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Earlier in 2024, we were living in strange times. Apple released the iPad Pro with the all-new M4 chip inside, before any other bit of tech in their arsenal. It meant the iPad Pro was technically newer and more capable than the M3 MacBook Pro.
But now that has all changed because the M4 MacBook Pro has been released. I’m not daft, though (stop laughing at the back). I’m fully aware that the iPad Pro and the MacBook Pro are two vastly different propositions that can be configured in entirely different ways.
Full M4 iPad Pro review
The purpose of this comparison isn’t to say what’s the best out of the two, because there’s no such thing. I just want to guide you to the right purchase for your needs. I’ll be comparing the M4 iPad Pro to the M3 and M4 MacBook Pros, just FYI!
Let’s be honest, this is just a fascinating topic, isn’t it?
The case for the M3 MacBook Pro
I’m a massive MacBook Pro fanboy. While I’ve switched successfully to the S24 Ultra from the iPhone 15 Pro Max earlier this year, I have no desire to ever switch from the MacBook Pro to something of the Windows variety. The thought scares me to death. Therefore, listing what makes the MacBook Pro such a brilliant choice if you’re considering between it and the iPad Pro was pretty straightforward.
More in my full M3 MacBook Pro review
The first thing on my list is, irrefutably, macOS. Nothing comes close, in my opinion. Windows is a non-starter, conversation-wise, but iPadOS simply cannot match its bigger brother (or is it grandfather?) either. Apple appears to have ceased with huge leaps forward for macOS, at least for the time being, but that’s fine – it’s damn near perfect as it is.
Due to its heritage and decades of developer support, macOS has a colossal software library that’s available both independently and via the App Store. The iPad only has access to the latter and is far more locked down than any Mac.
We should also keep in mind the configurability that’s available when buying a MacBook Pro. There are so many combinations of chip derivatives, unified memory, and storage, that can be melded together during the checkout process that it doesn’t matter. Configuring an iPad is a far more restrictive affair – and you can’t get one with 128GB of memory and 8TB of storage if that’s your thing.
While we’re talking about configuration options, it’s worth noting that there’s also a 16-inch MacBook Pro to be had for anyone who wants the biggest portable display Apple currently offers. The iPad Pro maxes out at 13 inches.
There’s the smaller stuff, too. MagSafe made a triumphant return to the M3 MacBook Pro design and it was welcomed with open arms. Why we haven’t seen something similar on the iPad Pro is anyone’s guess, but it’s something I immediately miss whenever I have to plug in that pull-off-the-table USB charging cable.
The MacBook Pro is also compatible with Vision Pro, which I appreciate is only of interest to an incredibly small subsection of buyers at the moment, but if you want to make the most of Apple’s take on spatial computing, the iPad cannot play ball.
External display support! The base model M3 MacBook Pro can drive one external display, just like the iPad Pro, but the latter relies on Stage Manager to make extended use of that display and it’s nothing like the Mac alternative. However, max out your M3 MacBook Pro and you’ll get support for up to four external displays. ‘Nuff said.
Oh, and let’s not forget the built-in SD card reader and more ports with more power and expandability options than the iPad Pro could ever hope for.
The case for the M4 iPad Pro
The M4 iPad Pro is a beast of a device. It has the newest chip, making it marginally more future-proof than the M3 MacBook Pro, and optimised for whatever AI goodness Apple throws our way this year.
As much as macOS is a brilliant point of differentiation between these two devices, the same can be said for iPadOS. Sure, we want to see some updates this year, but it’s still the best tablet operating system on the market – no arguments. Well, a few, maybe.
iPadOS has a huge software library. It’s not as big or as flexible as what you have access to with a MacBook Pro, but there’s something in there for practically everyone and every requirement.
Read about the best iPad ever made in my iPad Mini 7 review
The iPad Pro also has something for which the Mac is unlikely to ever be adapted: touch. Whenever I switch back to my MacBook Pro having used the iPad Pro for an extended time, I inevitably reach out and attempt to touch the display – and I’m always slightly disappointed when reality strikes.
If you’re into your display tech, it’s also worth noting that the iPad Pro technically has a better display than the MacBook Pro, thanks to that fancy OLED panel. Apple even refers to it as “the world’s most advanced display”. It offers the same brightness for both standard and HDR content as the MacBook Pro, and the differences between the two will be for the display-conscious only, but it is better on paper.
How long have people been calling for FaceID on the MacBook Pro? Well, it’s still nowhere in sight (excuse the pun) – yet it remains a permanent fixture on the iPad Pro and offers ultimate convenience for logging in. There’s also a rear camera of pretty decent quality on the iPad Pro. It’s unlikely to be the most used feature on your iPad, but the MacBook Pro doesn’t have anything of that ilk.
Lastly – the price. The cheapest M3 MacBook Pro is £1,699, whereas the cheapest iPad Pro is £1,299. Slip down to the 11-inch version, and you’ll pay £999. MacBook Pros have risen in price considerably over the years if you decide to head into the upper echelons of the spec range. The iPad Pro isn’t what you’d call cheap, but it at least has a slightly less trouser-wetting ceiling.
What about the M4 MacBook Pro?
If you want to buy a new MacBook Pro from Apple, you can now only buy one with the M4 chip. That means the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro are both on the same level in terms of chips.
The M4 MacBook Pro also comes with a base level of 16GB of unified memory meaning it is more powerful in more ways than one compared to the M3 MacBook Pro. But it doesn’t actually change all that much in this debate. Yes, the M4 MacBook Pro is more powerful, but not by a huge amount compared to the M3. Not enough to suddenly sway you away from buying an iPad.
Things like the display haven’t changed at all, nor has the portability in terms of weight or dimensions. So the questions about whether you should get an iPad or a Macbook Pro remain the same.
Do you need to be able to draw? Do you need a highly portable nature? Will you need to be showing people things a lot? If yes to any of these, the iPad Pro is likely more appropriate.
Reality vs promise
The MacBook Pro has been capable of utilising its hardware for as long as it has existed, thanks to the relative openness of macOS and its heritage. Software developers have been on board with the Mac for decades, remember?
This means you can use the power that’s encased with a MacBook Pro. If you know how to tax those CPU and GPU cores and fill the available memory with stuff, there’s nothing holding you back.
Only a select few users can access and harness the power of the M4 iPad Pro. Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad open the door to that performance somewhat, but only a handful of third-party apps do the same. It’s why the Mac is still the platform of choice for anyone who wants to get serious with their portable powerhouse.
We’re waiting on iPadOS 18 this year to unlock some of that power (how many times have we said this?) but most of the announcements will likely be focused on AI-driven features. That’s important, given the world we now live in, but it still won’t tax the M4 chip in as wholesome a way as the Mac eventually will.
More about using Final Cut Pro on iPad
However, this is the point when comparing these two platforms: they are so different – and that brings me to my inevitable conclusion.
My inevitable conclusion
We are indeed in a weird place with the iPad and the Mac, but it won’t last for long. The M4 MacBook Pro is on the way – it might even be here by the time you read this.
As for which one is ‘best’ out of the M4 iPad Pro and the M3 MacBook Pro, I’m afraid there’s no such thing.
You know if you need a Mac. You’re probably just reading this comparison for kicks.
Knowing if you need an M4 iPad Pro is a little trickier. Chances are, if you don’t think you need a MacBook, but still want a large-screened device for working on the go, the 13-inch M2 iPad Air is probably the one for you.
Read my full M2 iPad Air review here
The M4 iPad Pro? Well, you probably know if you need that, too.
