Presently I have a MacMini (M2) and iPad Air 4th Gen
I am a big fan of the iPad for working with GoodNotes and a few diagram programs. I recently used it for school but found myself wishing that I had access to microcontroller software, PLC software and generally a “desktop OS” instead of iPadOS.
I hate the idea of having two portable devices to carry around, but can’t decide if going with a MacBook is better than the iPad. Not all the courses I’ll take will require the MacBook and the iPad is great for working on documents and assignments with the pencil. That said, I find myself more and more wishing that the iPad series had a MacOS option.
Regardless, I am currently trying to sell the iPad Air and look at something with a bigger screen.
Incase it is a factor, I am looking at taking an industrial electrical diploma that works with electrical plant/grid design, motor controllers and plant management (in a nutshell).
I am interested in people’s thoughts, if they’re willing to share. I know that there is currently no ideal solution for me in the Apple scene at the moment, regarding one device that does it all.
You probably only need the iPad. The iPad is great for giving you access to most stuff until you get home and can do the more serious work. If you absolutely must do your work away from home, get the Macbook Pro, because iPads are great, but as you mentioned, they don’t have a desktop OS, and that’s a limiting factor.
That’s a great point. The convenience of the iPad for most things is very high and it’s likely that I’d want to be home for any serious work instead of at school for extra hours.
Thank you!
With the Mac mini OP could just get the iPad and do almost everything there. And when you really need a real PC remote into the Mac mini.