How Does the MacBook Air with M3 Affect iPad Usage?

Question

Why would one elect to use a MacBook Air equipped with an M3 processor as compared to the iPad Pro for their workflow?

Answer 1

Compared to others, the MacBook Air with M3 is more power packed into a smaller and lightweight design and is thus probably more ideal for some workflows than the iPad Pro. It allows using Final Cut tools for video editing which gives a more desktop experience which some users may enjoy better than using iPadOS. The MacBook Air however also has good battery life and screen quality which were once the strong points of iPad. This means some users may depend more on the MacBook Air for their main tasks with the iPad being used as a secondary device.

Comments

The 13’ iPad Pro M4 has become my main computer, replacing my ex-MacBook Pro M3 Max.
And I'm able to do exactly what I used to do with my MacBook, including developing 40MP photos with Lightroom (I'm a photographer); I don't regret my purchase.

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I’ve got the 11 inch m2 air and love it! Such a good size (coming from a 6th gen iPad) and just seems to work. Yes it’s a bit small for hardcore productivity etc but I just plug it into a display if I need to

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I bought the 11" M4 iPP for the same reasons as you.

When I first got it, though, I played around with Stage Manager and a 27" 4K display. At first, I was super excited, and thought maybe I could finally use the iPad as a computer.

Those thoughts quickly passed.

For one, Stage Manager is clunkier than macOS.

Two, the iPad versions of Microsoft Office leave much to be desired. Not only do they have a limited feature set, the arrangement of commands is very different than on the macOS version.

Three, some of the other software that's part of my workflow is simply not available for iPad.

After using the M4 iPP as my main computer for a test period, I picked up my 15" M3 MBA and it was like a breath of fresh air, how easy it is to do everything I need.

Sure, you can't use anything like an Apple Pencil on the M3 MBA, or any Macbook. But thanks to side car and universal control, you can use an Apple Pencil with many macOS apps.

I'm happy this content was recommended to me. Before that, I didn't know about your channel. Now, I'm a subscriber.

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I got the 11” iPad Pro M4 to go along with my 14” M3 Pro MacBook Pro and they pair up very nicely. I love running sidecar and using the iPad as a second screen. It’s also great to take to class and take notes on!

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Like yourself, I have moved onto the MB Air 13" M3 and it's completely taken over everything else. Such a phenomenal portable laptop.

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I agree with your statements about the iPad Pro11" it has always been my go to size. I also agree with your comments on the MacBook Air M3, it is a beautiful size.

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I think the dilemma about wanting iPad or iPad OS to be 'more' are people who are on the content creation side of things. Mostly those who really do video editing and creative stuff. I use an iPad 10th Gen as my main computer now and I am happy with it.

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Great content! I found the exact same thing. Tried the 13”, returned it and got the 11”. Between the IPAD OS (disappointment) and the fact the the Mac Book Air M2 is so thin (and powerful) - I use my IPAD as an IPAD (mostly research and content absorption) … THANKS

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I've abandoned using my iPad for anything other than usage where mobility & portability are critical, or a touchscreen feature is essential, such as legal signatures.

Other than that, its limitations by not having a proper file system and even more importantly, not being able to work with multiple programs with the same ease that a proper computer does (minimizing & maximizing programs, hiding a program when not in use, etc) and I have found that now that I do have a proper portable computer (M1 MacBook) that my iPad has become little more than a paper weight.  Not only that, how annoying is it that when you go to a website, it detects that you're using a mobile device, so it redirects you to the (less supported) "mobile version" of their website instead of the full-featured, better supported desktop version of their website?

I don't see myself replacing my antiquated 2015 iPad Pro until they either make iPads (or at least a few premium level iPads) whose OS is either MacOS or at least a high enough level of iOS that it mimics MacOS performance & functionality.

Apple can be forgiven for using iOS on iPhones and even early generation iPads, but hamstringing these newer, extremely capable M-series iPads with their much higher performing hardware is clearly all about selling more (unnecessary) hardware, accessories, & applications.

I'd much rather spend $2000 to $2500, maybe even $3000, on a premium touchscreen "MacPad" working with MacOS, plus its expensive $300 keyboard case & other profitable accessories, than $1000 on an iPad with iOS and another $1500 for an M-series MacBook Air.  There's no comparison between those 2 options as far as ease of workflow, number of devices to upgrade, charge, etc.  That's my 2¢... and few extra free dollars.

P.S. As an alternate solution to a "MacPad", I'd be equally happy with a 2-piece MacBook AirTouch, for which the keyboard is detachable and the computer innards are not in the keyboard part, but rather the touchscreen.

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My macbook pro are no longer in use after I bought this ipad, m4 11inch is the best for me, the portability and usability, really nice

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I just got the m4 ipadpro 11 (also in silver, with the pencil pro and blue folio hahhaha). Its my first ipad for notetaking mainly at uni and i am loving it so far. Not meant as a laptop replacement, i still love my macbook air, but it is incredible in complimenting it. I find the 13 a lot less …approachable??