iPad vs MacBook: Which Apple Device Should You Actually Buy?
Based on real-world testing, Apple Community discussions, and productivity comparisons from Tom's Guide and Macworld
The short answer: The MacBook Air wins for most people. Despite Apple's marketing, the iPad Pro still can't replace a laptop for serious productivity work—and once you add the $350 Magic Keyboard, it costs more than a MacBook Air anyway. The MacBook gives you a full desktop operating system, better battery life, and no accessory tax. Save the iPad Pro for artists who need the Apple Pencil. Get the MacBook Air M3 on Amazon for $1,099 →
The Fighters
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999-$1,299 on Amazon + $349 keyboard | $1,099 on Amazon (keyboard included) |
| Best For | Artists, note-takers, media consumption | Productivity, work, students |
| OS | iPadOS | macOS |
| Battery | ~10 hours | ~18 hours |
| Display | OLED, 120Hz, touch | LCD, 60Hz, no touch |
| Ports | 1 USB-C | 2 USB-C + MagSafe + headphone |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: True Cost of Ownership
Let's do the math that Apple's marketing conveniently ignores.
The MacBook Air M3 starts at $1,099 with everything you need: keyboard, trackpad, ports, and full macOS. You can start working immediately.
The iPad Pro 11" starts at $999—seemingly cheaper. But to use it like a laptop, you need the Magic Keyboard ($299-$349) and probably an Apple Pencil Pro ($129). Suddenly your "$999" iPad costs $1,648-$1,777. The 13" iPad Pro with accessories? Easily $1,848.
That's $500-700 more than a MacBook Air for a device that runs mobile apps.
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 9/10 |
Round 1 Winner: MacBook Air — $500+ cheaper when you factor in the accessories you actually need.
Score after Round 1: iPad Pro: 5 | MacBook Air: 9
Round 2: Operating System & Software
This is where the iPad Pro's laptop-replacement fantasy falls apart.
The MacBook Air runs full macOS—the same desktop operating system professionals have used for decades. Run any Mac software: Microsoft Office (full version), Adobe Creative Suite, development tools, specialized software for any industry. Multiple windows, proper file management, and seamless external display support.
The iPad Pro runs iPadOS, which is "less sophisticated than macOS". Yes, iPadOS 26 added windowing, but most popular software tools have iPad versions that "lack the full feature set of their desktop counterparts." You can't run coding tools, specialized professional software, or most industry applications. And iPadOS has poor RAM management—Safari refreshes pages when switching apps, and Final Cut Pro gets dumped from memory when minimized.
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 10/10 |
Round 2 Winner: MacBook Air — Full desktop OS vs mobile apps that "lack the full feature set."
Score after Round 2: iPad Pro: 10 | MacBook Air: 19
Round 3: Productivity & Multitasking
Real work requires juggling multiple windows, documents, and applications.
The MacBook Air handles traditional productivity workflows effortlessly. Research in one window, write in another, reference spreadsheet in a third—all while a video plays in the corner. Multiple external displays (with Stage Manager on newer models), proper keyboard shortcuts, and decades of refined macOS productivity features.
The iPad Pro has improved with Stage Manager and iPadOS 26's windowing, but reviewers note external display support is still limited, and "users have had a hard time using apps on extended screens." A laptop is still "pretty much a necessity for heavier applications and full-on paper writing where you're juggling multiple windows."
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 3 Winner: MacBook Air — Proper multitasking that doesn't fight you.
Score after Round 3: iPad Pro: 16 | MacBook Air: 28
Round 4: Display & Media
Here's where the iPad Pro shines—it has one of the best displays ever put in a mobile device.
The iPad Pro's tandem OLED display is stunning. Perfect blacks, brilliant colors, and a 120Hz refresh rate that makes everything silky smooth. The touchscreen enables natural interaction that a laptop simply can't match. For watching movies, reading, or media consumption, nothing beats it.
The MacBook Air's LCD is good but not exceptional—60Hz, no OLED blacks, and obviously no touchscreen. It's perfectly fine for work, but nobody's buying it for media consumption.
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) |
|---|---|
| 10/10 | 6/10 |
Round 4 Winner: iPad Pro — That OLED display is genuinely next-level gorgeous.
Score after Round 4: iPad Pro: 26 | MacBook Air: 34
Round 5: Creative Work & Input
This is the iPad's other genuine superpower.
The iPad Pro with Apple Pencil Pro is unmatched for digital art, handwritten notes, and document annotation. "Nothing beats the precision of the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro." For illustrators, designers, architects, and students who take handwritten notes, this capability is transformative. The direct-to-screen drawing experience can't be replicated on a laptop.
The MacBook Air has no touchscreen and no stylus support. You can connect a drawing tablet, but it's not integrated. For text-based work it's superior, but for visual creation it requires external hardware.
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) |
|---|---|
| 10/10 | 5/10 |
Round 5 Winner: iPad Pro — Apple Pencil is genuinely irreplaceable for artists and note-takers.
Score after Round 5: iPad Pro: 36 | MacBook Air: 39
Round 6: Battery Life & Portability
Daily usability matters—can you get through a full day of work?
The MacBook Air M3 delivers approximately 18 hours of battery life—easily a full day of work without finding an outlet. The fanless design means silent operation, and while heavier than an iPad, it's still remarkably portable at under 3 pounds.
The iPad Pro is lighter and thinner, but battery life is shorter at around 10 hours for demanding work. The body also "gets warm faster" than a MacBook Air under load. And you only get one USB-C port—the MacBook Air has two USB-C, MagSafe, and a headphone jack.
| iPad Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M3) |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 6 Winner: MacBook Air — Nearly double the battery life with more ports.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air (M3) | 48/60 | WINNER |
| iPad Pro (M4) | 42/60 |
The Winner: MacBook Air
The MacBook Air wins because it does what most people need: real work, at a reasonable price, without compromise.
Apple has spent years marketing the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. It's not. The hardware is incredible—the M4 chip actually outperforms the M3—but iPadOS holds it back. You're paying laptop prices (more, actually, with accessories) for a device that runs mobile apps with limited multitasking, poor RAM management, and one USB-C port.
The MacBook Air gives you a complete package: keyboard, trackpad, two Thunderbolt ports, MagSafe charging, 18-hour battery, and macOS. Every professional tool works. Every productivity workflow is supported. And it starts at $1,099 with no asterisks.
For digital artists who live in Procreate, students who prefer handwritten notes, or anyone who already has a desktop computer, the iPad Pro makes sense. For everyone else—especially for a primary device—the MacBook Air is the obvious choice.
Ready to buy the winner? Get the MacBook Air M3 on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
iPad Pro isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- You're a digital artist — Apple Pencil Pro with Procreate is unmatched. If drawing is your job, iPad Pro is the only choice.
- You take handwritten notes — Students in lecture-heavy courses benefit enormously from Pencil-based note-taking.
- You already have a desktop — iPad Pro as a secondary, portable device makes more sense than as your only computer.
- Media consumption is primary — That OLED display is genuinely the best way to watch content.
- Touch-first workflows suit you — Some people genuinely prefer touch interfaces. If that's you, embrace it.
iPad Pro might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iPad Pro really replace a MacBook for work?
For some workflows, yes. Research, typing, and photo editing work well. But if you need specialized software, coding tools, or heavy multitasking, "the iPad Pro still isn't a MacBook replacement, and it never will be."
Which is better for college students?
Depends on your major. For STEM, coding, or technical fields, a MacBook is "pretty much a necessity." For humanities or art programs where note-taking is key, iPad can work—but MacBook Air is the safer, more versatile choice.
Is the M4 chip in iPad Pro faster than MacBook Air's M3?
Yes, technically. Apple's iPad Pro M4 benchmarks higher. But iPadOS can't take full advantage of that power—apps are still limited mobile versions. The M3 in MacBook Air is more than enough for any task macOS can throw at it.
Why is iPad Pro more expensive than MacBook Air?
It's not—until you add accessories. Base iPad Pro costs less, but the Magic Keyboard ($349) and Apple Pencil ($129) are essentially required for laptop-style use. With accessories, iPad Pro costs $500-700 more than MacBook Air.
Should I get both?
If budget allows, the combination is powerful: MacBook for serious work, iPad for reading, media, and Pencil tasks. But if you can only afford one device, the MacBook Air covers more use cases.