Apple Ecosystem or Microsoft Ecosystem

[Damian433]

Products In Mind:

Surface Pro 2 -- MacBook Air 11" (2013)

Surface 2 -- iPad Air

Nokia Lumia 928 -- iPhone 5

xBox1 -- Apple TV

I plan on being locked into an ecosystem for awhile so I am thinking about what could happen in the coming
years.

As a college student, using Onenote and Word are very nice, as well as taking hand written notes on the surface pro and being able to scan handouts into the Surface. Also, I imagine Word and Office Suite will get collaboration like iWork...and its a fact that Office is used more than iWork... I don't even know who I would collaborate with using iWork

However, Apples iPad much more portable, and iWorks is very usable, Evernote is a good alternative to OneNote
(hopefully they don't go out of business within the coming years). MacBooks are great considering I am a computer
science major, and can program for any system on a mac (using parallels, bootcamp)

As a runner, Apple looks like it is going to be in the fitness game and Microsoft is not, (Apple hired a guy from
Nike) and the smart watches are in the works, new M7 chip

As a gamer, obviously Xbox1 is better than an Apple TV...and Windows > OSX, but I am not a huge gamer and I
have managed this much. But, it would be nice to invite friends over to play xbox (And Apple TV might have a
gaming future???)

As an IT Tech, Surface 2 with all of the tools for IT Departments built in work well, iPad air has many 3rd party
apps that work well also, but I do not know how long those apps will be around, and don't want to purchase new
ones all the time.

As a young human being... iPhone has a lot of apps that I use, Windows Phone does not. (Great Facebook App, Vine, SnapChat, Active Directory Management, College App, Banking Apps, Find My Phone)

It seems right now Microsoft is good for School, Work and Games while Apple is just doable in these areas.
Apple is good for fitness, Social, and stability
Microsoft is does not seem to ever be in fitness, Social is slowly climbing.

The future of Microsoft seems to be dangling, they are looking for a new CEO, Windows Phone 8 isn't taking off very fast. While Apple has a set image, plan, and seem to be in a better position even if they bomb a product.

Thinking about current positions of the companies and future predictions, which ecosystem would be better to lock into for say 10years? (Student, Programmer, IT Tech, Runner, Casual Gamer)

P.S. (Another plus for Apple... I already have most apple products and no Microsoft products)

P.S.S (Money is not a major issue)

 

[Jinzen]

Products In Mind:

Surface Pro 2 -- MacBook Air 11" (2013)

Surface 2 -- iPad Air

Nokia Lumia 928 -- iPhone 5

xBox1 -- Apple TV

I plan on being locked into an ecosystem for awhile so I am thinking about what could happen in the coming
years.

As a college student, using Onenote and Word are very nice, as well as taking hand written notes on the surface pro and being able to scan handouts into the Surface. Also, I imagine Word and Office Suite will get collaboration like iWork...and its a fact that Office is used more than iWork... I don't even know who I would collaborate with using iWork

However, Apples iPad much more portable, and iWorks is very usable, Evernote is a good alternative to OneNote
(hopefully they don't go out of business within the coming years). MacBooks are great considering I am a computer
science major, and can program for any system on a mac (using parallels, bootcamp)

As a runner, Apple looks like it is going to be in the fitness game and Microsoft is not, (Apple hired a guy from
Nike) and the smart watches are in the works, new M7 chip

As a gamer, obviously Xbox1 is better than an Apple TV...and Windows > OSX, but I am not a huge gamer and I
have managed this much. But, it would be nice to invite friends over to play xbox (And Apple TV might have a
gaming future???)

As an IT Tech, Surface 2 with all of the tools for IT Departments built in work well, iPad air has many 3rd party
apps that work well also, but I do not know how long those apps will be around, and don't want to purchase new
ones all the time.

As a young human being... iPhone has a lot of apps that I use, Windows Phone does not. (Great Facebook App, Vine, SnapChat, Active Directory Management, College App, Banking Apps, Find My Phone)

It seems right now Microsoft is good for School, Work and Games while Apple is just doable in these areas.
Apple is good for fitness, Social, and stability
Microsoft is does not seem to ever be in fitness, Social is slowly climbing.

The future of Microsoft seems to be dangling, they are looking for a new CEO, Windows Phone 8 isn't taking off very fast. While Apple has a set image, plan, and seem to be in a better position even if they bomb a product.

Thinking about current positions of the companies and future predictions, which ecosystem would be better to lock into for say 10years? (Student, Programmer, IT Tech, Runner, Casual Gamer)

P.S. (Another plus for Apple... I already have most apple products and no Microsoft products)

P.S.S (Money is not a major issue)

You should get a MBP Retina, a Surface 2, an iPhone 5S, an Xbox One, And an iPad Mini Retina

Or get a PS4, an iPad Air, an iPhone 5S, MBP Retina 13/15. Apple TV & iWatch.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Why not both? Get a Macbook Air, a PC desktop, a Lumia 1020, and an Apple TV. And a PS4 for good measure. That's what I have, I like it.

 

[Damian433]

Why not both? Get a Macbook Air, a PC desktop, a Lumia 1020, and an Apple TV. And a PS4 for good measure. That's what I have, I like it.

Both is boring =[ can't play for two teams! Also, then I can't use the iCloud Photo Sync with Apple TV/MBA/iPhone!

----------

You should get a MBP Retina, a Surface 2, an iPhone 5S, an Xbox One, And an iPad Mini Retina

Or get a PS4, an iPad Air, an iPhone 5S, MBP Retina 13/15. Apple TV & iWatch.

Hm, why do you suggest Retina MBP? <_< Curious

 

[TacticalDesire]

For more professional and document oriented tasks Microsoft is best.

 

[isephmusic]

pc desktop, apple laptop, android phone

the best of all worlds lol

on tablet im still not sure. debating surface 2 vs ipad air...

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Both is boring =[ can't play for two teams! Also, then I can't use the iCloud Photo Sync with Apple TV/MBA/iPhone!

Sure you can! You'd just have to sync your Windows Phone to iPhoto manually.

 

[postpc]

I know where you're coming from, I'm constantly debating Apple vs Google vs Microsoft mix & match is not for me. I found it helpful to "outsource" certain services to "neutral" third parties to avoid being locked in to one vendor too tight. I'm keeping my files on Dropbox and I stopped purchasing music but subscribed to Spotify instead. That way I can quickly move from one eco system to another without too much trouble.

 

[alex2792]

Just get a Surface Pro 2, it will replace your laptop, notebook and tablet. Iwork is horrible for creating complex documents and attempting to get any work done on the iPad will drive you crazy. As far as phones go you may want to wait for lumia 1520 since it will be far more future proof hardware wise.

 

[taedouni]

Apple Ecosystem or Microsoft Ecosystem

How about you don't care about ecosystems as a college student and just get what you NEED.

P.S. Windows 8 sucks. Also Microsoft office for Mac is superior than the Windows version.

 

[GroundLoop]

Just get a Surface Pro 2, it will replace your laptop, notebook and tablet. Iwork is horrible for creating complex documents and attempting to get any work done on the iPad will drive you crazy. As far as phones go you may want to wait for lumia 1520 since it will be far more future proof hardware wise.

This gentleman knows what he is talking about. The Surface Pro 2 is an awesome machine that can do just about anything you ask it to do. While I may not completely agree with the 1520 (I think that it is too big and I am on Verizon - so Lumia 929 for me), a Surface/Lumia combo will satisfy. Also remember that you get 200GB of free SkyDrive storage for two years when you purchase a Surface.

GL

 

[mattopotamus]

sounds like you are balling on that college budget

 

[Damian433]

sounds like you are balling on that college budget

Lol, I work a lot

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I think I am leaning towards Microsoft Ecosystem, I like 1st party apps (I feel like they will be integrated better and be around longer?)
And Microsoft has way more services I could use.

Maybe I will keep a mac around when/if I ever start programming for macs!

----------

How about you don't care about ecosystems as a college student and just get what you NEED.

P.S. Windows 8 sucks. Also Microsoft office for Mac is superior than the Windows version.

If there is no ecosystem war, then I won't have a competition to entertain me when I scroll the webs!

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Microsoft is your rifle....Apple is your gun. Finish the rhyme and you'll have your answer.

 

[ozaz]

I plan on being locked into an ecosystem for awhile

Why?

Apple, Miscrosoft, Google are all going to release amazing products in the coming years. Restricting yourself yourself into a single ecosystem will just cause irritation if you are a general gadget lover, which it seems you are.

My advice is to use as many platform agnostic software solutions as possible

e.g., microsoft Office, google services, evernote, adobe products, spotify, netflix, amazon Kindle books

Personally, I use a Windows laptop (even though I slightly prefer OS X and am hugely envious of battery life on 2013 MBAs, Windows apps suit me best for work-purposes), iPad (incredible tablet apps for leisure and learning), and an iPhone. But could well switch away from iPhone to Android or Windows Phone soon.