Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
Get the MacBook Air for work. For about the same as an iPad Pro alone you get a keyboard, a trackpad, desktop apps and longer battery. The iPad Pro is for people who draw.
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Which one is for you?
iPad Pro (M5)
Get the iPad Pro if this sounds like you: drawing, painting, photo editing with a pen, and films on the best screen.
Is the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) worth it?MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Hours of typing, desktop software, best value for work? The MacBook Air.
Is the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) worth it?Key differences
Screen
Apps
Keyboard
Drawing
Battery
What owners say
Verified buyers only; every 1–3 star review read by us. How we do this
iPad Pro (M5)
Owners love how thin and light it is, its battery life and how good it is for drawing. Complaints are rare.
- Thin and light
- Long battery life
- Great for drawing and creative work
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 Pro (M5): 40 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Otto (Germany), Takealot (South Africa) 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.