iPad 4 Specs are: 9.7 inch screen (2048 x 1536 px), runs on iOS 6, 1GB Ram, 10 hour battery life, Wi-Fi/4G LTE. 

Macbook Air 11 Specs are: 11.6 inch screen (1366 x 768 HD), runs on OS X, 4GB Ram, 5 hour battery life, 1600MHz speed, 64GB hard drive. 

If you are using mostly for reading, browsing or multi-media, then the iPad could be a good investment and it will save you money. iPad is great to just sit and watch YouTube videos on. 

If you are looking at doing a lot of typing and work related activities and need a heavy-duty word processor, then it is hard to get around using a Mac laptop with their very smooth keyboards. 

Right now, the iPad Mini is $329 (16GB) $429 (32GB) $529 (64GB). 

The iPad 4 is $499 (16 GB) $599 (32 GB) $699 (64GB) $799 (128GB). 

The Macbook Air 11 starts at $999 (11 inch screen) and $1099 (13 inch screen). 

Also, if you are moving it around a lot, like to class or to your office everyday, the Macbook Air is of course the thinnest and lightest Macbook. 

Macbook Air moves at quicker speeds, has back lit keyboard with good spacing between keys. A lot more comfortable typing on Macbook Air, especially for long periods of time.

Pro's for iPad: Cheaper Price, slightly more portable, good for use of your favorite apps, great for media usage. 

Con's for iPad: Harder to type on, keyboard is not as fluid, less storage memory. 

Pro's for Macbook Air: better keyboard, easier to type with, larger storage, more interfaces, higher processor. 

Con's for Macbook Air: More expensive, less portable (hardly)....not much else to say. 

Macbook Air is clearly the better device, but for a shorter budget and depending on your needs, the iPad is still a great tablet to have. 

Which would you prefer, the less expensive iPad 4 or the Macbook Air 11?