I need to replace my 5 year old laptop this summer for the fall semester and I’ve decided that instead of a new computer I should just upgrade to a tablet. I’ve always loved the iPad mini for its size. It’d be extremely portable and I would honestly get a lot more use out of it other than just school work, but I’m nervous about having to type notes or papers with it for how small it is. I’ve considered the Air because it’d be easier to use it as a computer, I know I could write papers and type/write notes easily with an Apple Pencil. It would be a great school computer, but I don’t know if I would use it casually like the mini. I’d love to buy both but can’t afford that. Which one would be better?
Air. You want the screen real estate. Also, while it is super nice, it is not a laptop replacement. You will be missing laptop functionality if you only have a tablet.
Although it also depends on what kind of laptop functionality they need. If they’re only doing things like typing, or writing notes/looking at PDFs/Emails, they might be able to get away with just an iPad.
If they’re doing anything more complicated with it, such as if they’re studying anything that uses software (maybe they need to do data processing), they might have more trouble.
If they need to do anything with spreadsheets, it’s usually better to just have a computer for it. The mobile and web versions of Excel just aren’t as good as the actual software version.
I mainly need it just for notes, pdf textbooks, and writing papers on google docs
I personally would get the Air for the bigger screen real estate. And keyboard accessories , if you decide to get one, would be more roomier to use.
I also use my Air for media consumption so a bigger display is a plus.
To replace a computer I would definitely suggest the Air. Note that though handwriting seems awesome at first glance sometimes you need the consistency (in output) of typing.
Don’t forget that in real use the Mini tends to have slightly worse battery life as well
I believe you may want to focus more on school than casual use, pushing the balance towards the Air
iPad Air. You’ll want more screen real estate and it comes with the M1 Chip. The newest Mini uses the A15 so you’ll likely get fewer years of updates with it.
But for school, I’d really recommend getting a laptop. Some classes require certain programs that may not work on an iPad or even an Apple Silicon Mac. For example, a lot of engineers recommend Windows laptops so they can use their school’s preferred 3D/CAD modeling software.
If you are going to buy an iPad on the online Apple store don’t forget to buy it as a student. You get a few percent off the original price so that’s always nice.
If you’re using it for any length of time or for regularly creating content then screen real estate is king so go for the bigger device. I’d even consider the iPad Pro if you’re using it a lot but obviously budget may constraint that idea.
Your experience may vary, but I couldn’t use my iPad Air as a replacement for my MacBook Air in a school setting. Im picturing college but maybe that is not where you are at yet.
I agree with this. I have a MacBook Air and an iPad Mini. Both devices are great. I often use them at the same time, with the iPad acting as a second screen… (you can move your mouse off the edge of your Mac screen onto the iPad screen, and while the mouse cursor is on the iPad your Mac keyboard will type on the iPad).
But while the iPad hardware is great - better than the MacBook Air in pretty much every way, iPadOS is just nowhere near as good as MacOS and Android has the same issue. So many apps on the Mac are just better especially fundamental apps like web browsers, word processors, file management, music playback, etc.
OP You should replace your laptop with a new laptop. If you have money left over for a tablet, then get one as well but do not try to save money by just getting a tablet. That’s a waste of money - they are not good enough.
As for iPad Mini vs iPad Air - pretty much the only difference is the screen size and weight. I prefer a smaller iPad, but you might prefer a bigger one. If a brand new MacBook Air is too expensive, get a secondhand one. Just make sure it has at least an M1 processor.
I want a mini after having a iPad Pro 12 inch one, it’s too big
Well, fwiw, you can use the Pencil on a Mini. First-gen on a Mini 5 (my setup) or second-gen on a Mini 6.
I take notes, journal, and draw on my Mini 5, but I don’t know if I’d use it for school. The portability, however, is amazing. Fits in my satchel without the need for a full backpack. So I’d lean toward the Mini were I in your shoes.
Get the Air and put a Paperlike screen protector on it. Takes handwriting on tablets to another level.
If you’ve the money get a Surface.
