Xiaomi Pad 5 vs Apple iPad 9 (2021): two tablets for working

Tablet computers have always aroused the interest of workers. It must be said that they are ergonomic and very easy to transport, but behind this versatility of facade arise concrete questions such as their real capacities for office automation, to create presentations, collaborate remotely or even take notes quickly.

To prevent your banker from fainting, this time we are interested in two mid-range models, the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 and Apple iPad 9 (2021).

Xiaomi Pad 5 vs iPad 9: the match of features

With its thin edges and rectilinear design, the Xiaomi Pad 5 benefits from a more modern design than that of the iPad 9. A special mention also goes to its 11-inch screen which not only benefits from a high definition (2560 x 1600 pixels), but also good brightness (483 cd/m2) and refreshment at 120 Hz. Apple, for its part, is playing the card of change in continuity. The iPad 9 remains faithful to its origins, which is both a strong point and a weakness, because certain elements are starting to date. On the other hand, a 4G version is also available, which can come in handy for workers on the go.

Features

These essential accessories for working

It’s hard to imagine spending a whole day typing text or answering e-mails from a touch screen, which is why a keyboard is simply essential to work efficiently.

iPad 9 (2021): Apple Smart Keyboard

Apple has been offering keyboards for its tablets for some time, the most advanced being the Magic Keyboard, but its price is a bit excessive and anyway it is not compatible with the iPad 9. We can nevertheless fall back on the Smart Keyboard, which may not offer the best typing comfort, but has the merit of being thin and integrating perfectly into the tablet.

Xiaomi Pad 5: Logitech K480

Xiaomi does offer a keyboard similar to Apple’s Smart Keyboard, but it’s only available in QWERTY, which obviously poses a problem. The only solution for now is to turn to an accessory from a third-party manufacturer, such as the Logitech K480. It has an integrated support of 258 mm in order to slide the Xiaomi Pad 5. The latter should fit perfectly since it measures 254.69 mm in width.

Unlike the Smart Keyboard which also serves as a cover, the Logitech K480 is a simple Bluetooth keyboard. If you want to protect your tablet in transport, you must therefore provide an additional case. The Xiaomi Folio is very suitable, since it is designed especially for this tablet and, by the way, it serves as a support.

Stylus: Xiaomi Smart Pen vs. Apple Pencil

The Apple Pencil charges wirelessly, and it’s quite comfortable and precise. In theory, Xiaomi offers its Smart Pen with 4096 levels of sensitivity, a sampling rate of 240 Hz and a wireless charging system, but it is out of stock everywhere… So for now go through an alternative manufacturer, which is not ideal for this type of product.

Android vs iOS: the choice of office applications

Office automation has made a giant leap in recent years on both Android and iOS. There is no shortage of choice, with iWork and the Pages, Numbers and Keynote applications on the one hand, and the Google Workspace suite on the other, made up of Drive, Docs, Meet, Agenda, Slides and Gmail.

It should also be remembered that Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive) are available on both platforms, Android and iOS. So there are plenty of tools to create presentations or simply do word processing and respond to messages. The main limitation at the software level will come from performance. So we forget everything that is a bit heavy, such as creative software.

However, it is good to remember that Apple is doing much better when it comes to the overall compatibility of applications on tablets. It can make a difference in everyday life when you use your tablet not only for work, but also for entertainment…