Apple has added features to the iPad to make it more like a Macbook, and it has added support for mobile apps on the Macbook to make it more like an iPad, but the basic difference remains: while the new 2021 iPad Pro family with the M1 is as powerful as a Macbook, it still runs on iPadOS, which means it lacks power user apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic, and Xcode, which professional users rely on to get the job done. So this automatically makes the iPad a lighter device, but keep in mind that rumors suggest that Apple may soon be adding support for professional apps to the iPad and finally elevating it to a real laptop replacement.
Still, if you do not really need these macOS apps and want a device that is portable and fast, you might be wondering which one to buy: an iPad Pro M1 or a Macbook?
- Software: iPadOS does not have pro grade apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic
- iPad is lighter and more portable, but you have to buy a $ 350 keyboard separately and it uses a magnetic connection that is not as strong
- Both keyboards have trackpads, but the one on the Macbook is bigger; both keyboards have the same 1 mm key ring
- iPad has newer Mini-LED display technology for enhanced contrast
- iPad has far superior sound: its speakers get much louder
- iPad supports Apple Pencil, Macbook does not
- iPad Pro is more expensive: the 12.9 “model with keyboard starts at $ 1,450 compared to $ 1,000 for the Macbook Air M1
You can order the new iPad Pro M1 from Apple here:
Last but certainly not least, users need to know that shortcuts simply do not work on the iPad for the simple reason that … it uses the iPad OS! Sorry!
iPad Pro vs Macbook screen quality
iPad has the better screen, but do you really need better than the already large screen on Macbook?
iPad Pro vs Macbook: Battery life
Macbooks have greater battery capacity, but in real life they hold a little bit less than iPad pros
Both the iPad and Macbook use Apple’s amazing new M1 chip, which has record performance per. Watt. Compared to previous Macbooks that used an Intel chip, the M1 difference is huge with up to three times more efficient performance.
- iPad Pro 11 “: 10 hours on the Internet or watch videos via Wi-Fi
- iPad Pro 12.9 “: 10 hours on the Internet or watching videos via Wi-Fi
- Macbook Air M1: 15 hours of wireless internet
- Macbook Pro M1: 17 hours of wireless internet
iPad Pro 2021 vs Macbook for College
So … if you’re a college student, you might be wondering if you should go for iPad Pro or a Macbook?
However, there are two main reasons to get an iPad instead: portability and Apple Pencil. An iPad is much lighter: the 12.9 “iPad Pro weighs only 1.41 kg compared to twice the 2.8 kg for the Macbook Air M1, so an iPad is definitely easier to carry around and take with you in class. drawing or studying architecture, Apple Pencil will be an extremely useful tool that will also swing your choice towards an iPad.If these two things are not so important, however, a Macbook is the cheaper and probably more versatile option for most students.
iPad Pro 2021 vs Macbook for gaming
But if you are happy with the limited selection of games or just want casual games, our advice would be to go to Macbook as it supports all iOS games AND then some “real” games like World of Warcraft and GTA that play built-in on the M1 chip.
As for mobile games and Apple Arcade, not all iPadOS mobile games are available on Mac, but all Apple Arcade games are. Another thing a Macbook does not have is the portability of the iPad, so it is much easier to take an iPad to bed for gaming.
iPad Pro M1 2021 vs Macbook M1: Price
iPad professionals are more expensive than Macbooks, especially if you count all the external devices to them
After all this, it’s time to take a closer look at the prices, and you might be shocked to hear that a 12.9 “iPad with a Magic Keyboard actually costs almost 50% more than a base Macbook Air M1 model!
So here’s a quick overview of the prices of the iPad Pro M1:
- iPad Pro 11 “: $ 800 for 128 GB model ($ 900 for 256 GB, $ 1,100 for 512 GB, $ 1,500 for 1 TB, $ 1,900 for 2 TB)
- iPad Pro 12.9 “: $ 1,100 to 128 GB model ($ 1,200 to 256 GB, $ 1,400 for 512 GB, $ 1,800 for 1 TB, $ 2,200 for 2 TB)
- Add $ 200 on top of the price for each mobile connection model
- $ 350 for Magic Keyboard
- $ 130 for Apple Pencil 2
- Macbook Air M1: $ 1,000 to 256 GB model, $ 1,250 to 512 GB
- Macbook Pro M1: $ 1,300 for 256 GB, $ 1,500 for 512 GB
So when you draw the proverbial line in the sand, the iPad Pro M1 is the most powerful iPad ever made (duh!), But it’s still too … an iPad! It still has iPad benefits and iPad limitations. It’s easy, but does not run pro-apps; it has a touch screen, but the Magic Keyboard does not feel so solid, and multitasking is just not that good, and the list goes on and on.