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kevjen888

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
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Best Buy is taking off $500 on the 2016 Macbook with M5 processor and 512GB storage, comes out to $1100, pretty sure i can do price match on BH Video to save the tax. my 10.5 iPad Pro's refund eligibility is next week. the 10.5 to me is too much similar to my 9.7 Pro it replaced. my other choice would be getting a 12.9 Pro but this Macbook deal seems very intriguing. I have a Dell XPS 13 as my main laptop, so i'm using my iPad just for entertainment, web browsing and portability. anyone in or was in similar boat?
 
Had both 12.9” ipp and 2016 macbook at one point. The macbook is a very capable gorgeous little machine. While it gave me heart ache giving away my 12” macbook to my brother as I replaced it with a 15” mbp, I just couldn’t get rid of the joy and simplicity of ipad experience. I already have a windows machine that my company gave me (which I hate using). I think I can live without a mb/mbp, but i cant live without an ipad.
 
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Yeah, I can't live without an iPad either. I got the very first iPad 7 years ago. I'm still grandfathered in on the ATT unlimited data plan and have transferred it from iPad to iPad. When my MacBook died 5 years ago, I never replaced it. My iPad mini has been my media consumption & content creation device while on the road ever since. I still have an iMac at home, but even at home, I find myself reaching for my iPad more.

I plan to upgrade to an iPad Pro since I now edit 4K video from my drone and need more power. I've edited video on my friends iPad Pro, and it's a dream. Pretty much set on the 10.5" iPad Pro, but am just waiting for the iPhone/iOS 11 event in September to see if the iPad mini gets an update.

I think the current crop of MacBook & MacBook Pros are beautiful devices. I just don't know if I'll ever go back. Especially if the iPads keep getting more and more powerful.
 
Not in the same boat myself, but I can see why you're tempted. In the same situation, I'd probably go for the MacBook. I have one and love it. I also love my iPad but if I had to pick just one (assuming I still had my iPhone as well), I'd pick the MacBook.
 
^^^ good question, I don't have a definite answer other than the fact every time I see a MacBook in person i want one so bad lol, and my iPad pro refund eligibility is up next week, so if I were to make the change now is the time.
 
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iPad makes a great second computer, but not a primary one (although I know it technically can be for some people). As you have a dell, unless you're looking to replace it with a MacBook, seems a bit having both a dell and a MacBook.
 
Best Buy is taking off $500 on the 2016 Macbook with M5 processor and 512GB storage, comes out to $1100, pretty sure i can do price match on BH Video to save the tax. my 10.5 iPad Pro's refund eligibility is next week. the 10.5 to me is too much similar to my 9.7 Pro it replaced. my other choice would be getting a 12.9 Pro but this Macbook deal seems very intriguing. I have a Dell XPS 13 as my main laptop, so i'm using my iPad just for entertainment, web browsing and portability. anyone in or was in similar boat?

Only you can answer this question. But you didnt say if you still had your 9.7" ipad pro. Did you sell it or give it away when you got your 10.5"? Cause it seems you like the ipad for media consumption. If you still had the 9.7" then it would seem redundant to have both. You could then return the 10.5" and get the macbook. Although you said you already have a Dell laptop as your main computer...so i dunno why you want two laptops. Unless of course you prefer the macbook, and would sell your dell as well. No point in keeping two laptops. But then you ask about Getting the 12.9" ipad pro in place of the macbook? Yes, it is thinner...but if you get the smartkeyboard from apple, its really the same size. Perhaps even bigger. Only you can answer what will work best for you. But getting the macbook just cause it looks cool shouldnt be your main or only reason. (Although im sure many on this board myself included are guilty of buying apple products in part cause they look cool).

To me you just seem to be suffering from the grass is greener syndrome. You got the 10.5" and are now looking for reasons to buy something else cause it looks cool. What happens if you do return the 10.5" ipad and get the macbook? Will you then regret that decision and miss the 10.5" iPad?
 
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For what it's worth--I get it. I got major MacBook Pro envy a year or two ago and sold my iPad so I could buy one. I regretted it within two days. I didn't realize how much I loved my iPad until I didn't have one anymore.
 
How's the MacBook comparing to 12.9 iPad pro in term of portability?

I have both the 12" MacBook and 12.9" IPP. I would say they're about equally portable. They are basically the same weight when you stick a keyboard case on the iPad. The 12.9" IPP is a little larger footprint but it's thinner than a 12" MacBook in a sleeve. I feel like the 12" MacBook is too fragile to carry without some sort of sleeve/case.
 
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It would make sense to get the macbook if your main computer was a big 15" laptop or even a desktop, and you wanted a second more portable device mainly for productivty that requires a keyboard. But your dell is very similar in size and function. You'd get a much wider range of uses if you stick with your iPad, it being significantly more portable, better for reading (ebook, pdf, comic), and supporting pencil input. Plus touch/iOS is easier to use in some cases.

I understand you, I have often wished I had a good reason to get a macbook. Those things are beautiful. But I'd need to know I would make good use of it in addition to the devices I already have--or replace one of my devices. But all my devices are irreplaceable at the moment. Sadly, I know because of its redundancy it would just end up collecting dust. So I'd rather use the money for something else.
 
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One thing to note is, is that the iPad Pro has no fan so it's safe to use in bed for example. I rather not do that with my 15" rMBP since it might clog up the ventilation system.

If you don't like the iPad Pro, then better is to safe up for the 15" rMBP. My 4 year old Haswell 15" rMBP is still much faster than the 2017 13" rMBP to give you an idea how much better a 15" rMBP is.

Also an other thing is USB-C. Are you prepared to buy all kinds of adapters? USB-C was actually the reason that stopped me from upgrading my 2013 rMBP to the 2017 version and instead upgraded my iPad.
 
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I have a mid 2015 rMBP and have had different iPads on the side over the years. If I had to choose between them I'd have to go with the rMBP, just because it's a better overall tool for my needs.
 
Best Buy is taking off $500 on the 2016 Macbook with M5 processor and 512GB storage, comes out to $1100, pretty sure i can do price match on BH Video to save the tax. my 10.5 iPad Pro's refund eligibility is next week. the 10.5 to me is too much similar to my 9.7 Pro it replaced. my other choice would be getting a 12.9 Pro but this Macbook deal seems very intriguing. I have a Dell XPS 13 as my main laptop, so i'm using my iPad just for entertainment, web browsing and portability. anyone in or was in similar boat?

Probably not relevant for this thread, but I returned my iPad Pro 10.5 ($720 at Costco) for a Pro 9.7 ($499 at Costco.) Couldn't be happier. I just couldn't stomach the huge amount of my money that Apple wants for the new Pro. It's obscene, IMO.
 
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Probably not relevant for this thread, but I returned my iPad Pro 10.5 ($720 at Costco) for a Pro 9.7 ($499 at Costco.) Couldn't be happier. I just couldn't stomach the huge amount of my money that Apple wants for the new Pro. It's obscene, IMO.

$220 difference gets you a bigger screen and many other features the 9.7 does not have.

Bigger size = more money.

Just like goes going a 7 to a Plus.
 
Probably not relevant for this thread, but I returned my iPad Pro 10.5 ($720 at Costco) for a Pro 9.7 ($499 at Costco.) Couldn't be happier. I just couldn't stomach the huge amount of my money that Apple wants for the new Pro. It's obscene, IMO.
Even though I bought both the 12.9 (1st gen) and upgraded my 9.7 to a 10.5 I fully understand your reasoning.
It is expensive!!!. And what it is worth to you is totally personal. But for my daily (work, study and recreational) use, it is totally worth it as well.
I do think the 10.5 is a really nice upgrade, it is more that the sum of the individual improvements.
Then again $220 is also a lot of icecreams/a nice pair of shoes/savings on your account.
 
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