• Although newer iPads don't have all the capabilities of a Mac computer, the more powerful chips and lighter weight make them perfect for travel. 
• Connectivity is another plus since you can get the iPad with a cellular connection.
• The iPad has better software connectivity than ever, but there are still some programs you can't run on it.

I travel a lot for work, and when I have all my go-to devices packed in a backpack and ready to go. My 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard is at the top of my list. It's perfect for on-the-go work and weighs about the same as my M2 MacBook Air. Why would I choose the iPad over the MacBook Air? Let me count the ways.

Let's start with the form factor. Because I can take the iPad Pro off the keyboard, I can use it as a tablet if I'm just browsing or watching streaming media while on the go. But if I have editing or writing to do, the iPad/keyboard combination is a little more compact than the MacBook Air, making it easier to use in tight spaces.

Then there's the connectivity. It's just easier to use the iPad on a plane, in an airport, and even in an Uber if there's something pressing I need to attend to while I'm commuting from one place to another. The mobile connection is one of the best features of the iPad Pro for working on the go. And that just scratches the surface.

Portability and Power

Let's be real, though. When you add the Magic Keyboard to the iPad Pro, it does make the whole setup slightly heavier than the MacBook Air. I don't feel like it's a noticeable difference in my (already loaded down) backpack, but the flexibility the iPad Pro gives me is worth the extra few ounces I'll be carrying.

Honestly, it might also save me a little weight. The Magic Keyboard doubles as a case for the iPad Pro, and it has a built-in keyboard and trackpad, so I don't need to carry extra equipment. That reduces the weight I'm carrying around, right? Also, let's not forget the stylus. I use mine for writing and drawing all the time. It's one of my best productivity tools.

Plus, the angle the Magic Keyboard holds the iPad at while I'm using it is perfect for streaming and makes it easier to see the screen when you're working in tight spaces. I'm pretty smitten with the keyboard, too, as it's a soft-touch keyboard with enough snap to let you know that you've depressed the keys without making your hands tired.

Battery life is another plus when using your iPad when you travel. Even with the nicer screens of the newer model iPads, the battery life tends to hold well. I know the M4 iPad tends to stick with it longer than my M2 Macbook Air, even though 'technically' they're close to the same age (meaning I got them both about the same time). 

And importantly, even if that weren't true, the iPad has a smaller battery (38.99 watt-hours vs. 52.6 watt-hours for the MacBook Air), which means that you can charge it faster or juice it with smaller external battery packs, which is perfect for when you're on the go.

The biggest portability win for the iPad, however, is its built-in cellular connection. No matter how seamless Apple makes wireless tethering, where you share the cellular connection from an iPhone to a Mac, it's better to have it built in.  Tethering can be a little hinky, too. If the MacBook Air goes to sleep, it loses the connection, and sometimes, it's even a little difficult to get connected in the first place. It's better just to go straight to the cellular connection.

The thing the MacBook Air has going for it is that it's more capable. But depending on why you're traveling, you might not need those capabilities, anyway.

It's Not All Sunshine and Roses 

On the downside, let's start with the obvious. You can't do everything on the iPad that you would do on a Mac. For example, I have some systems at work that you just can't access with an iPad. It's not necessarily because the iPad can't handle it, but because the system developers don't see the iPad as a valid way to work.

In truth, my iPad could handle it just fine. Still, I can't access those systems. And it's likely you'll encounter other programs that just aren't optimized for the iPad. Assuming you know that going into it, then you can decide if this trip is one where you need to access those features. If not, leave the Mac at home.

There are other minor annoyances, too. Like keyboard shortcuts. Occasionally, my keyboard shortcuts just don't work with the Magic Keyboard, especially when switching between applications. An example is the ?-Tab shortcut for switching apps; sometimes it won't respond, and others it works well. 

Using multiple windows can be a little tricky on the iPad, too. It's better with recent improvements, but there are still some frustrations when you want to have two windows side by side to work between them.

In the end, what it really comes down to is how you work and how hard it will be to do your work while you're traveling. If you're on vacation, your iPad will do everything you need and probably more. If you're going to be gone for an extended business trip, though, you might need to take your Mac.

For me, anything I can't do while I'm traveling can usually wait until I'm back home. That means I can carry my iPad with its Magic Keyboard, access all the work I need to do, and still have a great entertainment experience while I'm on the road. Also, it doubles as an entertainment device for the kiddos if they're along for the ride.

You should try it. Once you get past the anxiety of leaving the laptop at home, you'll love how much more freedom you have.