iPad or Mac — Which is best FOR YOU in 2025?

In this video I’m going to tell you how to choose between an iPad Pro and a MacBook Pro or iPad Air and MacBook Air, and why so many people — even at Apple! — get this one so very wrong, so very often

And it all boils down to this: if you need maximum productivity, get a Mac. If you need maximum interactivity, get an iPad... Mostly*

🚨 ETHICS & DISCLAIMER

I work at YouTube which is owned by Google but this is my personal channel and all opinions here are my own

This channel does not produce sponsored or paid reviews. Companies occasionally provide briefings or loan sample products to facilitate reviews but provide no payment and get no editorial input, content approval, or advanced previews. They see them for the first time when you do

Links may contain referrals for affiliate programs that provide this channel with a tiny commission should you make a purchase. They likewise receive zero editorial input or consideration

📝 CREDITS

📷 Some video and images via by Getty Images and/or AP Archives
🎸 Some music via by Epidemic

[franklinmartinezm]

Rene Ritchie's comeback videos feeling like Michael Jordan's press release in the 90s coming back to basketball after retirement. Bunch of words just to say: "I'm back".

Glad to see you here Rene, you're great.

[samflocis]

Finally you’re back!! I missed your videos so much. Thank you!

[banned_from_eating_cookies]

0:35 This is so true. I have given up on most Apple tech reviewers for slamming iPads for not being Macs. It completely misunderstands the main purchasers of iPads. While I think the touch Mac should and could exist, it should not take the place of the iPad.

[GarryKnight]

Who else has reached out to tap the screen of their MacBook to get something done?

[nyanko]

He's actually back, isn't he?

[jmantaiwan]

Can't tell you how happy I am to have you back on YouTube! You bring the balance that tech YouTubers so often lack!

[bryceschieving]

Again, THANK YOU for returning to showing us your entirely unique way of talking tech!

[stevenrhodes]

💯 agree! The iPad Pro M4 is the best computing device I have ever owned. I have been iPad only since 2015…IPadOS and suits my needs perfectly and I’m totally of the mindset I don’t need a Mac, I don’t need a filing system and all the complexity. It really does my head in when I see people endlessly complain about the iPad and iPadOS…just get a Mac!

[briantmorin]

As an individual with a major physical disability, I have tried the keyboard on the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro and I find a touch pad of the M4 iPad Pro much easier for me to use because I could get the iPad closer to me then I can the MacBook so I am now a iPad only user Welcome Back Rene I missed your insight

[juangoyeneche]

Well said. Mac is Mac. iPad is iPad. People complaining doesn’t understand the difference. They’re complementary. Same as the watch is the iPhone. I always find it ridiculous when people complain about the iPad not running macOS.

[zarylk]

I’m more of an iPad guy. Have use iPad Pro M1 12.9 5G ever since it’s first release on 2021. Had replaced its battery last year, well actually, Apple gave me a new refurbished unit instead. Couldn’t be much happier. Will use it until it won’t be able to catch up with future iPadOS updates.

I already have a mac Mini M2 Pro base model at home. The iPad Pro M1 is strictly a companion device, and 80% usage when I am away from my Mac Mini at home.

[snowfox]

Welcome back! Missed your videos like this!!

[jaclupo]

La più bella, chiara, profonda spiegazione (non-nerd) mia fatta su Mac vs iPad.

[atldeadhead]

Nobody writes better video scripts! Love it!

[alexa.]

So glad to see you back making videos.

[Larutus]

I think the iPad makes most sense if you have a iMac or Mac Mini set up and a regular sized iPhone. Once you are using a MacBook and a Promax sized device, I think the iPad gets lost.

[Humanityinthe]

Great summary! As a creative professional I could never give up my iPad. Now 100% iPad mini! For the minimalist, frequent traveller, creator it’s almost perfect for my needs! Waiting for a mini pro to complete me! 😊

[parkofile]

I am delighted you are back to Youtube and Instagram! Welcome Back

[bigtrev]

Been using iPads mainly since they came out and had old windows laptops as a back up. Bought 16 inch MacBook Pro m4 at Christmas and first ever Mac and loving it with my iPad Pro m1 12.9 as a second screen. Still using my iPad and find using both pretty consistently

[rjasonw]

I actually forgot this channel existed. It’s been well over a year since it showed up in my feed or even has a recommendation in my watch list.