Working with iPad Pro 12.9 for half a year

A little bit over a year ago, Apple released its newest iPad, a Pro one. It has huge (for an iPad) 12.9" screen, same as the MacBook Pros I’ve been using my entire career (for almost 10 years now).

I’ve considered buying this one too; since I had a very positive experience with all my previous iPads,

• OG iPad 1st Gen.
• iPad 2
• iPad 3
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air 2

I have been playing with it for about half a year already, and I think I’m ready to summarise my experience.

Plan

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I want to compare these key points:

• price
• portability
• performance
• software
• usability

Possibly it’s not fair to compare the device to my current MacBook Pro, but the only thing I’m interested in is, will it be able to replace my MacBook for my work-related tasks?

Price

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• My MacBook Pro is one of the latest top-tier models, a maxed-out version. It has 16 GB of RAM, some Intel CPU and integrated GPU (just one, as it’s a smaller model), with 512 GB SSD.
• My iPad Pro is pretty much maxed-out too, but it’s less specced, compared to my MacBook. It has just 4 GB of RAM, some okayish GPU and 256 GB SSD.
  • Also it sports a smart keyboard protective case, both sides.
  • an Apple Pencil,
  • and cellular too.

Considering the price, my MacBook Pro was over $2K, and this iPad is $1,229,

• plus $99 for pencil,
• plus $169 for a keyboard-case (Smart Keyboard), and since the cover only protects the front of the iPad so the back is vulnerable to dents and scratches, I needed that case too.
• and $79 for Protective Case
• also, I have Apple’s Magic Keyboard, which was $79, but I had it already.

I’ve bought my MacBook Pro in Britain, while the iPad in Singapore (US-layout keyboard this time), so my price comparison is slightly approximate.

So, it’s about $2K for a MacBook, maybe slightly more. And $1,576. So basically $2K vs $1.6K, they’re close!

Portability

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Both the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro 13 are sleek and portable, but they offer different kinds of mobility.

• iPad Pro: Weighing just 713g (my 12.9-inch version) and only 6.9mm thick, the iPad Pro is incredibly light.
  
  When paired with the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, it transforms into a hybrid device that feels like a tablet with laptop-like functionality.

  Well, not really, it’s only the first impression. More on that later.

• MacBook Pro 13 (2014): The 13-inch MacBook Pro is heavier, at 1.57kg, and noticeably thicker at 18mm.

In terms of sheer portability, theoretically, the iPad Pro takes the lead, but the MacBook Pro is still easily transportable and more durable for frequent travel. Theoretically, because in practice iPad with all its gear is quite similar to my MacBook Pro. This couple hundred grams difference isn’t too noticeable.

Display

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Both devices feature Retina displays:

• iPad Pro: The 12.9-inch screen is at 2732 × 2048 resolution + it has touch interface.

• MacBook Pro 13: The 13.3-inch Retina display is at 2560 × 1600 resolution, and it has no touch interface.

They both are vibrant and crisp and to be short, I see no real difference.

Performance

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• iPad Pro: Powered by the A9X chip, the iPad Pro is blazing fast for a tablet. It handles complex tasks like 4K video editing, multitasking with split-view apps, and high-performance gaming without breaking a sweat. However, it can’t compete with the MacBook Pro’s processing power for more intensive applications like heavy-duty video editing or software development.

• MacBook Pro 13: Equipped with Intel’s Haswell processor (Core i7), the 13-inch MacBook Pro offers far more raw power. It’s better suited for resource-heavy applications like Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, or development environments like Xcode. The added power and multi-core performance make it the superior choice.

For everyday tasks, both devices perform well, and I see no real difference.

Software and Productivity

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Oh, here is the main culprit!

• iPad Pro: Running iOS the iPad Pro benefits from an ecosystem of touch-optimized apps, particularly in creative fields like illustration, design, and photo editing. However, its limitations are noticeable when it comes to desktop-class software. Multitasking is functional, but not as robust as macOS. For heavy file management, or more complex workflows, the iPad Pro can feel limited despite its hardware capabilities.

• MacBook Pro 13: Running macOS, the MacBook Pro has the upper hand in terms of software flexibility. It supports full-fledged desktop applications like Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Xcode.

Usability

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• iPad Pro:

  • The Smart Keyboard is just great. The best keyboard that I had. It wins my Chromebook easily.
  • The Apple Pencil is a fancy thing. I guess it’s great for artists, but I was so busy lately, I regret I spent so much money on that.

• MacBook Pro 13: The MacBook Pro’s keyboard and trackpad are, well, great. But what I’d highlight here is that the laptop supports multiple external peripherals and multiple external displays, which I use every day.

For typing-heavy tasks, I’d prefer iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard any day. It’s my top-1 now.

Battery Life

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• iPad Pro: The iPad Pro offers exceptional battery life, lasting up to 10 hours of continuous use. If you’re always on-the-go and need a device that can keep up without being tethered to a charger, it’s just great. I’ve started working from iPad when I’ve got my 3rd one (the 1st with the Retina display), and I have it as my additional work-computer till today.

• MacBook Pro 13: With around 10 hours of battery life under regular use, the MacBook Pro 13 matches the iPad Pro in endurance, but more intensive applications like video editing will reduce that considerably. Like, to an hour or two. For me, the rule of thumb is: if I use my MacBook lightly, it’ll work just okay without being teethered to a charger. But I need to work heavily, it won’t stand an hour, sometimes. So I have to have a charger with me, if I’m away from home.

Conclusion

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Still not a computer. iOS is awful at serious work. The device aims to blur the line between tablets and laptops, but compared to my MacBook Pro, it caters to slightly different needs.

I would keep both devices, but my MacBook Pro stays my primary computer, while iPad Pro is a secondary device. Apart from a gorgeous keyboard, I see no point spending over a $1K¹ for a secondary computer. So I won’t recommend this setup too much.

Update: Since the autumn of 2019, I can use my iPad Pro as a 2nd display for my MacBook Pro. Which is very very handy. This feature called Apple Sidecar.