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. Both devices are great. I often use them at the same time, with the iPad acting as a second screen… (you can move your mouse off the edge of your Mac screen onto the iPad screen, and while the mouse cursor is on the iPad your Mac keyboard will type on the iPad).
But while the iPad hardware is great - better than the MacBook Air in pretty much every way, iPadOS is just nowhere near as good as MacOS and Android has the same issue. So many apps on the Mac are just better especially fundamental apps like web browsers, word processors, file management, music playback, etc.
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 and weight. I prefer a smaller iPad, but you might prefer a bigger one. If a brand new MacBook Air is too expensive, get a secondhand one. Just make sure it has at least an M1 processor.