iPad Pro, iPhone 6S Plus, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book

[peterpan123]

Hello, I am an engineer. I use MacBook Pro Retina 15" (Windows via bootcamp for Windows app and Mac OS for normal use such as writing papers). I have a Galaxy Note PRO 12.2 which is also my cell phone.

My Note PRO 12.2 malfunction often. As I am in Japan, they don't fix it since it is not available in that country.

I am considering buy buy an iPad PRO with cellular phone functions and/or Note 5 and/or iPhone 6S Plus.

I use the S pen on my Note PRO often to write notes and do annotations. I also take lots of photos/videos. So, excellent battery life is highly desired. Note 5 is a good choice but no support in Japan. iPhone 6S Plus would be the next choice but it does not has good 3rd party stylus.

I was waiting for the Surface PRO 4 with cellular phone function but Microsoft decided not to include this function.

I use Mac OS for general purpose use and academic paper writing. I use Windows for 3D engineering applications and CAD.

What suggestion do you have? If possible, excellent battery life, light weight, excellent stylus support for hand writing and annotation. I guess a Surface PRO 4/book which can run MacOS with cellular phone function is the best. Unfortunately, it does not exist.

What suggestion do you have?

 

[peterpan123]

Just checked with Microsoft Japan. They said that there is no international warranty for Surface PRO 4. I travel and work around the world. If there is no international warranty, I have to give up Microsoft products. For Samsung Japan, they also do not fix Galaxy Note PRO nor Note 5 as they are not sold in Japan. Sounds like I am stuck with iPad PRO or iPhone 6S Plus as Apple offers international warranty.

 

[bigrell486]

Neither the Surface nor the iPad have the ability to make calls with their cellular radio. They are restricted, by software, to data purposes only. So you would need to purchase an actual cell phone to compliment either of those devices unless you only intend to make VoIP calls on your tablet using cellular data.

Your best bet would be to either buy a new Note Pro to replace your current faulty one or purchase a a different tablet along with a basic phone to make calls with. It seems like, due to your extensive use of your tablet, a smart phone would be redundant and a unnecessary waste of money.

 

[iDemiurge]

Hi, just thought I should add an anecdote. Earlier this year I was in Hong Kong and wanted to buy an iPhone 6 there, as apple products are cheaper in HK than in most other places. The Apple store (that iconic one by Central) was filled with mainland Chinese who were buying phones and iPads in bulk. When I reached the counter to pay I was informed that the warranty for iOS devices (iPhones/iPads/iPods) are not worldwide, but would be valid only in HK. So while you can get service across the globe, you only get free, warranty-covered service in the market where you bought the device. The exception, I was told, are Macs, which do come with a one-year worldwide warranty.

As an extra note: because of the above I delayed my purchase and now bought a 6s plus. I am satisfied with it and find battery life pretty decent.

 

[peterpan123]

Hi, just thought I should add an anecdote. Earlier this year I was in Hong Kong and wanted to buy an iPhone 6 there, as apple products are cheaper in HK than in most other places. The Apple store (that iconic one by Central) was filled with mainland Chinese who were buying phones and iPads in bulk. When I reached the counter to pay I was informed that the warranty for iOS devices (iPhones/iPads/iPods) are not worldwide, but would be valid only in HK. So while you can get service across the globe, you only get free, warranty-covered service in the market where you bought the device. The exception, I was told, are Macs, which do come with a one-year worldwide warranty.

As an extra note: because of the above I delayed my purchase and now bought a 6s plus. I am satisfied with it and find battery life pretty decent.

Thanks. So, even I buy Apple Care for iPad PRO, the product can be repaired worldwide but I need to pay?

 

[iDemiurge]

Thanks. So, even I buy Apple Care for iPad PRO, the product can be repaired worldwide but I need to pay?

I don't know about Apple Care. I only have Apple Care for my mac, which is worldwide. As the iPad Pro is a new product it might me different, but it is worth checking. As I understand it the terms for the warranty of iOS devices say that Apple may deny service outside the country where you bought the device, not that they will do it. So while they MAY repair a device under warranty in another country, youre not entitled to it. I don't know if the same goes for Apple Care.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/