New Ipad Pro or New Macbook air advice please?

If you intend to use an iPad Pro like a MacBook, there is also the costs of an external keyboard case to consider, as well.

For the costs of a new M1 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro, which is, now, more prohibitively expensive, and the fact some users, like you, are just going to waste most of the touch screen experience by trying to turn a touch screen iPad into a laptop/MacBook and NOT use the touch screen hardly, your money would be better spent on a good spec'd out MacBook or MacBook Air.

macOS is more flexible and capable than iPadOS and for the costs a MacBook is a better value.

iPadOS window multiasking is very limited compared to macOS and a Mac computer.

External hard drive support on iPadOS is still in its infancy and is very rudimentary in its day to day use and execution.

Everything in a MacBook/Air is already built-in. No extra keyboard case to purchase. No extra weight added.

The Magic Keyboard case for iPad Pro is a great thing, but it is the cost of another iPad to purchase at $350 U.S.D..

The cheaper Folio keyboard case for iPad is good, but this means needing to use a separate Apple Magic mouse or compatible third party mouse or Apple Magic Trackpad OR an even cheaper third party keyboard with built-in Trackpad support.

Lots of paid, and potentially expensive, extra accessories with an iPad/iPad Pro.

Also, with any iPad, you need to get the largest internal data storage you can afford as NO Apple iOS/iPadOSvdevixes have expandable internal data storage.

If you have always been a Mac users and have NEVER been a user of iPads, switching to an iPad Pro is going to be a much more expensive and more frustrating an experience for you.

Do what you will.

HopeCove wrote:

Well, I've had a good old think about the external software thingy and I don't believe I really have any.

Can I ask if using Whatsapp on the new ipad pro is a problem please? I reckon it probably is. It's not a deal breaker. The only thing I guess is, is how different photo editing might be on the new ipad pro as opposed to a macbook air.

On an iPad. WhatsApp can be used through its website version only. The App cannot be downloaded to the iPad, and of course you need a phone with WhatsApp installed too use it on their website like you do with the Mac.

I have to agree with Michell above, that, if you don't like editing photos on your current iPad, the new one will likely not change that much. It will work pretty much the same.

Also, new M1 Macs can run iPad apps, so if you need something from the iPad, you can always try to run it on the Mac if its available in the Mac App Store.

The Mac will give you the best of both worlds, and will be less limiting.

The new iPad Pro will work essentially the same as your old iPad Pro, there is no real difference there as long as your current iPad is running iOS 14.

One factor to consider is whether you need software not available in Apple's App Store. Only a MacBook will give you that option.

It's more portable than an iPad Pro with Magic keyboard. The Keyboard is quite heavy, and makes the complete setup much heavier than the MacBook Air.

Here's a comparison between my iPad Pro and my M1 MacBook Air:

and, correct, the MacBook Air does not have a touch screen.

Another pure image editing app ONLY ( similar to Adobe Lightroom ) is Darkroom.

This is either a monthly or yearly paid subscription app OR you can pay the developer their one-time flat payment fee forever of $50 U.S.D..

You're welcome. I use my iPad is as an additional screen from my MacBook Air through SideCar. It works nicely and gives you more desktop room for apps when on the go.

I do also use it for some games and movies and Youtube when away from home.

No Mac has a touch screen

Many apps for iPad exist as Mac apps for the Mac for cross connectivity workflows, either by file transfer or using Apple's Handoff/Continuity features.