MacBook or iPad: Is That Really the Question?
Updated January 10, 2025
I’ve been traveling for work much more than usual the past few years. In 2023 I spent over 160 nights in hotels and easily qualified for top tier status with both Marriott (Ambassador) and American Airlines (Executive Platinum) and have already qualified for status in both programs for 2025. (Note: 2024 ended up being slightly less at *only* 143 nights.) Needless to say, I consider myself a seasoned business traveler.
As such, I am constantly evaluating and optimizing my travel, tech, and work kit to reduce friction and ensure that I always have what I need to be productive and stress-free. And, as I get older, I tend to notice every extra gram of gear in my backpack so saving weight is becoming more important. Consequently, I’ve been avidly following the “iPad vs MacBook” debate here on Medium and trying to find the angle for not only my OWN article but also to determine whether I could shed the weight of an extra computing device from my travel kit.
In one of my other stories, I mentioned that the iPad is a critical part of my workflow. What finally struck me is that I will ALWAYS travel with an iPad. Period. The debate for me is not a choice between MacBook or iPad but whether or not to take the MacBook in addition to the iPad in my backpack. With this in mind I started optimizing for what it would take for the iPad to meet my daily workflow requirements for long stretches of travel.
The debate for me is not a choice between MacBook or iPad, but whether or not to take the MacBook in addition to the iPad in my backpack.
First, a quick recap of my device history and how the iPad fits into my routine and workflow. I’ve been using the iPad Pro since the 1st Gen 12.9” which was great for “work” tasks but unwieldy for casual reading, research, surfing, etc. From there I jumped to the 1st Gen 10.5” and then to various 11” Pros, most recently the M2 model with 1TB and Cellular. (And now the 13" M4 iPad Pro.)
My work life is built around the MS 365 suite including MS Teams for chats and video calls. I use the iPad Pro for most work tasks including email, research, mind mapping, presentations, etc. and it always accompanies me to meetings for note taking using the Apple Pencil and Apple Notes. Everything syncs via MS OneDrive or Apple iCloud Drive across all of my Apple devices. I also find the iPad Pro / Magic Keyboard combo preferable for working on long flights and train trips. (I fly to my work HQ in Europe every couple of months). Finally, I often call on the iPad as an extended display for my MacBook using Apple Sidecar and it sits comfortably beneath my Apple Studio Display in the office where I use Universal Control to share the keyboard and mouse.
What’s the Problem?
So, since I seem to be pretty comfortable with the iPad Pro, what’s the problem you may ask? As it turns out, size does matter! Screen size was the determining factor in making the iPad Pro my primary device. Out of curiosity, I went to an Apple Store and checked out the new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro models. Admittedly, I went in not expecting to be very impressed with the new 13” M4 Pro. But, the larger screen, thin design, and the Pencil Pro, among other things, sealed the deal. The amazing OLED screen had enough real estate to use Stage Manager or to run two apps in Split Screen. I was also confident that the M4 processor could take anything I could throw at it now or in the future. So, using a bunch of AMEX points and Amazon credits, I purchased the 13” M4 Pro (base model + cellular), Magic Keyboard, and Smart Folio shortly before my trip to HQ in July of 2024.
Preparation is Key
Armed with the new 13” M4 Pro, I set aside my MacBook (14” M1 Pro at the time) and started working exclusively from the iPad for the next few weeks. While at my home and work offices I use the iPad Pro connected to an Apple Studio display, Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric KeyPad, and a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse. For this configuration I use the Apple Smart Folio with the iPad positioned just below the Studio Display and in front of the keyboard. (I also added a Magic Trackpad in front of the keyboard because I missed that feature of iPad Magic Keyboard.) When not at the office, I used the iPad Pro / Magic Keyboard for everything for which I normally use the MacBook. (And yes, the new Magic Keyboard is much better than the older model IMHO but I’ll save for another potential article.)
What surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed using the iPad as my sole device and that I did not miss the MacBook nor the dual screen MacBook / iPad combo using SideCar. I find that the limitations of the iPad OS are really strengths in that they enhance focus and limit hopping between apps. (The only detriment was that I found the 13” M4 to be awkward for casual reading or surfing while in the Smart Folio. Especially while winding down at night sitting up in bed.)
Note: Thinking back on my comments above it occurs to me that many of the negative “iPad can’t replace the MacBook for serious work” lack one thing: preparation. You can’t expect to just magically make the jump from a desktop workflow to a mobile “Touch First” workflow.
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Feeling ready, I set off for JFK and my next trip to the HQ armed only with the 13” M4 iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard and Logitech MX Anywhere 3 mouse. While working at our HQ I am typically able to snag an open desk and monitor (sadly, not a Studio Display) so I connect using an Anker HDMI adapter. For power I use a Ugreen 45 watt adapter with two USB C ports so I can charge the iPad and another iDevice simultaneously. I connect power to the port on the Magic Keyboard. When leaving the desk for a meeting I grab the iPad and attach it to the Smart Folio. (The magnets in the Magic Keyboard are VERY strong!!) For presentations, I use the same Anker HDMI adapter to connect to the meeting room displays. Long story short, the iPad Pro did everything I needed with no gaps. Our HQ operations and IT teams were equally impressed. And I should point out that I had no issues accessing our VPN and ERP applications while working remotely. When I was not able to connect to WiFi, like on the train or sitting on the tarmac waiting for the plane to taxi and take off, the cellular connection with a data roaming plan worked very well.
Still a few things to work out
Despite the stellar outing, the iPad has not yet completely replaced the MacBook. I’m still optimizing some work flows and learning keyboard shortcuts and workarounds for a few functions. But, I am now MORE than comfortable leaving the MacBook at home for business and personal travel. This saves me 3.5 pounds in the backpack plus the additional weight of the larger laptop power adapter. (The weight increase from the 11” M2 iPad Pro to the 13” M4 was a negligible .25 pounds / 4 ounces.)
Since that shakedown in July, I’ve logged a few more business trips including a second 9 night trip to the HQ. As mentioned above, dropping the laptop on trips that require flying also provided me with a chance to rethink my accessories since the iPad requires lower wattage for charging.
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think in the comments!
A few more things to share:
Since publishng this story last year, I’ve written a few stories that detail how I travel and power up my tech one the road.
