M2 MacBook Air or M1 iPad Pro? Make the RIGHT choice!

29 Comments on M2 MacBook Air or M1 iPad Pro? Make the RIGHT choice!

1. I wouldn’t replace my Mac for an iPad even if I only worked on apps like MS Office. I’ve tried, but the apps lack many features, specially Excel. There might be some photography workflows in which an iPad might be better, but generally it is just a complement, not a replacement. So my advice is that if you need a computer, get a real one, not a tablet, and if you already have a good computer, then get an iPad to help you with some tasks like reading PDFs, taking notes, quick photo editing and entertainment.

   • @Tucker Coffin yeah i guess i will buy m1 mac air instead of m2 air because i like the old design on m1 rather than m2, and the price still reasonable

     how long do you think it will support the macos? Do you think it will support for 5 years? And does macos updated yearly like ios?

   • I currently use a MacBook Pro for work. The problem is that my broadband connection usually slows down to a crawl or sometimes stopped working during prime time peak hours assuming that most people in my neighborhood/area are at home streaming video games and watching Netflix, YouTube & what not as I won’t be able to stream videos with my MacBook. I have to use the cellular network connection of my iPhone to watch this Youtube video which has a small screen compared to an iPad, therefore, I’ll be buying an iPad with cellular in order to be able to stream videos during peak hours. The iPad will complement my MacBook and iPhone.

   • @Joel Rolon gross

   • I have a question,which one M2 Air or Ipad pro for sound?

2. I’m an iPad only user and I was dreading the idea of having to upgrade to the Mac M2 Air to compensate for some of the issues that I’m having on the iPad, but based on the new features in iOS 16, I’d rather upgrade my Air 4 to the 12.9 iPad and won’t have to change formats.

   • I’m iPad only and love my 12.9 M1. The only thing you should consider is that the 12.9 is a beast. The mini led display is great, but I miss the portability of a smaller iPad (especially now that I can connect to a larger screen). You should strongly consider the 11 inch M1 Pro (and still be able to use your current peripherals) or wait for the next iPad Pro 11 hoping it’ll have the mini led display.

   • @Gambit 13 Yep, thanks. I was contemplating waiting till September to see what the new iPad pros look like, but I don’t have much of a choice. I have to upgrade as I only have an iPad Air. 4. But yes, any of the iPads the 11 or 12.9 with the new Magic keyboard or very heavy.

3. Very interesting and valuable comparison! I own the iPad Pro 12.9″ with 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage (as well as the Magic Keyboard folio). I have to admit I’ve been considering the purchase of a M2 MacBook Air. With the pending official release of iOS16 I think I’m going to wait so I can see if I really need a laptop. I do BTW have a M1 MacMini with two LCD screens.

   • it’s literally more expensive and less powerful, why

4. I love my 2018 iPad Pro… I actually use the back camera… I think it’s great for shooting video that you can then edit in LumaFusion without having to Airdrop… although I do that too. Side note LumaFusion works really well on M1 Macs. I use it on my Mac Mini and it’s great. But bottom line the iPad Pro is just so versatile, I draw on it, watch videos do all kinds of things. If I want a laptop experience I use the keyboard case… if I want ultimate portability I use a thin folio case.

   • i used luma on the m1 mac for a bit. but since its meant as a touch first interface there was just something a tad bit off/inefficient when using it. Its been a while since i tested it, so its probably better. but i enjoy the ipad experience much better

5. Fernando, this is the first of your videos that I have had the pleasure of watching. I must say, it was very professionally presented. You hit every marker that would make a difference in my decision to purchase one or the other. I am currently waiting for the next iteration of iPad Pro and will purchase it with a new iPhone 14 promax this fall. You have a new subscriber here. Take care and thank you so much for the quality information.

6. I’ve been using a M1 iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard for the better part of the last year. When they announced the M2 MBA I immediately gave my iPad Pro to my partner lol. Waiting for my M2 MBA 16GB 512SSD this weekend! My workflows for work and personal stuff simply do not allow the iPad Pro to be my all-round go-to computer. “Almost all” just doesn’t cut it (again, for me). It’s great that my partner is the better user of the iPad Pro cos she uses the Pencil to illustrate a lot more than I used it to take notes. I just need to use a lot more full-fledged software instead of mobile apps, even if I’m not even a power user.

7. Way to go Fernando! Absolutely informative video. So I own both devices and it’s really difficult to choose one. Based on my workflow, I would choose the iPad cos if it’s versatility. I can take it just about everywhere and the ability to slap it on the magic keyboard is just incredible. The only problem I have with using the iPad is MS office. It’s just really bad compared to the MacOS version, especially Word for me. Plus my iPad always seem to reload its apps when I’m switching from app to app. Happens a lot with MS word docs. It’s so frequent that I just go back to my Air when I need to do real administrative and productivity work. Keep these great videos coming!

   • Can using google docs and google excel be a solution rather using native app?

8. I probably should’ve waited for m2 mba or even got an m1 mba but i ended up doing the m1 12.9 pro and i7 16gb 256gb sp8 route because i love the tablet form factor plus that thing is a full on windows laptop minus having a dedicated gpu but its does a lot better than the previous gens

9. One thing that annoys me about the ipad with magic keyboard is the balance. When using it on your lap it is too top heavy and constantly topples over

10. @9to5Mac do you have thoughts on the best way to use an 12.9 M1 iPad Pro to host a more complex Zoom meeting (allowing screen sharing, spotlighting people at certain times, muting people, etc) with 50+ participants? My 12.9 is my only work machine….but this is (perhaps) the ONLY thing that I can’t really pull off with it. I could easily be an attendee on a Zoom meeting like this. But I couldn’t pull off being the operator. Thoughts?

11. I’m still skeptical about replacing my Mac with an iPad. It somehow doesn’t make things that a Mac does. Apple themselves wanna keep the iPad and Mac line up with a similar feature differences so that both stays in the market.

12. this review was really helpful towards my future purchase decision. i’ve spent the past three weeks consuming a bunch of youtube reviews on all the new m1 and m2 apple products. i have a 2014 macbook pro, but it’s absolute trash, and i was never impressed with the macs performance. then the iphone 13 pro max just kind of fell into my lap, and i was blown away by the performance, so i decided to do some research, and i’m very impressed with the soc apple chips. long story short, i’ll be purchasing a new m1 macbook air, and an m2 ipad pro 12.9 once it comes out in a few months. going with the m1 air because i’ve seen it on sale for $850 new, compared to the $1200 for m2 air. depending on the price of the new ipad pro coming out, and what kind of discount is with the m1 ipad pro, i’ll will get one of to em to complement the m1 air

13. I purchased a 12.9 M1 Pro a few months ago, it has totally replaced my laptop for daily use but if I were a student I would likely prefer my MacBook. I’m retired and don’t have a need for serious computer programs so the iPad fits me more perfectly

14. Using both of ipad pro m1 12.9 and m2 macbook pro. When it comes for work macbook takes it all, iPad with beautiful screen and amazing speaker perfectly fits for entertainment like watching movie, listening music, editing video, etc. Love both of them.

15. I’ve used an iPad Pro 11 (Gen 3) with magic keyboard for almost a year for uni course work, zoom, surfing, & YouTube. It’s been great, but some apps are limited. I was one of those who though Mac OS update for iPad would happen. I’ve been on the fence about trading for a MacBook Air M1 or M2.

    • I was the same position as you, and i though the new ipadOS would allow the pros more freedom.. I just sold my Ipad 12.9 M1 for a macbook air m2 and do not regret it. They really hold the ipad back with using basic ipad apps, especially with google chrome.

16. Great comparison. Decided on a mid range windows laptop for all the office stuff and what have you , and then an iPad mini 256gb for reading, videos, to whilst travelling on the train and relaxing. All in just a little more than the the iPad Pro 12.9 but more flexibility.

17. This review was awesome. By far, one of the best M2 MBA vs M1 IPP videos I have. I am currently in the process of evaluating whether an Ipad Pro is all I need. So far, so good. I am really leaning towards upgrading my 11 in IPP to the 12.9 IPP.

18. I just bought the MacBook Air M2 a few days ago. This is my first MacBook. I’m very techie (well not as much in the last 3-4 years)to the point that I use to build my own computers. I know my way around tech but there definitely is a big learning curve to move from Windows to Mac. My first Apple product was the IPhone 10 Max and my boyfriend gave me his iPad 7th gen, a few weeks ago to see if I would rather buy a tablet over the laptop. Im retired so don’t need any professional apps it’s more for web browsing, emails, streaming content, notes, reminders (which I love both) and a little writing/drawing with the pencil. So anyway, I can’t decide which and out of all the videos I have watched yours got down to the core of the differences and WHY you would want one over the other or both.  
    Rather than buying the Pro models, I always feel like I have to buy the best of any line but then never use it to it’s full potential, I think maybe the MBA or iMac and an iPad Air. The ONLY issue I have with my A 13.6 is the screen size seems so small, I have old eyes and need a bigger screen, hence the possibility of the 24″ iMac or Mac mini with a bigger monitor. As you can tell I’m so confused. I’m open to several options but afraid of buying the wrong setup and wasting money.

19. One of the most useful videos I’ve watched on this topic – I’ve never owned or regularly used an iPad but have used MacOS for over 15 years so it’s very familiar to me, so woudl feel safe with the MBA M2 but fancy a change and would like to give the iPad Pro a try.