Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
If you type for a living, get the MacBook Air. Real desktop apps, a keyboard built in, and the battery lasts much longer. The iPad Air is for drawing, notes and the sofa.
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Which one is for you?
iPad Air (M4)
Drawing, handwritten notes, watching and reading on the sofa? The iPad Air.
Is the Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) worth it?MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Get the MacBook Air if this sounds like you: essays, reports, code, lots of windows open.
Is the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) worth it?Key differences
Apps
Keyboard
Battery
Drawing and notes
Use as a tablet
What owners say
Verified buyers only; every 1–3 star review read by us. How we do this
iPad Air (M4)
Owners love how fast it is, how easy it is to set up and use, and its light, slim design. Complaints are rare.
- Fast
- Easy to set up and move data across
- Easy to use
Nothing came up often enough to list.
MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Owners love how fast, light and well made it is, and the battery life. No owner has reported a problem so far.
- Fast
- Sleek and well built
- Light and easy to carry
Nothing came up often enough to list.
Related pages
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.
Owner reports for the iPad Air (M4): 119 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US), Otto (Germany), LDLC (France), Harvey Norman (NZ, Australia), Takealot (South Africa), Boulanger (France) and Costco (Canada), read November 2026.
Owner reports for the MacBook Air 13 (M5): 162 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Harvey Norman (NZ, Australia), Takealot (South Africa) and Costco (Canada), read November 2026.