iPad Air Swap Macbook Air for iPad Air?

[r6mile]

I have a 2013 Macbook Air with 8GB of RAM (and 250GB SSD). It works very well but I no longer really use it for very much really. At the time I bought it, I was a postgrad student and it was my only machine and got used it for work/study/games/everything. However, my circumstances have changed since then.

I now have a PS4, a work laptop, and a 2012 i7 Mac Mini in my study, with dual-monitors, printer. It serves as a normal desktop and also a home server, with a large external hard drive to store media, Time Machine backups, etc.

So my laptop only really gets used as an internet browsing, watching Netflix, FaceTime with the family, etc. Pretty basic stuff really.

As I said, the computer does most things fairly well, and even runs Big Sur now! However, I have been considering for a little while that a tablet might be more suited to my needs. I am considering selling my laptop to my younger sister for a very modest price, and put a bit extra to get one of the new 4th gen iPad Airs.

My wife has a (6th gen) iPad and when streaming you can really tell the difference in the screen quality! I also would not mind a slightly more portable device just to carry it around the house. And it would be nice to play the occasional casual game without the fans kicking off like mad. I imagine the better cameras on the iPad will be a nice change for FaceTime calls, and also to take pictures of the kids etc.

Do you guys think this makes sense? Would be good to get a sense check!

 

[sparksd]

Look at it this way - you presented plenty of reasons why an iPad would work well for you but none supporting keeping the laptop. Sounds like the iPad would be a good move for you.

 

[r6mile]

Thanks!

I guess the reasons to keep the laptop would be that it can do things like multi-tasking better, typing is easier, and I can play my existing library of Steam games (I have Mojave and Big Sur so that includes 32 bit games too). Basically, it runs macOS which can just do more things - I guess I don't really need many of these things anymore though!

I do think at the moment an iPad would fit my use case better. I just wanted to hear from others whether these reasons made sense, and more broadly whether an iPad Air could really work as a laptop replacement for these needs.

Thanks for the response

 

[sparksd]

Thanks!

I guess the reasons to keep the laptop would be that it can do things like multi-tasking better, typing is easier, and I can play my existing library of Steam games (I have Mojave and Big Sur so that includes 32 bit games too). Basically, it runs macOS which can just do more things - I guess I don't really need many of these things anymore though!

I do think at the moment an iPad would fit my use case better. I just wanted to hear from others whether these reasons made sense, and more broadly whether an iPad Air could really work as a laptop replacement for these needs.

Thanks for the response

True on what the laptop can do better. But do you need the laptop for that or can you just do it on your desktop? Or is there any reason you can't have both the laptop and iPad? I have a laptop, desktop, and iPad Pro myself and just use each for what they individually do best. I don't feel any burning need to replace with the other.

 

[muzzy996]

I think an iPad would be a great thing to have to supplement your other devices. Not sure if I would sell a 7 year old machine that likely got one of its last OS updates to a sibling though, but we are all different.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I have a 2013 Macbook Air with 8GB of RAM (and 250GB SSD). It works very well but I no longer really use it for very much really. At the time I bought it, I was a postgrad student and it was my only machine and got used it for work/study/games/everything. However, my circumstances have changed since then.

I now have a PS4, a work laptop, and a 2012 i7 Mac Mini in my study, with dual-monitors, printer. It serves as a normal desktop and also a home server, with a large external hard drive to store media, Time Machine backups, etc.

So my laptop only really gets used as an internet browsing, watching Netflix, FaceTime with the family, etc. Pretty basic stuff really.

As I said, the computer does most things fairly well, and even runs Big Sur now! However, I have been considering for a little while that a tablet might be more suited to my needs. I am considering selling my laptop to my younger sister for a very modest price, and put a bit extra to get one of the new 4th gen iPad Airs.

My wife has a (6th gen) iPad and when streaming you can really tell the difference in the screen quality! I also would not mind a slightly more portable device just to carry it around the house. And it would be nice to play the occasional casual game without the fans kicking off like mad. I imagine the better cameras on the iPad will be a nice change for FaceTime calls, and also to take pictures of the kids etc.

Do you guys think this makes sense? Would be good to get a sense check!

I agree with the sentiments that others have shared. Get yourself an iPad. It is a much better option in general.

 

[bluespark]

Thanks!

I guess the reasons to keep the laptop would be that it can do things like multi-tasking better, typing is easier, and I can play my existing library of Steam games (I have Mojave and Big Sur so that includes 32 bit games too). Basically, it runs macOS which can just do more things - I guess I don't really need many of these things anymore though!

I do think at the moment an iPad would fit my use case better. I just wanted to hear from others whether these reasons made sense, and more broadly whether an iPad Air could really work as a laptop replacement for these needs.

Thanks for the response

I won’t comment generally on your question except to address your point that “typing is easier.” If you get an iPad Air 4 with the Magic Keyboard, you may discover that typing is better on the iPad. I prefer my iPad’s Magic Keyboard (11”) to the keyboard on my Mac Book Pro. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I don’t think it’s a given that this remains a MacBook advantage.

 

[secretk]

I won’t comment generally on your question except to address your point that “typing is easier.” If you get an iPad Air 4 with the Magic Keyboard, you may discover that typing is better on the iPad. I prefer my iPad’s Magic Keyboard (11”) to the keyboard on my Mac Book Pro. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I don’t think it’s a given that this remains a MacBook advantage.

Indeed this is rather subjective. I understand OP as I do find typing on my laptop easier and better experience. Now granted I do not have the Magic Keyboard, I use the smart folio or Bluetooth Logitech K380 keyboard. It is the ergonomics that I like more on my 15.6 inch laptop. It is also habit I would say. I can type obviously on all three keyboards, but I type faster on my laptop and I make less mistakes. So overall it is more efficient for me due to the bigger size keyboard.

I also find my laptop more lappable. Like I can sit in bed with an iPad and watch a video but I cannot type with keyboard on my iPad while in bed. It is not comfortable for me. On the other hand with laptop it is easy. I am now typing this post while being in bed.

That being said OP, I am not sure that you need both desktop and laptop. I do have both laptop and iPad but this is because I do not have a desktop and I need the true multitasking the laptop offers me. If you have desktop anyway for that than maybe you should considered investing in an iPad instead of laptop as I am not sure that you will get something from the laptop over your desktop.

 

[r6mile]

Thanks all! I have decided to go for it. And I still have access to the Apple student discount so save 6% which is nice I guess
I assume AppleCare+ is a good idea?
Also need to choose the colour too!