Macbook Air or iPad Pro

I don't have either since I prefer windows, but I see a lot of people at my college using ipads instead of laptops. I think it depends what you'll be using it for-- like if you're doing a lot of math, physics, chemistry, etc where you have to draw stuff it could be really helpful to have an ipad since you can use it like a virtual notebook.

But if you're typing a lot then I think they would be pretty similar options. I guess the main advantages of the laptop is it has a larger screen and its more powerful. So if you're doing maybe some programming stuff or whatever it would be better to have a laptop I think

I’d get a Mac Book especially if it has the M1. Way more flexibility in what you can run and do.

CatdickBojanglesI’d get a Mac Book especially if it has the M1. Way more flexibility in what you can run and do.

The iPad Pro has the M1, and the MacBook Air has the A15 I believe so Honestly the iPad might be the better of the two for the price

Ended up going with the MacBook Air(they ship with M1 now). When you add the keyboard and/or pen to the iPad it ends up being more expensive, but it depends on what you’re using it for. Side note go to the apple education store for a slight discount.

**This post was edited on Nov 23rd 2021 at 3:14:39pm

CrunnchyVanManThe iPad Pro has the M1, and the MacBook Air has the A15 I believe so Honestly the iPad might be the better of the two for the price

It’s the other way around the MacBook has the M1.

Lol people still buy macbooks

SlunkyEnded up going with the MacBook Air(they ship with M1 now). When you add the keyboard and/or pen to the iPad it ends up being more expensive, but it depends on what you’re using it for. Side note go to the apple education store for a slight discount.

**This post was edited on Nov 23rd 2021 at 3:14:39pm

CatdickBojanglesIt’s the other way around the MacBook has the M1.

Oooh sick, nvm then

BiffbarfLol people still buy macbooks

Macbooks are one of the best performance/price laptops on the market right now. If you don't need Windows-specific software and can afford a $1200+ laptop, MacBooks make a lot of sense for many buyers. The M1 chip is stupid powerful and efficient

Get the equivalent windows machine from Asus or something and do something cool with the other $1500.

BrandoComandoMacbooks are one of the best performance/price laptops on the market right now. If you don't need Windows-specific software and can afford a $1200+ laptop, MacBooks make a lot of sense for many buyers. The M1 chip is stupid powerful and efficient

Are you sure? Because you can build one fuck of a Thinkpad for 1.2k+

BiffbarfAre you sure? Because you can build one fuck of a Thinkpad for 1.2k+

The new M1 Apple silicone is crazy powerful. It runs on ARM architecture and can emulate x64 better than most native processers. The battery efficiency is wild too. 20+ hours of battery life is fairly standard, even under load. Intel doesn't make a laptop processor that can compete right now. AMD is close, but they're not there either. Tech journalists were raving about how great the M1 chip is when it was released last year. The new M1x is even crazier than the M1, but it's only available on high-end Macbook Pros. The rest of the Macbook hardware (RAM, storage, GPU) is price-competitive with windows machines and the display quality is best in class.

Thinkpads are excellent machines too. Lenovo build quality rivals Apple, specs are competitive, and customer support is just as reliable. The processor, flash storage, and battery life aren't as good as Macbooks. However, Thinkpads are field serviceable and upgradeable, which is really important for device longevity. It's a big reason why they're the go-to enterprise machine. Thikpads also have a ton of ports, whereas Apple only leaves you with 2-4 thunderbolts. Thinkpads also run Windows natively, which is important for a ton of software.

Lots of pros and cons. Kinda like iPhone vs Android. Or like how there isn't one "best ski" overall. There's a perfect ski for each skier. There's a perfect laptop for each user. For years, I would've agreed that MacBooks were a waste of money. But the new Apple silicon and competitive pricing changed that dynamic in the last year or so. For lots of people, such as students (who don't need Windows-specific programs), content creators, photographers, etc, a Macbook is hard to beat. For businesses, gamers, engineers, price-sensitive buyers, field-serviceability needs, interface requirements, etc, then there are tons of great Windows machines like Thinkpads, Dell XPS, HP Envy, and more.



TLDR: Macbooks are good. Windows is good. Buy what meets your needs

I didn't mean to derail the thread. This kid should buy a laptop, not an iPad. An iPad with a keyboard still isn't a laptop.

Here's a reference for performance: https://www.laptopmag.com/news/apple-m1-vs-intel-cpu-this-is-the-best-processor-for-your-laptop

BrandoComandoThe new M1 Apple silicone is crazy powerful. It runs on ARM architecture and can emulate x64 better than most native processers. The battery efficiency is wild too. 20+ hours of battery life is fairly standard, even under load. Intel doesn't make a laptop processor that can compete right now. AMD is close, but they're not there either. Tech journalists were raving about how great the M1 chip is when it was released last year. The new M1x is even crazier than the M1, but it's only available on high-end Macbook Pros. The rest of the Macbook hardware (RAM, storage, GPU) is price-competitive with windows machines and the display quality is best in class.

Thinkpads are excellent machines too. Lenovo build quality rivals Apple, specs are competitive, and customer support is just as reliable. The processor, flash storage, and battery life aren't as good as Macbooks. However, Thinkpads are field serviceable and upgradeable, which is really important for device longevity. It's a big reason why they're the go-to enterprise machine. Thikpads also have a ton of ports, whereas Apple only leaves you with 2-4 thunderbolts. Thinkpads also run Windows natively, which is important for a ton of software.

Lots of pros and cons. Kinda like iPhone vs Android. Or like how there isn't one "best ski" overall. There's a perfect ski for each skier. There's a perfect laptop for each user. For years, I would've agreed that MacBooks were a waste of money. But the new Apple silicon and competitive pricing changed that dynamic in the last year or so. For lots of people, such as students (who don't need Windows-specific programs), content creators, photographers, etc, a Macbook is hard to beat. For businesses, gamers, engineers, price-sensitive buyers, field-serviceability needs, interface requirements, etc, then there are tons of great Windows machines like Thinkpads, Dell XPS, HP Envy, and more.



TLDR: Macbooks are good. Windows is good. Buy what meets your needs

I didn't mean to derail the thread. This kid should buy a laptop, not an iPad. An iPad with a keyboard still isn't a laptop.

Here's a reference for performance: https://www.laptopmag.com/news/apple-m1-vs-intel-cpu-this-is-the-best-processor-for-your-laptop

I recently switched work machines for a 2017 MacBook Air to a maybe 8 month old windows 11 XPS and I miss my MacBook already. The battery lasted an easy 6 hours the trackpad was amazing and it runs smoother. Got an M1 on the way though only a few more days.

fix your macbook and save $$$

VT_scratchfix your macbook and save $$$

this is probably the bet one out here, gotta take it in and figure out how, cuz I also need a new car pretty soon

CrunnchyVanManthis is probably the bet one out here, gotta take it in and figure out how, cuz I also need a new car pretty soon

Save any files or programs you need onto a separate drive. Go into your settings and factory reset your device. It'll delete everything and set it up brand new just like when you bought it. Once it's reset, you should be able to update it to MacOS Monterey.

If you're feeling extra fancy, you or a shop could replace the battery. It'll feel like a brand new device.

BrandoComandoSave any files or programs you need onto a separate drive. Go into your settings and factory reset your device. It'll delete everything and set it up brand new just like when you bought it. Once it's reset, you should be able to update it to MacOS Monterey.

If you're feeling extra fancy, you or a shop could replace the battery. It'll feel like a brand new device.

honestly I might send it, not spending 1,000-1,200 on a computer sounds rly fuckin nice. especially then I get to keep all the sick stickers I have on my Mac

CrunnchyVanManhonestly I might send it, not spending 1,000-1,200 on a computer sounds rly fuckin nice. especially then I get to keep all the sick stickers I have on my Mac

Worst case, if it doesn't work out, you can always trade-in your device or sell it for a few hundred bucks off a new laptop. You can use your student ID for an additional student discount too.

BrandoComandoSave any files or programs you need onto a separate drive. Go into your settings and factory reset your device. It'll delete everything and set it up brand new just like when you bought it. Once it's reset, you should be able to update it to MacOS Monterey.

If you're feeling extra fancy, you or a shop could replace the battery. It'll feel like a brand new device.

yeah this. backup everything and factory reset. see how that goes and then see if you actually need a new comp!

CrunnchyVanManhonestly I might send it, not spending 1,000-1,200 on a computer sounds rly fuckin nice. especially then I get to keep all the sick stickers I have on my Mac

If it still has an old spindle disk hard drive grab an SSD and toss it in it will make a world of difference.

CatdickBojanglesIt’s the other way around the MacBook has the M1.

The M1 is based of ARM RISC architecture. It ships in both the iPad and the MacBook, apple designed it specifically to be a multipurpose chip.

BiffbarfLol people still buy macbooks

I'm browsing NS on my 2012 MacBook Pro that still runs the same as it did when it was new. Not too many people using original PC's from a decade ago.

DsteeeezyI'm browsing NS on my 2012 MacBook Pro that still runs the same as it did when it was new. Not too many people using original PC's from a decade ago.

I mean, I don't run a laptop from a decade ago but I've never bought a new laptop because my old one didn't work fine.

BrandoComandoMacbooks are one of the best performance/price laptops on the market right now. If you don't need Windows-specific software and can afford a $1200+ laptop, MacBooks make a lot of sense for many buyers. The M1 chip is stupid powerful and efficient

Bingo.

CrunnchyVanManthis is probably the bet one out here, gotta take it in and figure out how, cuz I also need a new car pretty soon

I'd also recommend trading in your old Mac and putting some $ from that toward a new MacBook Pro. Just applied 500 bucks toward a new MacBook Air after selling/trading in my old MacBook Pro from 2017 to the Apple store. Solid decision.

I have a microsoft surface and the thing is a serial killer. Runs full windows and is just as powerful as modern laptops due to its awesome heat pipe network fanless cooling system. I would recommend it over an ipad bc when push comes to shuv windows murders ios.