In October 2022, without separate presentations – even in an online format – Apple introduced a pair of new iPad Pros based on the M2 chipset. It turns out that the top-end tablets of the manufacturer have once again caught up with the MacBook Air in terms of power. However, they are still very far behind in a number of other nuances. By and large, even the iPad Pro 12.9 ″ is best suited only for content consumption – definitely not for professional activities in its broadest sense. It is strange why Apple is trying with all its might to impose the opposite opinion on absolutely all of us.
iPad Pro 12.9″ with keyboard costs more than MacBook Air
To avoid confusion, I propose to compare the cost of the iPad Pro 12.9 ″ along with the branded Magic Keyboard, as well as the current MacBook Air based on the M2 chipset in the United States in US dollars. For the current tablet with a 256 GB drive, they ask for 1200 bucks + 350 will have to be paid for the ability to work with physical buttons. So $1,550 for a 256GB iPad Pro on the M2 with Magic Keyboard versus $1,200 for a MacBook Air with the same storage. Surprisingly, a truly multi-functional tool will cost even less than an actually stripped-down one.
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro isn’t comfortable
Due to the design features, the Magic Keyboard has a number of far from the most positive aspects. Firstly, it does not have a number of function buttons from F1 to F12 – they are not particularly used in keyboard shortcuts, but are widely used for quick access to important hardware features: screen brightness control, current playback control, volume up / down, as well as temporary mute. Secondly, the Magic Keyboard fits an extremely modest-sized trackpad on its surface – after all, it is much easier to control what is happening on the screen while working with the keyboard without touching it. Thirdly, along with the keyboard, the iPad Pro seems quite bulky and not so stable – at least when compared with the current MacBook Air.
▶︎ Fact: The Magic Keyboard Folio for the new base iPad has received a number of function keys. Therefore, it is quite possible that the next generation of Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro will be equipped with a long-awaited number of additional buttons.
Together with the keyboard, the iPad Pro is bigger and heavier than the MacBook Air
The 2022 MacBook Air on the M2 weighs 1.24kg. iPad Pro 12.9″ without a keyboard pulls 682 grams (version without a cellular module), but with the Magic Keyboard – all 1.39 kg. Yes, the difference is unlikely to be very noticeable in real use – however, given a number of tablet hardware limitations, even with a keyboard, this certainly cannot be ignored. Of course, one might notice that a tablet, along with a keyboard, has potentially more use cases, so the difference in weight is quite justified. However, this material is just considering the possibility of replacing the MacBook – at least a fairly simple model.
iPad Pro loses to MacBook Air in terms of technical equipment
On the side of the iPad Pro, the touchscreen is of good quality with a refresh rate of 120Hz and very high brightness, which the MacBook Air cannot boast of. However, if we consider the device as a working tool for every day, then the advantage is still on the side of the laptop for a number of reasons.
Screen size. The MacBook Air on M2 has a 13.6″ screen instead of the 12.9″ of the largest iPad Pro to date. The difference may not seem so critical, but due to the initial focus on interacting with the operating system, software and everything else using the cursor on the laptop screen, there will be clearly more useful information and controls.
Number of ports. The iPad Pro has one USB-C, along with the Magic Keyboard, a pair. The MacBook Air on the M2 has two USB-C ports, as well as a separate MagSafe magnetic charging port and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Maximum RAM. For MacBook Air it is 24 GB. iPad Pro 12.9″ 1-2 TB has 16 GB, 128-512 GB has 8 GB. In the case of a tablet, the possibility of a separate choice of the amount of RAM is not provided.
iPadOS lags behind macOS in the range of available programs
Apple is trying to convince the public that it is in a post-computer age and the iPad (especially the Pro) is poised to become the new professional tool. However, there are a lot of tasks that the tablet simply cannot cope with due to the meager range of software: programming using current technologies, full-fledged professional work with video editing, administration of computer systems, interaction with software without a user interface (for the “Terminal”). And such examples can be listed for a very long time.
The iPadOS file system is still very closed to work
Due to the closeness of iPadOS, it is designed to interact with the same file using one application – while entering text, for example, spelling cannot be checked by third-party software, and input languages \u200b\u200bare automatically switched as necessary through separate utilities. macOS has much more freedom in this regard. What’s more, computers are still much better at multitasking. For sets of open applications on the MacBook, you can use separate desktops, which is many times more convenient than the newfangled “Director” or any other tools.
Even macOS won’t make the iPad Pro better for active work
Recently, there have been enough rumors on the network about the possibility of using full-fledged macOS on the iPad Pro in the foreseeable future. Personally, this idea seems rather strange to me, because this operating system is not sharpened at all for the use of touch screens: the elements are too small for touching them with your fingers. Moreover, macOS on the iPad Pro will not save users from a number of actual non-software shortcomings that have already been listed above – from high cost to rather big weight and a minimum number of ports.
In short, even the iPad Pro is better for content consumption.
The iPad Pro has plenty of advantages over the MacBook Air. It has a brighter and higher quality screen, it is possible to choose a version with a built-in cellular module, there are high-quality rear cameras and even the ability to connect an Apple Pencil for drawing. However, none of this still helps him replace a laptop for professional activities – in terms of work, he just has completely different use cases. Specifically, in my own scenarios, I see the iPad as a convenient tool for watching videos, reading books and consuming other content. Plus, together with the Apple Pencil, it is often used as a notepad. No more. IMHO ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Source: Trash Box
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
