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With the new Apple M4 iPad Pro being more powerful than a MacBook, one would wonder what an iPad vs MacBook comparison would look like. While the iPad Pro does offer better features than a MacBook, other models of the iPad like the Air do not. The M4 iPad Pro is one of the most advanced Apple devices available today, so it ranks much higher than the MacBooks, and this includes the Pro models as well.
The iPad is a much more portable choice and is much easier to carry considering the Pro model is thinner than most other devices today. The MacBook too is very portable but is relatively bigger than the iPad. But based on our comparison, the new M4 iPad Pro takes the win in terms of performance, display, and portability. The M3 MacBook Pro is almost just as good, but speaking solely based on performance, it does have some limitations.
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In this article, we'll delve into the specs, performance, display, and more to see which device wins in the iPad vs MacBook comparison.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.
iPad vs MacBook: What are their specifications?
We must delve into the specifications of each model to get a better understanding of the devices in the iPad vs MacBook comparison. Up until last year, there was quite a bit of difference between the Pro models of the iPad and Macbook. But with the announcement of the new M4 chip on the iPad Pro models, iPads have surpassed MacBooks in terms of performance for the first time.
One thing that stands out other than the performance is the battery life. This is something that's expected considering the iPad has a smaller form factor. The iPad Pro has a 38 Wh battery, while the MacBook Pro has around 70 Wh. Considering the fact that MacBooks aren't too far behind in terms of performance, they take the win when it comes to battery.
We see some very contrasting differences in the specifications, especially in terms of performance and display. We will be discussing more on both in the sections below.
iPad vs MacBook: Which one offers better performance?
We see quite contrasting differences in the iPad vs MacBook comparison table above. The iPad Pro is currently the most powerful iPad ever, but it is surely not as powerful as the M3 Max MacBook Pro. However, it isn't that far apart in terms of CPU performance. The same can't be said about the GPU as the iPad Pro features a 10-core CPU and GPU, while the M3 Max MacBook Pro features a 14-core CPU and a 30-core GPU.
In terms of RAM, both iPad variants and the M3 MacBook share the same 16GB unified memory, with the M3 Max MacBook Pro featuring up to 32GB. With an added cost, you can upgrade the unified memory of the iPad Pro and MacBook to significantly higher numbers.
We see some very impressive numbers on the benchmark as the iPad Pro surpasses the MacBook Pro in single-core performance. In terms of gaming performance, neither of these were made solely for gaming. But with the powerful processor, you can expect great framerates and overall game experience with either of these systems. The iPad however, has a limited library compared to the MacBook.
iPad vs MacBook: Which device has a better display?
The new iPad Pro would take the win in the iPad vs MacBook comparison. This is because it features the new Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED technology. This means it has two OLED panels stacked on one another to produce some of the best colors in the segment. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, features a Liquid Retina XDR display with a mini-LED panel and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
The tandem OLED surpasses mini-LED by a long stretch, featuring double the contrast ratio and a 1600 nits peak HDR brightness. However, this doesn't mean that the MacBook display is bad. The mini-LED still holds up pretty well and can produce true blacks and bright tones. It's just the OLED offers an overall better viewing experience and visual feel.
iPad vs MacBook: What are their prices?
Price is a crucial factor in the iPad vs MacBook comparison. We see varying price ranges in both devices. The top-end variant of the iPad Pro is around $2599, while the top-end M3 MacBook Pro goes for around $1999. Similarly, the base model of the iPad Pro is around $999, while the MacBook Pro is around $1,599. This would make you wonder if the iPad Pro is worth the price.
One thing to take into consideration while buying the iPad Pro would be that you'd have to make external purchases to get the feel of a laptop. This means you'd have to make additional investments in the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard to have a full-on laptop-like setup in your hands.
This is where the MacBook shines as it does certain things better than the iPad. It includes a built-in keyboard, a larger battery, and a MacOS interface, which is better suited for everyday productivity tasks. If you're into the creative field, you can pair another device or use an old iPad as a sidecar to your MacBook. This means you can use another device or an iPad as a second display, to draw or use a stylus on.
Thus, if you are into the creative field, the top-end iPad would definitely make sense. The same goes for the MacBook as well. Both devices are extremely capable and suit slightly different needs, so even buying the mid-range models would result in great performance. However, this excludes the M3 Max MacBook Pro which costs around $3999 and is aimed at professionals.
iPad vs MacBook: Final Verdict
It's quite challenging to decide on a clear winner in the iPad vs MacBook comparison as they're of different form factors. It's clear that the M4 iPad Pro surpasses the M3 MacBook Pro in terms of performance, display, and portability. But it can get significantly more expensive compared to when you buy a MacBook. With a MacBook, you get a keyboard built-in, but with the iPad Pro, you'd have to buy a separate keyboard adding to the already expensive product.
If we're talking solely based on portability and performance, the M4 iPad Pro would take the win. It is much faster and has the thinnest display on an iPad, allowing you to carry it around like a notebook. However, if we're talking in terms of price, features, and battery life, the MacBook Pro is a clear winner. Thus, the final choice would vary based on personal preferences and budget limitations.
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