Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
This is one of the most common buying dilemmas right now:
Do you get an iPad… or just buy a laptop?
On paper, they seem like they overlap. And the more you look into it, the less clear it gets.
💻 iPad vs Laptop: What Actually Replaces What
If you’ve ever thought “Could I just replace my laptop with an iPad?”
Short answer:
👉 Probably not.
People have been trying to make iPads replace laptops for years but once you add:
- Keyboard
- Case
- Storage upgrades
You’re basically paying laptop money for something that still isn’t a laptop.
Here’s how I think about it…
It’s about what the device is designed to do:
iPad = consumption + light creation
Laptop = full work machine
📱 iPad: where it actually wins
iPad is great when:
✈️ You travel a lot → download movies, shows, music
🧠 You want a low-friction device → pick up, use instantly
✍️ You draw / take notes → Apple Pencil workflows
📖 You read, watch, browse → this is where it shines
👉 It’s the best “second device” you can own
It’s not trying to replace your laptop, it’s replacing your downtime.
💻 Laptop: where it wins (most of the time)
For basically everything else:
Real work
Multitasking
File management
Long sessions
Anything even slightly complex
👉 The laptop just wins. Every time.
9 times out of 10 → just buy a laptop
📺 If you're considering an iPad, watch this first
What do you use the iPad for?
Are there better options to buy?
So… what should you actually choose?
This is the simplest way to think about it:
If you… | Get this | Why |
|---|---|---|
Want one device for everything | 💻 Laptop | Handles all real work |
Travel a lot + consume content | 📱 iPad | Lightweight, offline-friendly |
Plan to “replace your laptop” with iPad | ⚠️ Laptop | You’ll regret it |
Draw, sketch, use Apple Pencil | 📱 iPad | Best-in-class for this |
Need proper multitasking | 💻 Laptop | iPad still limited |
Want a second screen/device | 📱 iPad | Perfect companion device |
Don’t want to think about it | 💻 Laptop | Safer default |
📱 Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend who’s as obsessed with tech as you are:
In this video, I break down how to build a full Apple setup without overspending using a mix of smart buys, older models, and even used gear.
If you’ve ever wondered where Apple is worth it (and where it’s not)… this is the practical version.
MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M2
Why “cheap Apple” might actually be the smartest move in 2026
New vs Used: where you save the most (and where it’s risky)
iPad A16 vs A14 — is newer even worth it?
Apple Watch SE3 vs Series 9
AirPods 4 vs Pro 2 and diminishing returns explained
Apple TV 4K and why older models might be enough
and more…