Surface Pro 4 vs iPad Pro and the future of pro tablets

[Wiesenlooser]

First of all - I am a Mac, iPhone and iPad user. Heck, I will probably buy gen 2 of the Apple Watch. But you know from the first minute I was really intrigued with the Surface Pro line. Even the clunky first generation seemed really fascinating to me.

Now we are on generation 4 and there is no denying that Microsoft created this market of tablets that can be used as a powerful pro tool.

I have to say, that I have been waiting long for an iPad Pro. Specially because of the stylus since I do a lot of graphic design and drawing in my spare time. Now when I compare both devices I think they both have a right of existence. It seems like they are both emerging to the same point but from different starting points.

The ipad started as this really thin tablet , great battery life but with very limited capabilities. The surface pro line started with the visionary concept of making a usable tablet that is a full computer and had an awesome stylus.

However, when comparing the two I have to say Microsoft really gave Apple a run for it's money when it comes down to the pen and the keyboard.

I don't know why, but microsofts solution seems just so much more versatile and sophisticated. You can adjust the angle and you just feel like the keyboard / kickstand combo was part of the plan from day 1. Apple's solution just feels limited, one angle and it feels more like something logitech created as an accessory.

I really don't know which one I would and should get. There are so many pro`s and con`s to both devices. The Apple Pencil seems to be the better digitizer when it comes to drawing, however microsoft doesn't seem far behind and also has an eraser, is made from aluminum and has a storage solution.

When it comes to apps it is also a pro and con battle in a way. Microsoft has the true "pro apps" like full fledged Adobe CS, 3D CAD application etc. On the other hand there are many apps on iOS that just are not existent on windows like paper from 53, vscocam, procreate, etc. But then again, you have drag and drop on windows 10 and iOs just isnt anywhere close to a full grown OS, but it seems to make progress.

In the end, I don't get the hate for microsoft in this forum. I have never been a windows user, but windows 10 actually looks good and I think the surface line is really well built and designed. It is a worthy contender to challenge Apple when it comes to design and craftmanship and for the first time another company than Apple created something that is really intriguing to me.

How do you feel? Where do you think the Pro tablet market will go? And who will get first to the "sweet spot" ? what are your thoughts on microsoft and the surface line? Pls no hates and bashes

 

[I7guy]

Depends on your needs and budget I would think and whether you want Windows or iOS.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Personally I think the Surface is junk. Apple are the only company not going into the gimmicky field of touchscreen laptops - and yes, it certainly is gimmicky. OEMs are just throwing a touchscreen onto an OS that uses both touch and mouse & keyboard, yet is optimised for neither.

Yet Apple keep OS X for mouse and keyboard, and have made improvements with multitouch technology, to the point where I would strongly argue that the gestures on OS X/Macs make the workflow quicker and more efficient than a mouse/keyboard combined with a touchscreen.

iOS is touchscreen, and the iPad Pro just uses that with the addition of a pencil/stylus for drawing and stuff. It's a niche product for graphic designers, but very good at what it does.

I like the way Apple are going, and their discipline in not folding to consumer's whims for ridiculous things like touchscreen laptops. Shame more companies don't have the foresight or self-belief to do that.

 

[TechGod]

Easily the surface line. Microsoft simply has more experience with this sort of stuff. I think Apple is gonna get absolutely smoked.

 

[lowendlinux]

If you're in the Apple ecosystem why break it?

 

[TechGod]

If you're in the Apple ecosystem why break it?

I will be because I don't wanna be tied to one manufacturer. My next laptop will be some generation of the Surface Book.

 

[lowendlinux]

I will be because I don't wanna be tied to one manufacturer. My next laptop will be some generation of the Surface Book.

But the OP is planning on continuing to live in the ecosystem.

 

[TechGod]

But the OP is planning on continuing to live in the ecosystem.

In that case, it is pointless to do so.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

In the end, I don't get the hate for microsoft in this forum. I have never been a windows user, but windows 10 actually looks good and I think the surface line is really well built and designed. It is a worthy contender to challenge Apple when it comes to design and craftmanship and for the first time another company than Apple created something that is really intriguing to me.

Have you actually used Windows before within the last 5 years? If not, you should install Windows 10 on a VM or Bootcamp to see if it's to your liking before you spend on a Surface Pro.

I myself would go with the Surface Pro over the iPad Pro, even though I haven't had the greatest experience on 10 so far.

With the iPad Pro, I think you'll feel like you've spent a good amount of money for just a larger screen with serveral added features. Not worth it for me.

 

[John Mcgregor]

Easily the surface line. Microsoft simply has more experience with this sort of stuff. I think Apple is gonna get absolutely smoked.

Microsoft has no clue as always.

 

[I7guy]

Have you actually used Windows before within the last 5 years? If not, you should install Windows 10 on a VM or Bootcamp to see if it's to your liking before you spend on a Surface Pro.

I myself would go with the Surface Pro over the iPad Pro, even though I haven't had the greatest experience on 10 so far.

With the iPad Pro, I think you'll feel like you've spent a good amount of money for just a larger screen with serveral added features. Not worth it for me.

Some people want a bigger iPad with added features. I just bought a high-end laptop I don't need a surface pro, but my iPad 2 I'm thinking about an upgrade. Surface pro has high-end hardware but you are paying for it.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Microsoft has no clue as always.

It would be nice to have one thread that somehow abstained from fanboy, ignorant post.

How is Microsoft clueless? I don't plan on buying either, I am happy with my Macbook pro/ipad combo.

That said, Microsoft pioneered this line of devices. The surface pro is more versatile than the iPad pro, more powerful, and all around more value per dollar. I actually used a surface pro 3 for about a month, and it was surprisingly sufficient for everything I needed.

To come in and post something like above, offer zero contribution, and continue on your way is what makes this forum difficult to tolerate at times. Why do I stay around? Because they are legitimate, intelligent people on this forum; more so than on any other forum I have visited. You just have to weed through the fanboys and ignorant post.

Anyway, Microsoft really killed it with their recent event. I have all apply products, but have used Windows 10. Windows 10 is actually a really great OS, and there are several features from it that I miss. If I could combine OS X and Windows 10, I would have the perfect operating system. If I had to pick one today....I would lean towards Windows 10. Multitasking and available software really give it an edge. I say that, having just purchased a brand new Macbook Pro a few weeks ago.

It is Apple's control over software and hardware together that really makes its products. The retina macbook pro offered the best combinations of advantages in software and hardware.

There was no legitimate equal in the windows universe when I bought this Mac. Dell XPS 13 was the coolest thing, and I couldn't handle the trackpad lag. Today, with microsoft releasing a string of products, like the surface book, in which is offers a similar level of control that Apple enjoys...fantastic.

I will continue to be happy with my all Apple ecosystem I have going on here, and am in no way bashing it. But to state that Microsoft has no clue?

Surface pro 4 is the most advance tablet/laptop hybrid available now. Hardware, software, etc.

The surface book pro has the potential to be the best piece of hardware on the market, but we will have to wait and see.

Microsoft is really killing it this year. Hopefully it pushes Apple to continue to innovate on both the hardware and software front.

*EDIT*

I am not discounting the iPad, it has a different uses. The normal iPad air 2, IMO, is the best tablet (not tablet/hybrid) on the market. It does what it does extremely well, and I wouldn't trade it for any other tablet at this moment.

 

[asleep]

Surface Pro 4 blows iPad Pro out of the water. Apple really has its work cut out.

Everything is cattywampus.

 

[I7guy]

Surface Pro 4 blows iPad Pro out of the water. Apple really has its work cut out.

Everything is cattywampus.

No it doesn't. They each have different uses and a different approach. Yes the hardware is awesome, but one has to consider the use case and cost.

 

[nebo1ss]

I love everything about the surface pro except the OS. I left windows five years ago and cannot imagine going back.

 

[sracer]

Apple, Microsoft, and Google have all been working toward a converged device. Microsoft is approaching it from the desktop side, Apple from the mobile side, Google from a scattershot approach. It's interesting to watch.

Microsoft moving at a fast clip toward convergence (however that is defined) but if they don't get developers seriously on board then the progress they have made will come to a standstill. Apple already has developers on board who are producing not only mature consumer apps but vertical enterprise apps as well. This is something that most don't consider. They think that whatever is in the app store is all there is. (for the general public that is true, but corporations have their own in house apps that are way beyond simply an app front-end to the Wikipedia website).

Microsoft needs to also swing the pendulum back toward the center. They were too aggressive in incorporating touch in Win 8.0. Win 8.1 was closer to where it needed to be. Win 10 seems to be an over correction toward the desktop... removing some elements previously in Win 8.x that were beneficial to touch users.


Apple is primarily a hardware company. If they were so inclined, they could produce a truly converged device TODAY that would satisfy many/most looking for a "pro" tablet. So why don't they? Because they don't need to. Every release of a generation of iPad is a turn of the crank to generate money. Why take the leap now and turn the crank only once when they can do so incrementally... earning truckloads of money with each turn? How many iPad owners have purchased more than one iPad for themselves? Any reference to "upgrading" their iPad is simply codespeak for "I will buy another iPad".

Apple will only move the ball forward when they are forced to. Microsoft has gained enough traction and attention to cause Apple to produce a larger iPad with an active stylus. Some think that Microsoft sales of Surface devices must match the sales of iPads in order to consider there to be an impact. It doesn't. Those who aren't emotionally attached to any tech company have been praising Microsoft and have been purchasing Surface devices. THAT is what Apple listens to... not the gushing hyperbole or harsh rantings of its fans and detractors.

Eventually one or more of them will get there. Until that point I can see myself bouncing between Apple's, Microsoft's, and Google's offerings as one pushes past the other.

 

[spinedoc77]

Personally I think the Surface is junk. Apple are the only company not going into the gimmicky field of touchscreen laptops - and yes, it certainly is gimmicky. OEMs are just throwing a touchscreen onto an OS that uses both touch and mouse & keyboard, yet is optimised for neither.

Yet Apple keep OS X for mouse and keyboard, and have made improvements with multitouch technology, to the point where I would strongly argue that the gestures on OS X/Macs make the workflow quicker and more efficient than a mouse/keyboard combined with a touchscreen.

iOS is touchscreen, and the iPad Pro just uses that with the addition of a pencil/stylus for drawing and stuff. It's a niche product for graphic designers, but very good at what it does.

I like the way Apple are going, and their discipline in not folding to consumer's whims for ridiculous things like touchscreen laptops. Shame more companies don't have the foresight or self-belief to do that.

I love touchscreen laptops, it makes my workflow much better. Sometimes it just makes more sense to use your finger, quick scrolling, swipes, etc. I'd also rather not have one more layer of abstraction using a trackpad to swipe, just put my finger where it needs to go and voila. I never understood not liking a feature if it's optional, I love having choice whether it's to use the touchscreen, trackpad or mouse. I can tailor my input to the situation at hand, am I hunched over my laptop with no mouse? Then touchscreen works perfectly. Is my laptop docked to my desk? Then mouse or trackpad works perfectly. Do I have the laptop in tablet mode on the train going to work? etc etc.

I see it the opposite way, dividing OSx and iOS makes life harder. Now you have to sync things, worry about apps versus full programs, have a distinct lack of a file system, etc. Having the 2 devices, each with its own ecosystem and functionality, would slow me down quite a bit.

But then again keeping OSx and iOS separate isn't generated out of any desire for being streamlined, rather it's to put more money in Apple's pocket in that you now have to buy an OSx device AND an iOS device.

 

[spinedoc77]

Some people want a bigger iPad with added features. I just bought a high-end laptop I don't need a surface pro, but my iPad 2 I'm thinking about an upgrade. Surface pro has high-end hardware but you are paying for it.

Isn't the ipad pro more expensive with similar specs than the SP4? SP4 m3/128gb $899 versus IPP 128gb $949. The SP4 even comes with the stylus for that price, the IPP doesn't.

 

[AustinIllini]

I love touchscreen laptops, it makes my workflow much better. Sometimes it just makes more sense to use your finger, quick scrolling, swipes, etc. I'd also rather not have one more layer of abstraction using a trackpad to swipe, just put my finger where it needs to go and voila. I never understood not liking a feature if it's optional, I love having choice whether it's to use the touchscreen, trackpad or mouse. I can tailor my input to the situation at hand, am I hunched over my laptop with no mouse? Then touchscreen works perfectly. Is my laptop docked to my desk? Then mouse or trackpad works perfectly. Do I have the laptop in tablet mode on the train going to work? etc etc.

I see it the opposite way, dividing OSx and iOS makes life harder. Now you have to sync things, worry about apps versus full programs, have a distinct lack of a file system, etc. Having the 2 devices, each with its own ecosystem and functionality, would slow me down quite a bit.

But then again keeping OSx and iOS separate isn't generated out of any desire for being streamlined, rather it's to put more money in Apple's pocket in that you now have to buy an OSx device AND an iOS device.

I find a good trackpad negates the need for a touch screen computer. I'm a little old fashioned, I suppose.

 

[spinedoc77]

I find a good trackpad negates the need for a touch screen computer. I'm a little old fashioned, I suppose.

Yeah, we all have different likes. If it were up to me I'd throw out every s ingle trackpad in the world as they are useless to me unless it's an emergency and I don't have a mouse or touchscreen. I just can never get used to that layer of abstraction from actually touching the screen, and the discomfort.

It also amazes me that there are people who love the little eraser nubs on the thinkpad keyboards, I could never get used to those when they were popular.

 

[TechGod]

Microsoft has no clue as always.

No. They know more about Apple.

 

[I7guy]

Isn't the ipad pro more expensive with similar specs than the SP4? SP4 m3/128gb $899 versus IPP 128gb $949. The SP4 even comes with the stylus for that price, the IPP doesn't.

The sp4 has the lowest level processor, bump up the processor and your spending 100 more. The IPP prices varies with memory. Plus, show me that the sp4 stylus has the same capability as the IPP.

 

[spinedoc77]

The sp4 has the lowest level processor, bump up the processor and your spending 100 more. The IPP prices varies with memory. Plus, show me that the sp4 stylus has the same capability as the IPP.

Regardless, the IPP at 128gb is more expensive than the SP4 at 128gb. I haven't seen a side by side comparison of the styli but from what I understand they both function very nicely. The IPP stylus has the tilt detection which is nice. The SP4 stylus is included so you can't lose with that either.

 

[yillbs]

I'm more or less confused why people keep comparing a mobile operating system to a full blow desktop operating system. The mobile OS doenst really have much of a chance, it's an unfair comparison. Are these threads created because people don't know the ipad pro runs IOS, and not OSX ?

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm more or less confused why people keep comparing a mobile operating system to a full blow desktop operating system. The mobile OS doenst really have much of a chance, it's an unfair comparison. Are these threads created because people don't know the ipad pro runs IOS, and not OSX ?

Not to be obvious, but Apple does not have an OSx tablet, the SP4 and IPP are in the same price range for the entry level SP4's, and Microsoft doesn't have a non-windows 10 tablet anymore. The SP4 should traditionally be compared to an Apple ultrabook, but there are many overlapping functions so it's not apples to apples, and the IPP makes that overlapping of function, size and price more apparent.