I need to replace my 5 year old laptop this summer for the fall semester and I’ve decided that instead of a new computer I should just upgrade to a tablet. I’ve always loved the iPad mini for its size. It’d be extremely portable and I would honestly get a lot more use out of it other than just school work, but I’m nervous about having to type notes or papers with it for how small it is. I’ve considered the Air because it’d be easier to use it as a computer, I know I could write papers and type/write notes easily with an Apple Pencil. It would be a great school computer, but I don’t know if I would use it casually like the mini. I’d love to buy both but can’t afford that. Which one would be better?
I agree with this. I have a MacBook Air and an iPad Mini, and both devices are great.
But I wouldn’t be able to have just the iPad. The hardware is great - better than the MacBook Air in pretty much every way - but iPadOS is just nowhere near as good as MacOS and Android is even worse.
OP You should replace your laptop with a new laptop. If you have money left over for a tablet, then get one as well but do not try to save money by just getting a tablet. That’s a waste of money - they are not good enough.
As for iPad Mini vs iPad Air - pretty much the only difference is the screen size. I prefer a small screen, but you might prefer a bigger one.