iPad vs. Mac: Which should you buy?

By Alex Choros

Last updated 12 May 2021

"Should I buy an iPad or a MacBook?" is one of our era's great philosophical questions. There's plenty of arguments you can make for each side, but there's no easy answer. It's like asking whether you should have pineapple on pizzas.

With each new generation of iPad, it becomes a little more difficult as they become more and more Mac-like. You can now use a trackpad or mouse with an iPad, and the new iPad Pro even has the same processor as the current generation MacBooks.

While there's no one single answer to the laptop-tablet conundrum, there could still be an answer for you. It all comes down to what you need your device to do.

If all you need is a simple device for simple tasks like browsing the web, messaging friends, paying bills, and checking emails, an iPad could be more than adequate. But if you're more demanding, a MacBook might be the better choice. Here are some of the main factors to contemplate.

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iPad vs. Mac: Operating System

A key difference between a MacBook and an iPad is the software they run. Macs run macOS, while iPads run iPadOS.

macOS is a true desktop operating system, which makes it much more versatile than iPadOS. You can install apps from anywhere, there's better multitasking options, and greater support for third-party accessories.

iPadOS is based on iOS, which means it's very iPhone-like. You're limited to the App Store for apps, multitasking isn't great, and there are great restrictions around what kind of accessories you can use with your iPad.

It's also worth noting that there's a difference between desktop and mobile browsers. The version of Safari you'll find on a Mac is a traditional desktop browser, whereas the version of Safari that runs on an iPad is a mobile version similar to that on iPad. While the majority of websites have been optimised for mobile browsers, some sites can have issues with them - even if you try to force the desktop version of the page.

iPad vs. Mac: Apps

In the same vein, the app situation creates a strong divide between what you can run on an iPad and what you can run on a Mac. While there are plenty of apps on the App Store, you've also got access to other installation sources on Mac, such as Steam for video games or apps downloaded directly from the web.

You'll also find a wider range of professional apps available on Mac. Apple has yet to bring Final Cut Pro and Logic to iPad, for example, and Adobe's iPad apps are somewhat stripped down when compared to their Mac versions. Microsoft has done a solid job with its iPad versions of the Office suite, however.

In addition to Mac apps, new M1-powered Macs can run both iPhone and iPad apps. The lack of a touchscreen can be problematic at times, however.

iPad vs. Mac: Display

No matter whether you pick an iPad or a MacBook, you'll be treated to a high resolution Retina display. A key difference is size. iPads range from 7.9-inch with the iPad mini to 12.9-inch with the iPad Pro. M1 MacBooks have a 13-inch display, and there's also a 16-inch Intel MacBook Pro still available.

In addition, iPads naturally have a touchscreen and can support the Apple Pencil for handwriting and drawing. There isn't a single touchscreen Mac.

iPad vs. Mac: Keyboard and Mouse

If you're thinking about a MacBook, the keyboard and trackpad are naturally part of the design. If you're thinking about an iPad, these are sold separately.

Apple has a few first-party accessories especially designed for the iPad. Its high-end option, the Magic Keyboard - compatible with the iPad Pro and the new iPad Air - will set you back at least $449 for the entry-level option. It's easily Apple's nicest tablet keyboard and is the first that has a trackpad, but it's a costly affair on top of what already is an expensive purchase.

If that's too much, Apple also has the $269 Smart Keyboard Folio which doesn't have as nice keys and is missing a trackpad. It works with the same iPads.

There's also the Smart Keyboard - which works with the 7th and 8th generation iPad - for $235. Apple has no first-party keyboards for the iPad mini.

You're not limited to first-party options, however. You should be able to pair pretty much any Bluetooth keyboard or mouse and use it with your iPad - even if it's made for a PC.

iPad vs. Mac: Performance

The top-of-the-line 5th generation iPad Pro is powered by the same processor you'll find in the current range of Macs: Apple's M1 chip. This is one of the fastest laptop-grade chips on the market, and in both cases, the experience should be incredibly fast.

Every other iPad is powered by an iPhone processor. The new iPad Air is the fastest, with an A14 processor - the same as what you'll find in an iPhone 12. The 2019 iPad mini and 8th generation iPad both have A12 processors, which also featured in the iPhone XS. In all of these cases, you can expect fast, snappy performance.

iPad vs. Mac: Battery

When it comes to battery, Apple says most iPads will last about ten hours per charge. On the other hand, the manufacturer says you can expect 15 hours per charge from the M1 MacBook Air, or 17 hours per charge from the M1 MacBook Pro. That's pretty hard to beat if you need a long-lasting device.

If you're looking at an older Intel-powered MacBook, battery life is comparable to iPads with around ten hours per charge.

iPad vs. Mac: Weight

As a rule of thumb, iPads are lighter than a MacBook. The iPad mini starts at 300g, and even the heaviest iPad Pro weighs in at just 684g. For comparison, the lightest MacBook - the MacBook Air - is 1.29kg, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a little heavier at 1.4kg.

Adding a keyboard case to your iPad can skew this math, however. For example, the Magic Keyboard adds an extra 710g to the 12.9-inch model, making it roughly the same weight as an M1 MacBook Pro.

iPad vs. Mac: Cameras

All iPads have at least one rear-facing camera, and a front-facing camera. Macs don't feature a rear-facing camera, but they have a front-facing camera for video calls. As such, you can't use a MacBook for photography in the same way you can an iPad.

iPad vs. Mac: Ports and Connectivity

If you're looking to plug things in, you'll get more ports on a MacBook. At a minimum you'll get two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, but higher-end models double the number of USB-C ports. Either way, there's a good chance you might need a dongle or a docking station if you want to use full-size USB devices or don't have an external USB-C monitor.

The iPad Pro and new iPad Air have a single USB-C port and no headphone jack, while the iPad mini and 8th generation iPad have a Lightning connector and a headphone jack.

All iPads are available in 4G configuration, and the 5th generation iPad Pro even has 5G. On the other hand, you won't find a single Mac with cellular connectivity. This means you can also buy an iPad on a plan, while you can't buy a Mac on a plan.

iPad vs. Mac: External Displays

In addition to different ports, they also function differently depending on your device. You can use one external display with the iPad Pro over USB-C, but in most, you'll simply mirror your iPad display to your external screen. Some apps can do more with the second screen, however. iMovie, for example, hides the editing timeline on your external display. Developers have to build this functionality into their apps.

On the other hand, M1 MacBooks support up to one external display, which can be used to extend your desktop. Most Intel Macs support at least two.

If you have both an iPad and Mac, you can actually use your iPad as an external display for your Mac. This can be done over USB or wirelessly. Most recent iPads and Macs support this functionality.

iPad vs. Mac: Price

iPads start more affordable than MacBooks, but can get just as expensive - especially when you factor in accessories. The 8th generation iPad is currently the cheapest option on the market, starting at $499. For comparison, you're looking at a minimum of $1,499 for a M1 MacBook Air.

The iPad Air starts at $899, while the iPad Pro starts at $1,199. At 12.9-inch iPad Pro will set you back a minimum of $1,649, or as much as $3,549 for a 2TB model with 5G. For comparison, the most expensive M1 MacBook Pro goes for $3,399 with 2TB of storage and 16GB of RAM.

Picking up a Magic Keyboard for your iPad Pro or iPad Air adds another $449 to the price. $549 if you have the 12.9-inch MacBook Pro. Picking up a 2nd Generation Apple Pencil is an extra $199.

iPad vs. Mac: My experience

As a self-proclaimed power user, I've enjoyed using various iPads (comboed with a keyboard) as on the go devices. It's thin, light, and runs all the apps I need to get my job done. I've got OneNote for writing, I've got my emails, I've got a web browser, and I've got Slack. It's the kind of device I'll use on a train or on a weekend out of town, but I'd be hesitant to have an iPad as my primary computer.

This is mostly because I'm far more comfortable with a desktop operating system, and the better multitasking and flexibility it affords. In addition, I prefer to work with two displays. The more screens the merrier.

iPads are seriously capable devices these days, and have access to many of the applications you'd want on a desktop. The Microsoft Office suite, stripped down versions of Photoshop et al, email clients, web browsers, Facebook, and more.

At the same time, there are other issues you can run into with iPads. Multitasking isn't as easy, not all accessories will work, and you're more limited in terms of the apps you have access to.