iPad Pro Outsells Microsoft Surface in Launch Quarter

[RamGuy]

Apple's sales would have been blockbuster if Apple's iPad "pro" was actually a professional product running Mac OS X and allowed the use of professional applications. Instead, we get this overpriced load of sh*t with a pencil. Way to go, Apple. But that's what happens when you have a manager at the helm and not someone with an actual vision for the company and its products.

Tim Cook is turning into a Steve Balmer.

I think you are misunderstanding that Apple tries to achieve with the iPad Pro. It's the complete opposite of the Surface Pro. Whereas Microsoft have taken their mouse and keyboard focused X86-based operating system and shoved it into a tablet form factor PC. Apple is trying to give you a fully capable devices with good hardware that actually runs a touch-only operating system in the hope of developers to develop professional touch-capable software.


We've had the Surface Pro line for years now. How many touch-optimised solutions of the professional software have been developed for the Microsoft Store and a touchscreen since then? Next to none...

Apple is of course fully aware that the moment you give developers the opportunity to be lazy, they will be. This is the sole reason why Apple is so aggressive with killing support for older operating system on the Mac, and the whole reason why they the moment the provide new developer tools and languages they will stop supporting the older ones just a few years later. This way the ensure that things are being updated and maintained and they won't have to drag along with compatibility for outdated solutions like Microsoft have been with Windows for way too long.


What they are trying to do with the iPad Pro is to create a professional tool to be used in a touch-only environment. If they had simply tossed Mac OS X onto a tablet developers of existing professional tools to Mac OS X would most likely never care to update their solutions with a touch-optimised interface in mind.



Apple is not selling the iPad Pro as something that is supposed to replace a MacBook Pro for professional use. They are trying to create a market for profession tools that are suited and optimized around touch. Something the Microsoft Surface have completely failed to do, simply because Microsoft never forced developers to do anything with their applications.

 

[jase1125]

The entire idea of the Surface just does not appeal to me. People may ridicule Apple for the “stretched” user interface on the iPad Pro, but the system as well as the apps are still clearly optimised for a touchscreen. Windows 8 and 10 may have a tablet mode for the touchscreen, but it was put on top of a classic desktop metaphor. Some apps have been overhauled for it – and I think they look really clunky now, not much ‘desktop-class’ – but many have not been adapted, including plenty of “pro” applications. It just is not the same feeling as a good tablet OS where every app is optimised for it. Microsoft just has not that ecosystem for a tablet yet, partially due to their weak efforts in mobile space.

I can understand completely that many people prefer a tablet with a dedicated operating system like iOS or Android. That leaves the laptop side of the Surface and it is there where the competition is probably the toughest. The Surface devices look flimsy in comparison to the competition. There are fantastic, quality laptops out there that do not compromise on the hardware just because they also need to be tablets. I personally think that these combined devices are not the future. They can certainly co-exist, like netbooks did.

The Surface Pro has excellent build quality similar to apple. They aren't flimsy at all.

 

[kdoug]

I wonder how many iPad Pro users have contemplated a Surface Pro... and vice versa.
Or are the current iPad Pro users die-hard iOS fans?

I've owned every iPad except the Pro but iOS kills it for me. Throwing more memory and making the screen bigger doesn't make it a PRO, OS X would have though.

 

[Zirel]

I'd pick the Surface Pro over the iPad Pro

Yes, you would, but you didn't, that's the key.

People that want to run traditional Apps, already have a PC, and if not, buy laptops, not expensive and underpowered devices.

 

[KALLT]

The Surface Pro has excellent build quality similar to apple. They aren't flimsy at all.

I was not talking about the build quality, although these devices seem to have plenty of quality issues at the moment, but about design. These Surface devices are literally tablets on a stand with attachable, plastic keyboards. Look at the laptops that other manufacturers including Apple are producing.

 

[jase1125]

I find it really funny how so many people are really on the Microsoft Surface hype-train, talking up their sales numbers like they are selling like hotcakes. In the meanwhile Apple has been selling a whole lot more iPad's in the same timeframe and the very same people are talking about how iPad's are all dead and Surface is the new big thing. There is something really wrong with the logic here.

You miss the point of Surface for Microsoft. Apple is the only seller of Apple OS. Microsoft is in it not to compete directly with Apple on device sales, they are in the game to push OEMs to develop more premium devices with Windows 10. One could argue that is now happening and has been successful. Yes Surface brings revenue and is profitable for Microsoft, but that isn't the only device bringing Windows revenue to MS. So from that perspective, it is very successful. Sure PC sales have been declining, but that is no different than tablet sales too.

 

[subjonas]

Depends on the criteria one applies. I have tried them both and was still appalled by the amount of non touch optimized elements of the OS of the surface. The iPad Pro would benefit from better file management.

It would also have so much more added utility and value if it could function as an extended display when connected to a computer--with Apple pencil support. There are third party apps that either extend a computer display or give Apple pencil support to a computer via display mirroring, but not both extended display and pencil support. Also I prefer native functionality.) Right now I have a Cintiq Companion Hybrid--an Android drawing tablet that can function as a traditional cintiq when connected to a computer. It's great because I can use it as a standalone device for on-the-go artwork, but I can also attach it to my MBP when I need to use desktop art software (on-the-go). However, I'm aching to replace it with the iPad Pro because the iPP is iOS, much less bulky, has much better sound, and has much less parallax, but I can't justify it when the CCH has that other bit of crucial functionality for me. :T

 

[jase1125]

I was not talking about the build quality, although these devices seem to have plenty of quality issues at the moment, but about design. These Surface devices are literally tablets on a stand with attachable, plastic keyboards. Look at the laptops that other manufacturers including Apple are producing.

To each his own. I rather love mine and the design. The keyboard is excellent - every bit as good as my Macbook Air and better than my macbook Pro. I simply type better on it. The kickstand is a great compromise - adjust to any angle I want. The IPP keyboard lets you only have one option. One would have thought apple would have learned from the mistakes of the Original Surface Pro Microsoft released that only had one position. They copied the desire of the Surface Pro 3, but they should have copied a little bit better.
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Yes, you would, but you didn't, that's the key.

People that want to run traditional Apps, already have a PC, and if not, buy laptops, not expensive and underpowered devices.

Underpowered? Compared to what; a server? The Surface Pro's power is comparable to high end notebooks.

 

[Zirel]

It would also have so much more added utility and value if it could function as an extended display when connected to a computer--with Apple pencil support. There are third party apps that either extend a computer display or give Apple pencil support to a computer via display mirroring, but not both extended display and pencil support. Also I prefer native functionality.) Right now I have a Cintiq Companion Hybrid--an Android drawing tablet that can function as a traditional cintiq when connected to a computer. It's great because I can use it as a standalone device for on-the-go artwork, but I can also attach it to my MBP when I need to use desktop art software (on-the-go). However, I'm aching to replace it with the iPad Pro because the iPP is iOS, much less bulky, has much better sound, and has much less parallax, but I can't justify it when the CCH has that other bit of crucial functionality for me. :T

It can do what you want.

There's an App called Astropad that does that.
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Underpowered? Compared to what; a server? The Surface Pro's power is comparable to high end notebooks.

It doesn't need to be to high end notebooks.

They aren't as powerful as 13" MBPr's, which are similarly priced.

 

[co.ag.2005]

I feel like the real story here is Amazon's tablet. That has a far higher marketshare than Microsoft's surface, and it jumped from 2.5% (4th place) to 7.9% (3rd place). What is their tablet? I haven't heard anything about it? Last I heard they had the Kindle Fire... did they ever follow up on that with something that was more successful? What has caused this huge rise, from 1.9 m shipments to 5.2 m?

Agree. My assumption is that the Amazon increased market share (and shipments) were partially due to the launch of their $50 7" Fire tablet. I know for me, if I'm in the market for a tablet for the kiddos (movies, games, etc.) or for the basics of email, facebook browsing, Kindle reading, I'd buy the Amazon Fire Tablet over any entry level iPad, purely for the cost savings.

http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Display-Wi-Fi-GB-Includes/dp/B00TSUGXKE
http://www.geekwire.com/2016/50-fir...hind-only-apple-and-samsung-but-it-wont-last/

 

[JonneyGee]

It's starting to sound like the only people who favor the Surface have already commented about it here. It's funny to me how there are so many die-hard Surface fans commenting here – on an Apple blog, of all places – but so few of them exist in the real world. Even though the iPad's sales are declining because everyone already has one and they're not upgrading very often, iPad is still outselling Surface overall at a 10:1 rate. I've probably only ever seen a half dozen or so Surfaces out in the wild, as opposed to a countless number of iPads. Say all you want about how a Surface Pro "blows away" the iPad Pro, but most consumers apparently disagree.

 

[jase1125]

It can do what you want.

There's an App called Astropad that does that.
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It doesn't need to be to high end notebooks.

They aren't as powerful as 13" MBPr's, which are similarly priced.

Absolutely they are

 

[btrach144]

Give it a quarter and then lets compare sales numbers. Q1 of 2016 will be fair since neither product line will be updated. I'd honestly buy a SP4 or SB before I buy an iPad Pro.

 

[petsounds]

So much salt in this thread from MS shills. The iPad Pro is the best drawing tablet I've ever used. I love it. And it's also a fantastic audio creation tool, both for synths in SplitView mode, and as a controller for Logic. The soft keyboard in landscape mode is pretty great, without the need for external keyboards. And reading news is an enjoyable experience on its screen. It's the first iPad I've regularly wanted to use.

 

[nia820]

i honestly do no understand why people keep comparing ipad pro and surface pro 4. ipad pro is far from being a pro product as it still runs ios. whereas suface runs a full desktop OS. They are two different devices aimed at different audiences.

maybe if ipad pro was running a hybrid osx id understand. but they are two very different tablets.

To be honest I think iPad pro only sold as much as it did because people are extremely loyal to the brand and just wanted a larger iOS experience. Not because it is a "pro" because there isnt anything pro about it other than a 100 stylus.

 

[Fusion79]

At this point all die hard and even casual Apple users have an iPad. There really is no reason to get a new one ever year or two. I have an iPad 3 Wifi and see no reason is buying a new one. All my apps run fine. My next purchase will probably be a iPad Mini but i'm in no rush to get one.

This. We just replaced our 2nd gen iPad with an Air 2 after 4 years with the 2nd gen iPad. Average users are not going to buy new iPad's every year or two.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Yeah, Surface should be compared to hardware that run a desktop OS and in a more comparable price range..
The entry iPad PRO is what 50-60% less money than a decent Surface Pro..

"Desktop OS". What a faux argument. Please define "Desktop OS".

(Hint: You can't because it doesn't exist. An OS is an OS. iPad Pro runs just as much of a "Desktop OS" as a MacBook)

 

[bladerunner2000]

Apple's sales would have been blockbuster if Apple's iPad "pro" was actually a professional product running Mac OS X and allowed the use of professional applications. Instead, we get this overpriced load of sh*t with a pencil. Way to go, Apple. But that's what happens when you have a manager at the helm and not someone with an actual vision for the company and its products.

Tim Cook is turning into a Steve Balmer.

Don't worry, Apple's been treating it's own 'pro' consumers like garbage in the Mac Pro department for MANY YEARS.

If you think it's bad with tablets, try being a Mac Pro user.

 

[Mike MA]

ouch.. -24% growth! Welcome to the post tablet era?

No, tablets just do have longer lifecycles than smartphones. Now most people who want one, actually have one. They will update again in a year or two.

Apple basically also acknowledged this with the missing update of the iPad Air last year.

 

[usarioclave]

Who knew so many surface fans would be hanging around a Mac forum?

Seriously, if I needed a Windows laptop I'd probably buy a surface instead of a normal laptop. For travel, the thing beats anything hands-down. If I needed a demo platform it'd be perfect, since it's easy to connect to a projector and you can run vmware to run anything.

It's not really a tablet, it's a flat PC. Although it does make you think: what the heck is a tablet anyway? Is an iPad Pro and a Surface really comparable? When they were running RT it made more sense to say a surface was like an iPad. Now a surface just a slim laptop/slimtop ie: yet another windows form factor.

 

[bufffilm]

The way I look at it...the iPad Pro had very good debut, but it is too soon to tell if it will continue to sell in those numbers in Q2 and Q3.

Right now, I wouldn't buy either product.

 

[Michael Goff]

Agreed, it would be a pretty different OS X than what we're used to, I think it should come from iOS - though the OS it derives from isn't all that relevant. The "it", I think is missing (and again, I don't think this will create a surge in the tablet market that's anywhere near smartphones) is a ground up touch based OS for tablets, that runs all iOS apps ... AND ... provides some "pro" features: some kind of file management (I'm still not convinced just exposing a file system, ala, Finder is the best option), much better inter-app operation, network [LAN] integration, peripherals like mice, and a few more office category type apps that are legitimate replacements for their desktop counterparts.

I've put this down before, and I will keep hoping it gets done.

tvOS
watchOS

padOS

 

[name99]

mkay....

The title says the Ipad Pro outsold the surface, cool....

The supporting evidence is for tablet says, not model specific.

Reading the actual source material (http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS40990116), the real reference is

"We believe Apple sold just over two million iPad Pros while Microsoft sold around 1.6 million Surface devices" guess there is not much story with a 400 000 difference...

Maybe focus on one story here....?

Dude, I'm sorry, but you come across as desperate.
Surface sales have been basically flat for years, and they seem to be in replacement mode now, like PCs. (This isn't a criticism, it's just a fact of the numbers.) Total iPad revenue has been around 5x Surface revenue for years. (Higher iPad unit sales, because lower average iPad price).

With all this background, the question of how the iPad Pro did is interesting because
- does the large iPad app ecosystem help?
- will people hold back on buying because they don't know how to use it?
- will the higher cost hurt it?

Now we know answers. iPad Pro sold 1.25x as many units as Surface. (This could be even worse than it looks in that I don't know how many of those Surface sales were Surface 3.)
I don't understand your complaint. iPad Pro DID sell more units than Surface, and quite substantially (25%) more. You're welcome to claim this won't be sustained or that you think iPad Pro sux because it doesn't run Visual Studio, or whatever other fact-based rant you like; but the headline is factually correct and hardly inflammatory.

Finally many readers here don't seem to understand what this press release means.
The press release does not contain IDC's entire collection of data. The press release contains merely a few tantalizing tidbits to publicize the fact that IDC has a new report available on the state of the tablet market. The actual report will have a vast collection of numbers in it, and if you want those numbers, you're welcome to buy the report (probably for around $5000). But complaining that "the tables IDC shows don't justify the claims in their text" is simply idiotic. The tables, and the text, are simply samples from a much larger collection of (expensive) information.

 

[rdlink]

That's definitely one factor. Another is what people are using for most of their "computing", and it's a smartphone. Bigger phones (that have become the norm) are very usable, they're portable, they provide voice/cell services, GPS, high quality cameras - I think tablets got squeezed between ultra light, full featured computers like the MB/MBA and the mobile device "everyone wants/needs", and that's a smart phone.

There's going to need to be a major shift in usability for [pure] tablets to get a little traction back, and even then, they're only looking at displacing laptops which is still a tiny market vs. smart phones.

Tablets are outstanding in a few vertical markets where I do some work, but again, those are tiny market segments.

I think that is true, as well. Honestly, Apple needs to fork iOS for the tablet to make it more like OS X.

 

[Michael Goff]

Yeah but Apple fanboys don't care about being realistic, lol.

Not just Apple fanboys. "You shouldn't buy an iPad Pro because Surface Pro" is a common line around here.
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So, in other words the Surface Pro Tablet makes a good laptop


I think that is true, as well. Honestly, Apple needs to fork iOS for the tablet to make it more like OS X.

Yeah. It makes a good ultra book.