Can the iPad Replace Your MacBook in 2022?

These days, Apple's tablets and laptops feel pretty similar. But can the iPad replace your Mac in 2022? I don't think so… at least, not yet. Here's why.

00:00 - Intro
00:35 - iPad-Mac Merge?
02:27 -  iPad-Mac Similarities
04:38 - MacOS for iPad?
05:06 - iPad-Mac Differences

[TheFrugalAudiophile]

Personally, I use an iPad for media consumption and a MacBook for media creation. The portability of the iPad is great for watching YouTube while doing things around the house or resting in my chair. The larger screen and ability to connect a monitor and use real peripherals is great for getting some real work done.

[aaronfenton]

For semi-pro photographers like me, the Air is king.

As much as I believe that the iPad has certain advantages over the Air (such as touch screen and Apple Pencil support), it simply cannot stand up to the Air in terms of apps available and just plain functionality.

Sometimes you need a computer to just be a computer.

[milhouse]

I own both but the iPad still cannot replace the Mac unless iOS allows extensions to be installed on Chrome, Firefox browsers.

Also, file management and multi-tasking are still far better in MacOS over iOS.

[bluenosebob]

Thank you very much for this video, it was very interesting and helpful :-)

[javtimestwo]

Very easy to like this video 👍🏼 Great job giving a case for both and for breaking down how you use each and why.
IMO, no chance the iPad can replace the Mac. I have a Mac now and have been searching for an iPad. So there you go! More proof that a lot of users need both. Keep up the great work! 🙇🏽

[thNebula]

The two main problems for me is a few apps I use are not on iPad OS and concerned that I may have problems with formatting and reformatting drives with iPad OS. The other problem for me is the front facing vertical camera is a deal breaker. Need horizontal.

[carrotbg]

Not everyone is video editor and cares about Final Cut. iPad Pro can’t replace my Mac, because my Mac can’t replace my windows pc. In many jobs, commonly outside the USA, Mac is lacking many features in business - software support, usb electronic signature support, banking software and many more.

[TJWasiuk]

The iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard and a Apple Pencil does everything I need for my personal life and business. I’m glad they will finally be allowing full monitor support. This will be great for my art projects. It is becoming more and more like a laptop.

[krakatoasundra]

For me, yes it does but I’m not a high end user. I write and run Python and Perl scripts on the ipad. Connect an audio interface and make music on the iPad. Edit videos with Lumafusion. I also use Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo for doing graphics. Shortcuts really great for automation.

[okan]

All I need on the iPad is full access to the file system, the macOS terminal and the ability to install apps from the web.

[JasonMcFadden]

Though as a blogger I mostly use text-based apps, I quit using iPad as my computer and switched to MacBook Air. Key: it includes a built-in physical keyboard. By the time you add up the peripherals to make an iPad like a computer, you can just buy an actual laptop (refurbished from Apple deals are great). Laptops were a solved problem long ago. iPad is best as a tablet. Rather than merging the two OS’s, Apple should maybe make a new hybrid OS that eventually replaces both macOS and iPadOS.

[DanOh]

My question recently has been can the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro replace the iPad. The MacBooks come with a keyboard and can be easily used on a lap. The screen can be placed in a variety of positions easily. It typically has more memory and more storage. Finally the price is comparable if you buy the iPad with a keyboard case. Since I don't draw on my iPad I beginning to think next time I'll get a MacBook rather than an iPad. What do you think?

[timtampa]

I use a Microsoft Surface Pro 3. It does what an iPad or MacBook can, and my model has top end specs so it can handle most anything I can throw it at. Short of it not having the best video card, it can play and edit 4K content with little issue. I also only paid $400 for everything I use, including chargers and the pen.

The iPad runs iOS, which does not have a file system browser. You cannot use a mouse cursor like you can with Android or Windows tablets.

[Manbox]

I really love using my iPad Pro but sadly I still find myself needing the laptop. For example Photoshop.

[meowth]

If ipad has macos, then it kinda defeat the purpose of having a tablet. Just a touch screen mac right? Finding somewhere in between is a little difficult. End of the day it’s about UI. Photo will always be better edited with iPad while movie with a Mac

[maxkick]

+ give me a NORMAL mouse cursor on the iPads pls !!! I hate that circle thingy

[fcsolis]

A lot of academic software aren't available on iPad OS. I carry my iPad and MacBook + books everyday. Climb 8 flights of stairs many times a day. Great workout. Thanks.

[andremuniz]

I don’t think adding Macos to the iPad would fix the issue. Rather, apple should polish iOS to the point it can actually be used as a work station and not just an entertainment hub.

[paultopping]

IPad has got more capable but its not great for spreadsheets etc. For me its not there yet as a replacement for my Mac Air.

[BenKrisfield]

Logic Pro doesn’t run on iOS, only GarageBand