19.11.2010

Should you Buy an iPad or a MacBook Air?

With the launch of the 11 inch MacBook Air, the question has been asked - is there any reason to buy an iPad now? Apple themselves refer to the 11 inch model as a MacBook/iPad hybrid.

Both the iPad and MacBook Air have no optical hard drive, using flash storage instead. However, the first real choice is between operating systems: OSX for the MacBook Air and iOS for the iPad.

The Operating Systems

iOS gives you access to a good range of apps including the iWork office suite; but transferring files between the iPad and a desktop machine is not straightforward; you need to use iTunes and the document manager for each app you make use of.

By comparison, on the MacBook Air with OSX you simply dump to a flash drive via USB, then plug that in to the other machine - and you're done. Another nifty feature that the iPad doesn't have is the ability to wirelessly use the optical hard drive on a nearby Mac (or PC) to use install disks - meaning that you'll be able to run Windows' forthcoming Office for Mac 2011. Apple have not indicated yet whether the MacBook Airs will be powerful enough to run Mac OSX Lion, which will be released Summer 2011.

Playtime

Of course both will run iTunes; however if you're keen to play the latest mobile games then the iPad will have the edge there.

Best on the Move? It depends on your Lifestyle and Preference

Both the iPad and the MacBook Air can be used comfortably in-flight or on a train or coach; however the iPad has a slight edge if you're in cramped economy seats in that you can lay it completely flat and still use it - the MacBook needs a certain amount of clearance to allow you to see the screen whilst you type or use the trackpad.

If you're a prodigious typer then you might not be satisfied with the iPad's touchscreen keyboard, and the MacBook Air may look like the obvious choice with its physical keyboard. However you can plug in a portable keyboard to the iPad. Depending on how you travel and how you like to work you'll either think that this is flexible (perhaps more than the laptop in certain situations), or that it defeats the point of the touchscreen in the first place.

Weight is Hardly an Issue...

... but if you must know, the heaviest iPad weighs 1.6 pounds; the MacBook Air is nearly half as much again at 2.3 pounds. We're still talking seriously light here though.

Wireless

When it comes to wireless, both have the latest 802.11n standard (and are backwards compatible) and both have 2.1 Bluetooth. However only the iPad has 3G compatibility built in; you need use the MiFi mobile hotspot for 3G on the MacBook Air.

The Cost

Price-wise, the iPad is certainly the cheaper option; if the most expensive feature set will still set you back less than the cheapest 11 inch MacBook Air.

The Verdict

Our feeling is that those that only need a standard 'mobile office' will gravitate to the iPad; there's no reason to pay the premium for the MacBook Air unless you want a bit more 'oomph' from your portable machine - or unless you want to show off!

Early Usage Figures indicate Widespread Adoption of the iPad

UK employee surveys in the financial and healthcare sectors indicate that so far 13% of staff are already using iPads, that double that number think that they would no longer need a laptop if they had an iPad, and that up to 75% will be trying them out within the next 12 months.

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