iPad Air vs. Microsoft's Surface Go: Which Is a Better Laptop Replacement?

[DNichter]

Which would make it the clear winner as a pure tablet, but as a laptop replacement it falls flat on its face. Anyway for the majority of people there is no replacement for a laptop at this point in time. Some people with simple needs can use a tablet but for the rest of us it's a non starter.

Completely false. The majority of computer users don’t need very specific software or use cases. The majority of people need a computer for email, browsing, media consumption, managing photos and video, stuff like that. iPad is by far better at all of those things than the junk Go.
[doublepost=1563117811][/doublepost]

Sorry for butting in

First of all, it is incorrect to include file system as legacy stuff. All modern OS (iOS, Android, Linux, Unix-based, macOS, Windows) needs or requires a file system. iOS has a filesystem and from what I've read from their website its using AFPS.

https://developer.apple.com/library...de/FileSystemOverview/FileSystemOverview.html

I don't know if there is an application in iOS that lets you navigate the filesystem. I don't have an iOS device.

Another thing, external hard drives and SD cards are not legacy stuffs. Specially SD Cards or micro SD cards. They may evolved into smaller and faster storage volume but will never be called legacy in our current lifetime. A lot of mobile devices depended on them, from Cameras, phones to drones. I understand sd card is not available for iPhone or iPad and I believe the reason for that is marketing. With different storage capacity you can up the price in a big margin and earn a lot of profit from it. Same with Macbook, Apple can ask you a lot fro an upgrade from 128GB to 256GB SSD.

External hard disk will never be a legacy stuff in our life time. Maybe in a few years from now HDD will be legacy because it will be replace by SSD as prices are dropping. Cloud serves maybe enough for pictures, calendars, and documents but that's about I but for large files it is not that very useful. Even with a ver fast internet connection it will still take a lot of time downloading 1gig data to your device.

I get it, iOS users are used to relying in cloud services because they can't used a USB Flashdrive or Sd card in their devices. Thats one reason why I am not into iOS devices, it feels like a prison, a beautiful prison because it has its nice apps and other things but still it is a prison for my data.

Using Finder and accessing data from cloud is totally different. But I know you know that .

We haven't touch the topic of security and privacy yet which is an important concern for cloud services.

We disagree. That’s okay too. You may need those legacy attributes, but many people have moved on and don’t. There’s room for both, but they are indeed legacy.

You can call it whatever you want, it doesn't hold a candle to the number of applications you can run on full windows. No amount of twisting and wishing is going to make that so in the foreseeable future. The iPad is as useful as a doorstop to many professionals, I am not an outlier.

I get that. There’s a ton of people who can’t use an iPad, but forward thinking individuals and companies are moving away from your dated point of view. I’m happy to be looking toward the future instead of hanging onto the past.
[doublepost=1563118139][/doublepost]

OK, after checking your use case, I can argue these are “legacy” in your workflow, as none of those are needed for small files transfer and centralised server-based file management. If I had your workflow, I would ditch MacBook over iPad Pro like you when situation lands.
Still, external drive support and “real” file system are required for another large group of people. I do love what you have shared and I appreciate it.

I totally understand your perspective. It is NOT for everyone, but it certainly doesn’t diminish my workflow and abilities as being somehow lesser than those who need the legacy things you mention.

 

[Braderunner]

There's nothing wrong with Windows 10. Works very, very well. I can do way more on it than in MacOS, that's for sure - I just wish there was better integration with all my Apple products, but of course that's not happening.

To be honest MacOS seems really confusing to me every time I try to use it, which although isn't often, is hardly this miraculous intuitive OS everyone claims it is. A lot of the interface is extremely counterintuitive and you can see big parts of it haven't been updated in years.

We will agree to disagree. I can’t stand dealing with Windows. Obviously, you like it. That’s fine.

 

[fairuz]

The Surface is a laptop. Laptops are just better, which is why everyone who compares "laptop replacements" ends up picking a Surface. Hilarious.
[doublepost=1563122324][/doublepost]

There's nothing wrong with Windows 10. Works very, very well. I can do way more on it than in MacOS, that's for sure - I just wish there was better integration with all my Apple products, but of course that's not happening.

To be honest MacOS seems really confusing to me every time I try to use it, which although isn't often, is hardly this miraculous intuitive OS everyone claims it is. A lot of the interface is extremely counterintuitive and you can see big parts of it haven't been updated in years.

It sounds like you haven't gotten used to macOS. Windows is bad, but people have figured out the quirks. Win10 is also total spyware, but idc except when it makes that an annoyance.
[doublepost=1563122648][/doublepost]

Yeah, it's actually frustrating that the iPad has been around for nearly 10 years and hasn't replaced a laptop. But it's getting there.

It'll only get there when it's basically a laptop.

 

[fairuz]

That's my bugbear with this entire discussion (and basically any thread that dares to so much as insinuate that the iPad could be used for any manner of productive work). It feels to me like the discussion could be so much more meaningful if instead of rushing to condemn the iPad, we could instead objectively list out what the iPad can do, and what people are already getting done with it. Conclude with letting people come to their own conclusions.

It's not about what it can do, it's about how easily you can do it. I'll grant that day 1, the iPad is easier, but that doesn't matter. If you're familiar with everything, a Mac (or even Surface) is way more conducive to basic work than an iPad is. Different if you're an artist or something and need a tablet.
[doublepost=1563123316][/doublepost]

Ha! Good one.

Back to the iPad + Mac combo, how many things do you own that you use 4 hours per day at the cost of 70 cents per day......or, 1/3 of the cost of a small Cup of Starbucks regular coffee.

My TV has a lower hourly rate. But do you really keep your devices for 6 years?
I agree, though, people don't realize how much they spend on some things, like food.

 

[Dave-Z]

But at least web browsing is horrible in tablet mode on the Go compared to an iPad.....

Huh? Web browsing on my Go is by far better than my iPad. On the Surface I use Firefox, a complete desktop browser; even using only touch it works substantially better than Mobile Safari. Even what Apple calls "desktop class" browser in iPadOS is really misleading... They're faking the user-agent and using some fancy heuristics to alter how web sites function, it's not really a desktop browser.

 

[Mainsail]

It's not about what it can do, it's about how easily you can do it. I'll grant that day 1, the iPad is easier, but that doesn't matter. If you're familiar with everything, a Mac (or even Surface) is way more conducive to basic work than an iPad is. Different if you're an artist or something and need a tablet.
[doublepost=1563123316][/doublepost]
My TV has a lower hourly rate. But do you really keep your devices for 6 years?
I agree, though, people don't realize how much they spend on some things, like food.

Oh yeah, a Mac can easily last 6 years. My 2014 MBA is on its 5th year.....no problems. My son used an MBA through middle school and high school...7 years. And, those were 7 rough years. My daughter got her MBA for college and it is still going strong after 4 years of school and 2 years of work. If you primarily use your Mac in desktop mode, you can probably get well over 6 years.

 

[jlc1978]

With the iPad Pros getting performance and price wise in MacBook territory it’s a kind of waste to use them as an „adjunct“ to the MBP.

It depends on how yuo use it. I use it when taking out the MBP is a hassle, such as when flying. It doubles as a second monitor when I am traveling; as well as a document reader and video player.

From the hardware and even from several aspects of the OS perspective the MBP looks like a thing from the past. Hope the future starts soon to improve iPadOS so much that it can replace it....

The other thing that needs to happen is for software companies to make full fledge iOS versions of their software, not stripped down tablet versions. Once running software is indistinguishable on a Mac OS and iOS then the iPad can begin to replace the Mac at the lower end of the product range.

 

[BigDO]

Oh yeah, a Mac can easily last 6 years..

So can a ThinkPad, for example. Nothing special about a computer having a 6yr lifespan these days.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

The fact that the Surface can DFU restore a bricked iPad and not vice versa makes the iPad the lesser device. iPad is a blown up iPod with the same limitations while the Surface Go is a shrunken laptop but with the same versatility. Neither would be my first choice but if I was forced to choose one I'd take versatility over blown up limitations. What's holding back the Surface Go though is choice of crappy Intel CPU with weak iGPU. Would like to see AMD APU in the 2nd gen Surface Go.

Very odd use case, in my opinion.

You may be the only person I’ve ever been even peripherally aware of that purchases hardware based on whether or not it can repair another company’s hardware, when you completely hose it!
My advice?
Stop doing whatever it is that’s causing you to brick Windows & iOS devices!!!
The vast majority of people have never bricked either.
You’re definitely doing something wrong if you brick devices so often that the ability to unbrick devices makes something clearly superior, in your eyes.

 

[Shanghaichica]

So can a ThinkPad, for example. Nothing special about a computer having a 6yr lifespan these days.

None of my windows laptops lasted longer than 2 years. Plagued with hardware and software issues.

 

[kis]

I find the Surface Go completely unusable. Way too slow, tiny screen. Comparing the Surface Pro 6 to the 12” iPad Pro would make more sense. Neither the Go nor a regular iPad are laptops or can replace one. The iPad Pro does a lot right, but even with iOS 13 it’s still too limited for heavy duty work. The surface pro is one lousy tablet though. Really depends on what you need it for more.

 

[Rob_2811]

None of my windows laptops lasted longer than 2 years. Plagued with hardware and software issues.

What were you doing with them ?!

 

[Shanghaichica]

What were you doing with them ?!

Nothing different to what I do with my macbook air. I've had to have a lot of things fixed under warranty with my windows machines, screens, motherboards, charging ports.

 

[aloharaz]

iPad Pro, vpn and pc to RDP to. Best experience for me. iPad for fun, RDP to get work done.

It's exactly the same with Surface GO but you also have a mouse. Life is so much easier with a mouse
[doublepost=1563140586][/doublepost]I tried a few iPads for work. None were good enough. It's because of the iOS and not the hardware. Surface Go is actually ok for work even if it's slow.

 

[jeffkempster]

If you can deal with Windows, the Surface is probably fine. If not, then there isn't even a comparison.

Your comment is the first thing I think about when people do these kind of comparisons. Usually it's look how much cheaper this windows laptop is than a Mac. But seriously these types of comparison never really talk about the OS. As if Windows, macOS and iOS are on the same level.

I am a Mac guy forever and I am forced to use a windows computer at work and I am still amazed how crappy windows 10 is. It is constantly doing bad things like moving all my icons to another monitor for some reason, skipping the first letter of my typing every once in awhile. It's garbage.

These are specific issues I have with windows, but these reviews should give some time to the OS. Like "I like the surface go, but I can't use procreate, pixelmator, overcast, etc on the surface because its windows." or "I can't load Photoshop on the iPad" (at least not yet).

Anyway I guess we will just keep comparing these types of thing even though really they truly are apples and oranges.

 

[Rob_2811]

Nothing different to what I do with my macbook air. I've had to have a lot of things fixed under warranty with my windows machines, screens, motherboards, charging ports.

I'm assuming you were buying top end windows machines £1000+ ?

I don't think that is representitive of most peoples experiences with PCs, to be fair I've got a 2016 MacBook Pro non Touch Bar which had a new keyboard, battery, logic board and display under warranty.
[doublepost=1563141428][/doublepost]

Your comment is the first thing I think about when people do these kind of comparisons. Usually it's look how much cheaper this windows laptop is than a Mac. But seriously these types of comparison never really talk about the OS. As if Windows, macOS and iOS are on the same level.

I am a Mac guy forever and I am forced to use a windows computer at work and I am still amazed how crappy windows 10 is. It is constantly doing bad things like moving all my icons to another monitor for some reason, skipping the first letter of my typing every once in awhile. It's garbage.

These are specific issues I have with windows, but these reviews should give some time to the OS. Like "I like the surface go, but I can't use procreate, pixelmator, overcast, etc on the surface because its windows." or "I can't load Photoshop on the iPad" (at least not yet).

Anyway I guess we will just keep comparing these types of thing even though really they truly are apples and oranges.

I work in a mixed environment and use both Windows and macOS pretty much daily, this is not something I've ever seen happen in Windows. Certainly not something that is common.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I'm assuming you were buying top end windows machines £1000+ ?

I don't think that is representitive of most peoples experiences with PCs, to be fair I've got a 2016 MacBook Pro non Touch Bar which had a new keyboard, battery, logic board and display under warranty.
[doublepost=1563141428][/doublepost]


I work in a mixed environment and use both Windows and macOS pretty much daily, this is not something I've ever seen happen in Windows. Certainly not something that is common.

No they all cost between £600-£700.

 

[PurpleDragon]

I actually did an iPad app with powerful window interface to make iPad as close to desktop experience as possible. However, it was rejected by Apple review, so unfortunately, it is not in App Store. Here is a video demo of that app:

It still was a big surprise for me Apple would reject such app considering Apple develops macOS towards multi-window concept - just slowly.

Apple rejection of iOS version was a big disappointment for me, but I completely recreated the app for Android after that. Android version is available on Google Play (Android tablet is needed to install it):

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.toplinesoft.wincommander.one


Here is video a presentation of Android version (some gestures were changed to get rid of Apple-patented designs):

Thank you, Aston441.

Rejection was a disappointment for me, but I would not necessarily blame Apple review team. After all, they just were doing their job. I think the management mistake is that they do not do review of Apple Review Guidelines to make sure no outdated or unexplained restrictions are left in Guidelines for Apple reviewers to reject apps.



Hi idmean. I am not inventing a wheel here - the concept of multi-window environment tablet was implemented by Microsoft in their tablets. What I did was an attempt to bring such desktop-like multi-window interface into iOS tablet (and also to Android tablet). I did not just blindly copy Microsoft - I redesigned standard desktop environment interface to make to more suitable to smaller and multi-touch capable tablet. I also made my own unique look - not copying Microsoft Windows look.



Thank you, BigDO.

People keep asking the reason why it was done as a file manager. The reason why it was done this way is because it was the only way to make window environment in the app. Developers do not have deeper access to the system to provide full-fledged end-to-end window interface. File management is actually the biggest part of the desktop environment on a computer. Windows actually started as a file manager (version 1.0) before gradually moving to full operating system.

 

[torana355]

Completely false. The majority of computer users don’t need very specific software or use cases. The majority of people need a computer for email, browsing, media consumption, managing photos and video, stuff like that. iPad is by far better at all of those things than the junk Go.

I suggest you get out in the real world, believe it or not people actually use computers for more then emailing and going on Youtube. Also even for media consumption some find using a laptop a better experience, i have an iPad and a few Android tablets just sitting around as i don't like using a virtual keyboard or having to hold the tablet as im watching a video, on a laptop i can sit it down and watch the video as i would on the tv. It's all very subjective.

 

[DNichter]

I suggest you get out in the real world, believe it or not people actually use computers for more then emailing and going on Youtube. Also even for media consumption some find using a laptop a better experience, i have an iPad and a few Android tablets just sitting around as i don't like using a virtual keyboard or having to hold the tablet as im watching a video, on a laptop i can sit it down and watch the video as i would on the tv. It's all very subjective.

Of course they do, I never said anything like that. Some people need more advanced software or have more complex use cases, but the bulk of computer users don’t need the same things that you are alluding to. You suggest getting out into the real world, yet you can’t look outside of your tiny little bubble. Just because something doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean it can’t work for others.

 

[torana355]

Of course they do, I never said anything like that. Some people need more advanced software or have more complex use cases, but the bulk of computer users don’t need the same things that you are alluding to. You suggest getting out into the real world, yet you can’t look outside of your tiny little bubble. Just because something doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean it can’t work for others.

Ive already said multiple times that there will be people that will be able to get away with just using a tablet. What i'm saying is Tablets are nowhere near being ready to replace a laptop for the majority of people, most of it due to software limitations. I guess i should have been more clear that i'm referring to the professional sector more than your everyday joe at home on you Tube.

 

[Exhale]

No they all cost between £600-£700.

Why are you comparing 600 GBP machines against 1100 GBP machines? 600 has pretty much been as low as you can go in the laptop space (without going into Netbooks); you're surprised quality is a problem there?

I'm going to assume you went with an Acer machine; since they've generally been quite terrible (but cheap). Don't know anyone that's bought Acer twice for that reason.

 

[Lalatoon]

We disagree. That’s okay too. You may need those legacy attributes, but many people have moved on and don’t. There’s room for both, but they are indeed legacy.

Well, me and you has different take on what legacy is. I don't know what you're understanding of legacy is but with my experience in electronics and software programming what I learned is legacy means products that are no longer in development life cycle. Meaning they will not be updated or upgraded anymore and there will be no new releases for this products. External storage and sd card are still being actively being developed and new products are being release this means that this are not legacy products. One example is you can buy now external ssd that are 3d NAND and maybe there is already 1 TB sd card.

To be honest I really don't get your idea about legacy when it comes tech products. Its just like you are saying that mouse and keyboard are legacy products because of touchscreen inputs. I think you misunderstood what legacy means when it comes to tech products.

 

[cmdrmac]

There are two simple things that I hope to see happen:

• Apple allows compilers (e.g. Pythonista is a great start, but I wish we could install any Python library) and true IDEs (i.e., Xcode)
• Developers start to take the iPad seriously. I'm very biased here - and I'm referring to RStudio

 

[engbren]

I have the beta of iPad Os running on my iPad Pro 9.7 inch and I have had a Surface Go base model since launch. I bought the Surface Go out of frustration with iOS 11 on iPad Pro not really giving me the power I needed to travel without a full laptop as well as the iPad.

I had an erroneous assumption that since Surface Go ran full Windows 10 that it could be a laptop replacement and I could use it to replace a laptop during travel.

The short answer is no it didn’t replace my laptop for productivity. I was limited in the following ways:
1. The keyboard on Surface Go is slightly smaller than usual size and it flexes quite a bit increasing the amount of typing errors I made;
2. It was quite slow even with MS office apps multitasking was quite draining;
3. Full windows 10 apps don’t work well in tablet mode.

iPad with Apple keyboard I have found typing to be remarkably accurate but I’ve been limited by no multi document interfaces and no mouse support as gestures become tiring to work on large word or excel documents. Once app vendors create apps that support multi documents, it will change the iPad utility for the better. The current version of mouse support doesn’t Take away the problem of gestures.