Comparing the iPad Pro 2020 vs MacBook Air 2020 may seem odd but it actually makes a lot of sense. And if you don’t need all the bells and whistles added in the 2021 models, the iPad Pro 2020 paired with a Magic Keyboard offers a decent laptop-like experience — complete with a trackpad.
If you can afford to wait a bit, the recently revealed MacBook Air 2022 may change the calculus on this decision.
The iPad Pro also offers a Wi-Fi + Cellular option that adds built-in LTE connectivity, something the MacBook Air doesn’t have. When it comes to resolution, the iPad Pro’s display is sharper at 2732 x 2048 pixels, compared to 2560 x 1600 for the MacBook Air. The iPad Pro also pulled ahead in terms of the sRGB color gamut (122% vs 114%), so you should expect more vivid hues from Apple’s tablet. The iPad Pro’s optional Magic Keyboard uses the same scissor mechanism as the MacBook Air and offers the same 1mm of travel, and provides a similarly pleasant typing experience. The iPad Pro attaches magnetically to the Magic Keyboard’s floating cantilever design, allowing you to adjust the display’s angle up to 130 degrees.
The iPad Pro runs iPadOS, which is a touch-first operating system that now supports cursor input across the OS. iPadOS continues to support multitasking features like Slide Over (running apps on top of others) and Split View (running two apps side by side), and the customizable Today Screen gives you helpful widgets to stay on top of your day. You also have a lot more choice in terms of software and what you can download on macOS, whether you choose to go through the Mac App Store or the web. The iPad Pro can also record 4K video up to 60 frames per second, something the MacBook Air can’t do.
The iPad Pro also has a front 7MP TrueDepth camera for selfies and quickly unlocking the devices with face recognition. And, unlike the MacBook Air, the iPad Pro features a LiDAR scanner that dramatically improves the performance in augmented reality apps. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air only features a low-res 720p camera for video chats, though it uses some machine learning smarts to improve the quality of your stream. And you can’t use your face to log in; instead, there’s a Touch ID button on the keyboard deck. Again, though, when talking special features, the ability to run iPhone and iPad apps on the MacBook mean the Air can’t be cast aside easily. On our battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of screen brightness, the iPad Pro lasted a very good 10 hours and 16 minutes.
iPad Pro MacBook Air Price and Value (20) 13 18 Display (20) 19 15 Keyboard and touchpad (10) 8 9 Ports (10) 7 8 Performance (10) 10 8 Software (10) 6 10 Camera and Special Features (10) 9 7 Battery Life (20) 13 20 Total 85 95 But after comparing this tablet and laptop in multiple categories it’s clear where these devices excel — and where they don’t.
The iPad Pro is the better option for those who want to travel light and who want a touch-first experience with a superior display. But that being said, the MacBook Air has pulled ahead of the iPad Pro when it comes to sheer speed and battery life.
Apple iPad Pro vs MacBook Air: Which should you buy?
Both the iPad Pro and MacBook Air are excellent productivity companions, but if you need a new computing device for more complicated tasks than checking emails, one is naturally going to suit your needs over the other. If you add Apple’s Magic Keyboard, tack on another $299 to the total price—now suddenly you have a lower-specced machine that costs $99 more than a 13-inch MacBook Air. If you opt for the more expensive MacBook Air, it’s still $149 less than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard Folio and the same amount of storage space. There are a lot of ways to configure both devices, but ultimately, the MacBook Air removes the headache of finding a reasonably-priced keyboard and you get more for your money when it comes to memory and storage.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser These two Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack are all you get with the M1 MacBook Air. After the form factor, the major difference between the iPad Pro and MacBook Air is the operating systems. This sort of cross-platform availability largely depends on where developers decide to make their apps available, but for Apple-made programs like the ones mentioned above, it’s a mystery as to why the same version (or a version at all) doesn’t exist on iPadOS even though the iPad Pro has the same processing power as the MacBook Air (and the 13-inch MacBook Pro M1). Credit: Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith The 12.9-inch version of the 2021 Apple iPad Pro has a bright, vibrant display with mini-LED technology.
Like both iPad Pro models, its display has a wide color gamut (P3) and True Tone technology, but that’s where the similarities end. The larger model also has a mini-LED backlit display, which is about 40% smaller than regular LEDs and tends to be both brighter and more dimmable. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro also has a 2D backlighting system with 2596 full-array local dimming zones, so contrast and colors are going to really pop on that display. If you were considering getting the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement but were concerned about the battery life, you get more for your money with the MacBook Air.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser The M1 Air’s premium build, blazing speeds, and reasonable price makes it the obvious choice for most people. Along with better battery life, more physical ports, a fully-fledged operating system, and Apple’s Magic Keyboard, the MacBook Air boasts better value than the iPad Pro due to the simple fact that it already has everything you need, whether that’s sending a few work-related emails or editing videos in Final Cut Pro.
Compared: M2 MacBook Air vs M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. The MacBook Air, equipped with M2 and overhauled in many different ways, is a great entryway into Mac ownership. With its compact size and lightweight, as well as high performance, it’s an excellent choice for a notebook to get everyday tasks done or for school.
With a touchscreen display and seemingly equal capabilities and performance, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a compelling option for those in the market for a new computing device.
Best 12.9-inch iPad Pro prices Dimensions (inches) 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 Weight (pounds) 2.7 1.5 Display 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, Front 12MP Ultra Wide TrueDepth Camera Interfaces Backlit Magic Keyboard,
A lot of the thickness difference is simply because the MacBook Air is a notebook of two sections containing a screen and a keyboard. Both employ Apple’s signature use of aluminum for the enclosure, with rounded corners and a general feeling they are impossibly thin for what they offer.
The MacBook Air’s updated screen consists of a 13.6-inch LED-backlit Liquid Retina IPS display, with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,664. This does eat into the display a bit, but given that it occupies the main menu space and is hidden when apps are fullscreen with strategic black elements, it’s not a massive intrusion. However, as a Liquid Retina XDR display, it is a mini-LED backlit screen with 2,596 full-array local dimming zones, enabling a more vibrant image and a sky-high 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. At 2,732 by 2,048, the resolution is higher despite the smaller screen size, giving the iPad Pro a pixel density of 264ppi to the MacBook Air’s 224ppi.
That’s before you get to things like ProMotion support in the iPad Pro and the ability to use the Apple Pencil, which the Air lacks entirely. The M2 in the MacBook Air is similar to the M1, in that it has an eight-core CPU with the same performance-efficiency split, an 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. However, the newer-generation model runs at a higher clock speed for the CPU, the M2 also has a 10-core GPU option, and the 16-core Neural Engine is also improved to be faster. Since it’s potentially being carried around in active use, it has to run without generating too much heat, which can impact performance versus a more thermally-managed Mac.
A 1080p imaging sensor hidden in the display notch, it’s the only camera included in the MacBook Air. It is an upgrade from the 720p of the previous incarnation, and the M2’s image signal processing easily assists it, but it’s a very minimal option. The bells and whistles of the iPad Pro camera system continue with its various Portrait Mode shots, autofocus with focus pixels, Animoji and Memoji support, and practically all of the shooting features you could use expect from an Apple tablet. Then there’s the LiDAR sensor, which helps with 3D depth tracking on the back of the iPad Pro, along with other photography-related applications, such as low-light autofocus assistance. The last one is a fresh addition, enabling recharging without occupying one of the scarce physical data connections of the notebook. You can connect a surprising amount to the iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt port, but the MacBook Air offers more.
While earlier iPad Pro models offered headphone jacks, the latest no longer provides the port. Of the two, the MacBook Air has the larger-capacity battery, using a 52.6Wh lithium-polymer version versus the iPad Pro’s 40.22Wh component.
The MacBook Air has graduated to a four-speaker sound system in the latest iteration, which aligns with the iPad’s quad-speaker arrangement. There’s no built-in headphone jack on the iPad Pro, so you must acquire an adapter or switch to Bluetooth for that device.
The iPad Pro offers five “studio quality” microphones for receiving audio, while the MacBook Air has a three-mic array with directional beamforming. There’s a fair amount of similarity between the MacBook Air and the iPad Pro when it comes to storage, as they have almost identical capacity options.
Lastly, there’s the Apple Pencil, with the iPad Pro compatible with the second-generation version of the pressure-sensitive stylus. As an accessory that acts as a cover for the iPad Pro, the Magic Keyboard is helpful, but it adds weight and thickness. It practically doubles the thickness of the standalone iPad Pro, while at 3.1 pounds, it’s a little heavier than the MacBook Air. Of course, you can still remove the iPad Pro from the Magic Keyboard when you don’t need it and would rather carry around a digital clipboard.
At the top end, the MacBook Air’s 10-core GPU, 24GB of memory, and 2TB of storage brings the total cost to $2,499.
Adding the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil increases the iPad Pro’s cost by $478, turning the cheapest model $1,577 and the most expensive $2,877.
For everyday tasks, such as writing long texts, drawing, photo editing, and gaming, the iPad Pro will handle them very well. If you need to use specialist equipment, it may not necessarily connect up to an iPad Pro properly, making it more suitable for a Mac.
M2 MacBook Air vs M1 iPad Pro: Make the right choice [Video]
Because of this, I feel I’m perfectly positioned to give some in-depth thoughts on just which “computer” is a better buy for you and your workflow to help you decide between M1 iPad Pro and the brand new M2 MacBook Air. Adding that $350 accessory puts the M1 iPad Pro at $1550, and the optional Apple Pencil costs an additional $130. Comparing the M2 MacBook Air directly to the M1 iPad Pro is unfair given that the tablet needs a little extra hardware to be considered a “computer” in the same way – think keyboard and Bluetooth mouse. The iPad Pro has a few hardware features that might justify the price hike depending on how you use the tablet.
When compared directly to the iPad Pro’s display, you will easily notice the 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits maximum brightness. For security, the iPad benefits from FaceID, but the M2 MacBook Air does include Touch ID.
Both biometric security options are very fast, but FaceID is passive, and it doesn’t require an action from the user to get the device unlocked. Listen for yourself in the video below, and you can hear that the iPad speakers are fuller, louder, and provide more base than the MacBook Air.
Apple has reintroduced MagSafe back on the MacBook Air, and that frees up an additional Thunderbolt port.
Under heavy use with the Magic Keyboard, we regularly manage five to six hours before needing to seek out the charger. With great versatility, better onboard cameras, and an arguably better display, it’s a top-of-the-line piece of tech, and that’s why Apple dominates this section of the market. In my opinion, I would opt for the iPad Pro due to its portability, usability, and the fact it’s generally more fun to use.
For this group, I would usually recommend the MacBook Air purely from a cost to performance and familiarity ratio. If you can afford both, then the M1 iPad Pro and M2 MacBook Air complement each other perfectly thanks to features like side car, universal control, and Apple’s ecosystem. Even though the M1 iPad Pro is a great choice for me, if I had to recommend a computer to use exclusively for the next five years, then it would be hard to look past the M2 MacBook Air. It offers powerhouse desktop-level performance in a portable chassis, with real desktop applications, a great keyboard, touchpad, and external display support without compromise.
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) vs Apple iPad Pro M1 (2021): Which to buy?
The reveal also included that of macOS Ventura — which further enriches the Mac lineup with handy features. These applications are specifically optimized for the family of M chips that power the company’s latest computers.
Speaking of M processors, Apple has even started including these chipsets in some of its higher-end iPads.
This is the MacBook Air M2 (2022) vs iPad Pro M1 (2021) — two thin and light, M-powered beasts that cater to different users.
Headphone jack Thunderbolt/USB 4 port (40Gbps, Power Delivery, one external display) Storage 256GB TrueDepth front-facing system Ultra Wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 122° field of view Portrait mode with advanced bokeh, Depth Control, and lighting effects Retina Flash
And, finally, the MacBook Air comes in Midnight and Starlight in addition to the colors that the iPad Pro offers (Space Gray and Silver). Ultimately — in terms of design — the iPad Pro is clearly cleaner and more minimalistic than the MacBook Air.
Whether you’re a creative looking to utilize Apple’s mighty M chips or a binge watcher looking for the superior display — there’s a clear winner in this round. The iPad Pro’s dominates that of the MacBook Air from all aspects except when comparing their sizes. For starters, it’s a multi-touch screen, allowing you to doodle using your finger, Apple Pencil 2, or a regular stylus. So on the iPad Pro you get to take advantage of these buttery-smooth animation and scrolling speeds that are nowhere to be found on the MacBook Air.
Performance on a computing device can be the top priority for customers looking to get the maximum power their bucks can buy them. This round isn’t as simple as the rest — simply because we have two devices of different natures. Yes, iPadOS 16 adds Stage Manager and proper external display support. The MacBook Air runs macOS — which means you don’t have to deal with the restriction Apple bakes into its mobile operating systems.
They’re powerful and lightweight in their own unique ways — epitomes of Apple’s modern design, reflected through reliable, long-lasting, and unsophisticated technologies.
M1 iPad Pro vs M1 MacBook Air: which one should you buy
It absolutely earns its ‘pro’ title, and with its fantastic HDR display and elite stylus – plus the option of 5G connectivity – it does things that the MacBook Air can only dream of. Its wedge shape helps it to shed volume compared to the M1 MacBook Pro, and it’s just 4mm at its thinnest point, and 16mm at its thickest. Inside you’ll find Apple’s latest keyboard design, which has a nice clickiness for feedback, and none of the reliability problems that plagued MacBooks for a time.
The MacBook Air gets so many things about being a laptop right, despite being small – it has just enough body to be a wrist rest while typing, its little lip makes it easy to open, the hinge is totally stable, and the balance is just right so it never tips while the screen is up.
Their sleek thin-bezel fronts and stark flat sides only add to the feeling that their design comes from slightly in the future compared to the MacBook Air’s. So if you choose the tablet at the same screen size as the MacBook Air and add the best keyboard, you end up at the same weight.
However, the iPad Pro’s keyboard can be detached and left at home when you don’t need, which is not a luxury the MacBook Air affords you. This is nice and sharp for just about any use – it’s not quite as ultra-sharp as some Windows laptops go, but it’s more than enough pretty much any type of work to look crisp and detailed.
They’re also IPS LCD screens with P3 support, but they both hit 600 nits in typical use, which is a significant brightness increase, and really helps with visibility in daylight, as well as colour vibrancy.
They’re also made with a more advanced lamination process and have an anti-reflective coating, again helping visibility in hard conditions. The 11-inch iPad Pro has a resolution of 2388×1668, which is a density of 264ppi – a step up for sharpness compared to the MacBook Air, which is handy if you want to closely examine (or draw) images. Both iPad Pro models have a touchscreen, naturally, which the MacBook Air doesn’t – and in both cases that screen features ‘ProMotion’ tech, which means its refresh rate can vary from 10Hz up to 120Hz.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has another crucial feature that neither its smaller sibling nor the MacBook Air does, though: a mini-LED display with HDR support. This next-gen screen tech provides much higher brightness levels, as well as more precise dimming of the backlight for dark areas. As a result, with HDR video and photos (including Dolby Vision video), the iPad Pro 12.9 reaches a full-screen brightness of 1,000 nits, and peak HDR brightness of 1,600 nits – this is huge, and bests almost every TV on the market, let alone tablets and laptops.
You don’t just see the benefits of this tech in HDR video, though: the improved contrast is evident even in regular use – light icons on dark backgrounds appear crisper, and images with darker areas look more nuanced. The MacBook Air and iPad Pro both use Apple’s M1 processor, which means they’re effectively identical for performance, with a couple of differences to note. First is that the MacBook Air is available with either a 7-core or 8-core GPU depending on which model you buy – this makes a pretty minimal amount of difference.
No other machines in either of these form factors comes close to the level of power these produce, and in terms of raw performance, they’re right in line with each other. The MacBook Air’s fingerprint sensors works so quickly it’s basically imperceptible, and the Mac instantly unlocks to your desktop.
What this means is that the camera is actually an ultra-wide lens, but the iPad crops into only a part of its view, based on where it detects your face.
Both are strong quality, and are paired with a LiDAR sensor, which can be used for quick autofocus when needed, but is also a powerful tool for augmented reality apps, since it can detect distances and surfaces with total precision.
But that still puts the MacBook Air as the stronger choice overall – even when you push hard, you’ll get a little more time than from the iPad Pro in theory.
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