[Review] iPad Pro: Can it replace my MacBook? The Tech Review

10 years ago Steve Jobs already presented what was to replace our computer, revolutionize, or in any case develop, our use with a device combining the interface of a smartphone but in a larger format. This is precisely the problem: the first iPads were only iPhone XL format, still too small – offered for a long time with a 9.7″ screen – and too limited in terms of functionality to completely replace a MacBook.

But, over the years & iterations, Apple has been able to evolve both the hardware and the software of its iPads to adapt it to the needs of the consumer.

A few days ago the latest iPad Pro 2020 was released, accompanied by iPadOS 13.4, Apple even going so far as to say (to promote it) that our next computer… will not be a computer. So what about it? Will or will not replace my MacBook Air?

Let's clarify the situation a bit: my MacBook is an Air 13″ 128 GB, 8 GB RAM model, dating from 2013. My iPad Pro is a 2018 model, 11“, 256 GB, 4G.

As for my use: mainly YouTube, Netflix, now Disney+, social networks, writing articles for La Revue Tech & photo editing on Lightroom.

What else do I do on my MacBook? Absolutely nothing! If not managing my various files (photos, videos, documents, etc.) which is still easier on the Mac, but not impossible for all that on the iPad. I've only had the iPad for a few months. The advantage, since I have an iPhone, is that with iCloud Drive, I have access to all my files anywhere. So all the organization and processing of documents is essentially done on the Mac, and I can then find everything on the iPad or iPhone if necessary.

For the photo it's the same, I have a rather particular organization (and certainly not the most practical). I shoot in RAW+JPEG constantly. At the end of the holidays, for example, I sort the photos: the photos that I don't intend to modify – the JPEGs on one side – those that I want to modify in Lightroom – and therefore the RAWs on the other. Once the photos have been modified, I export the JPEGs in the 1st folder. It doesn't look like it, but this operation is much more practical on the MacBook, and that's the only advantage I find in mine, compared to the iPad. But either way, if I only had the iPad, I wouldn't have a choice and would probably do just as well.

The screen? Let's not talk about it, my MacBook has a 1440×900 screen, when the iPad rather offers a 1668×2388 screen recognized for its qualities. Storage ? As said above, my iPad has 256 GB against 128 GB on the Mac (never go for 128 GB). Performances ? Needless to say that the iPad logically offers better performance than a 2013 MacBook. Depending on its needs, if you want to edit videos for example, a MacBook (Pro) will be preferred (although). But the iPad will be good enough for the majority of users. Autonomy? Ditto, the autonomy of the iPad Pro is very good, even more so on the 12.9“. The accessories ? You see what I mean. iPadOS 13.4 adds mouse/trackpad support and improves keyboard support.

Well, the new iPad Pro Magic Keyboard will be offered at €339 (€399 for the 12.9″ model), with an iPad model equivalent to mine, displayed at €1,179 (and that goes up to €1,399 for the 12.9“ model) it would cost €1,518 (or €1,798 with the larger model): it stings a bit, when the latest MacBook Air, which we can consider as the equivalent on the computer side, will be offered at €1,199 (256 GB, 8 GB RAM). For a price equivalent to the iPad Pro 12.9“ with the Magic Keyboard, we could take a MacBook Air i7, 512 GB and 16 GB RAM, displayed at €1,829.

I really find the price of the Magic Keyboard disproportionate that said, even if the product will surely be very efficient and pleasant to use. Opt instead for the Magic Keyboard (the other) and the Magic Mouse (or even Magic Trackpad). I personally have a Logitech MX Master 2 but the interest is limited on iPad insofar as the keys are not (yet?) customizable via an application.

If you find the Smart Keyboard (the keyboard, not the case) too bulky for your travels, Logitech offers a very good, more affordable alternative with the Keys To Go. airplane for example. Surely not as comfortable over time, but to consider depending on your use. We add to that the Pencil, which I mainly use for Lightroom.

Advantage to the iPad for size and ease of use on the go, travel in mind. Advantages also to the iPad for the possibility of having a 4G connection, very useful also when traveling, when the Mac will depend on the more than capricious Wi-Fi connection of the hotel... Advantage however to the MacBook for the price, because the iPad, depending on the configuration of one or the other, with accessories, can be much more expensive! And an iPad without any accessories, depending on its use of course, will be slightly restrictive.

You must also add the famous adapters, but this is also valid on the latest Macs (to add an SD card reader, HDMI, ethernet, etc.). for that I turn to Satechi or, more affordable, Uniqui offers good quality products. A small SSD will surely not be too much (we can look at Sandisk, our article here, or even Seagate which we are talking about here).

Each situation will be unique, and it will be up to everyone to determine their needs (and their budget of course…). But in my case at least, the iPad can completely replace my MacBook. The 11“ model is very easy to transport, the 4G connection gives it great flexibility and makes it an ideal partner on the go. Obviously, the iPad Pro 2018 vs MacBook 2013 game is not necessarily fair. Would my track record be different with the latest MacBook Air? I don't think so, because despite the price that makes the iPad Pro a rather expensive solution, we will always have a tablet that tends towards the computer, when the MacBook, which is just as expensive, will remain a computer.

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