Apple MacBook Pro, Air, or iPad?

[Mountaineer]

I will soon be in the market to update from a purchased new 2018 Apple MacBook Pro with a 15" screen. I do not like the keyboard in the 2018 nearly as much as the keyboard in my previous 2009 MacBook Pro. My "getting older" eyes prefer a larger screen but in something relatively portable. I am not a power user; email, relatively non-super-complex spreadsheets made with Apple Numbers, some writing using Pages and many of the other Apple apps that come standard like Photos, FaceTime, Notes, Calendar, Reminders. I definitely do not want anything with Microsoft or Google operating systems; I have other Apple products that I plan to keep using (HomePod, iPhones, Apple TV and perhaps an Apple Watch in the future).

I would appreciate your thoughts re. my getting a latest model of MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or iPad with a keyboard, all with the largest screen size available, or anything else you might suggest I consider. Thanks for any and all comments.

[Smith1776]

I always agonize way too much over purchases like these.

Based on what you've shared, I think the new 15" MacBook Air would be perfect for you. Especially since a model with the M5 just came out.

The 15" MacBook Air will give you the same screen real estate as your current MacBook, but it will be much faster, thinner, and lighter. You get the screen space without the heft. And since you mentioned that you're not a super duper power user, you probably don't need to spend the extra cash on the 16" MacBook Pro's power.

Just my 2 cents!

[yankees60]

I can only tell you what I did last year.

I think you must know that I've been anti-Apple computers, as I considered them overpriced.

However, last year, on somewhat of a whim, I was moved to buy one. I had no laptops of any kind so why not.

I had no intended use of it as it's never going to be anywhere a near computer given that I already have this super Windows computer with three huge monitors attached to it. It'd only be used for portable, e.g., when outside, purposes.

As soon as I got it I could see the usual Apple quality like the iPods, iTouches, iPhones, iPad, Mini iPads that I own.

I used it mainly for just Facebook and going into personal finance forum.

For months I did not even know how to resize a window. Invested no time in learning anything because my use was going to be so minimal. It was nice to have when I was doing garden planning / planting. I don't think I've used it since last summer.

I did buy two used Windows Lenovo laptops in the fall. Spent a total of about $450 for the two of them. I have given them some (but not much) use since I know how to do all on them except for them both being Windows 11 which I don't know. This computer is Windows 10.

So getting back to what I bought.

Now I'm feeling like a paid TV commercial show with this long wind-up!

I bought my first iPad refurbished.

I did that for many reasons. You get a nice discount over new and Apple gives you the same warranty including a new screen and monitor. It came in the same Apple box as a new one would and if refurbished had not been printed on the box .. you would have thought it new. I bought it 2012 and it kept going until it stopped working late last year. But I've not given up on trying to revive it.

I also believe that refurbished is superior to new because of these assumptions.

In the manufacturing process new items only get spot checked which refurbished are each fully tested.

So I would head here:

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac

Finally, the details of what I bought.


Refurbished 15-inch MacBook Air Apple M3 Chip with 8‑Core CPU and 10‑Core GPU - Midnight
Delivered April 10, 2025

Subtotal
$929.00

Free Shipping
$0.00

Estimated Tax
$58.06



Order Total
$987.06



I know someone who is a HUGE Apple person (it was him who influenced me to buy this) and this is the exact computer he uses for his only computer. He paid more for it as new. He expects to use it for next five years.

He is a former head IT person of many $$$$$ and many people below him.

[yankees60]

I would also add that if you don't like the keyboard .. buy a regular keyboard to go with it.

I generally using any laptop quite torturous compared to the ease with which I use a laptop / trackball on a desktop.

[yankees60]

New one for sale here: