iPad Pro Why do I like using iPP + MKB more than my MacBook Air (even if the MBA is more efficient)

[rulymammoth]

I’m sure many of you have experienced this, but for some reason there’s just something I love about using the IPP+MKB combo even though there are multiple things about my MBA that are just more efficient in terms of workflow. I also think the MBA’s keyboard is slightly better as well (and bigger, to boot, since the MBA is 13” and my iPP is the 11” model). The MBA’s battery life is noticeably better too.

Is it the tandem OLED screen? The iPad interface? What exactly is it that makes using this iPP+MKB combo so satisfying?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Maybe it’s the extra weight & cost? 🤔

Seriously though, the screen is a lot better. I used a M1 iPad Pro for about a year & a half before going back to MacBook Pro. The display difference was apparent - would be even more so with MacBook Air.

 

[sparksd]

I’m sure many of you have experienced this, but for some reason there’s just something I love about using the IPP+MKB combo even though there are multiple things about my MBA that are just more efficient in terms of workflow. I also think the MBA’s keyboard is slightly better as well (and bigger, to boot, since the MBA is 13” and my iPP is the 11” model). The MBA’s battery life is noticeably better too.

Is it the tandem OLED screen? The iPad interface? What exactly is it that makes using this iPP+MKB combo so satisfying?

I certainly like the display (13" M4 Pro) and the iPadOS interface and that I can remove it from the MKB for use as a tablet. My iPP has essentially replaced my laptop as my mobile device. More expensive? Yes, but it has been worth it for me.

 

[baconcat_8964]

I think it's iPadOS and tablet form factor. When I writing notes or email, using iPad always feels like "closer to the content" than using a laptop.

 

[rulymammoth]

Maybe it’s the extra weight & cost? 🤔

Seriously though, the screen is a lot better. I used a M1 iPad Pro for about a year & a half before going back to MacBook Pro. The display difference was apparent - would be even more so with MacBook Air.

The weight is less than the MBA. 2.2lbs to 2.75lbs. Cost difference between the two models I got is negligible.

But, yes, the screen is a lot better. I think that’s definitely part it. But, the MBA screen is no slouch either. Wide color gamut. Just lacks in the contrast and brightness departments.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

The weight is less than the MBA. 2.2lbs to 2.75lbs. Cost difference between the two models I got is negligible.

But, yes, the screen is a lot better. I think that’s definitely part it. But, the MBA screen is no slouch either. Wide color gamut. Just lacks in the contrast and brightness departments.

Too lazy to look it up right now but when I got my M1 iPad Pro (12.9” plus MKB), I recall it was about a pound heavier than the 13” MBA and some 60% more expensive with the same storage. Certainly the 11” is lighter, and likely the M4 is lighter still but I can’t imagine the price difference being “negligible” unless you’re comparing to an old MBA.

I really, really wanted the iPad to work as a daily driver. But there were so many things I needed to remote into my Mac mini to do, that it just became too much of a chore. I do still use an iPad Air for a lot of stuff (including writing this reply), but can’t justify the cost of the Pro.

 

[Abazigal]

I’m sure many of you have experienced this, but for some reason there’s just something I love about using the IPP+MKB combo even though there are multiple things about my MBA that are just more efficient in terms of workflow. I also think the MBA’s keyboard is slightly better as well (and bigger, to boot, since the MBA is 13” and my iPP is the 11” model). The MBA’s battery life is noticeably better too.

Is it the tandem OLED screen? The iPad interface? What exactly is it that makes using this iPP+MKB combo so satisfying?

Maybe it's the ability to detach the iPad so easily from the Magic Keyboard when you want to get up and walk away from your desk for a while?

 

[ofarlig]

I always prefer my 13” iPad Pro with MKB over laptops, to the point that I sold my Macbooks I’ve had. I just think iPadOS is a better OS for my laptop personal use cases, when it comes to doing that kind of stuff I don’t want to deal with window management like you have to on MacOS.

The screen on the MBA is really poor as well so I dislike using the MBA because of that.

 

[snipr125]

The versatility and compactness of the iPP/Air + MKB just cant be beaten by a Macbook. Take mine everywhere with me. The M4 with its MKB in particular just feels well crafted/high quality and very thin obviously. With Stage Manager can use windows to multitask as i see fit. The Tandem OLED though is just incredible. Dark and night time scenes with HDR just look out of this world, nothing compares to it on any other display (Mini LED is close though).

 

[Phonzoxd]

novelty

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

probably because for most everyday tasks, the iPad is just a nicer experience.
not for every task of course, the Mac still has plenty of benefits, but for most tasks the iPad is just significantly more frictionless.

 

[RogueLdr]

Too lazy to look it up right now but when I got my M1 iPad Pro (12.9” plus MKB), I recall it was about a pound heavier than the 13” MBA and some 60% more expensive with the same storage. Certainly the 11” is lighter, and likely the M4 is lighter still but I can’t imagine the price difference being “negligible” unless you’re comparing to an old MBA.

I really, really wanted the iPad to work as a daily driver. But there were so many things I needed to remote into my Mac mini to do, that it just became too much of a chore. I do still use an iPad Air for a lot of stuff (including writing this reply), but can’t justify the cost of the Pro.

For the current hardware, here's the respective weights:

• MB Air 15 - 3.3lbs (1.51kg)
• MB Air 13 - 2.7lbs (1.24kg)
• iPP 11 w/MK - ~2.3lbs (1.03kg)
• iPP 13 w/MK - ~2.8lbs (1.26kg)

 

[FreakinEurekan]

For the current hardware, here's the respective weights:

• MB Air 15 - 3.3lbs (1.51kg)
• MB Air 13 - 2.7lbs (1.24kg)
• iPP 11 w/MK - ~2.3lbs (1.03kg)
• iPP 13 w/MK - ~2.8lbs (1.26kg)

That's significantly lighter than the M1! My iPad Pro with MK was 3.05lb. The M1 MBA came in at 2.8lb.

So not as much difference as I remembered... but more difference than with M4 models.

Cost, the iPad Pro was $1,399 and the keyboard was $349 so $1,748 total (256GB). Would have been $200 less without Cellular. The M1 MacBook Air was $999.