With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

The iPad can function as a laptop in many situations, but the MBA can’t serve as a tablet. If you just wanted raw performance, a laptop has always been the best choice. I don’t think anything has really changed in that regard.

I would say the Ipad Pro doesn't make a lot of sense in the terms that the A12z is basically a two-year-old chip, I would wait for the 14X or equivalent. Unless you get a decent deal on the 2020 models.

Semiopaque said:

The iPad can function as a laptop in many situations, but the MBA can’t serve as a tablet. If you just wanted raw performance, a laptop has always been the best choice. I don’t think anything has really changed in that regard.

True. If one wants a tablet, obviously the iPad is the choice. But the entry of AS Macs is just interesting within Apple’s own narrative in making the iPad into a laptop replacement.

I agree. If one wants a tablet or more mobility, the iPad Pro is still king.

ian87w said:

With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

Sure it makes sense, because it’s not a replacement in a literal sense, it’s an alternative. If apple wanted to settle the “argument” they’d pick one or the other to manufacture and sell. Clearly, they want to sell both, just like they want to sell several different iPhones right now.

ian87w said:

With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

Amazing thread titile. Thought provoking. And I just can’t go back to 60Hz Displays I’ve spent the last year transitioning myself away from any 60Hz Displays. And the iPad Air however good it might be doesn’t have a 120hz ProMotion display. My Note 20 Ultra 5G is a 120hz, my two Gaming monitors are 144hz Gsync, my LG OLED 55” 4K TV is 120hz VRR. My iPad Pro is 120hz

So I dedicated Some time and effort to purge 60Hz devices. There’s no sense in buying a 60Hz MacBook Air.


And For $200 more just get the MacBook Pro version. You get 2.8x more Performance so that’s Apple admitting the M1 is thermal throttled inside the MacBook Air.

Price wise I see the story, with an $800 11” iPad Pro Plus a $300 Magic Keyboard that’s $1,100 right there. So for $999 and a MacBook Air you’d be better off going that route.

Apple’s Goal which Steve Jobs modeled around the Automobile Industry is to have 3 Choices just like most car companies offer customers.

Toyota Corolla = iPad Pro
Toyota Camry = MacBook Air
Toyota Avalon = MacBook Pro

I personally won’t purchase until the M2 processor is released.

Op is from the alternatives forum so hasn’t figured out a iPad isn’t a laptop replacement or vice versa, try holding a MacBook pro up to you face to read in bed lol.

In short, the IPP can function as a laptop very well, the MBA can not function as a tablet so they still have market sectors.

I have gone from a MBA to MBP to IPP. I went from MBA to MBP because the screen on the MBA was not great - that has been improved but not to an IPP standard. I went from the MBP (13") to an IPP (12.9" 2020) initially just to test/fun!! As I didn't need one.

But once I was using the IPP I didn't want to go back to the MBP because the screen was better, no fans, pen, can use as a pure tablet. Now the MBA has no fans but it's screen is still not near the IPP.

I wonder though if this isn’t the start of the merging of Mac OS and iOS for the iPad. If the SoC designs are so power efficient and M1 can run iOS, what prevents Apple from putting the Mac OS on the iPad?

20 hour battery on the Air and no fan. Screen technologies are vastly different. But I’m curious, why not do this?

Robbosan said:

Op is from the alternatives forum so hasn’t figured out a iPad isn’t a laptop replacement or vice versa, try holding a MacBook pro up to you face to read in bed lol.

That’s all I do.

Zazoh said:

I wonder though if this isn’t the start of the merging of Mac OS and iOS for the iPad. If the SoC designs are so power efficient and M1 can run iOS, what prevents Apple from putting the Mac OS on the iPad?

20 hour battery on the Air and no fan. Screen technologies are vastly different. But I’m curious, why not do this?

They’ll have to kill a product category. Is that in Apple’s best interest?

Zazoh said:

I wonder though if this isn’t the start of the merging of Mac OS and iOS for the iPad. If the SoC designs are so power efficient and M1 can run iOS, what prevents Apple from putting the Mac OS on the iPad?

20 hour battery on the Air and no fan. Screen technologies are vastly different. But I’m curious, why not do this?

You have a point. But I don’t want MacOS. I want iPad OS. MacOS BigSur isn’t touch finger friendly. Then again all the iOS Apps run. And Apple would save a ton of $$$$ and effort by eliminating the iPadOS team and focusing on iOS and MacOS BigSur

kristalsoldier said:

They’ll have to kill a product category. Is that in Apple’s best interest?

Exactly iPAdOS and the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro product category can’t be killed off. Apple and iOS is like and entry drug. They get you with iPhone and iOS, then it’s iPadOS, then it’s a MacMini.

ian87w said:

With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

For me, the iMac + iPad Pro combo still works best. A desktop with an awesome display for the heavy lifting at home, a great tablet with awesome native apps for my teaching in the day.

I find myself needing a laptop less and less these days.

Abazigal said:

For me, the iMac + iPad Pro combo still works best. A desktop with an awesome display for the heavy lifting at home, a great tablet with awesome native apps for my teaching in the day.

I find myself needing a laptop less and less these days.

For me, the transition has been from a desktop to a svelte laptop (with one of the best keyboards in the business) plus external monitors AND the IPP.

While the iPad won’t be my primary device, it will be (and is) a necessary/ indispensable secondary device.

Depends on user case,

I would say yes.

With Apple Silicon Macs now available, the iPad Air 4 and iPad Mini are my top tier iPads for art and some consumption (Reading & PDF markup). No longer want or need the iPad Pro, as I‘ll use the M1 MacBook Air for work, writing, design and some media consumption that my iPads currently handle.

kristalsoldier said:

For me, the transition has been from a desktop to a svelte laptop (with one of the best keyboards in the business) plus external monitors AND the IPP.

While the iPad won’t be my primary device, it will be (and is) a necessary/ indispensable secondary device.

Back when school was closed for a month due to COVID-19 earlier this year, my iMac and iPad Pro really carried me through the home-based learning period.

The giant screen was great for zooming with my students, while my iPad was used for recording screencasts and editing instructional videos via LumaFusion.

I do have an external monitor setup at work for my windows laptop, but at home where portability isn’t a concern, I find I prefer the all-in-one integrated nature of the iMac. Everything is in one tight little package. No extra wires snaking about, and it’s just more aesthetically pleasing overall.

But to each their own.

Abazigal said:

For me, the iMac + iPad Pro combo still works best. A desktop with an awesome display for the heavy lifting at home, a great tablet with awesome native apps for my teaching in the day.

I find myself needing a laptop less and less these days.

My current setup is a single Windows laptop connected to external monitor. Basically so I can just have a single device, whether I’m at home or on the go. I was playing the idea of switching to an Android tablet (have a thread in the Alternative sub forum) so I can have something with better battery life on the go, but delayed that idea since apparently Android, even with Samsung Dex, is not where I want it yet.

I was then toying the idea of using an iPad Pro, although it’s going to be really costly. But this AS MacBook Air sounds like the solution I was looking for. And unlike the iPad Pro, the keyboard is included.

kazmac said:

Depends on user case,

Exactly!

I'm in the process of acquiring an 2020 11" iPadPro (128GB) for 500€, brand new. For me it's a hell of a deal.

I do need a new laptop, but i'm waiting for the 2021/22 AS MacBooks (MiniLED 14", 16"), because my 2010 15" MBPro can't handle some tasks as fluid as I which (photo and video editing) - that's where the 11" iPad comes in handy! Ah, and of course, portability. For my use case, the A12Z is enough. And for 500€? Damn! I can still use my trustful 2010 MBPro for my daily tasks, but I'm getting a feeling that the iPP will slowly replace it in that regard too...!

Really excited about the M1 benchmarks, not only per se, but also for what they mean to future M-powered Macs.

Robbosan said:

Op is from the alternatives forum so hasn’t figured out a iPad isn’t a laptop replacement or vice versa, try holding a MacBook pro up to you face to read in bed lol.

LOL, cmon man.

ian87w said:

With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

The MacBook Air isn’t a hybrid device. The iPad is!

AutomaticApple said:

The MacBook Air isn’t a hybrid device. The iPad is!

Definitely. One who’s looking for a tablet device will need the iPad.

It reminds me of Jobs keynote of the 2011 MacBook Air. “What would happen if the iPad and the MacBook hooked up?” The AS MacBook Air is the final answer to that question.

The pro ONLY makes sense in its largest configuration if you absolutely need pro motion, but once you add the $200 magic keyboard, and apple care youre at $1400 for 256G wifi

with todays pricing options on the Air and/or macbook pro I wouldnt touch an ipad PRO until the chips are upgraded. The new AIR is basically the 1st generation 11 inch ipad pro without pro motion for $600. Im actually considering TRADING my 1st generation 11 inch PRO in for a new ipad air for effectively $100 net cost.

joecatz1 said:

The pro ONLY makes sense in its largest configuration if you absolutely need pro motion, but once you add the $200 magic keyboard, and apple care youre at $1400 for 256G wifi

with todays pricing options on the Air and/or macbook pro I wouldnt touch an ipad PRO until the chips are upgraded. The new AIR is basically the 1st generation 11 inch ipad pro without pro motion for $600. Im actually considering TRADING my 1st generation 11 inch PRO in for a new ipad air for effectively $100 net cost.

Well, not everyone uses a Mac or it’s derivatives. I use a Thinkpad X Series and dock it when I need additional screens. The iPad Pro 11” 2020 has its very specific (and indispensable) role in my context. I see no advantage with the newly announced AS MacBook Air.