A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Apple Device
Two of the best options when it comes to selecting a powerful device for performing work, showing off creativity, or indulging in some entertainment come from Apple; with their iPad Pro and MacBook Pro. Although they are both buttery-smooth performers with classy designs, and there comes a long list of abilities the phones hold, but each smartphone has different flavors to serve what users love. For work, school, or play — for a pro, student, and creative user alike… iPad Pro vs. MacBook Pro! Take a look at our comparison of the two so you can choose which one does what you need even better.
1. Design and Portability
While the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro are both relatively thin and light, they’re designed very differently. Not to mention that the iPad Pro is a tablet and, therefore, much more portable and versatile in how it can be used. It’s slightly thinner and lighter, clocking in at around 1 to 1.5 pounds (depending on which model you pick — the new one comes in an extra-large size with a pricey keyboard). The new iPad Pro can also be paired with the optional Magic Keyboard or an Apple Pencil, essentially turning it into a bit of both tablet and laptop.
The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is a more traditional notebook with an integrated keyboard and trackpad. Choose one of the 14- or 16-inch models, which won’t be as light as an iPad Pro but are still amazingly portable for their size. The MacBook Pro’s design is more rigid in comparison but offers more durability, especially for users who prefer working on a stable, traditional laptop platform.
Verdict:
If your priority is maximum portability or you want the ability to use your device in tablet mode (like holding it by hand, not sitting on a desk as iPad Pro offers) then there are good reasons for choosing an iPad Pro. For those who want to stick to the traditional laptop feel, with a keyboard that automatically comes integrated within… there is always still option of using an old MacBook Pro.
2. Performance
Performance is generally comparable, but the devices may be more geared towards different tasks. Apple M2 for up to 200 chips in the latest iPad Pro framework(transformer) — what this chipset means This chip allows the iPad Pro to perform tasks such as 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and advanced gaming. Also, keep in mind that the iPad Pro has its own operating system called iPadOS which is touch-friendly, but not as complex with multitasking and professional apps as macOS.
However, there is yet even more powerful outstanding performance on offer from the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro comes with either an M2 Pro or M2 Max chip, designed for professionals who use software like Adobe Creative Cloud or AutoCAD —or maybe you just need to run Xcode all the time. MacBook ProThe MacBook Pro is a workhorse when it comes to handling heavy workloads like video editing or machine learning, software development, etc. In terms of overall computing power, the MacBook Pro has the edge, particularly for users requiring top-tier performance.
Verdict:
The graph-melting performance of the iPad Pro should make it one helluva tablet, but if you rely on high-end software or do a lot of multitasking at work then your eventual productivity will likely be greater with a MacBook Pro. It provides more processing power and full, desktop-class app support.
3. Display Quality
The displays on both devices are gorgeous, but there’s a big difference. The iPad Pro boasts a spectacle of a Liquid Retina XDR display incorporating the first-ever 120Hz refresh rate brought to you by the proprietary appearance enhancement technology known as ProMotion. It’s got an incredibly sharp, vibrant, and responsive display — perfect for photo editing, digital art, and media consumption. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro model, in particular, includes a mini-LED display for deep blacks and better contrast
Conversely, the MacBook Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR display that can output up to 1600 nits of peak brightness— and it is HDR-capable as well. It also has ProMotion technology for a 120Hz refresh rate allowing your content to show smoother. A 16-inch screen size (above) will offer more room for multitasking and is ideal if you’re a prosumer video editor, coder, or designer.
Verdict:
Both displays are great, but if you need a bit more screen real estate for professional work the 14 or 16-inch panel in MacBook Pro will be the better choice. As far as a high-end display on a mobile device with the ability to also dock it and use it as a tablet… The iPad pro is great for that.
4. Operating System
It is powered by iPadOS — a mobile operating system made specifically for touchscreen devices. Despite its enhancements to multitasking in more recent updates, it remains hampered against OS X with which you can run full desktop apps. But iPadOS is easy to work with, and there are many creative apps available such as Procreate, Affinity Designer, or LumaFusion. One major thing the App Store has going for it, though, is an immense collection of iPad-optimized apps that are ideally suited to a touch-based workflow.
On the other hand, you have all of macOS with the MacBook Pro — a full desktop OS that offers tremendous power and versatility for serious work. The macOS is the same which could mean that you get a lot of multitasking experience from using it, multiple window management as well as lots and lots of professional-grade software would also work on your MacEFI setup right out of the box. It is best for people who rely on fully competent software such as Adobe Premiere, Logic Pro, and Final Cut Pro.
Verdict:
The iPad Pro and iPad OS might work for you if a touch is your preferred interface and the mobile app landscape will keep pace with your productivity. On the other hand, if professional software demands a full desktop operating system, then you might be better off with macOS on the MacBook Pro.
5. Battery Life
The battery life on both the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro is fantastic, but it does depend largely on how you use each of these devices. The iPad Pro can get up to 10 hours browsing the web or streaming video on Wi-Fi — well placed for something you might expect to work all day, every day. The MacBook Pro has an even better battery life though, with the 14-inch model delivering up to 17 hours of wireless web use on a charge and it’s good for up to 21h too. Both of these results bode well for the MacBook Pro, which seems poised to be a battery-life powerhouse.
Verdict:
The MacBook Pro offers longer battery life, especially for intensive tasks. However, the iPad Pro’s battery life is more than sufficient for most users and offers excellent longevity for a tablet.
6. Pricing
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing between an iPad Pro or MacBook Pro is price. iPad Pro costs $799 for the 11-inch version, and $1,099 for the heady 12.9-inches, adding accessories such as the Magic Keyboard ($349) or the Apple Pencil (1st Gen: $129); will no doubt raise that price much higher. For a top-of-the-line iPad Pro setup, you’ll actually pay just as much or even more than a MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Pro pricing starts at $1,999 for the 14-inch and up to $2,499 for the 16-inch (and you can make those prices much higher with more storage and memory). The MacBook Pro comes with a higher cost of entry, but it is equally more powerful and feature-filled to start with.
Verdict:
These are just the base prices, once you start accessorizing these guys they can get up to near MacBook Pro level. The MacBook Pro is more expensive, but it also gives us a lot of power and consumer-level desktop experience.
Conclusion
The iPad Pro and MacBook Pro are both excellent machines that serve different needs Best For Creative Tasks: iPad ProThe best flagship for creative people who need something ultra-portable and useful with a great screen It’s great for artists, students, and professional touch-oriented users. In contrast, the MacBook Pro is ideal for power users, professionals, and anyone who needs a desktop-class operating system complete with more software that goes beyond consumer tasks. Ultimately, the choice between the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro comes down to how you plan to use your device and what features are most important to you.
