Hey there! I've recently fallen for my iPad Air M4 but have hit a few snags. While the iPad is great, it feels awkward to use like a laptop, especially since my keyboard case makes it unbalanced on anything but a flat surface. The screen is nice, but I'd prefer Liquid Retina XDR OLED, and the battery life is decent, though I wish it lasted longer. Ideally, I'd love a device that can enable me to browse the web and watch videos for at least 12 hours straight at maximum brightness and volume. I'm planning to sell my handheld PC and gaming laptop because the latter barely lasts two hours with the GPU off. I'm wondering, does a MacBook exist that can meet these demands? Also, how pricey are they? I'm hoping to stick within the $1000-$1200 range, but I'm open to buying a renewed model if it fits the bill.
2 Answers
From what I'm seeing, there isn't a MacBook that fits all your criteria perfectly. However, the MacBook Pro does offer significantly brighter displays than the iPad. Just keep in mind that higher brightness can drain the battery faster. You’re really not comparing the same types of devices here, though! Also, my MacBook Air M1 runs for about 10 hours on half brightness, which I got for $400 used. That might be a solid option for basic needs.
I once had an iPad Pro 13-inch, and it changed everything for me. It’s bulkier than your Air but is Ultra Retina XDR OLED, and I really love using it. It did about 9-10 hours of video playback, but I kept the brightness around 50%. If you're set on having great battery life, you might need to consider carrying a power source with you.
I appreciate that! Maybe I need to recalibrate my expectations about battery life. Apple's sleek designs do come at a cost!
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely consider the MacBook Air. I guess I should dive deeper into what I really need this MacBook for.