Can a tablet replace a laptop? More importantly, do you think that the iPad Air 2 can replace the MacBook Air? It certainly depends on what you, as a user, are looking for. However, a detailed comparison of both their specs will provide a greater insight. For now, keep in mind that we will be comparing it to the 11-inch variant of the 2014 MacBook Air. Although, Apple makes a 13-inch variant, it is not comparable to the iPad Air 2.
Size:
The 11-inch MacBook Air is small in size compared to the other MacBooks. However, it is still greater than the iPad Air 2. The 2014 MacBook Air is around 25 percent longer as well as 13 percent wider than the latter. If you prefer a slim body style, you cannot get anything better than the iPad Air 2. It has a thickness of 0.64-inches, which is, technically 64 percent thinner than the MacBook Air. The MacBook is tapered and the recorded measurement is only from the thickest position.
Weight:
If you are comparing these two devices, you will surely take a look at portability. Here, you can expect the iPad Air 2 to emerge as a clear winner over the 2014 MacBook Air. This is because while the former weighs a mere 437g, the latter weighs about 1.08kg. Therefore, in terms of weight, the iPad beats the MacBook hands down.
Keyboard:
You cannot expect a MacBook to win the Weight and Size aspects when compared to the iPad, as the iPad is a dedicated tablet and does not come with a keyboard. However, you can buy a third-party keyboard for the iPad. It enables the device to turn into a faux-laptop. As a result, while the 2014 MacBook Air has an integrated keyboard, it comes as an optimal accessory for the iPad.
Software:
In the software aspect, the iPad Air 2 runs on IOS 8 while the MacBook runs on the OS X Yosemite. Both of these updates allow Apple devices to perform significantly better than before.
Camera:
The iPad Air 2 has an 8MP rear shooter while the MacBook Air has front-facing camera that can record 720p videos.
Processor and RAM:
It is unfair to compare the processor speed and performance of a mobile-device with a laptop. However, the performance gap is decreasing as the 1.5GHz Apple A8X 64-bit Tri-Core processor is around 75-94% as fast as the 1.4GHz (2.7GHz Turbo) dual-core Intel Core i5 64-bit in the MacBook Air. However, the iPad Air 2 needs a RAM upgrade as it runs on a 2GB while the 2014 MacBook Air is available in 4GB and 8GB variants.
If you can live with the iPad as a replacement for your laptop, you should go for it. Even the most expensive iPad will cost lesser than the entry-level MacBook.