Should You Buy a MacBook Air or iPad Pro? Or Both?

Apple’s product line just keeps growing, with at least one noteworthy addition to the family being announced every year. Consumer demand shows no signs of slowing down, so the tech giant is simply giving people more of what they want. Newly redesigned and enhanced versions of the MacBook Air and iPad Pro are on store shelves now, but you might have some thinking to do before you decide between the two. Below, we’ll take a look at what sets each device apart so you can select the best one for you.

Ever since the announcement of the M1 chip back in November of 2020, Apple has been touting the “mind-blowing performance” offered up by the new CPU. The M1 powers the newest generation of Apple devices — and that power is on full display with the iPad Pro.

Speaking of display, the new Liquid Retina XDR screen on the 12.9″ iPad Pro is a sight to be seen, as its 2732×2048 screen boasts some seriously impressive visuals. An adaptive 120Hz refresh rate keeps everything moving in a silky smooth manner. What’s more, Apple has managed to fit 10,000 mini LEDs into the back of the screen. These produce brightness levels that were once thought of as impossible.

When you combine the aforementioned M1 chip with the amazing screen, you’ve got the ultimate tool for photo and video editors looking to practice their craft on the go. With a bevy of available accessories, like a newly designed MagicKeyboard and Apple Pencil, the new iPad Pro can be outfitted to potentially replace a high-powered laptop.

As can be expected, the iPad Pro’s cameras are perfect for FaceTime and other video chat apps. It’s all possible with a new feature called Center Stage. Simply place the iPad Pro on a flat surface and it will track your movements to keep you in the center of the frame at all times.

Of course, video calls and other functions can’t work properly without a solid internet connection, so Apple has included 5G capabilities as well as Wi-Fi 6. When viewed as a total package, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro certainly justifies its hefty $1,249 MSRP. Once you factor in the price of optional (yet highly functional) peripherals like the Magic Keyboard, you’re reaching a price point that’s closer to a traditional enthusiast laptop than a tablet.

Sometimes you require a little more precision and tactile feedback — as well as a keyboard — to get your work done or to simply enjoy a more fully-featured computer experience. That’s where the MacBook Air comes in. This device offers a lot of the same features you can find on an iPad Pro, but with the luxury of a built-in keyboard and a slightly more sturdy design.

While the MacBook Air’s 13.3-inch Retina display is certainly nothing to sneeze at, it can’t match the pure, unfiltered beauty of the iPad Pro’s screen. If you’re okay with settling for a 2560×1600 display with the same P3 wide color gamut and True Tone technology as the iPad Pro, you can’t go wrong with what’s offered here.

Laptop users demand a little more performance and horsepower than can be found on a tablet. They’ll be pleased to discover that the MacBook Air delivers in spades. An 8-core CPU, and an integrated 8-core GPU places an unprecedented amount of power at your fingertips. Apple claims that this version of the MacBook Air is up to 3.5 times faster than the previous model, making 4K video editing and on-the-go gaming a luxury that you simply can’t find on the iPad Pro.

Starting at $999 for the 256GB model, the MacBook Air is cheaper than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This is especially notable when you consider adding storage space as a far less costly option than adding peripherals like a keyboard to the iPad Pro.

Deciding which device is perfect for you may actually be a good problem. The similarities are all positive: both the iPad Pro and MacBook Air feature the elite performance of the M1 CPU. What’s more, they boast gorgeous displays and incredibly functional cameras. It may all come down to whether or not you intend to use your new device primarily for productivity or purely for fun.

As you select the perfect Apple device to meet your needs, don’t forget the importance of an extended warranty for your iPad Pro or MacBook Air. This will protect your investment from common problems such as drops or water exposure. Instead of worrying about damaging your device, you can actually enjoy it. While extended warranties are available through many retailers, you’ll be impressed by the savings provided by Upsie. They cut out the middleman in hopes of passing the savings on to you. Multiple options are available for getting your device repaired, should the need arise.