Presently I have a MacMini (M2) and iPad Air 4th Gen
I am a big fan of the iPad for working with GoodNotes and a few diagram programs. I recently used it for school but found myself wishing that I had access to microcontroller software, PLC software and generally a “desktop OS” instead of iPadOS.
I hate the idea of having two portable devices to carry around, but can’t decide if going with a MacBook is better than the iPad. Not all the courses I’ll take will require the MacBook and the iPad is great for working on documents and assignments with the pencil. That said, I find myself more and more wishing that the iPad series had a MacOS option.
Regardless, I am currently trying to sell the iPad Air and look at something with a bigger screen.
Incase it is a factor, I am looking at taking an industrial electrical diploma that works with electrical plant/grid design, motor controllers and plant management (in a nutshell).
I am interested in people’s thoughts, if they’re willing to share. I know that there is currently no ideal solution for me in the Apple scene at the moment, regarding one device that does it all.
You probably only need the iPad. The iPad is great for giving you access to most stuff until you get home and can do the more serious work. If you absolutely must do your work away from home, get the Macbook Pro, because iPads are great, but as you mentioned, they don’t have a desktop OS, and that’s a limiting factor.
That’s a great point. The convenience of the iPad for most things is very high and it’s likely that I’d want to be home for any serious work instead of at school for extra hours.
Thank you!
With the Mac mini OP could just get the iPad and do almost everything there. And when you really need a real PC remote into the Mac mini.
Seriously just go with a Mac. iPadOS is just not good enough yet, and I’m not convinced it ever will be. Progress with that operating system is moving at a glacial pace.
Don’t sell the iPad Air. It can be used as a second screen for the Mac and that will allow you to use the pencil in some Mac apps. And of course you can keep using it for native iPad apps. The iPad Air is obviously better than a Mac for reading (and annotating) lengthy documents so you should keep it for that use case. A Mac and an iPad work together really well, for example you can use the Mac keyboard/trackpad to type and mouse around on the iPad screen.
I agree - carrying two devices around sucks. But you’re going to spend a lot of time working at a desk and you’ll be happy to have two devices there.
I don’t think the 13" iPad Pro would be an upgrade - it’s a lot heavier than the Air and honestly worse at a lot of the things iPads are great for. Most of the things it does better than the iPad Air are just as good on a MacBook.
The 11" iPad Pro is an upgrade over the iPad Air, but it’s not a big upgrade. A bit faster, a slightly nicer screen and speakers. It has face recognition. None of that is really worth the price premium unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket which it sounds like you don’t.
Have you looked to see if your favorite iPad apps are available in Mac? You might get an extremely similar user experience and only have to carry your Mac around…. Sounds like you need a Mac and would like an iPad? If that’s the case, take care of your need and save up for an iPad for later?
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I am replacing a 2013 MB Air, I will probably be getting an M3 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard because we don’t currently have an iPad for mom and dad (we have one for the kids but it’s signed in to their account and full of games and videos and has strict screen time controls on it)
One thing to consider is that if you do feel like you need MacOS but really want to go with the iPad, you can always Remote Desktop to the Mac Mini if you needed.
True, I often forget about that option. Thank you!
That’s basically what I was thinking or the Smart Folio so I can flip it around. Being able to remote in should be viable for me with my home upload speeds.
Don’t know if this sways your opinion either way, but just yesterday they bumped the MacBook Air to have the M3 chip.
I think you know the answer. iPadOS still kind of a toy and outside of an excellent digital art tablet. Although Adobe is slowly building out actual functional versions of their mainline software for iPadOS they are no where near their desktop versions, for example. I can’t imagine doing any professional work on an iPad beyond maybe quick note taking or drafting.
