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Any regret?

  • Yes, a lot.

    Votes: 2 10.0%
  • Yes, a bit.

    Votes: 1 5.0%
  • No

    Votes: 17 85.0%

  • Total voters
    20

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,388
13,225
where hip is spoken
Bought a X1 Yoga Gen 3. Regret spending that much money on an iPP 12.9".
I haven't found a Windows 10 2-in-1 worth owning, but having bought a Pixelbook at a firesale price, I can empathize with you.

I've given my 12.9 iPad Pro to my wife (to replace her Air 2) and the PB now serves the purposes that I had hoped that the iPad Pro would serve. Although I try to stick with Chrome OS apps, I'll install Android, Linux, and Windows apps when I need to fill in an "app gap".

The thing I appreciate about it is that I get those laptop-y things like access to the file system, trackpad/mouse, extended display support, and near-full support for USB peripherals without the heaviness that comes with a full desktop OS like Win 10.

I don't regret my 12.9 iPad Pro purchase (I didn't pay MSRP, $175 off) because the things I learned in trying to maximize its potential actually made it easier for me to maximize the potential of more capable devices, like the Pixelbook. Heck, I've been able to do some things on a $100 Fire HD 10 tablet than are not possible on the 12.9 Pro. :)
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,736
For me they serve two different purposes.
The iPad offers iOS, its apps and integration into the apple ecosystem. I have no regrets of in my purchase of my iPad Pro (though its the 10.5 model). I found when I used a Surface Book, it served not as a tablet, but as a laptop where I could do tablet like tasks, but I never used it as a tablet. My usage is different then others, so YMMV
 
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hajime

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
7,883
1,297
Now I know that I don't really need Mac OS/IOS and Windows 10 is good enough for me. I guess from now on, any purchase decision should be based on the hardware and after sales services.

Apple making custom screws and gluing all components together is a big turn off.
 
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rbrian

macrumors 6502a
Jul 24, 2011
784
342
Aberdeen, Scotland
I bought a Surface Pro 4, and use it only as a laptop - my old iPad Pro 12.9 first gen is a much better tablet. I wouldn't buy it again though; a Kindle Fire can do all the tablety things I need for a tenth of the price.
 
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hajime

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
7,883
1,297
One issue with iPad is that IOS is not fully compatible with the web system at school. How could this happen?
[doublepost=1544982076][/doublepost]One issue with iPad is that IOS is not fully compatible with the web system at school. How could this happen?
 

mi7chy

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2014
10,564
11,245
Would never pay that much for a limited consumption device from any company. For a consumption device with fewer limitations there's no need to pay more than $100 for Amazon Fire HD 10 7th gen. If I could only carry one device that does everything consumption and productivity I'd go with something like Thinkpad X1 Yoga 3rd, Surface Pro, etc. but preferably with 7nm AMD APU with better iGPU performance.
 
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maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,736
One issue with iPad is that IOS is not fully compatible with the web system at school. How could this happen?
Probably because the web system is IE compatible, or something foolish like that

I guess from now on, any purchase decision should be based on the hardware and after sales services.
Apple is #1 in customer service, so definitely consider how a company supports their products. Just looking at the hardware is a mistake, you need to be sure the software runs and you can do your job.
 

Hastings101

macrumors 68020
Jun 22, 2010
2,353
1,480
K
Personally, I hated my HP Elite 2-in-1. I had envisioned it as replacing my desktop, laptop, and iPad. Very naive of me lol. Windows tablet UI and the apps available were not good in my opinion, battery life blew, and had all kinds of odd software bugs like it draining battery in sleep. Some of that is probably due to drivers/hardware I guess, but the software was not pleasant to use either unless as a laptop. Gave it away to a family member that needed a laptop after it sat on my shelf for months.

If the iPad just had mouse support it would be the perfect device. Curse you Apple.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,736
Would never pay that much for a limited consumption device from any company. For a consumption device with fewer limitations there's no need to pay more than $100 for Amazon Fire HD 10 7th gen. If I could only carry one device that does everything consumption and productivity I'd go with something like Thinkpad X1 Yoga 3rd, Surface Pro, etc. but preferably with 7nm AMD APU with better iGPU performance.
The thing with the iPad Pro, what it does, it does very well. Many two in one solutions, offer laptop like power, but at the expense of better tablet ergonomics. The iPad is the best tablet on the market, its not trying to be a laptop and tablet. Making a two in one produces some compromises in design and use, while many people swear by them, and I've used them in with the Surface Pro and Surface book, I do find that the iPad had the edge on tablet only tasks.

I understand many people don't want to lug a laptop and tablet with them, and a two-in one provides them with everything they need to use, but that doesn't mean the iPad is inferior imo.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,566
Austin, TX
2-in-1s are strange. I tried out a Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 about a year ago, and honestly it just wasn't that great of an experience.

it's tough because in order to have a hybrid you have to make a compromise on the laptop side or the tablet side. The Yoga was a huge compromise on the tablet side. The screen was huge and unwieldy in the hand in tablet mode.

Pulled the trigger on a Pixelbook and this is more the experience I wanted. It obviously has a smaller screen than my 15" Macbook Pro, but in "tent mode" or tablet mode it is such a joy to use. It has me genuinely thinking about purchasing the pen, even though i'm concerned I would never use it.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,736
Or maybe it requires a browser plug-in which is not necessarily foolish.
Perhaps, my point though there still seems to be plenty of enterprise applications that rely on IE, at least that seems to be the case at my work ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,490
4,735
Land of Smiles
The thing with the iPad Pro, what it does, it does very well. Many two in one solutions, offer laptop like power, but at the expense of better tablet ergonomics. The iPad is the best tablet on the market, its not trying to be a laptop and tablet. Making a two in one produces some compromises in design and use, while many people swear by them, and I've used them in with the Surface Pro and Surface book, I do find that the iPad had the edge on tablet only tasks.

I understand many people don't want to lug a laptop and tablet with them, and a two-in one provides them with everything they need to use, but that doesn't mean the iPad is inferior imo.

That's part of the problem with mixing ergonomics up with better :)

It is simpler to do many things on most Mobile OS tablets as they are after all just an extension of your smartphone

A smartphone is not better than a laptop or a 2 in 1 with a full OS but it can do many routine tasks more simply as it has to due to the ergonomics of the device and the given interface. With that simplicity is also a loss of the extra complexities and functionality you may need once your past the basics.

Of course the IPP has a few more strings to it's bow over it's sister smart iPhone. Most of these extra strings are also replicated by most good 2 in 1's however the IPP is tuned for some talented individuals specifically in the arts and so has a niche appeal in this area.

Simplicity and fluidity of use is only better with tablets in the context of its limited capabilities, once you hit any of its limitations it simply ceases to be better in most respects.
 

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,388
13,225
where hip is spoken
Perhaps, my point though there still seems to be plenty of enterprise applications that rely on IE, at least that seems to be the case at my work ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That's reasonable.

I work in higher ed (and interface with elementary/high school systems) and there aren't any sites that require IE, but a few that DO require plug-ins. The difference being, if IE is a requirement then only Windows-based system will suffice (natively or via a VM). But if it is a plug-in requirement, then any system that offers desktop-strength browsers (Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS) would be helpful to the OP.
 

kazmac

macrumors G4
Mar 24, 2010
10,102
8,658
Any place but here or there....
One issue with iPad is that IOS is not fully compatible with the web system at school. How could this happen?
[doublepost=1544982076][/doublepost]One issue with iPad is that IOS is not fully compatible with the web system at school. How could this happen?
I had that happen twice with iOS* being incompatible with my school, and am finding I’ll need a better w10 device going forward than my 2017 Acer Swift 3 laptop which I purchased out of desperation while I was unemployed. The blackboard app improved for iOS in the three years in between my education but it’s still not optimal.

I’ve found that Google web apps opened on iOS Safari are almost impossible to use these days. The thing is, I am not a big app user and prefer to access Google through the web.

I am currently eyeing the Surface Pro 6 (I want a Surface Studio 2, but it’s not available for educational discount :().

I’m hitting all kinds of walls with Apple the past few months (iOS in particular), and their gouging and gimping has become a serious problem not only for my creative workflow, but morally as well. I am weary of compromising any workflow at this point. I think it’s time to take big sister up on her willingness to teach me W10 under the hood.

Wish you the best of luck in school.
 

mi7chy

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2014
10,564
11,245
Once you hit high school level (arguably even middle school) and above you really need a desktop class browser on Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, MacOS, etc.

For example, mobile Safari doesn't fully work on educational sites like code.org and scratch.mit.edu and it has nothing to do with Microsoft Internet Explorer which is more of an enterprise issue and not edu.
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
What is a good tablet/laptop/hybrid (basically lean and portable) device for typing up papers and doing research and school work?

I had just bought my daughter who is about to start high school next year a 2018 9.7” IPad she can use with the Apple pencil so she can work on her sketches. It was on sale at Amazon so I could apply points to bring down the price even further close to $450.

I wonder if I should have gotten her something else instead. She has a very cheap chromebook from last Christmas. That was required for her current middle school and is still serving most of her needs. But now she’s actually using my desktop PC because it’s the best machine for her to edit the school newspaper.

I used to know what the best machine was for a given purpose, but now there are so many options and I really don’t know what the schools are requiring these days.

I have one of the old MS Surfaces. I only ever used it once. I found it clunky and heavy and overkill in some respects and awkward in others for my needs. I often forget I even own it. I suppose I could pass that on to my daughter, but I don’t know how she would like to edit the paper on it. It was already old when I got it and it’s been at least two years since it passed to me.
 

pika2000

Suspended
Jun 22, 2007
5,587
4,903
All 2-in-1 Windows laptops are that, laptops. Their tablet feature is a gimmick. Even majority of Surfacr Pro users use it as a laptop. For a tablet, the ship has sailed and iPad took the crown.

If you feel you need a 2-in-1 laptop, that means you do not need a tablet, just a laptop.
 
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The_Interloper

macrumors 6502a
Oct 28, 2016
686
1,412
All 2-in-1 Windows laptops are that, laptops. Their tablet feature is a gimmick. Even majority of Surfacr Pro users use it as a laptop. For a tablet, the ship has sailed and iPad took the crown.

If you feel you need a 2-in-1 laptop, that means you do not need a tablet, just a laptop.
This simply isn't true. I use the Surface Pro every day as both a laptop and pen-enabled tablet. A traditional laptop doesn't allow me to markup and annotate documents with a digital pen. If I owned a MacBook, I would also need an iPad to do this and that means carrying two devices.

While I accept the iPad has better mobile apps, a Windows tablet allows you to interact with full featured desktop programs in ways you previously couldn't. Much has been made, for example, of Photoshop coming to the iPad next year but it's already been available on Surface devices with full pen input for years. As it currently stands, this simply isn't possible on a Mac/iOS workflow without some ridiculous workarounds like AstroPad.

Within the course of a day, a Windows 2-in-1 allows you to work on full desktop apps and web browsers, sketch or annotate using the pen and flip over or tear off the keyboard to consume content such as Netflix. That's not a "gimmick". When iPad Pro users complain about the lack of mouse input or macOS needing touch, they are wishing for the versatility and power that Windows already has.
 

pika2000

Suspended
Jun 22, 2007
5,587
4,903
This simply isn't true. I use the Surface Pro every day as both a laptop and pen-enabled tablet. A traditional laptop doesn't allow me to markup and annotate documents with a digital pen. If I owned a MacBook, I would also need an iPad to do this and that means carrying two devices.

While I accept the iPad has better mobile apps, a Windows tablet allows you to interact with full featured desktop programs in ways you previously couldn't. Much has been made, for example, of Photoshop coming to the iPad next year but it's already been available on Surface devices with full pen input for years. As it currently stands, this simply isn't possible on a Mac/iOS workflow without some ridiculous workarounds like AstroPad.

Within the course of a day, a Windows 2-in-1 allows you to work on full desktop apps and web browsers, sketch or annotate using the pen and flip over or tear off the keyboard to consume content such as Netflix. That's not a "gimmick". When iPad Pro users complain about the lack of mouse input or macOS needing touch, they are wishing for the versatility and power that Windows already has.
Your use case is as niche as people claiming iPad replacing their Macs. Doesn’t change reality.
In reality, even Microsoft always advertise the Surface Pro as a laptop, with its keyboard attached.
 
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hajime

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
7,883
1,297
The reason I need a tablet is hecause I spend lots of time waiting for buses and standing in a crowded subway. Tablet allows me to do some work while standing. The other reason is to write down notes in meetings and annotaion.

2 in 1 allows me to do these. I don’t like the tablet mode of x1 yoga as it is buggy but in Windows mode and the laptop is in tablet form, it does the job.

Allowing me to interact with my design via touch in CAD is really cool.
 

SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,490
4,735
Land of Smiles
Your use case is as niche as people claiming iPad replacing their Macs. Doesn’t change reality.
In reality, even Microsoft always advertise the Surface Pro as a laptop, with its keyboard attached.
What's is wrong with that, it's almost laughable to label something like a SP6 as just a tablet as it is far more capable of dual purpose usage compared to Apple with an Ipad can replace your laptop

The dominance of Windows and Android is undeniable and Apple missed that boat, as it seems you have liking for nautical references :)

Whilst Apple has impressive sales and the dominant single OEM for tablets, IOS is still less than half of all the Android Tablets sold
 
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xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
10,974
5,427
192.168.1.1
While I don't regret my past iPad purchases, I think the odds of me buying a new one in the near future is probably low.
I'm pretty satisfied with my Surface Book 2 these days.
My iPad mini 4, however (which makes a good in-bed reader) has a dying battery. Not sure what I'll do when it finally goes. May look at a Kindle 7" or 8" Android as a replacement.
 
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