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Apple should make a Mac tablet. maOS inside, not the iOS toy. And standard ports as well. That is a true computer.
 
It always depends on what you want to do with a computer. For me I could use a tablet for my computing needs because they are very minimal these days. However if I didn’t have a laptop at all and this was to be my only computer, I’d pick the surface Go simply because it runs a more traditional computer OS. However I’d still use it in conjunction with another iPad.
 
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are you talking about how the keyboard is angled instead of laying flat? Thats done on purpose to make it feel more like a laptop keyboard and to provide support. When they made the keyboard that way when it was introduced with the surface pro 3 they made a whole mention of it. it can still lay flat if you want it to though.
Yes. I believe this is what Icaras is talking about. I am ok with that design choice. Maybe Icaras does not like it.
 
The Surface Go runs a WHOLE lot better than commenters said it would. It rarely slows down, and there's no fan. I'm thoroughly impressed with how well the Surface Go functions as a basic work laptop. It docks to my 2x 24" monitors at full resolution, and run 10+ office and other apps simultaneously without complaining. Windows 10 is getting better, have 1905 now.
Excellent summary that reflects my experience of the Surface Go. For travel it’s ideal and in everyday use replicates the desktop experience. The reviewers statements about clunky performance when multitasking aren’t borne out in practice (at least on the higher spec version of the Go). Also, one hopes that the OS updates will keep coming for the life of the hardware, unlike Apple’s built in obsolescence policy.
 
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Excellent summary that reflects my experience of the Surface Go. For travel it’s ideal and in everyday use replicates the desktop experience. The reviewers statements about clunky performance when multitasking aren’t borne out in practice (at least on the higher spec version of the Go). Also, one hopes that the OS updates will keep coming for the life of the hardware, unlike Apple’s built in obsolescence policy.
The Mac gets update for quite a while. My 2014 MacBook Air is still receiving updates although not all features are support in the latest update like sidecar.
 
The Mac gets update for quite a while. My 2014 MacBook Air is still receiving updates although not all features are support in the latest update like sidecar.
My 2012 MBA will evidently get Catalina this year. That's 7-8 years of software support already. I think most people would have upgraded their laptop by then.
 
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Im afraid I will stick to the laptop for now. I think there are cases where an iPad could replace a laptop but I’ve not seen it work yet.

As some anecdotal evidence, our managers a few years back bought themselves iPads promising they were instead of laptops and then gave up on the iPads, they just did it again when the updated pros came out, guess what they went back to their laptops mostly again. So now we are in a situation where we have bought twice the hardware and have to support both units with no real business value being added.
 
Dumb comparison.
The Surface is a laptop, where you have to purchase the keyboard separately. Obviously it can work as a "laptop" better than an iPad since it IS a laptop.

But of course, the conclusion is correct. Why bother with the Surface if you can get an actual laptop (with the keyboard included, and built-in for convenience!) for the same price? Chromebooks are the real thread to Widows laptops. Heck, even in the enterprise level, I would highly consider Chromebooks if the company uses GSuite, than a regular Windows laptop.
 
My 2012 MBA will evidently get Catalina this year. That's 7-8 years of software support already. I think most people would have upgraded their laptop by then.
I’ve never had a windows laptop last this long so I don’t even know how long they get updates for. They’ve all been plagued with hardware faults of software bugs and been unusable after 2 years.
 
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My 2012 MBA will evidently get Catalina this year. That's 7-8 years of software support already. I think most people would have upgraded their laptop by then.
For laptops, it's actually more about ~10 years of usage, especially if the laptop is still functioning.
My 2012 Macbook Air (which has been relegated to a relative) is still functioning and performing well. It would be sad if Apple pulled out OS support after Catalina simply because of its age.
 
Yes. I believe this is what Icaras is talking about. I am ok with that design choice. Maybe Icaras does not like it.
But the problem I have is him saying the iPad version is superior because it lays flat because you can have the surface go version lay flat as well and probably the only reason Apple didn't implement it that way is because the I pad doesn't have a kickstand, otherwise they might have gone with the same approach.
 
I don’t have experience with the ‘Microsoft Go’, but I can tell you aside from the hardware comparisons that have already been made in this thread, I look at considerations like support of longevity through iOS updates and the maturity of the iPad over the years. I think what’s really impressive about the iPad, is how long they actually last, and well past their iOS support even when it’s discontinued, because the hardware is _that_ good. That says a lot about the dominance of the iPad over the years in terms of withstanding against the competition.

As far as actually which is the better ‘laptop replacement’, well that depends what you’re using you're actually using your iPad for.
 
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Apple should make a Mac tablet. maOS inside, not the iOS toy. And standard ports as well. That is a true computer.
But then Timmy wouldnt make it to where you have to buy a Macbook and a tablet and spend more money! That's really the only reason they haven't yet. Why have people buy one device that is 1000 dollars instead of a laptop thats 1000 already and hopes of getting you to spend insane amounts for better specd options and a iPad where you have to spend insane amounts to get one with enough storage since you cant add a SD Card....
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Dumb comparison.
The Surface is a laptop, where you have to purchase the keyboard separately. Obviously it can work as a "laptop" better than an iPad since it IS a laptop.

But of course, the conclusion is correct. Why bother with the Surface if you can get an actual laptop (with the keyboard included, and built-in for convenience!) for the same price? Chromebooks are the real thread to Widows laptops. Heck, even in the enterprise level, I would highly consider Chromebooks if the company uses GSuite, than a regular Windows laptop.
Because you can have a full laptop in a tablet form factor....
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I don’t have experience with ‘Microsoft Go’, but I can tell you aside from the hardware comparisons that have already been made in this thread, I look at considerations like support of longevity through iOS updates and the maturity of the iPad over the years. I think what’s really impressive about the iPad, is how long they actually last, and well past their iOS support even when it’s discontinued, because the hardware is _that_ good. That says a lot about the dominance of the iPad over the years in terms of withstanding against the competition.

As far asactually which is the better ‘laptop replacement’, well that depends what you’re using you're actually using your iPad for.
You do release when it comes to old hardware and newer OS support, in the windows world there is hardware that was made before the iPad even existed that can still run the newest OS right? A laptop bought in 2007 could still technically run windows 10 if it was a decent spec'd machine then.
 
You haven't read all the 2-in-1 supporters? the screen is the trackpad. LOL. I don't believe any of them, I would love trackpad support. I used an iPad as a laptop replacement on project, It was great except for reaching across the keyboard and touching the screen, that was not convenient. I used Pages and Numbers, and shipped those in MS format to other members of the team, never had a problem. Only missing features I found I really wanted were 1) a trackpad, 2) programming support, 3) macOS interface is just nicer.

Personal opinion trackpads are abhorrent on WIndows PCs MacOS and Linux and that nipple on thinkpads don’t get me on that.

Mice Okay through
 
A laptop bought in 2007 could still technically run windows 10 if it was a decent spec'd machine then.

That’s not remotely even a relevant comparison. Five years of iOS support is primarily the base minimum and an iPad can perform well beyond discontinued support, says milestones about not just the hardware, but the software experience with the iPad. But then again, the argument is not about the software, it’s about determining what the user needs to configure how an iPad could be a laptop replacement. That’s the purpose of this article, am I right?
 
That’s not remotely even a relevant comparison. Five years of iOS support is primarily the base minimum and an iPad can perform well beyond discontinued support, says milestones about not just the hardware, but the software experience with the iPad. But then again, the argument is not about the software, it’s about determining what the user needs to configure how an iPad could be a laptop replacement. That’s the purpose of this article, am I right?
I was using it to compare how long Windows OS support will go. If you bought a Surface now going buy what windows has done in the past, you could run the OS they release in 12+ years from now on it still.
 
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I've read and reread your original post over and over again. The Surface Go is being pushed as a laptop replacement, hence the trackpad, the Air isnt, hence no trackpad. But Apple doesn't even make since in this regard because it states the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement and yet still does not have a trackpad. The Surface Go isn't a tablet, the Air is. The Surface is a laptop in a tablet form factor hence trackpad.

Sigh. No. I’ve never questioned why there is a trackpad. I never once have asked “why does the Surface have a trackpad?” I’m merely questioning why the keyboard attachment must look exactly like that of the bottom half of a laptop when there are no batteries in that bottom half to justify so much unused space.

That’s it. Merely a design aesthetic question. Nothing more. Now let’s move on please.
 
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I have found with Microsoft's Windows Virtual Desktop (in public preview) I don't really need a dedicated notebook or desktop for that matter. I use my iPad with onedrive for travel and light tasks when disconnected but can easily connect to a full win10 machine for a normal full work day. Honestly I doubt I ever buy a standard PC/notebook ever again. Disclaimer, I run www.cloudjumper.com and our entire staff operates in pretty much this manner.
 
Because in non-tablet mode Windows uses a mouse, so the keyboard cover has a trackpad.

Also, the keyboard for Surface has two positions. One flat just like iPad, the other raised a bit.

But the keyboard is only usable in the flat position because in the raised position it wobbles too much....
 
Many people do not use an iPad for that simply because it is impossible or as the original comment said "you need a weird workaround".

Every time I hear someone say their iPad replaced their computer I imagine all they do is media consumption... watching videos is the only thing I find my beloved iPad to be superior to my computer, and that is after installing a decent app since native format support is terrible.

iPad will replace my computer the day I can run in it full versions of XCode, MatLab, Spyder, SAP2000, Solidworks, Excel (the real one), tons of other professional software... the ability to access files out of the sandbox, to connect two monitors and use proper mouse and keyboard, or connect several external drives, format them, work on them... If a single one of those is not met, it cannot replace my computer.

That is obviously true but maybe the iPad is not meant to replace a computer because it wouldn’t be an iPad any longer....I have given up waiting for an iPad that can do all my professional work. Instead I use multiple devices like the Surface Go for basic desktop apps and full external display/mouse support on the road, the iMac with two 27“ displays for my job tasks and the iPad for web/mail/media and remote desktops....
 
I get that this article is comparing mid-range devices (Surface Go and iPad Air) but I think for laptop replacements it would have been better to compare the Surface Pro and the iPad Pro 11 or 12.9". The Surface Pro with its Core i5 is definitely snappy and makes a pretty good laptop replacement (or tablet when in Windows 10 tablet mode) especially since it has full mouse support. It has a beautiful screen as well, and makes a good note taking and drawing slate with the Microsoft Pen.

The newest generation iPad Pro 12.9" with its A12X chip is wicked powerful and when teamed up with a bluetooth keyboard (I have the Logitech model which is pretty nice, and backlit too) it also makes a great laptop replacement. The one major drawback for the iPad is it not having proper mouse support (why that is still the case I have no idea, it would be relatively trivial for Apple to add a mouse driver to the newest iteration of iPad OS).

So, the TLDR version? The upper tier versions of Apple and Microsoft's tablets make pretty good laptop replacements, but still have a little room for improvement.

For me the Surface Pro is a laptop with a different case design. Nobody is using this thing as a tablet like the iPad....
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LOL. when was the last time an iPad bricked? not in my experience, last bricked iOS device was an iPhone 4
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Have you tried using it? the iPad single core score easily beats the multi-core on the Go, and it has a better operating system for small devices. The Go might be better if it wasn't so damn slow!
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Surface go, if productivity matters? Dude that makes no sense, the Go doesn't even have a grown up CPU
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So WP, spreadsheets, email, photo editing, video creation, PDF editing, is consumption? Gee, I didn't know that. Your argument on mouse/trackpad is valid though

It depends what productivity means. Not everyone is doing video or Photoshop jobs as their profession. I use things like putty, WinSCP, Remote Desktop, browsing with Java and Flash support and many other small tools to earn my money and for that the Go is perfectly fine (and least on the road)....
 
One is a tablet, one is a laptop.. so I think the laptop might win this laptop competition lol

Yep, but here we are in 2019 with these stupid threads popping up. One runs a desktop OS, the other a limited mobile OS. But the question is which is better to replace a laptop when one IS a laptop and the other is a big ipod touch.
 
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