iPad vs MacBook: Which is Right for You?

If your next device is an Apple one, should it be an iPad vs. MacBook? The answer largely depends on your productivity plans. This question has persisted ever since the first iPad Pro was released and continues to arise frequently.

Apple puts its own processors in both device types, blurring the lines between them from a hardware perspective. At the same time, there are key differences that set them apart, especially when it comes to software. The apps you’re used to on a Mac aren’t likely to be the same on iPadOS, for example.

This guide is about understanding where the intersecting points and divergent paths are. When you have a clear sense of what you want to do, the choice becomes clearer. Should it be an iPad Pro or MacBook Air? Maybe a MacBook Pro instead of an iPad Pro or just the regular iPad compared to what a MacBook can do? Let’s dive in.

Table of contents

Overview of iPad and MacBook

iPad lineup

When Apple first introduced the iPad in 2010, it presented it as a consumption device that could stream content and display ebooks with ease, among other things. Given the already established App Store’s success with the iPhone, those and other experiences would transfer over to the larger 9.7-inch display.

Today, there are various iPads in different screen sizes ranging from 8.3-inches to 13-inches. You have the iPad and iPad Air more focused on consuming content, along with the iPad Pro lineup, which aims to offer productivity capabilities on top of that. The iPad mini is the smallest choice for those seeking more portability in a screen bigger than their smartphone.

MacBook lineup

Whether it’s a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, the focus is always on getting something done. These are the laptops that continue to carry Apple’s legacy in computers, which is why there aren’t a variety of them. Both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro run on Apple silicon now, making differences between them mostly related to hardware configurations.

There are size differences too. You can find a current MacBook Pro in 14.2-inch and 16-inch models, whereas the MacBook Air comes in 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch sizes. The Air, in particular, is thinner and lighter, putting it closer in form and weight to an iPad, while the Pro is easily the heaviest of all Apple laptops or tablets.

iPad vs. MacBook: key differences

Portability

Just feeling an iPad vs. MacBook, the iPad is lighter than any MacBook, including the Air. There are various reasons for that, including the fact an iPad doesn’t have a built-in keyboard and trackpad. The components inside also differ in that a MacBook comes with an active cooling system inside made up of fans. Every iPad has a passive system that dissipates heat through the aluminum back. Fewer moving parts inside generally help make the iPad feel lighter to carry.

A MacBook, on the other hand, feels heavier because there’s simply more material in it. Add up the keyboard, trackpad, internal fans, larger battery, connectivity ports and sheer size of the aluminum body, and you can feel the difference. Despite this, MacBooks are still portable enough to take to school or work.

Operating system

iPads run on iPadOS, while MacBooks run on macOS. Apple develops both operating systems, but they are not the same. iPadOS uses a touch interface that is essentially a larger iteration of iOS on an iPhone. App icons, menus, fonts—all the visual elements you see onscreen share the same appearance. Many app developers support the iPad by making their apps specifically compatible with Apple’s tablets.

With macOS, you get a more traditional desktop operating system that you navigate with the keyboard and mouse. So, you point and click at what you want rather than tap on a screen like any other standard laptop. Apple’s OS upgrades and security patches for macOS won’t be the same—or at the same time—as those they release for iPadOS. While there is growing integration and interoperability between the two platforms, they largely still run independent of each other.

A significant deviation between them also comes in how you download and install apps. On a MacBook, you can download anything you like from the internet. There is an App Store of curated apps, but it’s an otherwise open field. Find an app in a web browser and you can install it anytime so long as it is a Mac version. On iPadOS, apps are only available through the App Store, limiting options if you’re looking for something specific.

Display and input

Since an iPad uses a touchscreen and a MacBook doesn’t, that’s the clear distinction between them. However, it is possible to add keyboard and trackpad input to an iPad with the right accessories. You can’t add touch capability to a MacBook screen.

This is significant because it allows the iPad to also work with various pens and styli for input. For example, the Apple Pencil only works with iPads as it has no way to interface with a Mac. Digital artists can use special pens to emulate brushes and other styles to create their work. On a Mac, you would need a third-party device, like a drawing tablet, to connect to the laptop and enable that type of functionality.

On the flip side, the various ports on a MacBook make it easier to use different peripherals. That includes external monitors, external storage, printers, memory cards, headphones and just about anything else that works with a computer. While iPads no longer use the old Lightning port, Apple limits them to a single USB-C Thunderbolt port. That port, however, is capable in its own right by letting you connect external storage, hubs, docks, audio interfaces and more. With an adapter, you can also connect memory cards and other devices. Except the latest iPad Pro models no longer offer a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you either have to use Bluetooth wireless headphones or plug in via the USB-C port. Cellular iPad variants have a SIM card slot for wireless connectivity. To connect a MacBook that way, you would have to use a special dongle or use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Performance

When it comes to lighter tasks, there is less to distinguish with an iPad vs. MacBook. Other than how you navigate the interface, there isn’t a dramatic difference in how you might watch video content or browse the web, for instance. Basic tasks, like email, may be easier on a MacBook because of the keyboard, whereas scrolling through websites or pages may feel more intuitive on an iPad, especially when you can pinch to zoom.

When it comes to more intermediate tasks involving productivity, you can expect capable options on both sides. MacBooks can handle any task where there’s hardware and software compatibility, especially with creative applications. With Apple’s own chips in iPads, they prove efficient in running creative apps as well. It’s just that the experience may not be the same between them. For instance, Adobe Photoshop on a MacBook is the full version, whereas the iPad app is a pared-down one—just one example of many.

It’s a key reason why the MacBook is better suited to more demanding tasks, like video editing and professional software. For example, there may be a specialized engineering or design app that’s available on macOS without an equivalent on iPadOS. While video editing apps like Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Blackmagic Camera and Adobe Premiere are available for the iPad, they aren’t the full desktop versions.

iPad Pro vs. MacBook Air

Both are highly portable regardless of size and feature gorgeous displays. The iPad Pro is more affordable off the bat, except that can change if you budget in the peripherals necessary to turn it into a laptop replacement. A keyboard with trackpad for the iPad means you have to accept a smaller surface area for the trackpad, which can affect workflows if you’re not used to it.

Just the same, if you want more storage or a faster configuration for the MacBook Air, you will have to incur the extra cost to get that. Multitasking is decidedly easier on a MacBook by virtue of how easy it is to drag and drop files and the organizational aspects of the Finder and file system of folders. iPadOS emulates it, but it’s not as deep.

Moreover, you can connect an iPad to a MacBook and run iOS and iPadOS apps on the laptop screen. The reverse isn’t possible. Conversely, you can use the Apple Pencil to draw, mark up documents, take notes and do pinpoint photo edits in ways that can’t happen on a Mac without a special peripheral.

iPad Pro vs. MacBook Pro

This is a tougher matchup for the iPad Pro. The MacBook Pro is equipped with more robust performance, partly because it has more RAM, an active cooling system and larger battery. It also has additional ports and a memory card slot. You can charge while using connected peripherals, whereas you can only do that on the iPad Pro with wireless accessories.

Apple’s laptop is better suited for multitasking because of how easy it is to run multiple apps at once. You can play video from two sources at once, as well as edit photos using two apps. The iPad Pro is more nimble in that it’s easier to carry around and offers touch input. You can’t use the Pencil on a MacBook Pro, sparking creativity on the iPad that may not feel as effortless on a laptop. If you’re in a creative field, your instincts may tell you what tools work best.

Beyond that, even if you’re a coder or programmer, you will get more mileage out of a MacBook Pro because of the options available. These two run on the same M4 chipset, only the MacBook Pro offers more power relative to that by way of the Pro and Max variants of that chip, which aren’t available on the tablet.

Which device is right for you?

Best for casual users

This is probably the easiest spot to be in, as both the iPad and MacBook are great options. If you’re leaning toward an iPad but aren’t sure which model to choose, it depends on your needs. For casual use, you would be fine with the regular iPad or iPad mini. The iPad Pro is tempting because of its larger screen sizes, but it is overkill if that’s the only reason. The other iPad models are more affordable and still offer a similar iPadOS experience anyway. If you ever wanted to use an accessory like the Pencil or a keyboard/mouse, that iPad won’t restrict you from doing so.

On the laptop side, the MacBook Air is clearly the better choice for casual use. Configurations start with more modest specs to begin with and pricing is considerably less than a MacBook Pro. You still have everything macOS offers, though not the same level of ports. If you’re missing one, a hub or adapter can cover that for you.

Best for students

Students both consume and create content, so the determining factor is what kind of content they create. Less intensive tasks, like word processing and browsing or research on the web, can go either way. iPads can handle those fairly easily despite restricting apps to the App Store. If it’s more artistic, then you have to consider the type of art. Drawing, painting, sketching and note-taking are much easier to do on an iPad Pro. Photo editing is more robust on a MacBook, while video editing renders faster on it as well.

Again, if the photo and video projects aren’t overly intricate, requiring high-end software, you could potentially do that work on an iPad. Where you are in your school life also matters because if you’re in high school, you may not need special apps or software, whereas college and university may demand you invest in those very things.

On top of that, you have to consider specs and configurations. The MacBook Air and Pro give you more options that way, while the iPad Pro keeps it simple. Just bear in mind that buying accessories for the iPad to turn it into a laptop replacement add up.

Best for professionals

As a working professional, you’re probably looking at either device as a tool to do a job. Your line of work will be a major factor in which way you go. Unlike Windows devices, where the line between productivity and creativity sometimes is easier to tell, Apple tends to present its laptops and tablets as capable of doing similar things. That’s not untrue but the nuance around that means you have to take various things into account first.

A more administrative job, especially one that makes it easy to integrate a tablet, could probably get by with an iPad. The only catch is whether or not the iPad can run on whatever software systems is required for your role. If that’s a concern, the MacBook Air or Pro aren’t likely to run into that problem. If it’s in another sector, be it finance, engineering, IT, sales, app development, or whatever else, you should weigh the pros and cons of what’s accessible to you when using either the iPad Pro or MacBook Air/Pro as your primary work device.

Best for creatives

Creatives sometimes agonize over which device—or exact configuration—is best for them. The best choice is the one that offers the easiest workflow. If you draw or design on a screen a lot, an iPad Pro is hard to pass up because it’s built for just that kind of creativity. The Apple Pencil aside, there are a variety of accessories supporting artists. Musicians can use an iPad Pro to help record new compositions or read music during performances. DJs have been seen doing the same thing with the iPad, so the possibilities in different art forms do exist.

The iPad Pro can’t offer the full extension of features and tools on all apps the way a MacBook does. Desktop apps are usually the “full” versions, with tablet ones being derivatives. The gap is bigger or smaller depending on the app, but in any case, you can multitask and run through more complex creative projects faster on either of Apple’s laptops. Photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and content creators may lean that way. Podcasters, musicians, animators, designers, and writers, among others, could potentially go either way.

iPad vs. MacBook: final thoughts

Comparing an iPad vs. MacBook is really considering a tablet vs. laptop. If you want a touch-based experience, then the iPad is the clearer choice. If you prefer the more traditional approach and care little for touch capability, then a MacBook is the way to go. It’s just that you have to weigh your choice by what you are planning to do with the device, which we’ve outlined in detail here.

The macOS interface is simply better at multitasking and providing more options via app selection and onboard ports. To make iPadOS viable as a laptop replacement, you need the right accessories and to get comfortable with its limitations as a broader platform. A good testing ground would be to play around with both at a Best Buy location to get a sense of what both devices look and feel like when right in front of you.

Check out all the latest iPads and MacBooks available to find the model that fits what you have in mind.

Frequently asked questions

Can an iPad replace a laptop for work?

Maybe. Your success in doing so will depend on what work you’re doing. Think of it like a sliding scale of difficulty. If your workflow needs more particular inputs or elements to run smoothly, could the iPad keep up? Could it make it better? The key to knowing the answer lies in iPadOS, not the hardware itself. It’s more restrictive in what you can run on it, leaving you with fewer workarounds. If your work expands for whatever reason, the iPad must enable you to adjust with access to what’s necessary.

Does the iPad have the same software as a MacBook?

No. While Apple develops and sustains iPadOS and macOS, they are actually very different operating systems. It’s not just that they look a little different but also due to the underlying structure. macOS runs on a file system (Finder) we’ve known on Macs for decades, where you can easily drag and drop files, run apps concurrently, download apps from anywhere—all of which are also conducive to a keyboard and trackpad.

In comparison, iPadOS only emulates that file system without fully embracing it because it’s a touch-based platform. It’s designed to feel less complicated and more intuitive. The challenge is that it doesn’t match macOS when it comes to file management and compatibility. Plug-ins, browser extensions, drivers, and other supporting features may not apply the same way on an iPad Pro.

However, they do share certain features. As an example, you can use AirPlay 2 to beam audio or video content from an iPad or MacBook to an Apple TV, speaker or third-party device supporting the feature. You can also use AirDrop to share files between them wirelessly. With iCloud, it’s also easy to back up or access your files from either device, so if a file is saved on a MacBook Pro, you could still get to it on an iPad Pro.

Can an iPad work with a MacBook?

Yes, it can. Apple offers what it calls “Continuity”, a set of features that bridge gaps between its mobile devices and computers. It’s how you’re able to use an iPhone as a webcam on a Mac, or the iPad as a webcam on Apple TV. Others, like Handoff, let you start working on one device and then switch over to another to pick up where you left off. Sidecar enables you to set the iPad as a second display to extend or mirror your Mac desktop. It’s also one of the few ways you can make an Apple Pencil work on a Mac when you set the iPad as an input screen to draw on. You can even set a MacBook to act as a receiver with AirPlay 2 when you want to stream or mirror content over from an iPad.

Can I use a keyboard with the iPad like a MacBook?

Sure you can. There is a thriving aftermarket of keyboards for iPad that come in various forms and designs. Usually, an iPad-compatible keyboard will come as a folio case to provide some protection and enable you to prop it up as well. The only thing is sturdiness varies, so if you’re thinking of propping up the iPad Pro on your lap, you would need a keyboard folio that can handle the weight. As laptops, MacBooks have a standard clamshell design that makes that much easier. The only drawback is they generate heat at the bottom, which can lead to discomfort when running too hot.