Xperia Z4, iPad PRO or Surface Pro 4

[peterpan123]

Hello, I am looking for a new device to replace my kind-of broken Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 (GNP). Here are some info:

- I use GNP as a phone
- I use GNP as a large device for reading on the trains. Due to poor eye sights, I need to remove my glass and put the device close (within 10cm distance) if I use small devices like Note 2
- I do pdf annottions
- I often use S-pen to write down notes. Sometimes with the press of a button on the S-pen, I do screen capture.
- I like to take photos and videos. Good battery life is desirable
- I have a rMBP 15" for work. Together with my GNP and other stuffs, I feel my bag is heavy. Need to get lighter devics.
- As I am on the train for about an hour each day and not many places in my neighborhood has free wifi access, LTE is desirable.

Based on the above, which device do you recommend? I don't list Surface Book because as a tablet, the battery only lasts for 2-3 hours. There are days that I don't need to use a laptop. So, a tablet that has good battery life is good. I hope to get a device that could do as many things as possible as I don't want to carry a Note 5 which I have not bought, rMBP 15" and a tablet.

Xperia Z4 seems to be good because: 389g, 10.1", running Android = has a file management system. However, there is no stylus support. As for Ipad PRO, it has a pen and LTE but no good file management system. Surface PRO 4 is good but it has no LTE nor phone function. (I prefer a device which I can use to make/receive phone calls using traditional phone card rather than relying on wifi which is not available everywhere.)

Thank you.

 

[spinedoc77]

Hello, I am looking for a new device to replace my kind-of broken Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 (GNP). Here are some info:

- I use GNP as a phone
- I use GNP as a large device for reading on the trains. Due to poor eye sights, I need to remove my glass and put the device close (within 10cm distance) if I use small devices like Note 2
- I do pdf annottions
- I often use S-pen to write down notes
- I like to take photos and videos. Good battery life is desirable
- I have a rMBP 15" for work. Together with my GNP and other stuffs, I feel my bag is heavy. Need to get lighter devics.
- As I am on the train for about an hour each day and not many places in my neighborhood has free wifi access, LTE is desirable.

Based on the above, which device do you recommend? I don't list Surface Book because as a tablet, the battery only lasts for 2-3 hours. There are days that I don't need to use a laptop. So, a tablet that has good battery life is good. I hope to get a device that could do as many things as possible as I don't want to carry a Note 5 which I have not bought, rMBP 15" and a tablet.

Xperia Z4 seems to be good because: 389g, 10.1", running Android = has a file management system. However, there is no stylus support. As for Ipad PRO, it has a pen and LTE but no good file management system. Surface PRO 4 is good but it has no LTE nor phone function. (I prefer a device which I can use to make/receive phone calls using traditional phone card rather than relying on wifi which is not available everywhere.)

Thank you.

If you need to ditch the rMBP due to weight then it's no contest, the SP4. You get to keep your high powered laptop, and have a tablet with stylus capability.

 

[peterpan123]

If you need to ditch the rMBP due to weight then it's no contest, the SP4. You get to keep your high powered laptop, and have a tablet with stylus capability.

Thanks but then I will need to buy a smartphone such as Note 5.

I have been using 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks under Bootcamp and Mac OS for daily computing for over 10 years. I use Latex for writing scientific papers. As some of you know, we write down the path to photo files and Latex assemblies those files to make a document. That is ine reason I hesitate to buy Note PRO due to lack of good file management system.

 

[mclld]

tether off your phone to your tablet

 

[spinedoc77]

Thanks but then I will need to buy a smartphone such as Note 5.

I have been using 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks under Bootcamp and Mac OS for daily computing for over 10 years. I use Latex for writing scientific papers. As some of you know, we write down the path to photo files and Latex assemblies those files to make a document. That is ine reason I hesitate to buy Note PRO due to lack of good file management system.

You won't find a better file management system than Windows other than OSx, which isn't on a tablet yet and probably never will be. If it were me I'd far prefer to have a SP4 and a galaxy note phone, much more portable and at least on of them is pocketable. I couldn't see any other option if you wanted to ditch your rMBP, nothing Google or Apple has even comes remotely close.

A windows phone like the 950xl is enticing, especially in terms of continuum and Office. I'll bet there will be some very nice PDF options for continuum running on both full windows and windows phone.

 

[peterpan123]

You won't find a better file management system than Windows other than OSx, which isn't on a tablet yet and probably never will be. If it were me I'd far prefer to have a SP4 and a galaxy note phone, much more portable and at least on of them is pocketable. I couldn't see any other option if you wanted to ditch your rMBP, nothing Google or Apple has even comes remotely close.

A windows phone like the 950xl is enticing, especially in terms of continuum and Office. I'll bet there will be some very nice PDF options for continuum running on both full windows and windows phone.

Thanks. I got the rMBP 15" from my university. I can put it in my office. It is a very useful device as it runs both Mac OS and Windows. It is just a bit heavy. I just don't want to carry it all day on the weekends. I considered the Air and the Macbook but they do not have a 16GB option. I don't know if I can read the letters clearly on the train if I use the Macbook.

 

[apolloa]

Hello, I am looking for a new device to replace my kind-of broken Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 (GNP). Here are some info:

- I use GNP as a phone
- I use GNP as a large device for reading on the trains. Due to poor eye sights, I need to remove my glass and put the device close (within 10cm distance) if I use small devices like Note 2
- I do pdf annottions
- I often use S-pen to write down notes. Sometimes with the press of a button on the S-pen, I do screen capture.
- I like to take photos and videos. Good battery life is desirable
- I have a rMBP 15" for work. Together with my GNP and other stuffs, I feel my bag is heavy. Need to get lighter devics.
- As I am on the train for about an hour each day and not many places in my neighborhood has free wifi access, LTE is desirable.

Based on the above, which device do you recommend? I don't list Surface Book because as a tablet, the battery only lasts for 2-3 hours. There are days that I don't need to use a laptop. So, a tablet that has good battery life is good. I hope to get a device that could do as many things as possible as I don't want to carry a Note 5 which I have not bought, rMBP 15" and a tablet.

Xperia Z4 seems to be good because: 389g, 10.1", running Android = has a file management system. However, there is no stylus support. As for Ipad PRO, it has a pen and LTE but no good file management system. Surface PRO 4 is good but it has no LTE nor phone function. (I prefer a device which I can use to make/receive phone calls using traditional phone card rather than relying on wifi which is not available everywhere.)

Thank you.

For you're uses and needs from your list of devices the Xperia Z4 is the closest you'll get, becuase you can't make normal phone calls on a cellular iPad without an iPhone, you have to use Skype or similar. The Surface Pro 4 appears to not have any cellular option.
You can always get one of those stylus that work in Android like these:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-stylus-for-tablets/

 

[j26]

A Surface 3 LTE? It has it all in one package. Light, LTE, Stylus suppirt, file management You might take a hit on performance versus your laptop, but it may be powerful enough to only bring that, depending on your needs.

 

[maflynn]

The Surface 3 LTE as mentioned may be nice option, the SP4 is a really nice computer and with the new type cover, its much better to enter data.

Will you be using it in tablet mode? If so I wonder if the weight of the SP4 may get burdensome over the course of time.

 

[peterpan123]

The Surface 3 LTE as mentioned may be nice option, the SP4 is a really nice computer and with the new type cover, its much better to enter data.

Will you be using it in tablet mode? If so I wonder if the weight of the SP4 may get burdensome over the course of time.

By tablet mode, do you mean flipping the keyboard to the back of the screen?

Do you guys/ladies think that there will be a LTE-cellular version of the SP4 within a few months?

 

[Surface3User]

For what you need, a SP4. It's not even a close call.

 

[Surface3User]

The Surface 3 LTE as mentioned may be nice option, the SP4 is a really nice computer and with the new type cover, its much better to enter data.

Will you be using it in tablet mode? If so I wonder if the weight of the SP4 may get burdensome over the course of time.

I like my Surface 3 and use it as my primary device (so long as I'm not editing photos and videos), but if he or she is coming from a MacBook, it's probably too much of a performance hit. I would wait for a SP4 LTE version if one absolutely needs LTE. I would prefer to tether rather than getting an extra plan, however.

Since there is local file management, SP4 is not as dependent on an Internet connection as an iPad would be. It's just easier to work with when you don't have access to the Internet.

 

[maflynn]

By tablet mode, do you mean flipping the keyboard to the back of the screen?

Tablet mode, no keyboard attached. I can see arm fatigue when using my SP3 for extended period of times this way.

like my Surface 3 and use it as my primary device

My SP3 is becoming my go to machine as well

 

[peterpan123]

Tablet mode, no keyboard attached. I can see arm fatigue when using my SP3 for extended period of times this way.

I have been using my Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 for over a year. The only time I had arm fatigue was when I put it on my shoulder and made phone call for over a hour. Since the SP4 weights only 76g more, I guess it should be ok.

 

[Renzatic]

The only time I had arm fatigue was when I put it on my shoulder and made phone call for over a hour.

Wait. Am I reading you correctly? You used a 12 inch tablet to make phonecalls?

...that's hardcore.

 

[spinedoc77]

By tablet mode, do you mean flipping the keyboard to the back of the screen?

Do you guys/ladies think that there will be a LTE-cellular version of the SP4 within a few months?

I doubt there will be a LTE version.

 

[peterpan123]

I doubt there will be a LTE version.

Why?

 

[peterpan123]

Wait. Am I reading you correctly? You used a 12 inch tablet to make phonecalls?

...that's hardcore.

Yes and I love it!

 

[Renzatic]

Why?

No reason other than MS doesn't seem at all interested in slapping an LTE antenna in their higher end tablets and notebooks. It could very well happen, but if their previous history is anything to go by, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Yes and I love it!

...so hardcore.

 

[maflynn]

I doubt there will be a LTE version.

That would be great if they ever did that, though I don't see MS doing that.

 

[peterpan123]

That would be great if they ever did that, though I don't see MS doing that.

But they have a LTE version for Surface 3.

 

[spinedoc77]

But they have a LTE version for Surface 3.

Yeah it's kind of a mystery. Maybe adding $100 to $499 isn't seen as that bad, but adding $100 to $899 is scarier. The closer you get to 1k, the more wary consumers are. I'd buy a LTE SP4 in a second, and Ithink they would sell lots of them as well especially if the carriers push them with 0% financing. What's surprising to me though is that the SP4 is supposed to be a corporate device and those are the guys who need the LTE and will pay for it.

 

[kasakka]

Do you need to carry the laptop back and forth every day? To me it sounds like some decent Android phone + Android tablet would be a good combination for you. Then use the MBP for heavy lifting at work. Also depending on your eyes you might consider glasses that allow you to see near and far so you don't have to take them off to use a phone.

I usually use an iPad with a Logitech keyboard case as a laptop replacement when traveling. Still, having a phone along with that is usualy the most convenient.

If you want one device to do it all then a Surface Pro 4 but combined with one of those small LTE WLAN devices might work for you. Just keep the LTE device in your bag and connect to it with the SP4.

PS. It's seriously weird that MS doesn't offer a cellular version of the SP4. It seems like such an obvious option.

 

[maflynn]

But they have a LTE version for Surface 3.

but I prefer the larger more powerful Surface Pro 3. The smaller form factor doesn't help my aging eyes

 

[apolloa]

As far as I know the Xperia Z4 LTE comes with the phone dialler software pre-installed. I'm not sure you can make and receive regular phone calls on the Surface 3 LTE?