M2 iPad Pro vs M2 MacBook Air — DON’T MAKE A MISTAKE

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I've been using the new M2 iPad instead of a MacBook for a whole week, and here's what I found out! In this video, I will compare which is better: a new iPad or a new MacBook! The result surprised me! Is working on the iPad turned out to be more convenient, easier and faster? Is it worth it then to spend money on a new MacBook M2, if the iPad is much cheaper? You will definitely be shocked when you find out the whole truth! So be sure to watch this video from beginning to end so as not to overpay for equipment in 2022!

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[danielgentile]

a couple of things most iPad reviews seem to completely omit:
The iPad (Pro) with the latest iPadOS still CAN NOT do any of those things:
- Format, securely erase, encrypt any kind of external storage (SSD, Memory stick, SD-Card, etc...)
- Multi-User support: you can't add users thus sharing with your family is a tad difficult.
- Many apps, especially Microsoft Office (and even Apple's own Pages/numbers, .. ) are still seriously function-limited compared to their desktop versions. And there's still plenty of apps that are not running on iPadOS at all. Many of the "alternatives" are not great. 
- Installing FONTS is a miserable thing on the iPad, ... (adding them bundled through signed profiles...)
- Working in "files" is no where near as capable as Finder on macos and it still often has issues with copying large number of files.
- Audio Routing is seriously "broken" (attach an ext. screen, and the iPad forces the audio to the screen regardless whether the screen actually has speakers or not... and you can only change it to route to a bluetooth speaker, but not to the ipad's built in speakers (which are better than most ext. screen speakers)... the macbook has never had that issue.
- Printing is super restricted too (many important settings like printing to scale, paper etc.) are mostly missing
- Forget about more advanced things like running a VM, or connecting a 3D Mouse for 3D CAD Work (and there's only Shapr3D which costs more than fusion360 and is far more limited)
- Multitasking is quite restrictive compared to macOS

The deeper you "dive" the more things like the stuff above you'll "Discover" with the iPad...
Or to phrase it in the words of this review: "Don't make a mistake"... if you NEED any of the functionality listed above, the iPad isn't for you....

I think it's important to consider this - if you need a tablet, and something to sketch / handwrite.. surf the web etc.. the iPad is great (school, uni, etc.). but it can't easily replace a laptop unfortunately, if you need even slightly more advanced functions. And as the reviewer mentioned, the size & weight is really comparable to a macbook air... even the 11" iPad Pro is only marginally smaller and lighter (and still thicker with the magic keyboard) than the macbook air M2.
I really wish the iPad would at least let me choose whether I want to run iPadOS or macOS - or at least let me run native macOS apps. And thy apple omitted the "Disk Utility" is beyond me...

[iTalktech]

I did this with the M1 iPad once it received stage manager. Sold my iMac and moved back to my ultra fine 5k. Was perfect and I love it for all I do.

[stepheno.i.]

I think an important point that many comparison videos fail to mention for us regular folks is that there are no streaming apps made for MacBook Air except maybe one. So if you are looking for a device that you can use to download shows/movies for a long trip, the iPad is the better option. MacBook Air can do it through third party workarounds I believe, but there’s no native convenient method.

[daa]

Already did. I replaced my MBP with an iPad 2 years ago with the 12.9 M1 and Magic Keyboard. Don’t regret it at all. FaceID, Mini LED, 120 HZ, Touchscreen interface, pen support and LTE. It was a no brainer for me.

[jwal]

This guy needs to be more popular. You’re so underrated bro 👊

[tiltheendoftim]

So over YouTubers figuring out if iPad is good enough when the majority of people do not edit videos on iPad….

[yeolmu]

As a law student, I returned my M2 iPad Pro 12.9" with the Magic Keyboard for a M1 Pro 14". Drafting and editing documents on the iPad was dreadful. Your fingers would knock into the bottom of the iPad whenever you're trying to hit the top row keys on the Magic Keyboard. Changing things like line spacing, justifying paragraphs etc are all such a hassle in the iPad version of Microsoft Word. And as others have noted about the Files sorting system in iPads, it's nowhere comparable to Finder on Macs

[itsdtxjd]

iPad M2 12.9 has already replaced my MacBook Air. If I want to use it as a desktop I simply place it in my desk stand with my Logitech keyboard and a mouse. I want to take a break from working I grab my iPad walk into another room and watch YouTube or draw on my iPad anywhere I want. I get back to work I simply put it on my magnetic stand and get back to work. For me it does everything a MacBook does and way more. As long as iPads exist I don’t think I could ever go back to MacBooks. I take my iPad everywhere. And since I have the cellular m2 iPad, I get internet EVERYWHERE! no worrying about finding a wifi connection. iPad is on another level from MacBooks and any android tablet! It

[bryans]

Arthur, the only time the M2 MBA is mentioned is the price and weight comparison so I'm not sure why it's in the title. The Air certainly isn't intended to be a professional level device although I think it's an excellent laptop in other ways (I have the base model).

[Errcyco]

A Gen behind but I sold my iPad Pro M1 and got an M1 Air.. wayyy happier. I mainly use it as a portable streaming device anyways.. the laptop form factor works well cause this one is so tiny with the wedge. The M2 air looks better but I don’t like the design from a “having to carry it” standpoint

[Cyberglad]

Nobody is talking about it, but the charger you need for surface is bigger, similar to the MacBook, it needs 65w. Where as iPad Pro can be charged with your iPhone charger (change the cable to usb c). Small, handy and cheap. All in all, of course, surface is a better device for all office work. For ex, try to compare folder and file contents of two folders, good luck w that on an iPad and count how many clicks and switches you need for this simple task

[fresco_dinero]

I’m in school and tbh the iPad Air 5 is all I need in terms of computers. I get a perfect tablet, notebook and note taker, a computer like desktop when I hook it up to my monitor and it works great for using multiple apps for my work easily. Safari, pdf doc open, a separate safari instance open on the monitor and Spotify and whatever side app I’ll have on the actual iPad screen. It feels like using any other computer with keyboard and mouse with a monitor and I hope they keep improving to bridge the gap between a iPad and a full fledged computer or PC

[genghis]

Buying accessories for M2 iPad Pro will exceed the cost buying a basic M2 MacBook Air.

[mikeyestrada]

Affinity designer is what all pros use for graphic design 10/10 replaces my MacBook m2

[tylergreenfield]

I just want to say THANK YOU for making this video!! I didn’t think anyone would put these to against each other and you had exactly what I was looking for; definitely subscribed

[tonim]

This video was super helpful. Only thoughtful detailed video I’ve found that explains pros/cons of using iPadPro as a MacBook replacement especially for photo editing

[SV_Photo]

I just purchased an M2 iPad Pro instead of a MacBook. I have an older intel 27” iMac for anything the iPad cannot do. It also doubles as a mini second screen with sidecar.

[coughsyrup]

I’m a software engineer and I use an iPad as my main computer. How, you may wonder. The trick is having a separate work Mac 😂

[dremias]

Apple needs to add apps that take advantage of the M2 iPad Pro. It would be nice to have the option with the Pro line to use MacOS apps . I don’t see this being that big of a deal since Apple could make it a Pro line exclusive. I bought a 1TB M2 iPad Pro about a month ago and I love it. I do most of my art work on it before sending it to my Mac to finish it up with Painter. I would love to see some professional apps ported. This iPad could easily handle Corel Painter 2023 as well as my Mac Studio. Hopefully Apple will do something to make the Pro line stand out.

[jaimeerobertswarz]

It’s time for IPad Os to change more. I think the pros need a Mac OS version. There is no incentive for an iPad Pro when it’s the same OS on all iPads. It needs Mac OS I couldn’t imagine needing to buy a keyboard for what’s an iPad that costs this much.