With powerful new M2 chip options and strong sales, both iPads and MacBooks remain incredibly popular choices for portable computing. But these two product lines, while both made by Apple, are quite different under the surface.
In this expert guide, I‘ll compare iPads and MacBooks across over a dozen categories – from processors and operating systems to screen sizes, accessories, and use cases. My goal is to arm you with everything you need to decide whether an iPad or MacBook better fits your needs for 2023 and beyond.
A Brief History of iPads and MacBooks
Let‘s start with a quick history lesson before diving into the details…
Apple released the first iPad in 2010, essentially pioneering the modern tablet category. Since then, they‘ve expanded the lineup to include the affordable iPad, the mid-range iPad Air, and the powerful iPad Pro.
MacBooks, on the other hand, have been around since 2006 as the successors to Apple‘s iconic PowerBook and iBook laptop lines. They now come in the super-slim 12-inch MacBook, the mainstream MacBook Air, and the performance-focused MacBook Pro.
So while both products are mobile computing devices from Apple, iPads have generally been geared more towards media consumption, drawing, and light computing. MacBooks are full-on laptops made for heavy-duty productivity.
But the lines have blurred recently as iPads gain computing smarts and MacBooks get more portable. So which one is right for you? Let‘s dig deeper…
iPad vs MacBook: Model Lineup Compared
First, here‘s a quick rundown of the different iPad and MacBook models you can buy right now:
iPads:
- iPad – $329+: The classic iPad with an affordable price but older processor
- iPad Air – $599+: A powerful mid-range option with slim bezels and the latest Apple silicon
- iPad Pro – $799+: The top shelf performance tablet made to replace a laptop
MacBooks:
- 12-inch MacBook (Discontinued) – Former entry-level ultraportable
- MacBook Air – $999+: Apple‘s mass-market laptop, now with the new M2 chip
- MacBook Pro 13" – $1299+: More power than the Air for creative pros
- MacBook Pro 14" & 16" – $1999+: Cutting edge performance and ports for maximum productivity
There‘s some overlap with the baseline iPad competing against the older MacBook Air models on affordability. While the souped-up iPad Pro goes head-to-head with the 13-inch MacBook Pro on performance.
But most shoppers will be deciding between the current mid-range models – the iPad Air vs the latest MacBook Air with M2. Let‘s now see how they differ across some major categories.
Operating Systems: iPadOS vs macOS
The most obvious difference between any iPad and MacBook is the operating system:
- iPadOS – Tablet-optimized OS based on iOS. More limited functionality but very user-friendly and made for touch.
- macOS – Full desktop-class operating system powering the Mac for the past 20+ years. Maximum flexibility and power for mouse/trackpad use.
Main takeaways here:
- iPadOS is simpler but cannot run complex professional apps like video editors, developer tools, etc.
- macOS allows you to install anything but has a steeper learning curve vs the very streamlined iPadOS.
For most students and casual users taking notes, watching media, surfing the web, etc. iPadOS should be fine and easier to use. But power users still need the openness of macOS on a MacBook.
Processors: M1 Chips Bring Parity
Previously iPads used smartphone-grade processors while MacBooks ran on more robust Intel chips. But Apple has been transitioning both product lines to their own custom Silicon:
- M1 Chip (2020): Huge performance gains over previous iPad/Mac chips. Also enables better battery life.
- M2 Chip (2022): Next evolution with 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU vs M1. Available in select new iPad Airs and MacBook Airs currently.
With these new unified chip architectures, the top-end iPads can compete with entry-level MacBooks on speed. But there‘s still a gap between the tablet-focused M1/M2 versus the laptop-class M2 Pro / M2 Max chips in the 14-inch & 16-inch MacBook Pros.
For most shoppers though, both the iPad Air M1 and MacBook Air M2 will feel very fast for everyday tasks. So processor power is less of a differentiator unless you need serious number-crunching ability.
Display & Design: All about Portability vs Screen Size
One clear separation between iPads and MacBooks remains display size and overall hardware design.
iPads come in 3 main screen sizes:
- 11-inch (iPad Pro)
- 12.9-inch (iPad Pro)
- 10.9-inch (iPad Air)
*No bezels and perfectly sized for handheld use. Plus you can add Apple Pencil for drawing/writing.
MacBooks are laptops with:
- 13.3-inch screen (MacBook Air / Pro)
- 14-inch screen (New MacBook Pro)
- 16-inch screen (New MacBook Pro)
*More ergonomic for heavy typing sessions given the bigger screen and backlit keyboard. Touchscreens remain a notable iPad advantage though.
If you value maximum portability, nothing beats the compact iPad Mini at just 7.9-inches. But for longer hours of desktop work, a MacBook Air strikes a good productivity/portability balance without breaking your budget or shoulder.
One new consideration – the 12.9-inch iPad Pro when paired with the Magic Keyboard gives you an incredible detachable 2-in-1 design that no MacBook offers currently.
Connectivity: It‘s All About USB-C
Connectivity used to be a clear iPad downside, but now premium models have caught up to MacBooks:
- Entry-level iPads use the old Lightning port, while…
- Newer iPad Air & Pro models feature high-speed USB-C connectors just like MacBooks
So with USB-C, higher-end iPads and MacBooks both support:
- Faster data transfer and device connectivity
- 4K+ external monitor output via USB-C hubs
- Connecting most cameras/storage drives/peripherals
This means you can build a full desktop-like iPad Pro workstation just like a MacBook by hooking up a monitor, keyboard, SD card reader, etc. Pretty game changing!
The one exception – MacBooks typically have at least 2 TB3/USB-C ports which is handy for power delivery plus connecting multiple accessories simultaneously. iPads have just the single USB-C jack.
Apps & App Stores: Where iPad Falls Short
Here‘s one area where the software difference between iPadOS and macOS has stark consequences:
- iPad App Store – Offers 1+ million iOS/iPadOS apps, but most are simple mobile titles. Fine for basic use cases.
- Mac App Store – Just a curated subset of the most popular macOS programs. But…
- Full macOS App Library – Macs can download apps from anywhere online, offering 100x more software options for pros.
The limited nature of the Apple App Store remains a constant iPad complaint from power users. Options like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud are available on both platforms. But niche software for video editing, programming, CAD, etc can still only be found for macOS.
However, iPads enjoy long battery life and always-connected LTE options useful for field workers. And the touch-first interface encourages use of creative apps unavailable on desktop platforms. Swings and roundabouts.
Accessories: Where iPad Shines
Apple has always prioritized accessories for iPads more than MacBooks:
- Apple Pencil (1st & 2nd Gen)
- Magic Keyboard with Trackpad
- Apple Smart Keyboard Folio
- Hundreds more iPad-specific add-ons
This expands the iPad‘s capabilities for artists, notetakers, builders/architects and other roles needing precision input options.
MacBooks meanwhile are very limited on 1st party accessories – just external monitors, wireless mice/keyboards, and dongles to connect devices. No native drawing ability. But this lighter reliance on accessories also makes MacBooks quicker to deploy.
Pricing: More Budget Choice Than Ever
Lastly, price remains a tricky comparison because iPads and MacBooks cover budgets from just $329 up to $2,899+ for the 16-inch MacBook Pro:
- Most affordable: Vanilla iPad or older MacBook Air under $599
- Mid-range shoppers: iPad Air vs latest MacBook Air w/ M2 from $599-$1,199
- Max budget: 12.9-inch iPad Pro vs MacBook Pro 14/16 inch at $1,599+
If counting essential accessories like an iPad Magic Keyboard, expect to pay $799+ for a highly capable iPad Air workstation – putting it firmly in MacBook Air territory.
Those maxed out configs still enable impressive mobility and performance for everything except advanced professional apps. Better value depends whether you‘ll actually use the MacBook strengths though.
Bottom Line: iPad or MacBook in 2023?
So which one should you buy this year? Here are some quick guidelines:
- Buy the iPad if you want: Ultimate portability, Apple Pencil support, always-on internet, and a touch-focused interface well-suited to simple apps, note-taking, multimedia consumption etc.
- Buy the MacBook if you need: A full desktop-class experience to run advanced professional software, easier typing long hours, and maximum accessory connectivity.
The latest iPad Air 5 actually offers 80% of the MacBook Air M2‘s utility at 60% of the price if you can work within its constraints. Figure out your must-have use cases before deciding.
With upgraded Apple silicon chips matching performance expectations, new iPadOS improvements on the horizon, and increased accessory support on both platforms… the choice still largely depends whether laptop power or tablet mobility is more important for how you work and play.
But why choose? The latest iPad Pro 12.9 with Magic Keyboard gives you phenomenal 2-in-1 versatility to have it all in one mobile package this year!
