processor intensive.

 

[Nbd1790]

I would probably recommend getting a Macbook (or a macbook air if you would appreciate the keyboard and traditional ports)

If you're commuting and intend on maybe doing some work on the go, the iPad is going to leave you with some limitations (in which case, you would wind up carrying your 15 inch laptop anyway) I was in a similar situation recently and wanted something that I could take out on a plane and use for some work (photoshop, downloading files etc) and opted for a used Macbook Air. I admit, when traveling I do carry both in my backpack, but find that 15 inch models are a bit uncomfortable to use on an airplane / train.

It seems you are in a similar situation that I was in, and this is something that is going to be a luxury for you as opposed to a necessity. If you're looking to carry one or the other, then go with a laptop. If you're intending to carry both anyway, go with the ipad.

 

[Euroamerican]

Having an iPad extends the use of my data, giving me an "instant on" portal to that data if I've got it synced through iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc. It is also the first device I reach for in the morning and the last I usually set down, unless I'm using a Kindle (original, 2nd gen keyboard model, non-backlit) to read a book prior to eyes shut.

A laptop simply isn't as accessible.

However, I go back to the desktop (a macbook pro 13 hooked to a big monitor) for serious "at the desk work". But, I even get serious work done on the iPad if I am not needing a bigger screen, lots of keyboard work, or spreadsheet manipulation.

Most of the time, I don't bring my laptop on the road. I would only do so on a heavy duty business trip, not for getting around and everyday access to info.