iPad Pro vs MacBook Air (2020): which one is suitable for you😉

Thanks to 9to5Mac

With the announcement of the new iPad Pro and MacBook Air (2020), one of the questions that generate the most doubts among Apple users returns. The new generation of these teams share some points in common, but at the same time, they are more different than ever. Choosing a MacBook Air or iPad Pro in 2020 requires focusing on the tasks for which we are going to use it. Therefore, beyond the specifications, we must look at its capabilities.

Technical Specifications

What is common here🤔

With the arrival of the MacBook Air and iPad Pro (2020), the decision is more difficult than ever. Especially now that the iPad Pro allows you to incorporate the Magic Keyboard with a scissor mechanism and trackpad. The addition of this accessory breaks new ground for productivity on the iPad.

This is so thanks to iPadOS 13.4 and the addition of mouse support to the entire operating system. A mouse is similar to that of a desktop computer but very different in its behavior. With this new support, which also makes compatible other mice than the one included in the Magic Keyboard, they increase the tasks that both teams can do together.

Processing long and elaborate texts, creating and editing spreadsheets of some complexity, precision high-quality video editing, 3D modeling, and the use of desktop-based web services are some of these examples.

When to choose a MacBook Air or iPad Pro

The decision to purchase a MacBook Air versus an iPad Pro, both from 2020, falls on the need to use specific apps or services on macOS. Apps that are not found with their exact version or with a faithful adaptation in iPad OS. It may also be because adapting workflows to other apps or services on iPad OS is considered too expensive.

The priority of this team is also given by the size of its screen, 13.3 inches and lower pixel density than the iPad Pro, but sufficient. More screen space, coupled with the flexibility of using multiple windows, is also a key element for many users.

The base storage is double that of the iPad Pro, with 256GB. This translates into fewer headaches when managing files locally, although these limits are increasingly reduced thanks to the cloud in its different forms. Windows virtualization is an option that is only within the reach of MacBook Air. If you use software based on this platform with some regularity, without an equivalent in iPadOS, this Mac is your best option.

The iPad Pro, on the other hand, also has exclusive features or tasks that the MacBook Air does not reach:

• Two sizes, weight, small dimensions and 4G connectivity for users who prioritize extreme mobility.
• Higher quality and resolution screen, with technologies such as P3 and ProMotion color gamut. A must for users who need color accuracy.
• Thanks to the A12Z Bionic processor, all the tasks that require more processing and graphics are benefited from the Intel chip of the MacBook Air.
• Apple Pencil opens the door to a class of tasks unique to iPad Pro (or any current iPad). Taking notes by hand is one of them, although the greatest potential is found in precision drawing tasks.
• Document scanning can be done from the iPad Pro itself thanks to its rear camera system. Essential for many professionals who handle physical and digital documentation.
• Augmented reality also begins to be a different aspect of the iPad, even more, relevant in this 2020 model. Its camera system complemented by LiDAR makes it a benchmark in the consumer market.

With the increase in tasks in common, the choice between one team and another ultimately falls on the adaptation or not of our workflows and the new tasks offered by the iPad Pro

At the same price, we have two similar teams in some tasks, although with fundamental differences. If we match screen size and capabilities, the MacBook Air still costs $999 compared to $999 plus $199 for the keyboard with trackpad, $1,198 in total. In the end, we are comparing two computing paradigms that have never been so close. The MacBook Air represents the traditional computer, with workflows inherited and refined for decades. If your profile and uses fit this team, it is your ideal candidate.

The iPad Pro, by contrast, takes some tasks in common and adds new ones that are impossible or more complex to perform on a MacBook Air. With this generation, there are more shared and different jobs than a Mac than ever. If your workflows can be adapted or are already directly designed for an iPhone or iPad, this iPad Pro is your best device.