Yesterday at around 8:30 PM, I was on a walk with my friends.
The past week has been busy for me—I had to say goodbye to two of my closest friends as they moved across the country.
I definitely did not have a post written up for this blog, so I asked one of my friends what I should write about. He told me to write something about the new 15” MacBook Air.
Here we go.
🗂️ The Plan
Today’s post will be a little different.
First, I’ll write a mini-post covering the basic tech stuff and my personal opinions. Then, you’ll be able to add your own thoughts by responding to this thread.
💵 Pricing
Here’s the pricing for the devices I’ll be discussing today:
iPad Pro 11" (128 GB, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard): $1,227
iPad Pro 12.9" (128 GB, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard): $1,577
13" M1 MacBook Air (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, $999)
13" M2 MacBook Air (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, $1099)
15" M2 MacBook Air (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, $1299)
💰 How To Save A Ton Of Money
While we’re on the topic of pricing, I also wanted to share a few tips to help you save money.
Buy for education (*technically* you need a .edu email, though I’ve heard Apple doesn’t check)
Buy “alternative accessories” for the iPads, like the Logitech Crayon ($60 cheaper than the Apple Pencil) and the Logitech Combo Touch (up to $100-$120 cheaper than the Magic Keyboard).
If you’re deciding between and iPad and a MacBook, here are some questions I think you should consider:
Will you use the touchscreen extensively?—if the answer is no, get a MacBook
Will you need special programs (like VS Code for CS students)?—if the answer is yes, then you should probably get a MacBook
Are you on a budget?—if you are, get the M1 MacBook Air. On Amazon, it’s currently $799
Do you already have a desktop?—if so, an iPad Air or 11” iPad Pro could be decent on-the-go computing devices
🧐 My Takeaways
The M1 MacBook Air is the best value by far if you’re on a budget
For most people, a MacBook is objectively better than an iPad. That being said, I personally enjoy the feel of an iPad more than a MacBook, and I’m sure it’s the same for many others
If you’re considering the pricier MacBooks or iPads, one option to consider is getting both a Mac and an iPad. An M1 MacBook Air + 9th Gen iPad + Apple Pencil comes out to around $1350 (with discounts, you could save hundreds of dollars).
I’m not sure who said it, but this quote sums it up best: “The iPad is not a laptop replacement. It’s a laptop alternative”
💻 Why The 15” MacBook Air Matters
From what I’ve seen, many of the people considering the 15” MacBook Air are also considering a 12.9” iPad Pro.
Both devices target the high-end consumer sector (they’re not true “pro” devices like the MacBook Pros, but they can handle some tough tasks).
However, I think the 15” MacBook Air is a better device than the 12.9” iPad Pro for the majority of people.
It’s a lot cheaper, has a bigger screen, and has the better functionality if you’re looking for a primary computer. For people who don’t need a touchscreen, the MacBook will always win.
That being said, the iPad Pro isn’t a bad device—I’m typing this up on an iPad, and I still feel like the iPad Pro is more fun to use than a MacBook.
Though the 15” MacBook Air is still new, I have a feeling it could seriously disrupt the demand for the 12.9” iPad Pro (especially at its $1299 price point).
Your Thoughts?
What do you think? I would assume that most of you own iPads, so I’d love to hear your perspective.
Thanks!
Adi
PS—No post next week due to personal circumstances
Apple's Newest Laptop vs. Apple's Best iPad
Apple's Newest Laptop vs. Apple's Best iPad
Apple's Newest Laptop vs. Apple's Best iPad
Yesterday at around 8:30 PM, I was on a walk with my friends.
The past week has been busy for me—I had to say goodbye to two of my closest friends as they moved across the country.
I definitely did not have a post written up for this blog, so I asked one of my friends what I should write about. He told me to write something about the new 15” MacBook Air.
Here we go.
🗂️ The Plan
Today’s post will be a little different.
First, I’ll write a mini-post covering the basic tech stuff and my personal opinions. Then, you’ll be able to add your own thoughts by responding to this thread.
💵 Pricing
Here’s the pricing for the devices I’ll be discussing today:
iPad Pro 11" (128 GB, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard): $1,227
iPad Pro 12.9" (128 GB, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard): $1,577
13" M1 MacBook Air (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, $999)
13" M2 MacBook Air (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, $1099)
15" M2 MacBook Air (256 GB, 8 GB RAM, $1299)
💰 How To Save A Ton Of Money
While we’re on the topic of pricing, I also wanted to share a few tips to help you save money.
Buy refurbished
Buy for education (*technically* you need a .edu email, though I’ve heard Apple doesn’t check)
Buy “alternative accessories” for the iPads, like the Logitech Crayon ($60 cheaper than the Apple Pencil) and the Logitech Combo Touch (up to $100-$120 cheaper than the Magic Keyboard).
Check Amazon for discounts
🧠 Things To Keep In Mind
If you’re deciding between and iPad and a MacBook, here are some questions I think you should consider:
Will you use the touchscreen extensively?—if the answer is no, get a MacBook
Will you need special programs (like VS Code for CS students)?—if the answer is yes, then you should probably get a MacBook
Are you on a budget?—if you are, get the M1 MacBook Air. On Amazon, it’s currently $799
Do you already have a desktop?—if so, an iPad Air or 11” iPad Pro could be decent on-the-go computing devices
🧐 My Takeaways
The M1 MacBook Air is the best value by far if you’re on a budget
For most people, a MacBook is objectively better than an iPad. That being said, I personally enjoy the feel of an iPad more than a MacBook, and I’m sure it’s the same for many others
If you’re considering the pricier MacBooks or iPads, one option to consider is getting both a Mac and an iPad. An M1 MacBook Air + 9th Gen iPad + Apple Pencil comes out to around $1350 (with discounts, you could save hundreds of dollars).
I’m not sure who said it, but this quote sums it up best: “The iPad is not a laptop replacement. It’s a laptop alternative”
💻 Why The 15” MacBook Air Matters
From what I’ve seen, many of the people considering the 15” MacBook Air are also considering a 12.9” iPad Pro.
Both devices target the high-end consumer sector (they’re not true “pro” devices like the MacBook Pros, but they can handle some tough tasks).
However, I think the 15” MacBook Air is a better device than the 12.9” iPad Pro for the majority of people.
It’s a lot cheaper, has a bigger screen, and has the better functionality if you’re looking for a primary computer. For people who don’t need a touchscreen, the MacBook will always win.
That being said, the iPad Pro isn’t a bad device—I’m typing this up on an iPad, and I still feel like the iPad Pro is more fun to use than a MacBook.
Though the 15” MacBook Air is still new, I have a feeling it could seriously disrupt the demand for the 12.9” iPad Pro (especially at its $1299 price point).
Your Thoughts?
What do you think? I would assume that most of you own iPads, so I’d love to hear your perspective.
Thanks!
Adi
PS—No post next week due to personal circumstances