iPad Pro (9.7) vs Surface Pro 4?

[nviz22]

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

 

[sunapple]

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage?

Not really, it does have a better processor.

Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

Probably, yes. You've already said it, it's full fledged.

Do you really just want an excuse to buy the iPad?

 

[nviz22]

Not really, it does have a better processor.



Probably, yes. You've already said it, it's full fledged.

Do you really just want an excuse to buy the iPad?

Better processor in what sense? Not really because I want what's best for class since I can use iOS on my iPhone and OS X on my MBP. Does iOS 11's multi-tasking make it worth sticking around with Apple though?

 

[baypharm]

As sunapple said, the major difference between the two is that the Surface Pro will run full desktop software.

 

[burgman]

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

The larger screen on the pro makes split view much nicer, and the ability to run programs. MicoSD card slot, USB port is nice also. Windows app store still isn't great but getting better. Pen support is a personal preference but both work great for note taking, with Ipad pen much better for drawing. Keyboards are night and day with the SP 4 lighted one with track pad winning. SP4 can drive a monitor at 4096 x 2304 @ 60HZ, Ipad 1080P. So yeah much more robust, little harder to carry around, App store differences mean they really are different classes of devices. If only having one device the SP4, if you have a desktop machine or laptop then the IPad.

 

[bmac4]

I think you will find the 9.7 a bit more difficult to use for thinks like spreadsheets. With that small of a screen, it's makes spreadsheets really hard. I have the surface pro 3 and the iPad 9.7. If I needed either for work, and was using a spreadsheet, I would pull out the Surface. Just makes things easier. Don't get me wrong I love my iPad (now 10.5), but there are still certain things the Surface can do better with a full desktop OS on it.

 

[sracer]

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

As much as I'm a fan of the iPad Pro, I strongly recommend keeping the SP4. That's a terrific price on a great device. You will be able to do everything you've listed... and then some. A variety of ports and support for removable media really make it a versatile system for school usage.

I still own and use my Surface 2 (non-Pro that runs Windows RT) and in many respects it is more "Pro" than my 12.9 iPad Pro.

 

[sers]

Keep the Surface. Running Excel and Powerpoint on an iPad is painful. Nothing beats a trackpad or mouse when using these applications. If you were just doing media consumption and light email/note work, the iPad is more suitable.

 

[GDF]

I would say get both. iPad is much better for Netflix, web surfing, spotify and watching live events. Taking notes is a tossup. I had a SP4 and an iPad 9.7 and ended up keeping the iPad 9.7. I do look at PowerPoints and do some excel on my iPad and works fine.

iPad does tablet type activities way better and the SP4 makes normal computer activites like excel and powerpoint easier. In the end I was using the iPad much more, even though I liked the SP4.

FYI - just upgraded to the 10.7 and would recommend tha over the 9.7.

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

 

[nviz22]

The larger screen on the pro makes split view much nicer, and the ability to run programs. MicoSD card slot, USB port is nice also. Windows app store still isn't great but getting better. Pen support is a personal preference but both work great for note taking, with Ipad pen much better for drawing. Keyboards are night and day with the SP 4 lighted one with track pad winning. SP4 can drive a monitor at 4096 x 2304 @ 60HZ, Ipad 1080P. So yeah much more robust, little harder to carry around, App store differences mean they really are different classes of devices. If only having one device the SP4, if you have a desktop machine or laptop then the IPad.

Is that using an HDMI or the Surface connector? I enjoy having a mouse a lot more than just a touchscreen jailbreak combo thats for sure.
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Keep the Surface. Running Excel and Powerpoint on an iPad is painful. Nothing beats a trackpad or mouse when using these applications. If you were just doing media consumption and light email/note work, the iPad is more suitable.

What makes it more painful? Well, I do mainly powerpoint, video lectures, word docs with school. My Mac will be the crux of my major papers though. I did manage to end up typing like 8 pages worth of notes for accounting the other day and it ran fine for about 3 hrs w/ 50% or so of remaining battery with the SP4.
[doublepost=1497460616][/doublepost]

I would say get both. iPad is much better for Netflix, web surfing, spotify and watching live events. Taking notes is a tossup. I had a SP4 and an iPad 9.7 and ended up keeping the iPad 9.7. I do look at PowerPoints and do some excel on my iPad and works fine.

iPad does tablet type activities way better and the SP4 makes normal computer activites like excel and powerpoint easier. In the end I was using the iPad much more, even though I liked the SP4.

FYI - just upgraded to the 10.7 and would recommend tha over the 9.7.

Can only afford one. Not willing to spend more than $500 on anything. $649 is too much.

 

[sracer]

What makes it more painful? Well, I do mainly powerpoint, video lectures, word docs with school. My Mac will be the crux of my major papers though. I did manage to end up typing like 8 pages worth of notes for accounting the other day and it ran fine for about 3 hrs w/ 50% or so of remaining battery with the SP4.

Excel for iOS is a pale shadow of the desktop version. It can DISPLAY spreadsheets extremely well, but CREATING them on the iPad is difficult. And, while it might be a personal preference, selecting a range of cells is easier on the desktop version with a mouse than swiping with a finger...

 

[sers]

Excel for iOS is a pale shadow of the desktop version. It can DISPLAY spreadsheets extremely well, but CREATING them on the iPad is difficult. And, while it might be a personal preference, selecting a range of cells is easier on the desktop version with a mouse than swiping with a finger...

This. The iPad is great for viewing things, but when you have to do more tedious work like spreadsheets and creating documents, it's much easier to manipulate cells, text and numbers with a mouse than with your finger. Excel really doesn't work well with touch - it's suited for mouse input. Also, Google "Gorilla Arm" and you'll see what I mean. After a while, raising your arm to manipulate data on the screen gets tiresome.

 

[Closingracer]

I would say get both. iPad is much better for Netflix, web surfing, spotify and watching live events. Taking notes is a tossup. I had a SP4 and an iPad 9.7 and ended up keeping the iPad 9.7. I do look at PowerPoints and do some excel on my iPad and works fine.

iPad does tablet type activities way better and the SP4 makes normal computer activites like excel and powerpoint easier. In the end I was using the iPad much more, even though I liked the SP4.

FYI - just upgraded to the 10.7 and would recommend tha over the 9.7.

The surface pro 4 is miles ahead better for video content imho. I still hate the 4:3 aspect ratio Apple uses on their iPads .

 

[nviz22]

I take it that the SP4 is the one to keep. However, is the SP4 the best bang for my buck at $500 or could I get an even cheaper product to do the job similar to the SP4 without the price tag?

 

[nfl46]

SP4, for your use.

 

[sracer]

I take it that the SP4 is the one to keep. However, is the SP4 the best bang for my buck at $500 or could I get an even cheaper product to do the job similar to the SP4 without the price tag?

That SP4 for $500 is a stellar price. You can find something cheaper that will do the same thing, but it will be of significantly lower quality.

 

[badmojo69]

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

Do what I did and get both.

 

[nviz22]

That SP4 for $500 is a stellar price. You can find something cheaper that will do the same thing, but it will be of significantly lower quality.

That includes like a Dell XPS or an Asus Zen product?
[doublepost=1497527217][/doublepost]

Do what I did and get both.

Can't afford both. I could revisit an iPad when the prices drop on the Mini 3 or Mini 4, but right now, gotta cut any wasteful spending, which two tablets do.

 

[sracer]

That includes like a Dell XPS or an Asus Zen product?

For that price, yes. From a hardware design and build quality perspective, the Surface is at the top of Windows-based devices. (obviously my opinion, others will disagree)

 

[Newtons Apple]

If I could only have one or the other, I would have to pick the full fledged computer. The iPad would be considered a luxury addition to the computer.

 

[tbayrgs]

The surface pro 4 is miles ahead better for video content imho. I still hate the 4:3 aspect ratio Apple uses on their iPads .

Miles ahead better how?

And regarding ratios, the Surface Pro has an aspect ratio of 3:2, hardly ideal for video if your disdain for the iPad's aspect ratio is in regards to black bars.

 

[Zaft]

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

For school work and spreadsheets you will have headaches using the iPad. I say get the surface with a full OS and save your self workarounds.

 

[Closingracer]

Miles ahead better how?

And regarding ratios, the Surface Pro has an aspect ratio of 3:2, hardly ideal for video if your disdain for the iPad's aspect ratio is in regards to black bars.

It's still not 4:3 . You still can't use certain apps fully on iOS unlike Android or a full fledged windows device . Vudu which I have a huge library of movies can only be downloaded in 480p . I can download them in 1080p on any other OS

I love my iPad Pro 10.5 but I'll still take a windows device like the SP4 at that price .

 

[BlueGoldAce]

So I managed to get the Surface Pro 4 i5 4gb RAM w/128gb SSD for $500 brand new last week, but cannot help but think I should consider an iPad Pro 9.7 on sale for $399.

What I want to do is watch lecture videos, take notes, look at PowerPoints, do some excel spreadsheets, use Netflix, surf the web, check email, play Spotify music, watch live sporting events.

I currently have an iPad Mini 4 that I will end up selling because it just doesn't feel a productivity device, rather it's more of a media consumption device.

Does the iPad Pro offer more than just Apple Pen support and a smart connector that makes it worth considering for school usage? Or am I just better off with the Surface Pro 4 since it is a full fledged windows device with more robust features?

SP4 for sure.

Get the app called drawboard for all your PDF needs, and then office. Drawboard is an excellent PDF app, and then have a full fledged office suite makes it better for your needs. The keyboard cover is excellent. The SP4 is powerful enough to do anything you need.

The 9.7 pro, which I owe, is a great device, but it is limited by the iOS. Even iOS 11, which will improve this, is still pretty limited compared to full fledged Windows 10. The Sp4 with a pen and keyboard cover will be able to do more of what you need, and more efficiently, than the 9.7 pro with iOS 11.

The 9.7 pro is nice and light. It is great for PDF annotation, media consumption, and casual web browsing. But anytime I need to actually get work done in office, photo editing, video editing, etc; I pull out my XPS 15 9560, or turn to my desktop.

iOS 11 will improve the situation, and the large screen of the 12.9 pro will improve it even more...but it still isn't going to be close.

 

[I7guy]

SP4 for sure.

Get the app called drawboard for all your PDF needs, and then office. Drawboard is an excellent PDF app, and then have a full fledged office suite makes it better for your needs. The keyboard cover is excellent. The SP4 is powerful enough to do anything you need.

The 9.7 pro, which I owe, is a great device, but it is limited by the iOS. Even iOS 11, which will improve this, is still pretty limited compared to full fledged Windows 10. The Sp4 with a pen and keyboard cover will be able to do more of what you need, and more efficiently, than the 9.7 pro with iOS 11.

The 9.7 pro is nice and light. It is great for PDF annotation, media consumption, and casual web browsing. But anytime I need to actually get work done in office, photo editing, video editing, etc; I pull out my XPS 15 9560, or turn to my desktop.

iOS 11 will improve the situation, and the large screen of the 12.9 pro will improve it even more...but it still isn't going to be close.

I'm going for the 10.5. Yeah it's not windows, but to me that's a plus. I want the simplicity of iOS in a relatively maintence free device.