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

[MRU]

But in the case of the iPad, pro simply means a bigger screen.
It doesn't do any more than an Air, or run special apps...

With the same reasoning you could argue a surface 'pro' doesn't do anything special or extra over a surface ... It is simply a more powerful version of same, as with the iPad Pro.

'Pro' is just a moniker ... It means little more than a more powerful / top end version. Just as MacBook to MacBook Pro does.


Re: 'pro usage' ... That is dependent on the individual.

The iPad Pro does separate itself with its fantastic pencil support. The fact I'm able to use it as a cintiq replacement with my laptop and edit full photoshop or illustrator or corel painter work - and even away continue to work on illustrations away from my desktop/laptop - share them to the cloud in psd or ai format for editing when I am back on it - means I very much get professional usage from my iPad pro.

 

[Night Spring]

But in the case of the iPad, pro simply means a bigger screen.

And you can use Pencil.

 

[gotluck]

The pro is definitely more powerful it's just that the only ios apps that are really built to push the hardware to its limits are creative apps.

Same can't really be said about x86 because the software is already there for other fields

 

[apolloa]

The pro is definitely more powerful it's just that the only ios apps that are really built to push the hardware to its limits are creative apps.

Same can't really be said about x86 because the software is already there for other fields

Agreed, hopefully games will be made to use that extra power.

 

[spinedoc77]

But in the case of the iPad, pro simply means a bigger screen.
It doesn't do any more than an Air, or run special apps...

Well, while I do think the ipad pro isn't much more than a blown up iPhone they did at least add the pen technology, more RAM and the larger size. That qualifies it for the pro moniker in my book, but now it's a "pro blown up iPhone". Hehe, ok I'm just kidding no one get mad, well sort of.

 

[Night Spring]

Well, while I do think the ipad pro isn't much more than a blown up iPhone they did at least add the pen technology, more RAM and the larger size. That qualifies it for the pro moniker in my book, but now it's a "pro blown up iPhone". Hehe, ok I'm just kidding no one get mad, well sort of.

Well, yeah, it is a blown up phone, but the phone itself is quite powerful. I remember, back when I first got the original iPod touch, and it got the 1.whatever update that gave it some basic native apps, I thought, "wow, this is a computer that fits in my hand!" I think people who complain that the iPad is "just" a blown-up phone has never stopped and considered exactly how powerful the iPhone is.

 

[spinedoc77]

Well, yeah, it is a blown up phone, but the phone itself is quite powerful. I remember, back when I first got the original iPod touch, and it got the 1.whatever update that gave it some basic native apps, I thought, "wow, this is a computer that fits in my hand!" I think people who complain that the iPad is "just" a blown-up phone has never stopped and considered exactly how powerful the iPhone is.

I've considered how powerful the iPhone is, up until the second I think about a windows computer. In all fairness an iPhone and/or ipad CAN be much more powerful, but the apps and Apples walled garden hold it back. I got over that entire "wow this is a computer that fits in my hand" when Microsoft had it's windows mobile phones 15 years ago which were truly little palm computers, although they were way too much ahead of their time.

I can't speak for others, but when I complain the ipad is a blown up iPhone I mean there isn't much differentiating iPhone apps from ipad apps other than screen resolution.

Kind of an aside, but in terms of windows tablet touch features on desktop legacy programs I had a real good experience today. I use Adobe Acrobat a LOT, I mean constantly but I'm too busy to upgrade so I have Adobe Acrobat 9 which really has a desktop UI, small menus, etc. I use this on my work surface pro to walk around and have patient files/studies ready at an instant. I purchased a couple of Fujitsu ix500 scanners and they came with Adobe Acrobat DC which is optimized for touch tablets, yet still retains all of the functionality of the original. I was quite impressed with how they reworked it and is a great lesson for other companies that they don't need to dumb down or lose features just to make something work on a tablet and a full desktop.

 

[Night Spring]

Adobe Acrobat DC which is optimized for touch tablets, yet still retains all of the functionality of the original. I was quite impressed with how they reworked it and is a great lesson for other companies that they don't need to dumb down or lose features just to make something work on a tablet and a full desktop.

That's good to hear, and I hope more companies come out with software like that, for either iOS or Windows.

 

[Abazigal]

But in the case of the iPad, pro simply means a bigger screen.
It doesn't do any more than an Air, or run special apps...

I think the intention is that the more powerful specs of the iPad Pro should enable more powerful apps, or allow for faster and more varied workflows than you normally get from an iPad.

It's a chicken-and-egg scenario now. Developers are not going to create more powerful apps without an iPad Pro, so Apple had to make the first move. Now the question is - will they bother given the current low install base of the iPad Pro and the general unwillingness of consumers to pay a premium for productivity apps?

 

[sonicrobby]

Aw man. So I'm still looking at reviews for the SP4 to get one, and I finally saw the charger block for the first time I really appreciate the effort Microsoft put into the aesthetics of their new surface lines, but they completely overlooked the charging block. That thing is atrocious! That is something I really do appreciate from Apple. It was super convenient to wrap up and pack (i did not use the extension cable). I know it's dumb, but it may be a deal breaker

 

[I7guy]

Aw man. So I'm still looking at reviews for the SP4 to get one, and I finally saw the charger block for the first time I really appreciate the effort Microsoft put into the aesthetics of their new surface lines, but they completely overlooked the charging block. That thing is atrocious! That is something I really do appreciate from Apple. It was super convenient to wrap up and pack (i did not use the extension cable). I know it's dumb, but it may be a deal breaker

The iPad pro brick barely charges the device whilst using it. The usb port on the sp4 can charge an iPad, hence the power pack has to deliver a bit of juice which is why it is laptop sized.

 

[sonicrobby]

The iPad pro brick barely charges the device whilst using it. The usb port on the sp4 can charge an iPad, hence the power pack has to deliver a bit of juice which is why it is laptop sized.

Yeah, but the MacBook Pro packs a nice 65 watts in a relatively compact form

 

[sracer]

Well, while I do think the ipad pro isn't much more than a blown up iPhone they did at least add the pen technology, more RAM and the larger size. That qualifies it for the pro moniker in my book, but now it's a "pro blown up iPhone". Hehe, ok I'm just kidding no one get mad, well sort of.

The ipad pro is indeed essentially a blown up iphone. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. But in terms of business professional use, as I've said before, my Windows RT-equipped Surface 2 is more "pro" than the iPad Pro.

 

[I7guy]

Yeah, but the MacBook Pro packs a nice 65 watts in a relatively compact form

The SP4 power pack also has a USB port. But aren't we discussing the sp4 vs ipp?

 

[sonicrobby]

The SP4 power pack also has a USB port. But aren't we discussing the sp4 vs ipp?

I was just commenting on the sp4. I want to get one, but the power block is actually altering my decision. A USB is nice, but it's still a general cable-block-cable power supply with a Velcro strap. If they had something simpler, just a block that just connects to the wall directly, I'd be sold.

Apples MacBook version of the charger is just that, a block that connects to the wall directly; and has two tabs that pop out to roll the cable around is just super clever! I'm browsing online for a 3rd party solution. Let me know if anyone knows of any!

 

[I7guy]

I was just commenting on the sp4. I want to get one, but the power block is actually altering my decision. A USB is nice, but it's still a general cable-block-cable power supply with a Velcro strap. If they had something simpler, just a block that just connects to the wall directly, I'd be sold.

Apples MacBook version of the charger is just that, a block that connects to the wall directly; and has two tabs that pop out to roll the cable around is just super clever! I'm browsing online for a 3rd party solution. Let me know if anyone knows of any!

I guess we have different expectations (nothing wrong with that. ) My laptop charger is really a brick, but it delivers 19.2 volts and is at least twice the size of the sp4 brick. But good luck in your shopping.

 

[Fthree]

a really powerful blown up phone is exactly what we needed. The majority of people could take care of the majority of their business on their phones anyway. The IPP adds a large screen with faster processing and ability. Please tell me what would make it better?

 

[TheMissionMan]

Not sure the sp4 is a pro device either, just another form factor laptop.

Pro device is relevant to what you do. If you're a photographer and the iPad Pro replaces your Cintiq, it's a Pro device, if you a maintenance engineer using SAP work order manager and needing 20 hours of battery life, its a pro device. The same goes for the SP4, if you need a combined laptop and tablet for your profession, its a pro device. If you need full MS office and Project on your device, the SP4 is a pro device. I think people get wrapped up in what pro actually means, but professional is relevant to what the person's profession requires. Even phones are pro devices, because their professional usage requires them to be a phone, create calendar appointments, view their appointments, respond to emails and all of these are possible on phones these days.

 

[spinedoc77]

I was just commenting on the sp4. I want to get one, but the power block is actually altering my decision. A USB is nice, but it's still a general cable-block-cable power supply with a Velcro strap. If they had something simpler, just a block that just connects to the wall directly, I'd be sold.

Apples MacBook version of the charger is just that, a block that connects to the wall directly; and has two tabs that pop out to roll the cable around is just super clever! I'm browsing online for a 3rd party solution. Let me know if anyone knows of any!

I think the complaints against the SP3/4 power blocks are very much deserved. The block is very large, and having a secondary cord plug into that makes it even bulkier, especially when trying to roll up the cords to take it along. Granted the ipads charger may not charge as fast, but the technology is there. On other tablets like Lenovo they have small ipad like chargers and they charge pretty quickly. When you look at something like Qualcomm 2.0 fast charging it makes you wonder why MS is using 1995 laptop technology. To take it a step further why wouldn't they also have wireless fast charging. My Note 5 charges up pretty darn quickly with wireless fast charging. Of course we are talking about a much larger battery on a tablet, but still I think it would be awesome.

But yeah, the ipad charger > the SP charger all day long. Heck I'd take the MacBook Air charger which is probably about the same volume, but has the folding prongs and only one small cable, making it much more travel worthy. Once you wind up the SP4 charger cable(S) around the brick, including the small brick you actually plug into the wall, the volume is much larger.

 

[I7guy]

I think the complaints against the SP3/4 power blocks are very much deserved. The block is very large, and having a secondary cord plug into that makes it even bulkier, especially when trying to roll up the cords to take it along. Granted the ipads charger may not charge as fast, but the technology is there. On other tablets like Lenovo they have small ipad like chargers and they charge pretty quickly. When you look at something like Qualcomm 2.0 fast charging it makes you wonder why MS is using 1995 laptop technology. To take it a step further why wouldn't they also have wireless fast charging. My Note 5 charges up pretty darn quickly with wireless fast charging. Of course we are talking about a much larger battery on a tablet, but still I think it would be awesome.

But yeah, the ipad charger > the SP charger all day long. Heck I'd take the MacBook Air charger which is probably about the same volume, but has the folding prongs and only one small cable, making it much more travel worthy. Once you wind up the SP4 charger cable(S) around the brick, including the small brick you actually plug into the wall, the volume is much larger.

The charger doesnt bother me. The Laptop can charge an iPad and the charger has a USB port and we have a slim-line carry case.

 

[MRU]

Well i'm really enjoying my ipad pro & apple pencil. Still havent decided whether i will get the keyboard. So far i dont feel a desperate need for it. Here's a little 30 minute or so sketch done whilst watching tv tonight with art rage. It's very handy for just jotting down a sketch idea such as this, and then I can work on it later or just add it to the sketchbook collection.

 

[FX120]

Two months in, and I'm still very satisfied with my SP4. Nothing beats going down to the bar and drinking a pint of local IPA while working on a design for my new side yard gate in Solidworks.

I just need a good Bluetooth numeric keypad, then I could almost ditch my type cover while working in CAD.

 

[MRU]

Two months in, and I'm still very satisfied with my SP4. Nothing beats going down to the bar and drinking a pint of local IPA while working on a design for my new side yard gate in Solidworks.

I just need a good Bluetooth numeric keypad, then I could almost ditch my type cover while working in CAD.

Moral of the story I guess is that the majority of those of us with either device are not arguing merits or 'pro' monikers. Were just using, & enjoying our devices in whatever capacity. The market is big enough to accommodate both, so just buy whichever works for you and enjoy.

 

[gotluck]

the most exciting thing about the surface pro for me is that it is rooted out of the box and there is no such thing as 'this app cannot be used on jailbroken/rooted devices'

well the fact that it can run anything is very exciting too, but every other OS seems to be clamping down on freedom. I feel like that day is coming for OSX too.

cant wait for the surface phone if for no other reason than freedom

 

[The Game 161]

Well i'm really enjoying my ipad pro & apple pencil. Still havent decided whether i will get the keyboard. So far i dont feel a desperate need for it. Here's a little 30 minute or so sketch done whilst watching tv tonight with art rage. It's very handy for just jotting down a sketch idea such as this, and then I can work on it later or just add it to the sketchbook collection.

awesome

my pencil arrives today and yes I bought the pro!