Mac Book Neo vs i Pad 11: which affordable Apple setup should you buy? | Tech Radar

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Mac Book Neo vs i Pad 11: which affordable Apple setup should you buy?

Laptop or a tablet with a keyboard? It's closer than it looks

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The newly-unveiled Mac Book Neo gives buyers on a budget the opportunity to get an Apple computer — but it's not the only affordable option that's worth considering.

The entry-level i Pad 11 (2025) might not seem a natural competitor to this new

Moreover, the i Pad (128GB, Wi-Fi) and Magic Keyboard Folio bundle costs almost exactly the same as the Mac Book Neo at

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So if you're in the market for a portable Apple workhorse, which should you buy? I've compared them both below and pulled out their pros and cons to help you decide...

If you need raw power, you'll want to pick the Mac Book Neo. The same goes if you want lots of storage space without relying on the i Cloud.

This laptop has a mobile chipset, but it's a modern one: the A18 Pro, which the i Phone 16 Pro family used. The i Pad 11 tablet has the A16, which was used by the i Phone 15 devices.

There's more RAM in the Mac Book Neo, offering 8GB, which is a little bit more than the i Pad's 6GB. You'll also get more storage for your money with the Neo than the slate, as while both cost the same, the base models have 128GB in the i Pad and 256GB in the laptop.

So if you're primarily looking for a productivity tool, the Neo wins here — and that's boosted by the benefits of mac OS compared to i Pad OS (see 'The i Pad and Mac Book are very different software experiences' below).

If your priority is buying a device which you can easily carry about, then you'll want to opt for the i Pad.

The two devices weigh a similar amount: the Mac Book Neo tips the scales at 1.23kg, while the i Pad 11 and Magic Keyboard folio is roughly 1.36kg (the i Pad is actually only 477g, the folio is heavier). So there isn't a huge amount of difference, weight-wise.

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However, the Mac Book Neo is bigger. It's 1.3x 30x 20cm, while the i Pad is 0.7x 24x 18cm, and this is reflected in the screen: the i Pad's is 11 inches diagonally, while the Neo has a 13-inch display.

The Magic Keyboard for the i Pad counts as a protective folio too, so it's a little more protected.

The Mac Book Neo has more ports and edges it on battery

Buyers who need ports to plug in extra accessories (but don't want to buy an adaptor) should pick up the Mac Book. The only exception is stylus users, who'll naturally prefer the tablet.

While the i Pad only has a single USB-C port, the Neo has two (albeit only one with USB 3 speeds, the other being USB 2) as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. So you can charge the Neo, plug in a hard drive, and listen to music all at the same time.

You can keep those add-ons running for longer with the Mac Book, too. It has, according to Apple, a battery life that facilitates 16 hours of video streaming, while the i Pad can only achieve that same task for 10 hours.

The i Pad and Mac Book are very different software experiences

When it comes to software, but the Neo has versatility in its favor. It runs Mac OS, Apple's computer software, while the i Pad is on i Pad OS, a software that's similar to i OS on i Phones.

The name of the game with i Pad OS is simplicity. It'll be easy to quickly bring up one or two apps, and have them take up the screen, or shift them around and swap them out if you need. Great if you need to lock in, and focus on a written article or hoard of emails to reply to — and obviously the touchscreen interface is a big differentiator.

However, the flipside of this i Pad OS simplicity is that some apps may frustrate you with their limitations. i Pad apps aren't the same as their desktop equivalents, usually offering a stripped-down experience with limited features and simpler interfaces. Fine if that's what you want — but if you want a desktop-type experience, maybe not for you.

Mac OS may not be as simple, and finding the right apps or program might take a little more work, but it'll be better for more complicated workflows. If you use external storage, or have files in folders you need to juggle in multiple apps, it'll be the better choice for you. If you're trying to edit media on the fly, or mix music, the Neo should have the edge over this i Pad — although we've yet to officially benchmark the new laptop.

Bear in mind that the Mac Book Neo is navigated via mouse, using the trackpad or a wired / wireless extra. The i Pad is touch-first, although you can also use a mouse on it if you want. If you have a preference for mouse or touch navigation, that should help steer your purchase.

There's no clear and obvious winner when comparing the Mac Book Neo and i Pad 11 — deciding between them will come down to the type of mobile computer you want (touchscreen or not) and your main use cases (mostly productivity with a side of fun, or the reverse).

As a tablet, the i Pad is designed to be compact, portable and simple, letting you do basic tasks on the go with minimal fuss. It's perfect for people who like to travel light, such as students on a coffee shop coursework crawl, or frequent fliers who need a simple work or entertainment device. The Magic Keyboard Folio offers a comfortable typing experience with similar key travel to the Neo, but it's less good for typing on your lap (being better suited to desks).

The Mac Book Neo is a laptop, and this kind of device is naturally a little more advanced. It has more ports, a bigger screen, and a longer-lasting battery. It'll be better for doing involved tasks like file management, photo or sound editing and compiling projects, especially ones where you might be tethered to a desk or work station for long stints. It's also better if you're looking to do lots of typing in different scenarios (on your lap, as well as on desks and tables).

That summarizes the key differences between these two devices, but it's worth bearing in mind that both have more advanced iterations that cost more money. Announced alongside the Mac Book Neo was the pricey Mac Book Pro 5 Pro, with absolutely loads of power, and the mid-range, larger and more powerful i Pad Air M4, with plenty of other members in each range at different price points and specs.

If you've decided on your preferred form factor but want more in the same shell, it's worth exploring those higher-end options, too.

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Tom Bedford is a freelance contributor covering tech, entertainment and gaming. Beyond Tech Radar, he has bylines on sites including Games Radar, Digital Trends, Whatto Watch and BGR. From 2019 to 2022 he was on the Tech Radar team as the staff writer and then deputy editor for the mobile team.

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Key Takeaways

• Mac Book Neo vs i Pad 11: which affordable Apple setup should you buy

• Laptop or a tablet with a keyboard

• When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

• The newly-unveiled Mac Book Neo gives buyers on a budget the opportunity to get an Apple computer — but it's not the only affordable option that's worth considering

• The entry-level i Pad 11 (2025) might not seem a natural competitor to this new

  $599 / £599 / AU$
  899 device, being a tablet instead of a laptop