Very nice review DougFNJ. I seldom use my MB Air anymore since buying the iPad Pro in April. I bought the ASK and Apple Pencil at the same time. I use both accessories often. I made a few changes to my workflow and find it works well using the iPad Pro as my primary device.
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iPad Pro A week with the 9.7" iPad Pro as my primary computer
- Thread starter DougFNJ
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Yeah, maybe not, BUT at the very least, the iWork Apps functionality should be EXACTLY the same on both iOS and OS.
I laughed when I read that. Right now it's not ready. But I really believe that's where it's headed at some point in the future.
I would NEVER go back to Windows. There is a distinct difference between when Microsoft attempts to innovate and Apple examining the weaknesses of those attempts and does it right.
This nice thing is right now, with work arounds and a little open mindedness plus trying different things, iPad Pro is such an incredible capable device.
Give me the option of IOS on a tablet, and a true working version of MaxOS on a tablet and we have the future.
It's not ready yet though. Look at the many downfalls of Surface between battery, Windows, too robust an OS for not enough hardware for it and we would have a bad experience. Give me the 10 hours battery life, 512gb flash memory, 8 GB Ram 1 USB-c + 1 lightning connector running MacOS in the same form factor as the iPad Pro 9.7" plus Apple Pencil, smart connector with Smart Keyboard cover for around $1200....where do I sign up? That's my all day every day device that goes with me everywhere and never ever a need for a laptop again. A few years off though.
But what's the point of having MacOS on a tablet? Is it to run Mac apps? Or just to be able to do everything you can do on a Mac today on a tablet?
You are right that the tablet hardware isn't quite there yet. But by the time the hardware catches up, whether the software that runs on it is called MacOS or iOS would be a matter of semantics. If it does everything you need it to do, it doesn't matter what it's called.
And when that day comes, I personally don't want to be running old Mac apps designed for mouse and keyboard UI on a tablet. I want all apps to be rewritten for touch UI, but have the same functionality as today's desktop apps.
That's my point, you wouldn't need the mouse or trackpad once it was rebuilt around the touch screen. There is still a gap between IOS and MacOS. I have an Amazon Kindle for instance. I side load my books after converting them to Kindle. I can only do this through a computer. I have devices that need periodic updates. I cannot upload the firmware to those devices on my mobile devices. I do my iPhone upgrades through my Mac. Can't plug it in to my iPad. These are the little reasons the MacBook remains in my arsenal. Final Cut Pro X will not run on IOS.
Would you agree that it would be great to get these types of features on a device the size of an iPad and that's the only device you need? So yea, I could get a Surface but then I lose the Mac experience.
Would you agree that it would be great to get these types of features on a device the size of an iPad and that's the only device you need? So yea, I could get a Surface but then I lose the Mac experience.
That's because those devices were designed to work with a computer. I have a game controller that I bought for my AppleTV. It updates firmware through an iPhone app. Bose just came out with new headphones that also updates through an iOS or Android app. Yeah, older devices that need computer to update are going to be around for a while, but newer devices will update through smartphones/tablets, or be able to connect directly to the Internet on their own.
And sure, Final Cut Pro X will not run on iOS, but the answer is to write Final Cut for iOS, not to make macOS run on a tablet.
[doublepost=1466940969][/doublepost]I was given a surface pro 3 last year for work and I have to be honest it is great. The surface pen is awesome, as good as the apple pencil if not better, and has full windows 7 professional which i need for work.
Only for the most demanding of software is it a tad weak, but its still works albiet a little slow.
Im sure the surface pro 4 is even better.
Obviously it depends on your work software but the surface pro is excellent for me.
My ipad mini is rarely used much anymore for anything other than weekend personal use.
Please dont hate me.
It's "great" as a tablet? Because that's not what most reviews say. It's a mediocre tablet and an underpowered laptop. I've not read any that said the Surface Pen is better than the Apple Pencil + iPad combo.
Didn't SP3 come with Windows 8?
And I'm sure the SP3 is a decent laptop, but how is it as a tablet?
Its great as a laptop for actual work uses and as it uses windows 7 it obviously works fine with MS Office, AutoCad software, and Revit3D (albiet slow'ish). No clunky or time-consuming workarounds required, and conveniently has a usb port, and mindisplay port so compatible in any office enviroment.
In terms of power it is the same power as a Macbook, so reports of being underpowered are largely unfounded and apply to the macbook just as much (refer to macbook preformnce thread on this site for further info).
Obviously it is not a workstation laptop but like the macbook has enough power for 90% of use cases.
If you refer to Youtube for reviews of SurfacePro vs IpadPro Pen/Pencil you will find almost every review split down the middle, each has its own slight advantages over the other but essentially equal, with the preference going down to whether you want/need windows or Mac being the more decisive factor.
Personally I find the surfacepro3 pen is awesome.
Sufacepro as a tablet??...Well I dont know what you mean exactly, its great for internet use as laptop, plays thousands of pc games, I play counterstrike on it, and halflife2, albiet they are old games.
I dont play iOS games like angrybirds or candycrush on it, that is reserved for my phone.
What use is a tablet other than internet browsing and games - For that the surface is great.
Here's what I need to completely move off an Apple desktop or laptop -
- either Apple or 3rd party software to do a back-up / restore from an external hard drive (iCloud is not an option that I'm interested in)
- Apple to remove the DRM from iBooks as they have from iTunes Music
- iWorks Apps having the same total functionality in iOS as they now have on OS.
Give me those three things and I'm good to go with an iPad.
- either Apple or 3rd party software to do a back-up / restore from an external hard drive (iCloud is not an option that I'm interested in)
- Apple to remove the DRM from iBooks as they have from iTunes Music
- iWorks Apps having the same total functionality in iOS as they now have on OS.
Give me those three things and I'm good to go with an iPad.
Company downgraded it to windows 7 professional, corporate and all that.
I rarely use it for casual internet browsing, as in car websites, hotel booking etc, as for that I use the surface in laptop mode, or use my phone with special apps.
Exactly. You're clearly in a pc laptop mindset, you have your desktop applications and legacy ports you feel you need, so a Windows box makes sense. But for the money, you can get a much better laptop than a Surface.
All of which has nothing to do with the iPad, which is not trying to duplicate the legacy Windows pc experience. You encounter "time consuming workarounds" because you try to interact with the iPad in exactly the same ways as your Windows laptops, and try to maintain your legacy workflows. It's a fundamentally different device.
How does it feel in your hands? Does it get hot? How's the battery life? Is the UI optimized for touch? How is it as an ereader (that's probably what I use my iPad for at least 80% of the time)? Is the on screen keyboard easy to use? And yes, are there good casual games for it?
If questions like these don't interest you, you are using the Surface more as a laptop than a tablet.
How does it feel in your hands? Does it get hot? How's the battery life? Is the UI optimized for touch? How is it as an ereader (that's probably what I use my iPad for at least 80% of the time)? Is the on screen keyboard easy to use? And yes, are there good casual games for it?
If questions like these don't interest you, you are using the Surface more as a laptop than a tablet.
The thread was can you use an iPad as a replacement for your daily computer, in the context of doing work.
Thread starter says he has had some positive experience s in this regard albeit with some awkward workarounds for certain tasks.
For example while browsing certain websites the iPad browser has difficulty uploading a cv as easily as a regular pc, plus other issues.
So I mentioned the surface pro, which in many cases acts like both a tablet and a pc with benefits of both but with portability of tablet, and power equivalent of a sandybridge core i5 laptop. I see a lot of benefit here.
Surface pro has benefit of being native Windows so best compatibility for 99% work applications without some faffing about with the cloud and cut down versions of software. It is powerful enough to be both your work computer and tablet for personal use.
Is it a great tablet? I rarely use it tablet mode so that probably means no. For casual browsing or gaming I use the phone, the surface I use almost always in laptop mode.
It rarely gets hot, battery life is very good, it's light, and a lot more flexible and productive than my two ipads which rarely see the light if day.
So in the context of the thread, No, the iPad is not a good replacement as a single computer for home and business use, the surface pro however is.
Don't hate me, I love my iPad, my Mac mini and 13 Air.
No hate at all ChinkyBob, it's a good addition to the discussion. I ever so slightly considered a Surface, but the Windows thing just kills it for me every time. I've had too many viruses, too much of slowdowns, too much Malware, and too many and too frequent long security and stability updates drove me to Mac, and I can never see myself going back. That's not to say Surface is not capable, just not for me.
As you stated, I found the iPad to be a very capable day to day laptop substitute to the point where I wouldn't panic if I left my MacBook at home, but further in I cannot say it is a full laptop replacement.
I personally appreciate how we can all discuss our differences of opinions and preferences, and it has remained civil and respectful of each other's input throughout.
As you stated, I found the iPad to be a very capable day to day laptop substitute to the point where I wouldn't panic if I left my MacBook at home, but further in I cannot say it is a full laptop replacement.
I personally appreciate how we can all discuss our differences of opinions and preferences, and it has remained civil and respectful of each other's input throughout.
Same here, if the Surface ran Linux like a champ it would be an instant buy for me.
Sorry once again, how do you do that ? Are you saying using Dropbox ? So you open your Docs in Dropbox and edit there only and it gets saved or how does it work ? how does it get edited for you on the fly and accessible to you at the same time on your other devices ?
Dropbox and Microsoft Office have some really good integration. You can open Dropbox files in office, make your changes and save it back to Dropbox in the cloud all from within office for iOS. Changed files will sync back to all of your connected devices just like Dropbox on the desktop.
You can do this on any IOS device. Go into Dropbox, and open the file you are looking to edit. On the bottom right side of the page, you will see the little write icon, tap that and it prompts to open in Microsoft Word. Tap yes, edit, make changes, save it again in Dropbox and it is now available in all devices.
Thanks for the review. I have a similar experience although I have two almost deal breakers in office which I haven't been able to get answers on, maybe you can provide insight:
1) most times I open word or excel, it asks me to activate even though I have a office365 account. It's not problem if I'm on wifi but if not I can't activate and edit (on a 12.9). I'm sure this is a bug but one that's been around for over a year now. Do you (or anyone else) have this issue? Multiple iPads used and re-installs have not solved issued.
2) how to do you paste to match style in Word? I can't find that option anywhere!
Thanks
1) most times I open word or excel, it asks me to activate even though I have a office365 account. It's not problem if I'm on wifi but if not I can't activate and edit (on a 12.9). I'm sure this is a bug but one that's been around for over a year now. Do you (or anyone else) have this issue? Multiple iPads used and re-installs have not solved issued.
2) how to do you paste to match style in Word? I can't find that option anywhere!
Thanks