M4 iPad Pro vs M3 MacBook Pro - Don't Make a Mistake! 

iPad Pro or MacBook Pro which one are you choosing? 👀

I am a firm believer in "Use Cases". I have a use case for both the iPad Pro, and the MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air. I travel extensively for work, so in my laptop bag is both a 12.9" iPad Pro M1, and a MacBook Air 13" M1. During my average 2-week business trips, I use both for separate, and specific reasons.

Was not expecting a Vince McMahon “Life sucks then you die” reference lol

I have both.... And even though I love my iPad, I prefer the MacBook since you can do so much more with it. The iPad for me is a multimedia device that still to this day, cannot be used as a full time computer.

If you’ve seen what iPadOS 17 can do on a 2018 iPad Pro, you’ve seen what it can do on a 2024 iPad Pro. Doesn’t matter if the screen has a trillion Hz and gets as bright as a supernova, doesn’t matter if the chip is fast enough to simulate the brain of God himself, doesn’t matter if it’s a single atom thick. It does the exact same thing as the old one but a bit faster and looks better doing it.

Why I choose the iPad Pro over the MacBook Pro: Hardware: 1. Versatility. The ability to interact with the device in many ways. In “Laptop Mode” with the Magic Keyboard you can go from using your fingers, Pencil, trackpad, and keyboard all seamlessly. Or in “Clipboard Mode” with just the tablet and pencil/touch for drawing, reading, watching, showing. There are so many ways to hold/use the device vs the MacBook Pro where it’s just the trackpad and keyboard that is permanently fixed. 2. Thinner and lighter. 3. FaceID (for now this is a differentiator). I find FaceID faster and easier to use than TouchID. 4. OLED (for now). 5. Ability to charge from power bank, smaller adapters. 6. Camera on back for scanning documents, or snapping a quick environmental photo (can also do so discreetly). Software: 1. Apps open and close instantly. Lightning fast to swipe and switch apps. I actually find this preferably vs having 7 app windows on the same desktop. 2. Slide Over is very handy (calculator, address book, ChatGPT, Notes). I use the calculator a lot for work, so it’s great to be able to swipe from the right and do a calculation and then swipe it away. On the Mac, I’d have to open and close it or keep it somewhere on the screen. It’s also quicker/easier to tap the numbers on the calculator (touchscreen) on the iPad. 3. Drag and Drop. I use this a lot, especially grabbing multiple items and then dropping them elsewhere. I like being able to touch an item or several items, and then swipe with my other hand to open another window or app and then drop the items in there. This doesn’t work the same way on the Mac. 4. Apps like GarageBand, DJ, Notes, FreeForm, LumaFusion, etc. are much more enjoyable with the touch interface. 5. Simplicity - I don’t need more complex desktop apps or deep menus. I am able to run my business using Zoom, iWork apps, and web-based software. For my hobbies, I use GarageBand, LumaFusion, Lightroom, etc. I am able to do everything on the iPad Pro. 6. There are some apps that don’t exist for the Mac that I use (Arlo, Insta, RU-vid, games, etc.) 7. I like the ability to alternate between simple multi-tasking (split screen and slide over) and Stage Manager 8. More secure (no executable files) 9. Continuity between iPad and iPhone. They operate very much the same way and most of the apps are universal, so it’s easier to go back and forth between an iPhone and iPad than it is between an iPhone and a Mac. GarageBand is a good example. 10. Easier to replace (and set up).

We all know hardware of the ipad is amazing, its just the software

The audio source win for the MacBook is such a big deal for me when I switched from my iPad to my MacBook Pro, Thanks!

man u should do all your comparisons like this lol it's pretty engaging

I enjoyed this comparison video, thanks!

amazing video as always, which mic is that ? send it I need it

I have the 14” M3 MBP and M2 IPad Pro. Both great devices. Took a look at 13” M4 IPad Pro at Apple and it’s really cool. I do a lot Google suite stuff, research, taking notes, some gaming, enjoying art apps iPad has to offer etc….been debating to turn in both devices for just the M4 IPad Pro. However the battery life on iPad is worse than pro as a teacher going for masters program.

I went with the M4 IPad Pro 13” for the stunning display, touchscreen and Apple Pencil. I didn’t purchase it for work but I’ve been using it for video conferencing since the camera is now in a great position. Great tablet

Anyone else LOL at 14:50? Nice job, you earned my comment Greg!

As someone studying comp science,I found no use for my iPad Pro 12.9 from last gen. most use I found was using it as a secondary screen on my MacBook. I sold it to someone who works in insurance and needed them to sign. it sat on my desk for almost a year with nearly no use, I guess it all depends on your use case. it was like a giant iPhone to me.

For me the iPad Pro 11 inch has been a god send. I am a traveling consultant and have a work computer however for personal use i mainly check emails, surf the web watch RU-vid and play games. The portability is key, light to use and makes doing these things more fun. Not everybody is a video editor or artist and for people who are just using personal computing this is best

As a Designer I use both. Each one serves a different purpose and also can work together.

Great video Greg, nice job!

After using mine for over a week, trying to do things I would normally do on my MBP, I VERY impressed with the magic keyboard compared to the previous one. Given I had the 11" before and that was part of the issue. As I build a lot of custom boards I'm not a huge fan of low profile keyboard but can happy type on either my MBP or this new MagicKeyboard for hours without issue. Although I'm always happy to get back to my heavy tactile switches when I can. Keep up all the great content Greg, definitely enjoying all of it!

Love the video Greg! Very informative and entertaining. Love the iPad for what it is, use it more than my old iMac, however even as a very casual user, I have hit spots where even I needed a Mac for certain things. It’s too bad, because I could totally see myself happy having an iPad as the sole computer I use. Am not a gamer, but there are more games on the iPad with the current push for mobile hence that’s another factor making me want to get an iPad Pro for the screen and the port so I can plug in a drive or a hub.

Let the Cursor be a Cursor (arrow) and not a stupid circle where i really never know what i am selecting

Finally a vid of these two

My iPad Pro just took a dump and I bought my first MacBook Pro and love it!!!! I used my iPad as my laptop for many years but the MacBook is amazing, So I bught the iPad Mini 6 ad love my current set up. Awesome video!!!!

Nice video bro 👊🏻..,

I’ve been using my iPad as an upgrade from my 2019 MacBook Pro (Intel), and I’m really enjoying it. It’s the perfect middle ground between the iPhone and the MacBook

LOL! I love you and your videos. LOL! I got the M4 Ipad pro 13" pro but decided to pick up the Macbook MacBook pro M3 too. They are great companions.

Your videos always deliver on the information and entertainment!! I'd love to replace my M3 Air with the M4 iPad Pro + magic keyboard, but it still can't run full versions of Word and Excel. So, I continue to wait and hope. First world problems, of course. 😁

I was debating this same thing recently after giving my M1 Air to my daughter for college. I thought maybe I can do all my basic things on a 13” iPad with magic keyboard but found a gently used M3 pro (space black) for $1440.

I have both, plus the M2 15inch air......I also have the M2 iPad Pro 12.9 (I know I know.....excessive) Truth is.....I always reach for the MacBook Air. Such a joy to use.

One correction: it’s not double the battery. I did a real world test, the MacBook Pro had 1 more hour of battery life. Apple understates the iPads battery for whatever reason.

I've seen performance vs form factor for the past 40 years. The iPad M4 is the first time in 40 years I've been blown away as if staring at magic. How can you have the single fastest CPU in your entire lineup of devices, in the thinnest all in 1 device, with the best screen on any device in history? It just doesn't make any GD sense. M4 blows things like i9's out of the water, giant desktops with 4 inch fans on 3 sides. The iPad M4 really is the first time i've been utterly blown away.

They need to allow running macOS on the ipad -- but then that might kill their macbook air sales. As far as I am concerned, the two should just be merged together. Everyone knows that iPadOS stifles the ipad. Why can't I run xcode on it and program? It certainly has the power to do so.

I opted for the M3 Pro MBP 14, I don't think the base configuration can be beat for the price.

Damn dude. Almost didn't recognize you with that hair style🤪

Your video is so funny 😅 Thank you. I love it. I love my iPad Pro 2020 11 inches but as a laptop replacement, I think the iPad Pro 13 inches M4 would be perfect for me. But I wonder if I’d rather pick up a MacBook Air and keep my iPad too instead.

Either Apple should create an iPad-like MacBook or just an iPad with a macOS that would turn into iPadOS whenever you detach the keyboard! iPad hardware is the future but I can’t find the reason to pay for the Pro with such a limiting software…

It remains a fact, if you want to get stuff done, MacOS is the way to go. Doing 500 Pull-ups to bring the iPad to MacBook level won't work, doesn't save money, heck even the speakers are better if you do nothing but watch RU-vid videos all day.

I think stage manager works worse on the mac since it doesn’t snap to preset sizes and allows you to hide a window by accident by covering it by another

Great video! More reviews should be like this rather than reeling off specs, and good comedy too. Already in-depth, but would have loved to see secondary monitor capabilities as well. Currently I have a Mac Mini and purchased an iPad Pro to continue work from my Mac portably (primarily Affinity apps and frequent file management), but the iPadOS limitations and iPad versions of apps are so frustrating, slow and limited, while my M1 Mac Mini is continuously maxing its 8GB RAM and using 30GB of swap resulting in so much slowness. For example, when my contractors send me a PDF via a particular app, I cannot even download it to my iPad.... I actually have to boot up my Mac Mini, download it, add to iCloud, then go back to my iPad. So many dumb things like this. I'm thinking of just selling the Mac Mini and iPad Pro and getting an M3 MacBook Pro to replace both instead, hooked up to a monitor at home, while still easy to continue the same workflows when portable. It would be great however if they released a MacBook with a touchscreen and pencil support. The new Surface laptops actually peaked my interest with the touchscreen and detachable keyboard, but I can't stand Windows.

I recently purchased the iPad Pro m4 13” and am absolutely in love with this device. I will make it my mobile device. Yes content consumption is a dream but it also has the productivity apps that I need. I am now starting to focus on Apple apps since in the future Apple intelligence will work with the native applications. Login and passwords using FaceID is fantastic. iPad Pro has my vote.

I’m new here, your awesome compared made me lol 😂 subscribed

My Bachelor's of Computer applications Course is starting from July so what should I buy m3 pro macbook pro or wait for m4 pro macbook pro or other laptop with snapdragon x elite ?

Awesome Video Greg! I was hoping you could talk me into spending the money for that snazzy new iPad but, no, in the end your common sense and mine won out. MacOS is the make or break feature for me. I'm sticking with the MacBook. (The extra ports don't hurt any either).

I would like a small iPad next to my Mac. Using a pen to do painting for leisure, being creative with a digital planner. Taking handwritten notes (just because I like it). Any recommendations?

Thx bro ❤

Great video and hope you have a great day

Wish there was a comparison between iPad Pro M2 vs iPad Air M2…everybody is talking only about the new iPad Pro M4…💁🏼‍♀️

Hi ,I have a problem with my iPad she’s 4/5 years old but I love her .Problem when watching my RU-vid say your video it flips out of yours and goes to another video what’s going on ,I have reset it to back to factory condition and it’s still doing the flip what’s going on .Should get a new computer or is it a virus?.

You can double tap the spacebar to unlock the iPad and go to the Home Screen!?!? Is that a setting somewhere, mine does not do that..

How would this comparison do with the MacBook Air 13.6” M3? Thinner, lighter, than the 14” MacBook Pro. Most of the comparisons are about the same.

The thing the iPad has up is the cellular data option

I’m not picking at all!!! Sticking to my IPad Air 5 M1 & MacBook Air M1 for years and years to come! Both together costed me around $1400-1500

What are your thoughts on iPad Pro 13" vs 11"? Struggling to decide what to get to compliment my 16" MBP. Want it as a more portable option for travel compared to my 16" MBP. It is not a laptop replacement too me, but I would do video and photo editting on it occasionally. At home it would be for watching content and probably used as a secondary editing screen via Sidecar. I've leaned towards 13", but the portability and ease of use of the 11" has me second guessing. If I want to watch content lying in bed, the 13" would likely be too big. The 11" is so much more portable and discreet, but I really like the screensize of the 13"

It should be possible to dual boot the iPad into MacOS when you have a keyboard attached. That would fix this...

I got the iPad Pro, cause I already have a Mac mini for any of my macOS needs. The portability and form factor of the iPad was a big factor as was that new display.

Despite the fact that I have both and love them both, I prefer to use my MacBook.

The new iPad makes me want to just wait until the MacBook Pro M4 comes out.

17 min in, i was doing the dishs because i have no money to buy a dishwasher yet still watching this video about 2k$ stuff that can play youtube very well, loosing time, feeding money to people who find it genius enough to load 6 ggl ads in 17 minutes 😂

What this should show is that the Macbook if they improve certain things about the device during the next chip line up then it will have a price increase or apple may opt to keep the price the same by not upgrading the screen etc

Is the mini led noticeably worse than ipad oled

I bought and returned an m4 ipad because with regular use (youtube/web browsing) at night with the screen only on about half brightness the battery only lasted about 4 hours. My old M1 ipad that is only at 80% battery health lasts about 30% longer and its years older

You can get a sensor for Mac to make touch screen

Great video! I know that the iPad works for some, but for years I tried to make it work - and always there is disappointment. Apple calls it a Pro device - but they certainly don’t call their software iPadOS Pro - and for good reason. I mean - you can’t even save a file to the home page for god’s sake. I tried a Surface the other day (keep in mind I’ve been a Mac user since the 80’s). And it was AWESOME. I ordered the new Surface AI PC. And I’m not looking back. It would be great if you reviewed that!

In all fairness if it’s a tie give both devices a point. That gives a better overview of who wins out and why

I have the m4 iPad Pro here 13inch and I don’t need any app or software so im keeping it. Later down the line when the MacBook Pro gets lighter and thinner because it will get the oled technology eventually I will get that one.

I don’t see an image quality difference, honestly. Maybe it’s noticeable in person. I’d do see more sneak though on the Mac.

Speaking of battery ;ofe, I wish Apple would have kept the pr3evious iPad thickness and insted increased the battery. Also, I'm vkind of surprised they didn't put a battery in the keyboard to sort of charge the ipad while in use. It would have been a good way to give the keyboard part some weight.

I actually regret getting the space black MacBook pro, that silver one looks so slick, my next MacBook will be silver for sure 👌

So Mac OS allows sideloading, but iPad OS does not. 🤔

Why make a 30min video, we already know the MacBook's better

im not sure that microphone you are using is big enough lol

Should you buy a macbook pro m3 pro or buy a macbook air m2 with ipad pro m4 as a fresher coding student who want to do ai & ml.

The MacBook is better. Now you don’t have to watch the rest of the video.

Nice video

Got both. For school, you need both

So there's no battery drain test

If you need a computer and do productivity, get MacBook Air/Pro. Why bother with iPad and all the accessories while paying more money to be able to do less “computer” stuffs? MacOS vs iPad OS are also night and day in terms of usage for productivity.

I would choose the M3 Macbook Pro if buying now, because it has MacOS over iPadOS but I would actually wait for M4 MacBook Pro's really.

I didn’t plan on this being a tie 😂.

There is also stage manager in mac

The only thing the iPad does better is drawing or taking notes by hand.

We all know the MacBook Pro is the better laptop

I wish I can have one 😢

After watching and reading alllllll comments, I’m bouta buy me the MacBook Pro!!! Thank yallllllll! I don’t know any of all, but I love all y’all!!!

Or you could get a Samsung Galaxy Book 2 360 that’s both a laptop and a tablet, with touchscreen and pen, and less expensive than iPad or MacBook. Keyboard can open to any angle and can serve as a stand, which is perfect for watching videos. I like my iPad better, but wonder if Apple will ever offer a convertible laptop.

This was actually entertaining to watch😂

IMO the only thing holding back the iPad Pro is the software, because that’s one area that cannot be rectified using aftermarket gear, such as external IO ports and battery. But I think that’s improving with the full featured apps and IO tailed for the iPad and Apple Pencil. It will probably be another few years when I will choose an iPad over my MacBook, but I’m looking forward to that day. Stage manager is pretty garbage at the moment, the Mac is a much better multitasking machine, and if the iPad can make a better way of external monitor (or even dual monitor) support, that could be a deciding factor for me. It would be really awesome if Apple release an iPad mini Pro that supports external monitor like MacBook, that would be awesome. But that’s probably out of the question. 25:41 and yes that’s most people who need a MacBook to begin with, like myself, ie i can’t live without a Mac, but can certainly live without an iPad. But my wife has never owned a Mac and really doesn’t need it (except when she does and uses my MacBook few times a year😂😂😂😂)

Once again pundit all about Face ID to login. I live in the Apple Garden so I have another option that I have used since Apple introduced macOS 10.13 with my Apple Watch 6 to unlock my Apple M1 MacBook Air. That being said no reason for Apple not putting Face ID in every device that has a front facing camera in it. Works great in my Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Yes the Apple iPad Pro with iPadOS/UNIX is for normals that use it for content consumption and not content creation. Always choose the best device for what you are using it for.

The ONLY laptop is obviously the macbook.

25:41 Greg trauma bonding with the more depressed members of his audience. We are not alone

for me, durability is something important, new iPad is thin like ridiculous thin, the previous iPad pro was already very thin, no one asked for it and wasn't really something they needed to do, when a product is that thin mostly will overheat under some circumstances and depending where you using your device, if using it in a room with AC, then probably will do fine, but come to the caribbean with that ridiculous thin device and tell me 6 months later how you doing with your everyday life with it, on the other hand Macbook Pro is built like a little tank, ready to be used without fear of putting it in a backpack and having the risk to bend the thing with just real life everyday circumstances, I don't need that, Apple decided to give back the thickness to Macbook Pro, and everyone agreed that was the best decision, for better ventilation, better durability, more ports, more rigidity to the whole chasis which is very needed for all portable devices that are supposed to be on the go on backpacks moving from one place to another all the time, trying to make every device thinner and thinner is the worst decision they are making, and there are rumors iphone 16 will be the same a ridiculous thin device, if they do that, I won't go for it, not for me, ...I am not saying that I want devices thick as bricks, no, but premium and expensive devices like these, need best of both worlds, good design and good durability, I don't want my devices to be thinner and thinner all the time, they have already reached that goal.

Ipad 10 years ahead in design ipados 10 years behind. Love my mac 😇

Why am I the ONLY one who sees that the MacBook Pro’s screen was CLEARLY brighter in many of those comparisons? I feel like I’m losing my mind. lol

i am still fine with my ipad pro 12.9 M1 5G. now if only apple put the 5G esim capability in macbooks, that would be a game changer. and i might consider to shift to macbooks after that. you really think that public wifis on starbucks or airports are truly secure? think again

I don't understand techtubers' obsession with trying to make an iPad Pro into a laptop replacement. It's not a laptop and will never be one. It's a great tablet, which is what it is always meant to be, and will always be. Just because it has an extremely overpriced keyboard option doesn't make it a laptop.

Don’t tell me what to do.

Still no Terminal on an iPad? Still not a computer yet. No comparison between them then)

I use GoodSync and its not possible on iPadOS. So I have a Windows PC (mini PC great value) plus an iPad, best of both worlds

That halo effect looks severe

why always make a mock of camera at the back of the ipad.. when it is very useful for people working in the field like engineers, interior designers, architects, product designers... why do you even buy a pro ipad if you're not going to sketch on it professionally... and judge it only from a youtuber's usecase... do you think ipad designer designed the camera for taking portraitures?