Is it cheaper to repair or replace a broken iPhone?

It depends on the phone's age and repair cost. If repair cost is more than 60% of the phone's used resale value, trade in. If less than 30%, repair. Always factor in AppleCare+ — $29 with AC+ makes repair the obvious choice.

How long does an iPhone screen replacement take at Apple?

Same-day at most Apple Stores (1-2 hours), or 5-7 days if mail-in. Third-party shops are faster (30 min-2 hours).

Does a third-party repair void my Apple warranty?

Yes, third-party repairs typically void the Apple warranty on that part. Apple-authorized Independent Repair Providers (IRPs) use genuine parts and don't void warranty.

Should I buy AppleCare+?

If you've ever cracked a phone screen, AppleCare+ pays for itself with one repair. Cost is $149-$199 for 2 years, screen incidents are $29 vs $329-$429 without coverage.

Can I do this repair myself?

Most screen and battery repairs are doable for confident DIYers, but Face ID iPhones (XS+) require careful Face ID transfer or it stops working. iPad Pro M4 with tandem OLED is NOT recommended for DIY.

← Back to Guides iPad Pro M4 vs MacBook Pro M4

iPad Pro M4 vs MacBook Pro M4: Which Should You Buy in 2026?

iPad Pro M4 with Magic Keyboard is $1,298. MacBook Pro M4 is $1,599. Both have M4 chips. Both have stunning displays. So which is the better laptop replacement? Depends entirely on your workflow.

⚡ Accessories Either Way

Some accessories work on both — buy these no matter which you choose.

Apple Magic Keyboard (iPad Pro M4)
Keyboard for iPad Pro

Check Price →

Cost Breakdown — All Options

Where	Cost	Wait	Notes
Price (base)	iPad Pro M4 + KB: $1,298	MacBook Pro M4 14": $1,599	iPad is $300 less
OS	iPadOS 18	macOS Sequoia	macOS more powerful
Chip	M4	M4	Tie
RAM start	8GB	16GB	MacBook wins
Display	Tandem OLED 1000 nits	Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED 1000 nits	Both excellent (different tech)
Apple Pencil Pro	Yes	No	iPad-exclusive
Touchscreen	Yes	No	iPad-exclusive
Battery (real)	10 hr	16 hr	MacBook wins
Ports	1x USB-C	3x Thunderbolt 5 + HDMI + SD + MagSafe	MacBook wins big
Repair (screen)	$499 (iPad Pro 11)	$599 (MacBook Pro 14)	iPad slightly cheaper

Pro Workflows: MacBook Pro M4 Wins

If you do any of these, get the MacBook Pro:

Pro video editing (Final Cut, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve)
Pro audio (Logic, Pro Tools)
Software development (Xcode, Visual Studio Code at scale)
3D rendering (Blender, Cinema 4D)
Multi-monitor setups (3+ Thunderbolt ports)
Heavy multitasking (true desktop OS, not iPadOS limitations)

Creative + Mobile: iPad Pro M4 Wins

If you do any of these, iPad Pro might be the better choice:

Digital art (Procreate, Adobe Fresco — Apple Pencil Pro is the killer feature)
Photo editing on touchscreen (Photoshop on iPad with stylus)
Note-taking in school/meetings (handwrite with Pencil)
Travel-heavy lifestyle (lighter, detaches as tablet for plane reading)
Video calls in landscape (iPad Pro front camera is in landscape orientation)

The Honest Test

Track yourself for a week:

How many hours do you actually use Apple Pencil Pro? Less than 30 min/day → don't need iPad Pro
How many hours do you use the touchscreen? Less than 1 hr/day → don't need iPad Pro
Do you ever use the iPad as a tablet (read, watch in bed)? Less than weekly → don't need iPad Pro
Do you run Final Cut, Logic, or compile code? Yes → MacBook Pro is mandatory

Most people who buy iPad Pro as a 'laptop' end up with a stationary iPad on a Magic Keyboard at a desk — which is just a worse MacBook.

Mail-In Repair Service

Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.

Ship It In for Repair →