Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) vs Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch (A18 Pro)
For essays and coursework, get the MacBook Neo. It's a real laptop. The iPad is cheaper and better on the sofa, but you'll need a keyboard case to type on it.
Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch (A18 Pro)
We may earn a commission from these links.
Which one is for you?
iPad (A16)
Get the iPad if this sounds like you: streaming, reading and games, or it's for a young kid.
Is the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) worth it?MacBook Neo
Coursework, essays, office work, desktop apps? The Neo.
Is the Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch (A18 Pro) worth it?Key differences
Typing
Apps
Screen
Use as a tablet
Storage
What owners say
Verified buyers only; every 1–3 star review read by us. How we do this
iPad (A16)
Owners love the value, the build quality and the big step up from an older iPad. The most common complaints are units that stopped working or wouldn't charge, and screen faults.
- Good value for money
- Well made
- A big upgrade on an older iPad
- Stopped working, froze or wouldn't charge
- Screen faults: lines, dead pixels or unresponsive touch
MacBook Neo
Owners love the look and colours, how light it is and getting a Mac for less. Many bought it for study. The few complaints say 8GB of memory feels tight.
- Looks great, lovely colours
- Light and compact
- Easy to set up and use
- 8GB of memory feels slow or tight
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 (A16): 2,897 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US), Otto (Germany) and Takealot (South Africa), read November 2026.
Owner reports for the MacBook Neo: 347 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Harvey Norman (NZ, Australia), Takealot (South Africa), Costco (Canada), Otto (Germany) and Expert (Netherlands), read November 2026.