Apple Promotes Microsoft Office 365 as iPad Pro 'Accessory'

[MacRumors]

Following the unveiling of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro at Apple's media event on Monday, Apple CEO Tim Cook described the device as the "ultimate PC replacement". As if to underline that belief, the company has included a subscription option for Microsoft Office 365 in the iPad Pro ordering process on its website.

It's unclear exactly when Apple added the Microsoft productivity suite to the online checkout process - it also appears when customers order the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2, or iPad mini 4 - however the inclusion has raised a few eyebrows, not least because Apple usually positions its iWork suite as a better alternative to Microsoft's Office apps.

More significantly perhaps, Microsoft already offers all of its mobile Office apps to Apple customers on the App Store for free (with the exception of 12.9-inch iPad Pro users, oddly enough, since the larger tablet exceeds Microsoft's official definition of a mobile device). By contrast, an Office 365 subscription gives users Mac and iPad access to Microsoft's full suite of productivity apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

The move suggests Apple is heavily relying on the potential for Windows PC users to see the smaller iPad Pro as not only a Microsoft Surface beater, but also a complete desktop PC replacement that will draw them into the Apple ecosystem. Indeed, a look back at Monday's event highlights just how much effort Apple is now putting into encouraging Windows desktop users to switch to iPad.

"There's a second group of people that we'd love to reach with this iPad Pro: Windows users," Apple's senior VP Phil Schiller said during Monday's event. "You may not know this, but the majority of people who come to an iPad Pro are coming from a Windows PC."

Windows PCs were originally conceived of before there was an internet, before there was social media, before there was app stores, and this is an amazing statistic: There are over 600 million PCs in use today that are over five years old. This is really sad. It really is. These people could really benefit from an iPad Pro.

When they see the features and performance and capabilities of a product like the iPad Pro, designed for the modern digital lifestyle, many of them will find it is the ultimate PC replacement.

Apple remains the largest vendor in a declining tablet market, shipping 16.1 million iPads in the fourth calendar quarter of 2015. While the iPad continues to be the best-selling tablet, its worldwide market share remains only 24.5 percent despite the larger iPad Pro launching in early November. Despite that, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro outsold Microsoft Surface tablets in its debut quarter.

iPad sales have declined for eight consecutive quarters year-over-year due to, among other reasons, longer tablet refresh cycles compared to smartphones. Apple's efforts to convince Windows PC users that an iPad Pro is a complete PC replacement appears to be the company's latest big push in its larger efforts to reverse this trend.

A one-year, single-license Office 365 subscription on Apple's website costs $69.95. A five-license subscription costs $99.95 and a four-year, two-license University download comes in at $79.95.

Article Link: Apple Promotes Microsoft Office 365 as iPad Pro 'Accessory'

 

[Crosscreek]

After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad" and the fact that lack of ports and finder file structure I would be surprised if they win a lot of PC users over.

 

[TechGod]

Because there is only rivalry between these companies in the eyes of the fanboys. It's a smart business decision to work with other companies.

 

[ScottNWDW]

I've been using MS Office apps on my iPad ever since Office 365 came out and love them all. I also use Apple's iWork suite of apps as well. since MS Office is the standard at work, having it on my iPads and Macs is great. In regards to the iWork suite, I do prefer using that in my personal life. Quite frankly, i prefer Excel over Numbers and Pages over Word. I don't do much with the PowerPoint or Keynote so really have no opinion which is better other than the fact that the only thing I use PowerPoint for is work related.

 

[thatanonymoususer]

I find it somewhat ironic that they touted green initiatives and their long-lasting products, but then made fun of the fact that people are re-using or continuing to use their device for a long time.

Edit: I would also argue that those are tough words for a company that hasn't visually updated their pro line of laptops in 4 years.

 

[Freyqq]

MS Office has 20% of the features of the main Windows/Mac version. No mouse support. No monitor support. No way to have more than 2 windows open on the same screen at once. No file system.

I'm impressed people can seriously replace their laptop with an iPad Pro. Their needs must be pretty simple.

 

[n-evo]

After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad" and the fact that lack of ports and finder file structure I would be surprised if they win a lot of PC users over.

Depends on the target group. Especially youngsters and elderly tend to use tablets instead of full-fledged computers these days. They're so much simpler and less easy to break on a software level.

 

[Iconoclysm]

After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad" and the fact that lack of ports and finder file structure I would be surprised if they win a lot of PC users over.

Let's be real here, people with 5 year old PC's did not see that presentation and probably don't keep up with Apple news reports.
[doublepost=1458818844][/doublepost]

MS Office has 20% of the features of the main Windows/Mac version. No mouse support. No monitor support. No way to have more than 2 windows open on the same screen at once. No file system.

I'm impressed people can seriously replace their laptop with an iPad Pro. Their needs must be pretty simple.

Frankly, people's needs are pretty simple...
[doublepost=1458818903][/doublepost]

Because there is only rivalry between these companies in the eyes of the fanboys. It's a smart business decision to work with other companies.

What? There is rivalry between these companies on every level from retail store clerks all the way up to the CEO's. I've felt it first hand, even had my job threatened because I preferred to use the competition's products.

 

[spinonema]

I'm somewhat of a fanboy and own the 12.9 iPad Pro. Without BT mouse/trackpad support it can never been a PC replacement (let alone the ultimate PC replacement). There's no reason Apple could not add this support, it all marketing and wanting the customer to buy an MacBook in addition to the iPad Pro.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

iPad as a PC replacement is utterly nonsense.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad" and the fact that lack of ports and finder file structure I would be surprised if they win a lot of PC users over.

Funny thing is I'm using a 4 year old MBP because Apple has failed to push out a newer laptop with up-to-date ports to make the jump worth the cost. Forget about 5 year old PCs -- Apple's current laptop lineup isn't functionally better than the ones it was selling in 2012. How's that for a sad fact.

If Apple is looking for a market it might try making its computers relevant again rather than stuffing extra speakers in a .27" tablet case and pronouncing it equivalent to a full fledged PC. Does anyone really believe that?

 

[147798]

After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad" and the fact that lack of ports and finder file structure I would be surprised if they win a lot of PC users over.

I also don't understand this word sad. If the customer is using an old PC that meets their needs, why is that sad? Do we really need to put more PCs in the recycling and landfills for no other reason than Apple profits?
[doublepost=1458820460][/doublepost]

I find it somewhat ironic that they touted green initiatives and their long-lasting products, but then made fun of the fact that people are re-using or continuing to use their device for a long time.

Exactly!!

 

[GenesisST]

After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad" and the fact that lack of ports and finder file structure I would be surprised if they win a lot of PC users over.

I still use my 6 year old Macbook Pro, as a personal device, which is still very efficient, since I put an SSD in it. I would not replace it with an iPad...

 

[0098386]

iPad as a PC replacement is utterly nonsense.

I can't believe how much they're riding that. It's simply not true. PC's are known for being open systems, yet I can't do anything with my iPad that Apple doesn't allow.

Apple's iMacs and laptops are PC replacements.

 

[Warbrain]

It's been this way since the iPad Pro was released. Literally nothing to see here.

 

[unobtainium]

Apple hasn't even bothered making a version of Preview for iPad. If they truly wanted to make a "PC replacement" they need to really step up their software game.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Best way to describe Apple's and Microsoft's relationship: it's complicated

 

[Tubamajuba]

I see a lot of people wanting full file system access, mouse support, even multi-monitor support on the iPad Pro.

The whole point of the iPad Pro, at least by Apple's definition, is to replace a computer. Not to actually be a full-fledged computer. If you need every single feature that a Mac or PC provides, the iPad Pro obviously isn't for you.

 

[dysamoria]

Too bad they're ignoring the iWork suite (they still haven't replaced the features they killed when replacing the real Mac version of iWork programs with their crippled iOS versions). This revelation of bundling Office 360 just continues to drive home how disinterested Apple is in its own software.

 

[masteroflondon]

"After Apple insulted those 5 year old PC users as "sad""
Did they? I heard a reference to how many people were using pc's over 5 years old and called that fact sad. Not the people.
Newer technology is so much more powerful, portable, energy efficient and versatile that it is sad to still be using heavy, slow, noisy and energy inefficient machines. What can you do with a PC over 5 years old that wouldn't be better with a tablet?

 

[jlc1978]

MS Office has 20% of the features of the main Windows/Mac version. No mouse support. No monitor support. No way to have more than 2 windows open on the same screen at once. No file system.

I'm impressed people can seriously replace their laptop with an iPad Pro. Their needs must be pretty simple.

Many users really do have some simple needs. As long as they can write a few page document, make a simple presentation, and do basic spreadsheet functions a machine will meet their needs. Most never use 10% of Office's capabilities so the iOS version may just suit their needs perfectly. Since the iPad also supports email and web surfing you pretty much have a device that will meet a significant percentage of laptop users needs.

The issues is not does the tablet have the required functionality; rather it is the perception, because it is not a tablet, it cannot meet a laptop users needs.

 

[AtomicDusk]

Funny thing is I'm using a 4 year old MBP because Apple has failed to push out a newer laptop with up-to-date ports to make the jump worth the cost. Forget about 5 year old PCs -- Apple's current laptop lineup isn't functionally better than the ones it was selling in 2012. How's that for a sad fact.

If Apple is looking for a market it might try making its computers relevant again rather than stuffing extra speakers in a .27" tablet case and pronouncing it equivalent to a full fledged PC. Does anyone really believe that?

Basically I'm in the same boat. I got a unibody i7 with 2GB of vRAM in 2011, and while Apple says it maxes out at 8GB of RAM I've installed 16GB and it's read and running gloriously. Sure, startup takes a bit longer with each OS release, but I can live with that. I haven't been compelled to upgrade to a rMBP.
[doublepost=1458822919][/doublepost]

MS Office has 20% of the features of the main Windows/Mac version. No mouse support. No monitor support. No way to have more than 2 windows open on the same screen at once. No file system.

I'm impressed people can seriously replace their laptop with an iPad Pro. Their needs must be pretty simple.

Many many people would actually be fine with the apple Mail App, Pages and occasionally numbers, and perhaps rarely using Keynote.

I'd argue that (outside of the type of people who frequent rumor sites, read techblogs and keep up with this stuff) if you ask people what a macro is, how to make a pivot table, or heck what a vlookup is they'd look at you like you were discussing the most esoteric computer stuff ever.

 

[Merode]

Newer technology is so much more powerful, portable, energy efficient and versatile that it is sad to still be using heavy, slow, noisy and energy inefficient machines. What can you do with a PC over 5 years old that wouldn't be better with a tablet?

Actually the progress has slowed down. Computers from 2011 and 2016 are not much different when it comes to performance. Areas which have progressed a lot are storage and graphics. I'll address these:
1. You can buy and install SSD
2. Apple has never offered good GPUs

I'd bet a lot, that 90% of people could use 2011 iMac with SSD and see no difference in performance.

 

[cfurlin]

"It's unclear exactly when Apple added the Microsoft productivity suite to the online checkout process..."

Why? Because Office 365 is awesome on the iPad (and OSX). It's better than Office on a Windows PC. I haven't used Apple's suite since.

Because there is only rivalry between these companies in the eyes of the fanboys. It's a smart business decision to work with other companies.

Well, then there's that. ;-) Some people just can't let things go.

 

[Rocketman]

Most of those PC's are actually appliances. point of sale, print servers, workstations, gaming, whatever. If Apple really wanted to replace PC's they would make a dongle that attaches to all the hardware that is being driven by those PC's even if that meant a miniature PC in a box with ports dongle to attach or wirelessly talk to the iPad as a client server type meme.

So long as PC's preserve the installed base of attached hardware they will also stay alive and be replaced. If Apple were to make the above described dongle they would at least replace a large fraction of the PC's that HP and Dell and Lenovo currently offer.

Think PC Mini.