iPad Vs Notebook: Which Is The Right Budget Computer For You?

Whether an iPad can actually replace a notebook? In-depth analysis for one of the frequent queries.

By Akriti Rana and Nimish Dubey

When it was launched, there was no question of the iPad being mistaken for a notebook alternative. Apple's tablet was promoted as the "third screen" that hit the middle ground between notebooks (as in laptops) and mobile phones. The iPad was supposed to be mainly about content consumption - viewing, rather than creating. That perception, however, has changed in recent times, with Apple adding support for its keyboards and also changing the software on the tablet to enable it to do more. 

Today, you can connect a keyboard, a mouse, speakers, a USB drive, SD cards, cameras, and even USB port adaptors to an iPad, bringing it on par with a notebook in many regards. Even now most folks with about Rs 40,000 or more to spend might prefer going for a notebook.

You do get decent-performing notebooks at that price point, with Intel Core i3 and Core i5 devices coming into the equation. Go below that figure into the low-end/ affordable notebook zone, however, and the iPad becomes an option.

We are referring to the base iPad (the 'iPad (9th generation' as Apple refers to it) which starts at Rs 30,900. While you can get notebooks at that price, they tend to come with their own compromises. Compromises make the iPad a viable alternative when you consider its price.

But can the iPad actually replace a budget (approximately) Rs 30,000 notebook? Let us try to work that out. Unless otherwise stated, we will be considering the base 64 GB, the Wi-Fi variant of the iPad priced at Rs 30,900, and Windows-running notebooks launched in the Rs 30,000 region in the past year for this comparison. 

Which looks better and is easier to carry?

This is an utter no-brainer. Even the most affordable iPad cuts a much smarter figure, with its glass front and curved metal back giving it a premium feel. Notebooks at this price point generally tend to be designed more for function than for style, and while you might get a slightly different shade here and there, you will mostly have plastic builds and seen-that-before designs to deal with. In terms of weight too, the iPad wins easily, with its weight of under half a kilogram, with most notebooks in this segment weighing three times as much, if not more. Some people will say that you need to factor in the weight of a keyboard for the iPad, but even something like the Logitech K380 is about 400 grams and keeps the iPad's weight beneath a kilogram - something no notebook in that price zone can boast of. Round that off with the fact that an iPad's charger is far easier to carry than the brick and plug of most budget notebooks, and the iPad's victory margin becomes even bigger.  It is easier to take out an iPad and work on it in the Metro or on a bus, than a notebook!

Which has the better display?

While most notebooks in this price range come with relatively larger displays, ranging from 10.5 inches to even 15 inches in some cases, the iPad comes with a 10.2-inch display. However, what makes the iPad formidable is that this display has a massive 2160 x 1620 resolution, which is well above what notebooks in this segment offer - it is rare to even get full HD notebooks from well-known brands in this zone. The 500 nits brightness of the iPad's display is also significantly brighter than what we get in notebooks at that price. What's more, the iPad's display is a very high-quality touchscreen as well - touchscreens are generally a little mediocre at this price point on notebooks, and in fact, many notebooks come without them. So unless you want a larger display, the iPad has a clear edge again. Thanks to its excellent speakers, is also the better option for watching shows and videos. 

Which has the more powerful processor?

The iPad runs on the A13 Bionic processor, which is almost two years old now, but it still has a clear edge over the Intel Celeron, Intel Atom, and other Intel and AMD  budget processors that notebooks in this price range generally have. What's more, the iPad's processor has the advantage of running software that was especially designed for it - a benefit that Intel's and AMD's processors do not have. Another win for the iPad. 

Which has more storage and RAM?

A few years ago, this would have been a win for the notebook, as iPads did not support expandable storage and came only with 32 GB and 128 GB storage variants. That has changed, however, and now you can connect a flash drive or even a portable hard drive to an iPad. That said, the process is easier on a notebook, as it comes with more ports built into it. Notebooks also generally come with more storage out of the box than the iPad. As far as RAM is concerned, Apple has never given any data on it, but you do get different RAM variants in notebooks, and in some cases, can also upgrade them. We would say that the gap between notebooks and iPads has narrowed here, but notebooks have more bytes (mega and giga) than the iPad. 

Which has the better software? 

The best hardware in the world is of little use if not backed up by software that runs smoothly. And in this regard, the iPad has an edge as it runs iPad OS, which has been specially designed to run on iPads only. Most budget notebooks, on the other hand, tend to run versions of Windows 10 and 11. In terms of security and updates, iPad OS has a clear advantage over Windows, with more regular and stable updates. However, Windows is by far the more popular of the two operating systems, so more people are likely to have it and getting software for it is often easier.  Both devices have lots of apps and software that run on them, but enterprise users will find Windows to be a better option at the time of writing. Windows' popularity also means that almost every software and application out there has a version designed to run on it - something that does not happen on the iPad (sometimes even WordPress can have issues on an iPad).

The iPad has the additional benefit of having a complete office suite pre-installed on it - in the case of a Windows notebook, you will have to shell out extra bucks for MS Office or go for a less featured office suite. The iPad on the other hand comes with a word processor (Pages), spreadsheet (Numbers), and a presentation tool (Keynote) already on it, and it is fully compatible with MS Office too. Apple's devices also have a better security record as compared to Windows. 

Which is easier to connect to other devices?

If your computer has to work a lot with other devices, then a Windows notebook is always a better option. Windows notebooks, even in the budget segment, come with a number of connectivity options and even have full-featured USB ports and in many cases, even HDMI ports and card readers. The iPad is extremely basic in this regard and comes with just a single lightning port. You can attach other devices to it, but they would either have to be wireless and support iPad OS (which is often not the case) or you would have to purchase additional adapters and dongles for the purpose.

Which is easier to use? 

This really depends on your experience with touchscreens. Those who are used to a smartphone will find the iPad much easier to operate. On the other hand, those who have been using computers and notebooks for a while will prefer a notebook any day, with a "real keyboard." We think the iPad is way more versatile, allowing you to use touch as well as type away, either on the inbuilt touch keyboard or by using a Bluetooth keyboard. You can easily sketch and sign documents on the iPad as compared to a budget notebook. In fact, you can even edit videos on an iPad - something that often brings notebooks at this price point to their knees. 

The iPad is also easier to use for video calls - budget notebook front cameras are rather mediocre - and its rear camera and size means it can actually be used to scan documents or even as an emergency camera. There is even stylus support on the iPad, and not just Apple's pricey Apple Pencil but a host of other, less expensive styluses can work on it. Notebooks, on the other hand, are definitely more handy for those who want to type a lot. We are going to lean towards the iPad on this as it just lets you do more things, and is very intuitive to use for anyone who has used a smartphone. 

Which works better, generally?

In terms of versatility and sheer speed, the iPad has a clear edge over most similarly priced notebooks. Apps open and run more smoothly on the tablet, and it even handles high-end games like PUBG very well. You also get a much better battery life at almost ten hours (budget notebooks tend to have between six to eight hours). As we pointed out earlier, you also get the option to sketch and shoot videos more easily on the iPad. That said, notebooks will fit more easily into an enterprise environment, and are great for running a number of mainstream applications like MS Office (although the iPad comes with a free alternative). 

The fact that you get a physical keyboard with a notebook also makes them better for those who have lots of typing to do. In terms of general longevity also, we have seen iPads last five to six years, and also get regular software support, something which is rare in the budget notebook range. Also, all iPads come with a secure fingerprint scanner - something which is not always available in budget notebooks.

So, can an iPad replace a notebook?

In a single word: Yes. 

The iPad today can do pretty much everything a notebook at its price point (Rs 30,900) can, and in many cases, can do them more smoothly and speedily. The iPad is also way easier to carry, generally lasts longer (on a single charge and in life), has generally better security, and is much more versatile. It would, however, be naive to write off the notebook, even at that lower price point. Notebooks remain the tools of choice for those who need to work in a Windows environment and need to type a lot. A lot of enterprise and web management software tends to work better on notebooks than on an iPad. With a notebook, you are also spared the need to purchase a keyboard, dongles, and other connectors - you could well end up spending an extra Rs 4000-5000 to get the sort of features that come baked into a notebook. 

So if you are in the market for a computer and have a budget of around Rs 30,000, we would ask you to check the sort of software you need to use and the devices to which you need to connect your computer. If those work fine with an iPad, just go ahead and grab Apple's tablet. At Rs 30,900, it comfortably outguns most notebooks. It is no longer just a third screen!