MacBook Air vs. iPad Pro: Which is right for you?

MacBook Air vs. iPad Pro: Which is correct for you?

(Prototype credit: Tom'due south Guide)

The ascension of the iPad has generated an interesting question: "MacBook Air or iPad Pro?" And this question has never been more topical, as Apple's new MacBook Air with M1 bit (which is the best MacBook bar none) sees the Mac revolutionized with more than speed and endurance than ever before.

While iPadOS xiv and the Magic Keyboard make the iPad Pro more of a laptop than ever before (and its A12Z bit is pretty speedy too), Apple'southward redefined the iconic MacBook Air in ways nobody expected. So, nosotros've decided to do what we do best: pit these devices against each other in a MacBook Air vs iPad Pro showdown, to see which should be your side by side computer.

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Of course, some might say this is like comparing apples and pineapples. The MacBook Air is a full-fledged laptop, while the iPad Pro is a tablet that can exist a laptop replacement (provided you pony up some more cash).

That hasn't stopped plenty of people I know, including a friend who is a video producer and podcaster, from thinking the iPad Pro is their next main computer. Only should information technology be yours?

Let's find out.

MacBook Air vs. iPad Pro: Specs

	MacBook Air (M1, 2020)	12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020
Starting cost	$999 ($899 educational)	$999 ($one,348 with Magic Keyboard)
Screen	13.3 inches (2560 x 1600)	12.9 inches (2732 10 2048)
Bombardment life	14:41	ten:16
Processor	M1 chip (8-cadre, 7/viii-core GPU)	A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Storage	256GB to 2TB	128GB to 1TB
Cameras	0.7 MP webcam	12MP Wide + 10MP Ultra Wide (rear), 7MP TrueDepth (front)
Video recording	1080 x 720 pixels	Up to 4K at sixty fps
Security	Touch ID	Face ID
Apple Keyboard support	Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Page	Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Page
Pencil support	Apple tree Pencil (second generation)	Apple tree Pencil (2nd generation)
Dimensions	12 ten viii.four x 0.6 inches	xi 10 eight.iv x 0.2 inches \| 11 x viii.4 x 0.6 inches with Magic Keyboard
Weight	2.8 pounds	ane.4 pounds \| 3 pounds with Magic Keyboard

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Pattern and ports

While the MacBook Air with M1 chip performs similar the MacBook of the future, it still looks like the MacBook of the past. That's not exactly a bad thing, equally it's still got the wedge-shaped blueprint that's strong and iconic. Nonetheless, its 0.5 inch and 0.3-inch bezels expect outdated, and requite it a bigger footprint than we'd like in a laptop.

Conversely, the iPad Pro's 0.2-inch bezels (on all sides) requite it a look that feels more modern, and one we hope the MacBook Airs of the time to come larn from. The iPad Pro also has that flat-edge design that Apple'due south brought back into its iPhone 12 lineup, which looks pretty nice.

iPad Pro Magic Keyboard — (Image credit: Future)

The 12.ix-inch iPad Pro (11 10 8.4 x 0.ii inches) has a smaller footprint than the 13.3-inch MacBook Air (12 10 8.iv 10 0.six inches), only the iPad Pro's thinner chassis volition exist a plus for many. Nevertheless, those who get the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard (a must for making a laptop-similar feel), add on 0.four inches of thickness, making information technology equal to the Air.

Similarly, the iPad Pro weighs 1.four pounds — which is one-half of the 2.8-pound MacBook Air's weight. Until, that is, you lot add the Magic Keyboard, which brings information technology to iii pounds — making it heavier than the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air rarely wins a ports battle, but its 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and headphone jack trump the iPad Pro's sole little USB-C port.

So, basically, the iPad Pro'southward design perks simply truly come in handy when you're merely using information technology as a tablet. And that'south bully for those who are able to make an Apple tree Pencil sing, only those of united states who desire a typing experience may adopt the Air, since yous're still gonna need something of a stand or base to use the iPad Pro.

Winner: Depict

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Display

The iPad Pro may have its drawbacks on pattern when y'all dock the Magic Keyboard, but its screen is the superior display in every way.

We measured the 12.nine-inch iPad Pro 2020 as producing 122.ix% of the sRGB gamut and 559 nits of brightness, which arrive slightly more colorful and a lot brighter than the MacBook Air (114.3%, 365.viii nits).

The iPad Pro also beats the MacBook Air on display technology. Both offer True Tone white balance, but just the iPad has the 120 Hz ProMotion brandish refresh rate, which enables everything on your screen to move more smoothly and look that much nicer. The MacBook Air, like all Macs, has a 60Hz refresh rate. That might not matter to you withal, but if you see a 120Hz screen, you lot'll run into the calorie-free.

There's one other major perk of the iPad Pro'south screen: it allows for touch input. Apple has still yet to give touchscreens to its Macs, even though that'due south something that macOS Big Sur looks similar it should back up.

Winner: iPad Pro

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Magic Keyboard and Pencil

Hilariously, Apple's given the same proper name for both the MacBook Air and iPad Pro's typing interface: the Magic Keyboard. And while both are comfortable to blazon on, with similar feedback they have ii giant differences.

For starters, the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard doesn't come included — it'southward a $349 optional accessory. Secondly, the iPad Pro's Magic Keyboard can be detached, which is a dainty convenience to have.

And then there'due south the Apple Pencil (also an optional accessory, which costs $129), which only works on the iPad Pro and not the MacBook Air.

Creatives and manus-writing enthusiasts will love the stylus, just there are WACOM tablets and pens for Macs likewise, so information technology's non like the Mac is close out here..

Winner: Draw

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Performance

The best way to compare the operation of the MacBook Air's M1 fleck and the iPad Pro's A12Z Bionic chip is within the ane comparable performance criterion that works on both systems: Geekbench five.

On that examination, the iPad Pro posted a solid score of 4,635, which the MacBook Air leaps over with its 5,925. Still, the iPad Pro's no slouch, and is notwithstanding good for video editing in its own applications.

Apple MacBook Air M1 (late 2020) review — (Epitome credit: Tom'due south Guide)

A more drastic win shows upwards in the GFXBench Metallic Aztec Ruins graphics test, which did not run on the iPad Pro. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air posted a strong 54.332.

Winner: MacBook Air

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Battery life

The MacBook Air outlasts the iPad Pro past a lot. On the Tom's Guide battery test (web surfing at 150 nits of brightness) the MacBook Air posted an epic time of 14 hours and 41 minutes, while the iPad Pro hit empty at 10:xvi.

Winner: MacBook Air

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Software and applications

Inside the new MacBook Air, you lot have the combination of Apple tree Silicon processors and macOS Big Sur, which unlock the ability to run iPhone and iPad apps on top of macOS apps.

It should be said that the macOS apps are currently comprised of native Universal apps that are written to run on the M1 chip, and the converted Intel-based apps which run via Rosetta 2. The latter may take some performance issues in more complicated pro-level applications, such equally Adobe Premiere Pro.

And while the MacBook Air can run iPhone and iPad apps, they're not all going to be written for the Mac. That means you're getting apps made for a touchscreen phone or tablet, just you lot're going to interact with them using a touchpad. Also, some video streaming programs cannot run in total-screen, which feels like a mistake made by app makers, that should be corrected presently.

Every bit for the iPad Pro, it will run iPadOS apps correctly and natively, and we haven't seen whatsoever signs of it running macOS apps. However, Universal applications should requite an opportunity for that in the futurity.

Winner: MacBook Air

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Cameras

We like the fact that the MacBook Air has a slightly better webcam, thanks to image signal processing, simply information technology's still a 720p, 0.7MP webcam.

The iPad Pro's got a 7MP front facing camera and a pair of rear cameras (12MP Wide + 10MP Ultra Wide), which are really swell.

Winner: iPad Pro

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Value and price

Both the MacBook Air and iPad Pro get-go at $999, but that's not the fairest comparison, as it leaves the iPad without its $349 keyboard. Plus, the iPad Pro starts with half the storage. And so, that'due south a point in the Air's favor to start.

And if you want to brand them comparable in specs, the Pro'due south price goes up to $1,099 with 256GB of storage — and $1,448 with the Magic Keyboard.

If yous want an 8-core GPU in your MacBook Air, its cost goes upwardly to $i,249 and its storage goes up to 512GB. Then, a comparable iPad Pro is still pricier, at $one,648.

Winner: MacBook Air

MacBook Air vs iPad Pro: Verdict

	MacBook Air	iPad Pro
Pattern and ports (x points)	viii	8
Brandish (twenty points)	fifteen	19
Magic Keyboards and styli (x points)	8	8
Performance (10 points)	x	8
Battery life (twenty points)	xx	13
Software and applications (5 points)	5	3
Cameras (v points)	3	5
Value and price (xx points)	18	13
Overall (100 points)	87	77

And there you have it, Apple tree Silicon and the M1 chip give the MacBook Air a lot of the performance, endurance and even versatility it needed to keep the iPad Pro at bay.

But for those who want a touchscreen device that truly sings and feels integrated with your piece of work — and not a WACOM tablet you dock to your Mac — Apple's determination to go on touchscreens out of its Macs may push button you towards the iPad Pro. And I couldn't blame you. Its screen is brighter and undocking it from the Magic Keyboard unlocks more than portability.

But when information technology comes downwardly to value, some folks will blench at the $349 Magic Keyboard'southward hefty price. That's more than a third of the price of the entry-level M1 MacBook Air, and coin that could be spent upgrading the Air to the 8-core GPU, more RAM or more storage.

Which is why we are very curious most what 2021 has in store for both the Mac and the iPad. Stay tuned, reader.

Henry is a senior editor at Tom'southward Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He'due south as well covered the wild globe of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.