Dear Apple, Why Should Anyone Buy This? 

I think ppl should forget about using ipad as a macbooks. If you want pad get an any iPad or if you want laptop get macbook. I mean apple don't let ppl not buy one device with all features lol

I’m a College student and I’ve recently got myself the iPad 10th gen (64 gb , WiFi with iCloud+) and Logitech k480 keyboard and the Apple Pencil usb c (1st gen) and this worked perfectly well from going through pdf’s , RU-vid, Netflix and reading research papers…..Trust me it was really good from my view and it worked out really well …It does satisfy all the needs for a student’s , regular user pov………(Love your content ❤)

Why the hell does iPad control center blur the ENTIRE screen?

Comparing an iPad to a Macbook is like comparing a Windows to a Chromebook. Whether it makes sense or not depends completely on how you intend to use it.

The trouble with the MacBook Air is it’s just not an iPad Air replacement.

I never considered an iPad to be a replacement to a laptop nor a desktop.. It compliments it. This is why I will never be confused. I don't buy a magic keyboard either.

Ipads are not a "laptop" replacement, its a mac os replacement. Its designed as a product that can function _like_ a laptop but not "constrained" by mac os platform. Which is ironic because obviously a desktop os is more robust than a phone based os. But thats the point. Its meant to feel like your iphone but with more functions and performance than your phone. If you need desktop level performance or applications use a mac. But with more apps being consumer friendly and ios optimized instead of being made for macs, ipads can make more sense than a mac for certain users.

"Dont be fooled" always triggers me then i end up watching 😂

I got a refurbished iPad Magic Keyboard in basically new condition for $139 from Amazon Renewed.

The iPad was never meant to replace the Macbook, but to complement it. It will NEVER truly be a laptop replacement. Apple doesn't want it to eat into its Macbook sales.

It makes sense why they extra port on the magic keyboard doesn't support data transfer. It's obviously not a stable connection. You supposed to be able to simply pick up the ipad. It would have definitely caused tons of issues where people disconnect it with a drive connected and end up corrupting the drive.

I would never have gone through grad school without a MacBook and the magic of multiple desktops and circling through multiple open PDFs back and forth as I wrote my papers. iPads are great but unless you’re an artist the device fights against you every step of the way.

the function row of iPad Pro's keyboard attracted me, then I compared both Pro and Air at a local Apple Store. The tandem OLED was the deciding factor for me to go for the Pro.

Hi Greg! I love your videos! One recommendation I have is to work on your audio a little bit. There were some moments, especially towards the beginning of the video, where the audio was a bit distorted. Make sure when you're recording that the audio isn't clipping. Applying some compression and a limiter can help even out and increase your volume without causing distortion. Great video as usual!

Great video. All those advanced features on the MacBook Air mean nothing if you need a touchscreen or tablet form factor (think Folio case, instead of keyboard).

I think the happy medium here would be to allow some sort of virtualization program like virtualbox on the app store. This will make everyone happy. Sure it might be a bit sluggish for creativity apps BUT thats the point of the native ipad os. I think being able to spin up a virtual machine of debian or something to do some coffeeshop work would be more than enough for most people complaining about these issues.

I need a device with a touchscreen, Pencil input, and the ability to remove the keyboard. What does that configuration cost on the MBA?

the target audience for the 13inch ipad air is artist.

Artists are rejoicing for the 13" iPad. It will be a god send for Procreate, Nomad Sculpt, and a few other die hard art focused apps.

The 13" iPad Air will be a popular device for musicians. There.

Excellent, informative video. I found it helpful, but didn’t quite get at what I’m trying to determine. My question isn’t whether to go with iPad or MacBook or which of the two is a more capable laptop. I love my iPad and don’t plan to give it up. My question is: would iPad + Magic Keyboard be sufficient for my laptop needs and allow me to get everything done using just two devices (iPhone and iPad), both running iOS, without adding a third device that runs MacOS or Windows. If so, two devices would seem to be simpler and less expensive than three devices.

Thanks for this! I recently got a MacBook Pro as my work computer from my employer. Thinking about ditching my MacBook Air for an iPad since I’ll technically have a laptop now.

Any annoying scratches or dents on your space black macbook pro yet?

Since Apple couldn't show any added value with iPad OS even at the WWDC, I gave up my iPad Pro M2 and bought an iPad 10 and a MacBook Air M3 for the money. The Macbook can do much more than the iPad and the iPad 10 is sufficient for drawing and playing games in 99% of use cases. pro devices and Airngeröden of the iPad lineup are air modells are senseless unfortunately.

Fantastic review for helping people decide what to buy! Great job, Greg!

Hey Greg: your summary statement was bang on (iPad Air is designed for touchscreen and iOS users, not for laptop users).

I replaced a five year-old Acer Chromebook with a 1TB M4 iPad Pro. It’s hard for me to type on this iPad because I’m grinning so much. I don’t think I need to elaborate on how big of a leap that was.

If coding were possible on an iPad, I would buy one this instant, but Apple has done everything possible to make it IMpossible to code on it.

Its just my thought !!! Wouldn't it be better if apple had released ipads with m3 chips first and later releasing MacBook air with m4 by which we can use the full power of m4 chips a lot better if it's in a laptop rather than being in a tablet with limited use !!!

I would not recommend anyone buying the MacBook Air over the iPad Air. Does anyone really think 8 GB will be enough RAM to run Mac OS Sequoia AI well?

Another great video Greg !...The iPhone 13's processor the A15 Bionic chip that is getting ios18 but not Apple Intelligence has the equivalent processing power of the M1 which is getting the "Apple Intelligence" feature...It even has the same Neural Engine as the M1 all iPhones sold since including the iPad mini 6 Apple needs to get this out of beta and in people's hands that's paid for this processing power. Much love from all the UK 😊

Here’s the biggest fact: the iPad keyboard is dundundundundun an ACCESSORY. What does that mean? That means the keyboard is not a part of the core experience. If all you need is a simple word editor or something that works better with a keyboard, the iPad easily wins. Ask yourself what you use the most after work. I know for a fact that once work ends, I put down my MacBook and spend the rest of my time on the iPad. Now if I wasn’t using a MacBook for work, iPad easy win. My MacBook “school’ edition is still sitting on my desk untouched because I don’t want to use a laptop for casual stuff. There’s no use case during my spare time where I wanna touch my MacBook. Well unless if game support becomes bigger in the future, I’ll stick to my windows computer

If you try and make a product something it isn’t then that is on you.

11:07 Exactly what happens on my iPad mini 5 Yes it’s an old device but still the standby battery life is really not good My iPhone is on charge, I want to watch an video on my iPad, I want to wake it and I see the red battery icon telling me it’s out of juice I really hesitate to pick up an MacBook (Air or Pro) Before I bought my iPad mini 5 because of school and lessons Writing on that screen, taking notes was a great experience - even taking pictures of documents, complete and sign them before sending them back But now that I’m no longer at school the needs I had before are no longer there… I’m kinda interested in the MacBook Air 15" M3 but… I can’t really decide, plus there is the MacBook Pro with better screens, better sustain performance…

That's the problem I'm seeing over and over... everyone is asking if the iPad can replace the Book- the answer is ~mostly~ yes. No-one seems to be asking whether the Book can replace the iPad and the answer is ~definitely~ nope. I still see more value in the iPad.

iPads are good at being iPads. They aren’t the same device, not matter how much Apple pitches the iPad as a fully featured computer. It’s a companion device. I think this video captured that reality well.

tbf I think the 13 inch makes perfect sense. I wanted to pick up a pro specifically for the size as I personally find the 11 inch models as uncomfortable to write on when trying to do notes. So instead of paying out the £1200 for a pro instead I could pay £800 for the main benefit I wanted. I don't care to much and disagree with the idea you need the keyboard to use it as I just have a folio case an the logitech pebble so it's small and I can just get it out if I need it.

I saw red when my 2020 iPad Pro didn’t support stage manager and external screen so binned it, ended up with iPad Air M1 base model and didn’t buy a keyboard. I use the iPad as an iPad most of the time with just the pencil, when I want to use it as a “computer” I dock it to monitor mechanical keyboard and mouse…like most people I’d like to use iPad only but it’s not to be so I picked up a cheap windows laptop as a final two fingers ( use that for dev work )…when I ditched the iPad Pro I also ditched my iPhone and iMac yes I had a paddy to be fair I don’t think apple noticed my mini protest

I had an 11” with the Magic Keyboard… it’s too small IMHO to actually use instead of a laptop.

I’m thankful for choice. I don’t really like MacOS and have only ever truly needed a Mac to complete a task once (exporting Evernote notes to Apple Notes). I can do everything else for home and work on my iPad Air M1 and Magic Keyboard. It’s much easier to use and more enjoyable.

As a 12.9 inch iPad Pro user the OS is great on touch but sometimes I don't like holding a giant 13' inch screen to get the most of the OS and most comfortable to use which is touch. The RU-vid app is better with touch like with iPhone. And RU-vid for a long time has done the iPad app half baked compared to iPhone. And the memory still gets me. And my M1 iPad Pro is getting about 4-5 hrs. My MacBook Pro M1 gets well over 9hrs of daily use. Adding a trackpad to a mobile OS is not going to be the same as how thoughtful and mature the trackpad is on a desktop OS. It's ok but not as good.

To me the big difference in the MacBook and the iPad, a single app called terminal. The power of the terminal cannot be understated.

I’ve never seen the iPad Air as a laptop replacement. To me, the regular iPad is a laptop replacement for anyone who just wants to access social media, play mobile games, use FaceTime, and access email. The Air is companion app for someone who relies on a laptop or desktop, but wants to use an iPad for work for specific use cases, while still being able to do the things a regular iPad can do. The iPad Pro is for someone who wants to use an iPad as their primary device because they appreciate iPad OS for what it is and a laptop or desktop is something they can replace with a Magic Keyboard. I know it’s hard to believe, but there are some of us that prefer iPad OS for most things (as much as I loved my Mac).

I purchased a 2018 iPad Pro 13" and Magic Keyboard refurbished for about $800. To do over again I'd go MacBook. I will say that I don't often pull the iPad off the keyboard it's REALLY nice when I do :)

If you want a Mac get a Mac. If you love the iPad… get the best you can pay that makes sense for what you do with it.

I bought my first iPad (for myself anyway) the 11" iPad Pro because that panel is simply too gorgeous. I'll use it as a tablet for now. I bought the Pencil Pro. I'll likely purchase a keyboard sometime down the road and most definitely at a discount. My work provides me with a laptop (M1 MacBook Pro) so that factored into my purchase.

Ironically, though I’m biased to my tech needs, I think the ideal iPad user is someone who owns a windows laptop or desktop and values a quick and easy to use operating system for notes and research, with some of apples creative features on top. I have an older iPad Pro and it basically serves as a supporting device for my surface laptop, and I agree with apple that touchscreens are useless on a desktop OS to the point I disabled the touch screen on the surface laptop. As someone who doesn’t really like MacOS (I have had macs before) the fact iPadOS isn’t MacOS doesn’t bother me. I would choose an iPad over a Mac (provided I have a windows PC of some sort when I need it).

I got my 13” M3 MacBook Air 16/256 ($1,400 at launch on Apple Education store + great Apple trade-in deal) for ‘real computer’ tasks, and an iPad 10th gen 256gb ($350 new on Marketplace) with the Magic Keyboard Folio ($170 new on eBay) for my Netflix/Max streaming, on-the-go Excel tasks, work email app, and video calls. Great combo with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I canceled my M4 iPad Pro 11 inch with Magic Keyboard and Pencil 2.0 order, saved like $800, and can’t be happier 🤣 Apple makes too good of a regular tablet to even look at Pro for a regular user! Let’s be honest: the niche of heavy iPad Pro video editors is probably less than 1%, most people do hardcore tasks (if they have any) on their computers, and use iPads for watching videos, surfing Web, and sending emails…

I just got a Magic Keyboard from Amazon Renewed for $150 and it's perfect. I bet you could get both, Renewed, in a few months and save $300-400

Never ever mention Shyamalan.

After trying to use the iPad as a productivity device every year for 5 years now, I realised it's totally pointless at most things, especially the magic keyboard. But if you use it as a companion instead, it's an awesome device!

I own an A12 2020 iPad Pro. It carries 1TB of storage and I have the pencil and the keyboard. It does anything I want and does it well. However, as a PC it’s not really capable. Most frustrating is the lack of a decent file manager with a file centric interface. My MacAir M1 does all this well. Now I am retired, I have limited need for the MacAir. As long as the iOS system remains as the iPad software then the case for upgrading my 2020 pre M1 device. No thanks Apple.

You are a master of your craft sir! Great video

Nobody ever mentions the iPad Pro’s huge advantage: more memory. My Pro switches instantly between apps, but my iPad hesitates when switching as it has to load the new app into memory. It gets annoying.

What about the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case for iPad Air 13-inch (M2) for £229.95. Which all these RU-vidrs don’t mention.

I gave up on the macbook after several atempts. iPads come with so many things macbooks lack (inbuild keyboard, camera, touch screen half the weight etc..

For how expensive the iPad Magic Keyboard is it honestly should have a Touch ID sensor in the same spot the MacBook has it.

The new M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard has Function keys. Even more expensive of course though.

Imagine if there were touch screen, or even multi screen touch device's with a compete desktop OS 🤔

I totally agree with you. Unless you absolutely need the Apple Pencil for digital art, actually the MacBook Air lineup wins the battle hands down!

But they pair together! By both, it’s the sole way! Want touch screen Mac? Use the Sidecar for Air!! Yay🎉

Centre stage is lovely to use, not on the air, And fingerprint recognition isn’t as good as facial recognition, not on the air, got both so use them almost every day. M1 iPad M3 MacBook Air. Very interesting review, my fav is also the air because MacOs is old, refined and awesome. But the screen is better quality on the iPad Pro and it feels more robust, I’d take that out in the street with me, not the MacBook, thank you Greg

What is that video example playing? It looks os familiar......Japanese schoolgirls, special effects and doll like transformations......

As a longtime Pad [Pro] user, the only use-case I can for an iPad over a MacBook would a be a student with non-technical major or aging parent or grandparent. It's great if you can afford it as an "extra" device, but if it's going to be your one-and-only non-phone device….it's limiting.

I was pulling my hair out trying to make a decision. I was actually considering either the iPad Pro or MacBook Air. I going with the MacBook. I’ve had many iPads in the past, but the last one I owned was the 2018 model. I sold it in early 2020 and haven’t had one since. The Mackbook just makes more sense for the money and my phone is more than enough for the daily on the go routine.

How does the 13" iPad Air compare to an M2 MacBook?

Can i use the pencil with the macbook air?

Thanks for the comparison and analysis, very in-depth and logical. I have an iPad Air 5th with Magic keyboard, like you said, what differentiate it with an macBook Air is its touch screen. Other than that, macBook Air worth better.

Thanks to your videos I will never be fooled again on any subjects.

Greg; Logitech keyboard-cases are very good and they are cheaper than Apple / iPad keyboards. And all Logitech iPad keyboard-cases have function keys which is not true for some Apple / iPad keyboards.

I can’t believe the IPad - M4 is pack will all that power but don’t have the software to utilize it.

With Ai doing so many tasks, that huge keyboard you get with macbooks might start feeling huge and redundant in the very near future. Im not sure many people realise this

I feel like the 2018 iPad Pro speakers were better than the 2024 iPad Pro.

again apple should just simplify the ipad line-up: ipad: mini size, the 2 sizes for air, remove the air and upgrade the 10 gen to be like the air Pro: two sizes if they want the price to be slightly cheaper simply give the ipads the chip behind the macs for example if the macs are on m3 then just give the ipads m2. so in a couple years when the macs are on m5 just keep the ipads on m4.... stop with the multiple pencils and just make two pro model and regular...

Also they should just sell Ipads not as laptop replacements but as tablets. Ipads have a good argument for being the better alternative computer compared to android tablets, chromebooks, drawing tablets and etc...

iPadOS just got a calculator though!

I use an ipad as an ipad without keyboard! Use the Mac for less mobile and more power hungry tasks! I don’t understand why everyone wants an ipad to be a laptop so bad!

I’ve only ever purchased the keyboard for the first iPad Pro and barely used it. I don’t buy keyboards anymore. My iPad use doesn’t need a keyboard.

“For the air” when they’re both airs 😭

Maybe there is a market for people that find it more convenient to touch the screen while using some application and some of them with a pen… without a keyboard getting in their way …why would anyone make such a video? Here is an idea for the next video: why would anyone take a Dyson to put a blade and a garage vacuum with a truck battery to mow the lawn?

It's even worse when you compare the iPad vs the Surface Pro which is what the iPad Pro should be competing against

You're good at what you do. Not gonna lie. I don't even need to buy any more bits of tech for years but I like to keep up to date. I'm still not convinced about tablets in general. Like I see the appeal for someone like my Mum... or a digital artist. The laptop form factor is just superior in every way. Last night I watched a movie in bed on the 15" Air... it's pretty incredible and basically 4k (tbf... so is the iPad). The best thing about it is the simple physics of being able to plonk it down and not have it fall over or have to balance it with my hand. Touch screens are slower and more cumbersome too. Once you become fast at using the trackpad, it can do everything a touch screen can at about 5x the speed with much less effort. I love my Kindle, but I won't be interest in a tablet until they match that kind of ink screen but with colours ( reading articles and graphic novels with an inky colour tablet screen would be a game changer).

If ipad os wasnt terrible at multitasking or file management, the choice would be between touch screeen with pencil or touchpad with a good keyboard. But the OS makes the ipad not worth it even for simple workflows unless you can work on a chromebook.

A tablet computer would be the perfect form factor for me. I have struggled trying to make the iPad work for what I need, but other than really simple productivity tasks it's not so great, and even those are far more fiddly and frustrating. With the new, even more powerful iPads being introduced, I thought the new iPadOS would make the iPad into a serious device, but nope, no real changes there. I was planning to upgrade my 5th-gen iPad Air to either the 13" M2 Air or maybe even the 13" M4 Pro, but at this point I give up. No new iPads until my Air breaks or is no longer supported, and I will just use it as a content consumption device for the couch, and maybe some very light productivity when I need to be mobile. I have looked at the Surface Pro over the years, although it has a desktop OS, it hasn't been a very compelling piece of hardware. The new ARM-based model should drop tomorrow, hopefully meaning reviews will be released. For sure it will not be even close to an M2 iPad Air, much less an M4 iPad Pro, but if it is at least as good as an M1 device, they probably will have my money.

The only thing that people always over look is that the Ipad is literally a giant touch screen, there is absolutely no MacBook with that capability and that means that for professionals that are more in the creative field benefit immensely from the Apple Pencil, not to mention the fact that the Ipad is FAR MORE VERSATILE than a laptop. On top of that is how user friendly an iPad is, you can literally give it to a kid or an elderly person and they’ll know how to use it. If the iPad had something similar to MacOS it would eliminate the need for MacBook Air entirely (The Pro would Probably still be around)

Well you can’t draw on a MacBook and it’s way easier to edit photos in Lightroom for me on an iPad bc I can select things easier and draw in masks with the pencil. Doing that with a mouse or trackpad is much more difficult

An ipad os an ipad, and will never get a macbook replacement. My advice, get both, and a gaming PC.. even better, also get an ipad mini for reading books.

the 13" iPad air is a rebranded, glorified version of the old 12.9" m1 iPad Pro

Do we really need the keyboard attachment

Apple breaks an upgrade into 3+ years. Year to year it’s not a huge change but over a 5 year period it is a huge leap. Yes for profit but people really aren’t ready. The thinner iPad is an example of where they are headed. I’m not surprised if they have a retractable display ready for production.

Thanks Greg for sharing 👍. My older M1 pro ipads does all the work i needed and wont upgrade for many years. Would rather prefer investing money on a newer macbook pros 😊than newer ipads.

You do realize that the full side iPad has been 12.9” for the last like 6 six years, right?

If you bake in ads PLEASE add chapters!!!

Thanks for the content. I think an M2 iPad Pro is better value than an M2 Air… The 120hz and Face ID for me are a must. Plus it’s also mini LED also on the 13 inch. Could be same price too on discount / refurb.

It should be able to run macos! If it could I'd be there in a heartbeat... As it stands now, it's basically a great artists pad. I sold my ipad and my 16" macbook pro and got an m3 air... It's so much better... I just use my iphone when I would have used my ipad and I don't miss it at all. Bringing the macbook air to the couch is still more comfortable... It has a built in stand and easier to angle the screen perfectly... IPad loses here too imho.

Well, the MacBook Air is superior to the iPad Air in a number of ways, but having to deal with a real file system of the type that Apple uses on MacOS can be a tad intimidating.

Apple know ipad could replace macbook with the right OS. But they don't want that to be happened. So we're stuck with work = macbook; entertainment = ipad. I know ipad is capable to be an editing ang design machine, but most people don't buy ipad for that.

Never buy an Ipad Pro as a laptop replacement. An iPad is so much more fun than a Macbook. My brother bought a Macbook and had never picked up an iPad. Once he had some time with an iPad and noticing how much fun it is to hold an iPad, watching news or a movie on an iPad and how much fun it is to touch his way around, he selled his Macbook and bought an iPad Pro instead and hasn’t regretted it since. You need to think hard before buying a Macbook or an iPad. What’re going to use it for, what do you want to do, is it mainly for work or mostly for fun? I went iPad Pro only (and also paperless) in 2017 and the iPad Pro is my main computer ever since Iit even replaced my iMac 27”) 👍

Also, you can't use the tablet on your lap.

One thing that totally blows your metic... The magic keyboard transfers between new Ipads. The Macbook keyboard does not. For example. I have an M1 Ipad Air with magic keyboard. It has met my needs 95% of the time over a macbook (and i get to use it as a ipad to boot) . But say i want to uprgrade to the m2 Air? then i can buy one (600) and ..not have to buy a new magic keyboard, meaning effectively halving the price! So that makes it 175 for the Magic Keyboard..which makes effectively the set up for an m2 for me (or m3 or m4 in the future, when i do replace) ..875. If it goes to a third upgrade? now we are down to 118 effective cost . And i get to use the ipad for all things i want an ipad for, in addition to 95% of what i need a laptop for.