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?

  • lhx@lemmy.world
    2·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • T156@lemmy.world
      0·
      1 year ago

      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, since they lack things like keyboard shortcuts, or some feature functionality that isn’t available as an app, whether a mobile, or a web app.

  • a_fancy_kiwi@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • doctorcherry@lemmy.ml
    1·
    1 year ago

    Replacing a computer with an iPad is already difficult and will be frustrating at times. I would definitely get the air. Imagine wanting to reference a web page or pdf while you type in another application, in split screen mode your app window will be half the size and on an air that’s already going to feel very cramped.

  • makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml
    1·
    1 year ago

    My wife has an ipad with the apple pencil. She bought it as she saw how incredible the pen experience is on my Samsung galaxy Tab s8 plus.

    She was devastated at how poor the overall pen experience is on the ipad vs the Samsung.

    I can’t recommend enough to do some serious testing of both Apple and Samsung pen input before buying.

    It was a harsh reality to see how far behind the apple pen system is vs the Samsung pen experience. Especially considering the price and having to pay extra for the apple pen.

    Don’t take my word. Go and actually use both in store. Properly. You’ll soon see what I mean.

  • NikonUser@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • Alchemy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

    • abhibeckert@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      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.

  • SteelCorrelation@lemmy.oneEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • MyGodItsFull0fStars@kbin.social
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • Venicon@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    So I have an iPad Air 2022 with the Smart Folio floating keyboard/trackpad thing and also a mini.

    iPad Air is brilliant for work when I am travelling, compact enough to carry but also only 11inch so good to us for Nessus and games etc also.

    Mini is an e-reader, browser and tv shows in bed more often than not.

    For note taking etc it’s the fair for me, hands down.