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iPad Air VS MacBook 12"

Compare iPad Air VS MacBook 12" and see what are their differences

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iPad Air logo iPad Air

Power isn't just for the pros.

MacBook 12" logo MacBook 12"

The new 12" MacBook with a retina display
  • iPad Air Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-04
  • MacBook 12" Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09

iPad Air features and specs

  • Lightweight Design
    The iPad Air features a slim and lightweight design, making it highly portable and convenient for on-the-go use.
  • Powerful Performance
    Equipped with the Apple M1 chip, the iPad Air offers exceptional performance for multitasking, gaming, and content creation.
  • Liquid Retina Display
    The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, providing vibrant colors and sharp visuals for an immersive viewing experience.
  • Compatibility with Accessories
    Supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, enhancing productivity and creativity through seamless accessory integration.
  • Long Battery Life
    The device offers up to 10 hours of battery life, making it suitable for extended use without frequent recharging.

Possible disadvantages of iPad Air

  • Higher Price Point
    The iPad Air is priced higher than entry-level tablets, potentially making it less accessible for budget-conscious consumers.
  • Limited Storage Capacity
    The base model starts with limited storage, which may be insufficient for users who need to store large volumes of data and media.
  • No Face ID
    Unlike the iPad Pro, the iPad Air lacks Face ID, relying instead on Touch ID embedded in the power button for biometric security.
  • No 120Hz ProMotion Display
    The iPad Air's display does not support ProMotion technology, which provides smoother scrolling and responsiveness compared to higher-end models.
  • Limited Multitasking Features
    While it performs well for general multitasking, the iPad Air lacks some advanced multitasking capabilities found in the iPad Pro series.

MacBook 12" features and specs

  • Portability
    The MacBook 12" is extremely lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and ideal for those who travel frequently.
  • Retina Display
    The 12" Retina display provides sharp and vibrant visuals with excellent color accuracy, enhancing the viewing experience.
  • Design
    The sleek and modern design of the MacBook 12" gives it an aesthetic appeal, accompanied by a premium build quality.
  • Quiet Operation
    Due to its fanless design, the MacBook 12" operates silently, making it perfect for quiet environments.
  • Battery Life
    Offers decent battery life, allowing users to work for several hours without needing to recharge frequently.

Possible disadvantages of MacBook 12"

  • Limited Ports
    The MacBook 12" features a single USB-C port, which can be inconvenient for users who need to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
  • Performance
    The Intel Core M processor, while efficient, may not be sufficient for demanding tasks such as video editing or running heavy applications.
  • Price
    Despite its limitations, the MacBook 12" comes with a relatively high price tag compared to other laptops with similar specifications.
  • Keyboard
    The butterfly keyboard mechanism can be controversial, with some users finding it less comfortable and prone to issues compared to traditional keyboards.
  • Webcam Quality
    The built-in webcam is of lower quality compared to other laptops, which may be a drawback for users who frequently attend video calls.

Analysis of MacBook 12"

Overall verdict

  • The MacBook 12-inch is a solid choice for users seeking a highly portable and stylish laptop for basic computing needs. However, it is less suitable for power users who require more processing power or advanced features, as it lacks high-end specifications and connectivity options. The single USB-C port can be limiting for users who need to connect multiple peripherals or require legacy ports without adapters. While it is no longer sold directly by Apple, it can still be a viable option on the second-hand market if portability and design aesthetics are priorities.

Why this product is good

  • The MacBook 12-inch, released by Apple, was designed to be a lightweight and portable laptop, ideal for users who prioritize mobility over high performance. It features a Retina display, a compact design, and a fanless architecture for silent operation. The MacBook 12" is equipped with a Butterfly Keyboard, which received mixed reviews due to durability issues in earlier models. It offers decent battery life and an all-day charge, catering to users who need a device for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and document editing.

Recommended for

  • Students or professionals who need a portable device for note-taking, writing, and presentations
  • Travelers who require a lightweight laptop with long battery life
  • Casual users whose primary activities include web browsing, light productivity tasks, and media consumption

iPad Air videos

+ Add

iPad Air M1 Review: Don't Choose Wrong!

More videos:

  • Review - 2022 iPad Air 5 (M1) Review
  • Review - Apple iPad Air (2022) review

MacBook 12" videos

No MacBook 12" videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to iPad Air and MacBook 12")

iPad Air

MacBook 12"

Electronics
30 30%
Electronics
70% 70
Hardware
27 27%
Hardware
73% 73
Digital Whiteboard
27 27%
Digital Whiteboard
73% 73
Music
100 100%
Music
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, MacBook 12" seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

iPad Air mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of iPad Air yet. Tracking of iPad Air recommendations started around Dec 2022.

MacBook 12" mentions (1)

  • Why can’t I buy Apple care monthly for my MacBook? It let me only yearly subscription….
    You can buy coverage on a fixed-term plan or on an annual plan that will automatically renew until cancelled. Pricing below is for the latest Mac systems. For more details on the latest Mac systems, see apple.com/mac. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing iPad Air and MacBook 12", you can also consider the following products

iPad Pro - The new iPad. 12.9", keyboard, pencil. A sight to be held.

MacBook Pro - The new MacBook Pro with TouchBar and more

Microsoft Surface - Life is a passion project.

HP Spectre x360 15t - The HP Spectre x360 is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop with long battery life and an amazing display. It's very slim and lightweight, which makes it perfect for people that use their laptop on-the-go.

The New iPad Mini - Apple's refreshed iPad mini now with Pencil support

Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch) - Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch) is a laptop and tablet that can handle the modern PC games.

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