iPad I ditched my iPad and used Microsoft Surface 3 for a month

[Aoligei]

iPad to me is a devices with powerful hardware but limited by the software. In one hand, Apple trying to make a distinctive line between iPad and Mac; And in other hand, Apple is trying to make iPadOS more mac-a-like. It is more apparent with iPadOS 16 with the awkward attempt of Stage Managers. Although I have own several iPads over years, I have been been fan of it. Most of time, my iPads are end up in my drawers.

As a person who was born in 80s. I started with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and used every version of Windows (with exception of Windows Me) and I also used every version of macOS starting Leopard. To me, desktop class OS offers usability and versatility that no mobile OS can match, including iPadOS.

Recently I bought a very cheap Microsoft Surface 3. It is the higher end model with 4GB and 128GB storage. And I give it a try for a month, and I am surprised by the versatility of the Surface and things I could do.

The Surface 3 runs full version of Windows 10 Professional. It runs all Windows applications. I don't need to go to App Store to get applications, I don’t have go through bunch of hoops to transfer files, I don’t need to adjust myself to mobile OS, I can simply plug in peripherals and expect it to work. When I am paying thousands of dollars to a computing devices, I am expecting it to work and not to adjust my habit. I can plug in external monitor as secondary display, and it will work. I don’t need to spend more than one thousand dollars to get all of these. And all of these were powered by Intel Atom processors. If Intel Atom processors are able to handle this, there is no reason why much more powerful iPad can’t do.

My 2018 iPad Pro is up in the Facebook Marketplace for sale and I am intended to purchase Surface Pro 9 as replacement. i am keeping cellular iPad 7 for cellular connectivity.

P.S. Everybody is talking about integration between iPhone, iPad and Mac. Well, aside of phone. Surface devices kind take job of iPad and Mac. So the only missing piece is the phone part.

 

[FeliApple]

This topic has been extremely debated, hundreds of threads. Two camps:

-Those who want the iPad to be a Mac, run MacOS, etc

-Those who want the iPad to be what it currently is: the best tablet ever.

My phrasing practically included my opinion, but here it goes clearly: if you want a computer, buy a computer. I’ll have the best tablet ever, thank you.

 

[Digitalguy]

iPad to me is a devices with powerful hardware but limited by the software. In one hand, Apple trying to make a distinctive line between iPad and Mac; And in other hand, Apple is trying to make iPadOS more mac-a-like. It is more apparent with iPadOS 16 with the awkward attempt of Stage Managers. Although I have own several iPads over years, I have been been fan of it. Most of time, my iPads are end up in my drawers.

As a person who was born in 80s. I started with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and used every version of Windows (with exception of Windows Me) and I also used every version of macOS starting Leopard. To me, desktop class OS offers usability and versatility that no mobile OS can match, including iPadOS.

Recently I bought a very cheap Microsoft Surface 3. It is the higher end model with 4GB and 128GB storage. And I give it a try for a month, and I am surprised by the versatility of the Surface and things I could do.

The Surface 3 runs full version of Windows 10 Professional. It runs all Windows applications. I don't need to go to App Store to get applications, I don’t have go through bunch of hoops to transfer files, I don’t need to adjust myself to mobile OS, I can simply plug in peripherals and expect it to work. When I am paying thousands of dollars to a computing devices, I am expecting it to work and not to adjust my habit. I can plug in external monitor as secondary display, and it will work. I don’t need to spend more than one thousand dollars to get all of these. And all of these were powered by Intel Atom processors. If Intel Atom processors are able to handle this, there is no reason why much more powerful iPad can’t do.

My 2018 iPad Pro is up in the Facebook Marketplace for sale and I am intended to purchase Surface Pro 9 as replacement. i am keeping cellular iPad 7 for cellular connectivity.

P.S. Everybody is talking about integration between iPhone, iPad and Mac. Well, aside of phone. Surface devices kind take job of iPad and Mac. So the only missing piece is the phone part.

I have had the surface 3 and it's slow as hell, as most atom devices are... Of course if you are very patient you can replace a laptop with it.
Recently I got a surface go 2 with M3 and that one is a much more snappy device, pleasant to use.
I have plenty of iPads and I don't use them to replace laptops but to replace pen and paper, TVs, monitors etc. They are companion devices not main devices. I can't even fully replace my main (Windows) devices with MacOS (which lacks a couple of key apps) unless I use Parallels (expensive subscription if you want more than 8GB RAM and expensive Macs for that with at least 32GB RAM to have 16-24GB RAM on Windows), let alone iPads.
Surface pro is pretty bad if you use it on you lap, I gave up trying to have it as my on the go laptop and went with a (LTE enabled) clamshell device (thinkpad)

 

[darngooddesign]

...And in other hand, Apple is trying to make iPadOS more mac-a-like.

This is a common misunderstanding.

Apple is making the iPad more versatile, they are not trying to make it more Mac-a-like.

Enjoy your Surface, they're very nice, but what I've noticed from my work Lenovo laptop is that there are still annoying touch-related issues. For example, while I can tap on most things in Outlook, if I tap on a link in an email it places the cursor there; I still have to use the trackpad to click on a link. Hopefully they've fixed that issue in W11.

 

[MBAir2010]

Even PC World claimed the iPad was the Best Buy device for longevity, battery and ease of use.

But if you are happy with the surface go....oh the Surface 3 finally was released.

What I remember this summer the surface go were sold out,
and the accessories were limited in color when they were available this year.
best buys had a huge problem trying to appease the surface buyers
getting the proper colors of keyboards to match their device.

while Apple still had many iPads available for purchase with the proper accessories.

 

[Kiimora]

Only way to find out if the grass is truly greener I guess !

 

[SteveJawbs]

iPad will never come close to replacing a Windows laptop. It’s like saying electricians and construction guys can replace pickup trucks by tying down all their stuff on the roof of a Jetta.

 

[Seanm87]

My company gives me a surface for work. I hate it. Crap as a laptop and crap as a tablet. Don’t get the appeal at all.

 

[Aoligei]

I have had the surface 3 and it's slow as hell, as most atom devices are... Of course if you are very patient you can replace a laptop with it.
Recently I got a surface go 2 with M3 and that one is a much more snappy device, pleasant to use.
I have plenty of iPads and I don't use them to replace laptops but to replace pen and paper, TVs, monitors etc. They are companion devices not main devices. I can't even fully replace my main (Windows) devices with MacOS (which lacks a couple of key apps) unless I use Parallels (expensive subscription if you want more than 8GB RAM and expensive Macs for that with at least 32GB RAM to have 16-24GB RAM on Windows), let alone iPads.
Surface pro is pretty bad if you use it on you lap, I gave up trying to have it as my on the go laptop and went with a (LTE enabled) clamshell device (thinkpad)

Don’t know which spec one you get. I got the 4GB+128GB with LTE one, it performs okay. It runs FULL version of Microsoft Office while I am able to open few tabs on Chrome. So it is not too bad for a less than $150.

I admit that it is slow as hell when Windows doing some updates. And Windows update is kind annoying.

I don’t use it on lap, when I am on the go I use touch screen. It isn’t best, but it is doable.

 

[Aoligei]

My company gives me a surface for work. I hate it. Crap as a laptop and crap as a tablet. Don’t get the appeal at all.

The appeal is I am not limited with App Store, I can plug in accessories with no issue, I can get hook up with secondary display as extended display with no issue, I am able to transfer files from and to external drive with no problem, I can multitasking no issue.

I don’t have to come up with some ridiculous way to get things do. I don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi printer to get docs printed, I don’t need AirDrop to get file transferred, I can export PDFs directly to external drive without using some cloud storage.

I don’t need a computing device that I have to adjust myself to.

 

[Aoligei]

This topic has been extremely debated, hundreds of threads. Two camps:

-Those who want the iPad to be a Mac, run MacOS, etc

-Those who want the iPad to be what it currently is: the best tablet ever.

My phrasing practically included my opinion, but here it goes clearly: if you want a computer, buy a computer. I’ll have the best tablet ever, thank you.

Rumour is that Apple is planing to bring macOS to iPad.

Apple rumored to be testing macOS for M2 iPad Pro | AppleInsider

A leaker has claimed that Apple is working on a version of macOS exclusive for the M2 iPad Pro, with it expected at some point in 2023.

appleinsider.com

 

[Aoligei]

This is a common misunderstanding.

Apple is making the iPad more versatile, they are not trying to make it more Mac-a-like.

Enjoy your Surface, they're very nice, but what I've noticed from my work Lenovo laptop is that there are still annoying touch-related issues. For example, while I can tap on most things in Outlook, if I tap on a link in an email it places the cursor there; I still have to use the trackpad to click on a link. Hopefully they've fixed that issue in W11.

I have Remote Desktop setup on my Android tablet. Remote to my Windows 11 desktop. Touch experience is miles ahead of Windows 10. Microsoft has done lots of work to optimize touch experience with Windows 11.

 

[bcortens]

iPad to me is a devices with powerful hardware but limited by the software. In one hand, Apple trying to make a distinctive line between iPad and Mac; And in other hand, Apple is trying to make iPadOS more mac-a-like. It is more apparent with iPadOS 16 with the awkward attempt of Stage Managers. Although I have own several iPads over years, I have been been fan of it. Most of time, my iPads are end up in my drawers.

As a person who was born in 80s. I started with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and used every version of Windows (with exception of Windows Me) and I also used every version of macOS starting Leopard. To me, desktop class OS offers usability and versatility that no mobile OS can match, including iPadOS.

Recently I bought a very cheap Microsoft Surface 3. It is the higher end model with 4GB and 128GB storage. And I give it a try for a month, and I am surprised by the versatility of the Surface and things I could do.

The Surface 3 runs full version of Windows 10 Professional. It runs all Windows applications. I don't need to go to App Store to get applications, I don’t have go through bunch of hoops to transfer files, I don’t need to adjust myself to mobile OS, I can simply plug in peripherals and expect it to work. When I am paying thousands of dollars to a computing devices, I am expecting it to work and not to adjust my habit. I can plug in external monitor as secondary display, and it will work. I don’t need to spend more than one thousand dollars to get all of these. And all of these were powered by Intel Atom processors. If Intel Atom processors are able to handle this, there is no reason why much more powerful iPad can’t do.

My 2018 iPad Pro is up in the Facebook Marketplace for sale and I am intended to purchase Surface Pro 9 as replacement. i am keeping cellular iPad 7 for cellular connectivity.

P.S. Everybody is talking about integration between iPhone, iPad and Mac. Well, aside of phone. Surface devices kind take job of iPad and Mac. So the only missing piece is the phone part.

I think Apps is the problem.

My iPad Pro has some great apps but is missing many more. For example I wish it had full Xcode, I wish I could play more of the games on my Mac in the downtime (such as Cities Skylines and SC2). I wish the version of Keynote on iPad was as full featured as the Mac version.

Far from the UX being the limiting factor Apple has mostly solved the OS level limitations (with some edge case exceptions) but it is the lack of high quality apps that limit the platform. (Stage manager is terrible UX but lets not go there in this thread).

I use the Mac for work more than the iPad not because the iPad UX but because there are often app level features that are missing... I was doing some animation work in keynote but the animation builder on the iPad is not full featured enough to use...

 

[bcortens]

Rumour is that Apple is planing to bring macOS to iPad.

Apple rumored to be testing macOS for M2 iPad Pro | AppleInsider

A leaker has claimed that Apple is working on a version of macOS exclusive for the M2 iPad Pro, with it expected at some point in 2023.

appleinsider.com

I hope not...
This is them giving up and admits they have failed to design a developer ecosystem that works.

 

[Aoligei]

I think Apps is the problem.

My iPad Pro has some great apps but is missing many more. For example I wish it had full Xcode, I wish I could play more of the games on my Mac in the downtime (such as Cities Skylines and SC2). I wish the version of Keynote on iPad was as full featured as the Mac version.

Far from the UX being the limiting factor Apple has mostly solved the OS level limitations (with some edge case exceptions) but it is the lack of high quality apps that limit the platform. (Stage manager is terrible UX but lets not go there in this thread).

I use the Mac for work more than the iPad not because the iPad UX but because there are often app level features that are missing... I was doing some animation work in keynote but the animation builder on the iPad is not full featured enough to use...

If iPad can solve multitasking problem, not like stage manager thing, get proper file system, let me plug in accessories like printer… it would be at least usable for me.

If I am going to edit video, I don’t want to transfer to iPads internal storage, since copying files on iPadOS still sucks. I wanted to able to directly pull video footage directly from USB-C SSD and export directly to external SSD.

 

[bcortens]

If iPad can solve multitasking problem, not like stage manager thing, get proper file system, let me plug in accessories like printer… it would be at least usable for me.

If I am going to edit video, I don’t want to transfer to iPads internal storage, since copying files on iPadOS still sucks. I wanted to able to directly pull video footage directly from USB-C SSD and export directly to external SSD.

The file system issue, to me, is mostly solved for my uses. However, I find that it takes abnormally long to save things to files and I suspect that if Steve was still in charge that would have been fixed because there is no reason it should take 15 seconds to save something to files that is less than 1MB min size…

Direct USB access is definitely something they need to improve however but that doesn’t really affect me much…

 

[FeliApple]

Rumour is that Apple is planing to bring macOS to iPad.

Apple rumored to be testing macOS for M2 iPad Pro | AppleInsider

A leaker has claimed that Apple is working on a version of macOS exclusive for the M2 iPad Pro, with it expected at some point in 2023.

appleinsider.com

Yep, I strongly disagree with that decision.

 

[Aoligei]

The file system issue, to me, is mostly solved for my uses. However, I find that it takes abnormally long to save things to files and I suspect that if Steve was still in charge that would have been fixed because there is no reason it should take 15 seconds to save something to files that is less than 1MB min size…

Direct USB access is definitely something they need to improve however but that doesn’t really affect me much…

iPadOS still sucks with file support. It doesn’t support write on exFAT, at least for me on 2018 iPad Pro, my external USB-C drive gets random disconnect.

iPadOS also doesn’t support drives with multiple partition. Nor doesn’t support formatting drives.

I would say these are some basic things a OS should able to do.

 

[Aoligei]

Yep, I strongly disagree with that decision.

Why?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Two camps:
-Those who want the iPad to be a Mac, run MacOS, etc
-Those who want the iPad to be a big phone with even less functionality than one.

It can do a fraction of what a Mac Tablet can and a fraction of what the iphone can, while costing up to twice as much as either.

 

[Flabasha]

This topic has been extremely debated, hundreds of threads. Two camps:

-Those who want the iPad to be a Mac, run MacOS, etc

-Those who want the iPad to be what it currently is: the best tablet ever.

My phrasing practically included my opinion, but here it goes clearly: if you want a computer, buy a computer. I’ll have the best tablet ever, thank you.

You have a Galaxy Tab Ultra? 😉 No disrespect to my 2020 iPad Pro, but until Apple makes their 15” OLED IPP, the Galaxy Tab is king at the moment, IMO.

 

[bcortens]

It can do a fraction of what a Mac Tablet can and a fraction of what the iphone can, while costing up to twice as much as either.

We don’t want macOS because we don’t want the legacy UX and all of the legacy apps. I want dedicated new apps. Apps that can span macOS and iPad OS are possible but they have to be designed that way from the start with good UX paradigms thought about in advance.

The problem with iPad OS is that the App Store has been designed to maximize apple’s monetization not to ensure the most sustainable development model for developers of iPad apps. Additionally all of the restrictions on iPad apps (virtual memory is still a limitation on all but the latest iPads) mean that developers are hamstrung in how they develop apps. Apple should loosen these restrictions (intelligently) and work to incentivize developers build their apps for the iPad. Also necessary is transforming the ecosystem so iPad apps can be sustainably developed (financially) to bring better macOS class apps tot he iPad.

The problem is you’re confusing what it can do with how it does it. iPad users often care about the how of it and not just the capability itself.

 

[GMShadow]

If this is a Surface 3, as in the 2015 model, good luck with that thing. Those all had defective Intel Atom chips that degrade with use - and in your case will take out the WiFi and storage with it since they both use SDIO.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

We don’t want macOS because we don’t want the legacy UX and all of the legacy apps. I want dedicated new apps. Apps that can span macOS and iPad OS are possible but

We or I?
I want ai-based apps that will just do my work for me and never ask me to even look at a computer, but

…but I’d settle for a $2500 ipad being able to edit video in FCP.

 

[radus]

The iPad pro M1 is probably my last iPad.
It is a nice toy but nothing more.