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Are you trying to decide between a new iPad and a new MacBook? They are similar in some ways, but in others they are very different. Read the article for more details.

Do You Buy an iPad or a MacBook?

Many people have considered buying an iPad instead of a MacBook. In fact my uncle did just that. The iPad suited his needs fine and he decided he didn’t need the MacBook. While the iPad might be able to replace a MacBook for some, it might not for others. Read on to find out the main differences and similarities between the two.

One is a Tablet, One is a Laptop

Of course, the biggest difference is the form factor. The form factor controls the way and way you each device. The IPAD is a small, lightweight Tablet (like a giant iPod touch) and the MacBook is a heavy laptop in various sizes and configurations. More flexibility for the MacBook Air comes with this difference. The MacBook has connections (E.g. USB, Ethernet, etc.) to connect devices while he iPad not. That’s not to say can not the IPAD devices, but you can connect more to a laptop.

Being a laptop the MacBook has a real keyboard. The iPad has a touch keyboard, but you can use a bluetooth keyboard or connect a USB keyboard via the camera connector kit.

Price and Storage

There other big differences between a MacBook and an iPad are price and storage space. The iPad starts at $499, while a MacBook starts at $999. That is a big difference.

However, that $499 for an iPad only gets you 16GB of storage, while the $999 MacBook will get you 250GB of storage. Again, a big difference. If you want to carry around a lot of music and a lot of video you need to consider the 64GB iPad model, or for a few hundred dollars more a MacBook.

Applications and Software

Both the MacBook and the iPad can a variety of applications. The biggest difference is, you can add only applications that iPad with Apple’s app store (except to jailbreak a different story). Since you can only use are limited to the iPad Apple’s app approval the app store in what is. When Apple says no to him on your iPad. The MacBook on the other hand, can any Mac enabled applications on it. If you on the Internet to find and it compatible you can install it.

While the iPad is great and can do almost anything Mac apps can, there are some things it cannot do. You cannot do professional graphics or movie editing on the iPad. You’ll want the processing power of a MacBook for that.

Internet Access

Both the iPad and MacBook can connect to the Internet wireless and send email as long as you have a connection. The biggest difference when it comes to the Internet is the 3G model of the iPad. While you can purchase devices that let you have Internet anywhere on the MacBook, you can purchase an iPad with 3G internet built in. All you have to do is sign up for a data plan and you can take the iPad on the go and have Internet anywhere.

Expandibility

If you like being able to install more memory into your computer the iPad is not for you. You are stuck with what it comes with. The MacBook, on the other hand, can be expanded with more memory as you outgrow what it came with and need more power. One of the best ways to speed up a MacBook is to add more memory. With that said, the iPad apps are designed to work with the iPad so speed and power should not be an issue.

Both the iPad and MacBook are great machines. What you want to do with them should be the deciding factor in which one you buy. But if you have the cash, just buy both!