Since the birth of the iPad in the spring of 2010, Apple has presented us with this device as the strongest candidate to lead the post-pc era. With that first generation, this purpose was nothing more than a mere illusion. The iPad 1 was the first stone on a long road. And although that path has advanced firmly and today's iPad is not the 2010 iPad, we are still wondering if it is capable of replacing a laptop and more specifically, a MacBook.
The answer to the question that I ask you in the title, you may not like it because it is a "it depends" and it is that, as I suggested at the beginning, the path has not yet been traced. Still, I've already made up my mind. But decisions must be substantiated. Let's answer the question: What is better to bring to class, a MacBook or an iPad?
iPad or MacBook, here's the question
At this point in history, many of you already know me and you will know that I will soon return to studies (in Spain you never stop studying, even if you don't really know why). The fact is that education has changed a lot in a very short time. When I finished Journalism, and not long ago, the notes were still taken on paper and with a pen (and I don't even tell you when I did the History degree); and between class and class, in the copy shop of the faculty a longer queue was mounted than that of Lady Di's wedding dress. We were all eager to photocopy the notes we were missing, the readings that the teacher on duty had "recommended" to us, and so on. But those times have passed, at least largely. Now students work on technology: computer, tablet, cloud storage services, etc.
In this new student landscape, every student wants to get the most out of their studies and for this, the day-to-day tasks must be carried out in the most efficient way possible, that is, saving time that we can dedicate to other things. For this there is the MacBook (I do not enter models, Air, Pro or the retina screen) and the iPad Pro (here I do specify, and soon you will know why).
Portability
When choosing between Macbook or iPad, the portability it is an essential aspect. The student will carry his equipment with him everywhere and therefore, it must be light and comfortable. Any Macbook is, even more so if we talk about the retina screen or the Air range, but no doubt that nothing lighter than an iPad 9,7 ″ Pro. The size is perfect as it provides good vision without increasing volume or weight; Even if we accompany it with the Smart Keyboard, it will continue to be, as it is a really thin and light accessory. In this aspect, The battle is won by the iPad, but not everything is portability. We must be able to do with it what we want and what we need. Is it possible with the iPad?
Utility and productivity
This is where we return to that "it depends", but I am convinced that it does. Since I do not know the details of all the syllabi, it is something that I cannot state strongly. But if you are going to study related to the social, legal, humanities and other similar sciences, I am sure that you can leave the MacBook at home and opt for an iPad.
With the iPad Pro you can take notes and prepare papers as with the Mac, yes, you will have to get a physical keyboard or else half the screen will be filled by the virtual keyboard.
In addition, with the Apple Pencil and applications such as Good Notes, Notability or Notes Plus (to name a few of my favorites), you can take notes as you used to do on a pad of paper, with the same comfort and precision, but with the advantage that later you can correct, improve or expand them inserting graphics, diagrams, images ... Your notes will be everywhere (iPad, Mac and iPhone) and if you wish, you can also print them.
My decision therefore is the iPad Pro 9,7 ″ + Smart Keyboard (or similar) + Apple Pencil, while my MacBook Air will stay at home for more "heavy" tasks, or maybe it will go on sale. What do you think?
MacBook Air
It seems to me that it depends, but in general a very favorable point for Apple products is weight and autonomy, he explained to me, the MacBook does not reach 1kg and the iPad Pro 9,7 ″ does not reach 500g so it does not It is so heavy to carry almost 1,5kg all day and depending on which subjects or types of work, thanks to Apple's convergence, you can combine it perfectly and you don't need the iPad Pro keyboard. For example, on the Macbook you have open eBooks with the books or material provided by the teacher of the corresponding subject (too bad you can't underline it with the Apple Pencil, I don't know if the trackpad recognizes it) and with the iPad Pro 9,7 ″ you take notes by hand or with the writing keyboard with good handwriting (about € 2300). It is also true that the material or books of the subject can be consulted later to make some good notes and you do not carry the weight all day but for design subjects perhaps it is better to have the material in class and your retouch or do the exercise with it. iPad Pro 9,7 ″ (about € 680). To reduce weight and devices, the iPad Pro 12,9 ″ split screen with eBooks and Notes, horizontally, but if you have to surf the internet to find information, things are already complicated, compared to the 2 devices, and the screen it would stay small (about € 1400).
But I would not be left alone with the iPad Pro 9,7 ″ because the screen is small for complicated and combinative multitasking, it is more comfortable to work in full screen than divided. And why not combine the two iPad Pro (the big one with keyboard) and an iMac or Mac Mini at home? Here if you could underline and continue the work on any of the 2 screens (about € 1700 + the Mac).
Each person will know how best they can be combined to be productive in an easy and combinative way, as well as comfortable.
Another thing is that you like to work full screen (iPad Pro 9,7 ″) and for heavy exercises you can have a Mac Mini or an iMac at home or a Macbook Pro on your back all day.
But in all these options it would be convenient to be able to use the iPhone to record well everything that the teacher is saying and take notes with the iPad (about € 1500).
These from Apple have products for each person, yes, the person has to know each other because all these options are not cheap at all since the minimum is an iPhone and an iPad.
And the prices if you are looking for the same benefits in other manufacturers is just as expensive.
I have both a MacBook Air and iPad Pro 9.7 ″ and I use the iPad every day. I use the macbook when I am at home to edit work or when I have to charge the iPad. I study Dentistry, and it is very comfortable to take notes with the Apple Pencil and especially to send me the X-rays and present them to the patients. But I always need my macbook, I would not change it completely.