Microsoft Bashes Apple's iWork Software, New iPads

[Meister]

Typing and formatting on an iPad is not optimal. My MacBook Air is a substantially more efficient method if just because a keyboard is always better for typing than a touchscreen. Always.

Over the last three years i just got used to the touchscreen.
Everyone eventually will.
I was always against an ipad mini though. Like steve i thought it would be too small.
Now i just use the mini. If i need major formatting i just icloud and finish up on my mac or any other computer.
The portability of my ipad (mini) literaly changed my life and how i do things.
I know many others say the same!

 

[nefan65]

Typing and formatting on an iPad is not optimal. My MacBook Air is a substantially more efficient method if just because a keyboard is always better for typing than a touchscreen. Always.

Wow...love the absolutes. Again, you're thinking of NOW, and YOU. There's a whole generation of younger people that are far more adapt to typing on a screen vs. a keyboard.

"I don't need any new fangled dialers, or push buttons! Couple of cranks, and I'll have Mabel ring me up Doc Jones!".

 

[Cryptex]

Lucky if you get 5 hours out of the surface pro 2

If that's the case that certainly is a disappointment. But according to that test, the battery is comparable to the original Surface RT. I own that and it certainly takes what feels like a while to kill off. Hmm...

 

[Bill Killer]

That's old school thinking. My son is heading to college next year, and he uses his iPad [as well as some of his classmates] daily, and that includes homework, reports, etc. all on the iPad. These will be the same ones that will graduate college and head into the workforce in a few years.

Closed minded thinking like yours is why some of these companies don't get it, and fail at what they do..."My way is the way EVERYONE works!".

Typing a heavily formatted 25 page report on an iPad sounds like pure hell. Absolute hell.

 

[itguy06]

I don't see iWork ever coming close to replacing office in the business world which is where it really matters.

There is too much vested systems that are integrated and people trained and experts in Excel. Also the business world moves super slow. I work for a large intl company and we are still using XP.

Does it? I bet Microsoft sells a lot of licenses to home users because they think they need Office. Heck, they recently (3 years ago or so) created a Home And Student version of Office.

For SMB's, which are the vast majority of employers and businesses in America, iWork could come very close. You know, the corner coffee shop, restaurant, insurance guy, contractor, etc.

With nearly perfect file compatibility it's a compelling argument if you are a casual business user.

 

[nefan65]

Typing a heavily formatted 25 page report on an iPad sounds like pure hell. Absolute hell.

To YOU. If you ask a 17 or 20 year old, I'm sure the answer will be much different.

What works for you, may not work for everyone.

 

[itguy06]

Typing a heavily formatted 25 page report on an iPad sounds like pure hell. Absolute hell.

Why? Use a Bluetooth keyboard and be done with it. Get the main points on the paper and the heavy formatting on a laptop.

I'd even say a 25 page report on a Netbook would be pure hell. The Acer One I've got would fit that bill well. Small-ish keyboard, horrible trackpad and barely adequate performance.

 

[slash7844]

Do accounting/finance department at Apple headquarter use Numbers?

 

[Bill Killer]

Wow...love the absolutes. Again, you're thinking of NOW, and YOU. There's a whole generation of younger people that are far more adapt to typing on a screen vs. a keyboard.

"I don't need any new fangled dialers, or push buttons! Couple of cranks, and I'll have Mabel ring me up Doc Jones!".

What the hell are you talking about? I'm in my mid-20's and have to crank out lengthy reports, proposals, and docs for work all the time. The lack of responsiveness from a touchscreen is exactly why a laptop or desktop will always be a more effective productivity tool than an iPad.

 

[Cryptex]

To YOU. If you ask a 17 or 20 year old, I'm sure the answer will be much different.

What works for you, may not work for everyone.

I'm a 21 year old if that counts? And that really would be hell haha!

 

[Bill Killer]

Why? Use a Bluetooth keyboard and be done with it. Get the main points on the paper and the heavy formatting on a laptop.

I'd even say a 25 page report on a Netbook would be pure hell. The Acer One I've got would fit that bill well. Small-ish keyboard, horrible trackpad and barely adequate performance.

A wireless keyboard solves most issues. By then, it's about software compatibility for collaboration.

 

[Cryptex]

I'm going to go now, and I wanted to thank all above who I've had great, enjoyable and lengthy discussions with. If you're thinking of buying a new iPad, power to you, but go check out a Surface Pro as well!

 

[Smartass]

That's old school thinking. My son is heading to college next year, and he uses his iPad [as well as some of his classmates] daily, and that includes homework, reports, etc. all on the iPad. These will be the same ones that will graduate college and head into the workforce in a few years.

Closed minded thinking like yours is why some of these companies don't get it, and fail at what they do..."My way is the way EVERYONE works!".

not really, these people are actually the ones who are close minded since they believe that the ipad is the only great tablet out there and the only one for serious work, which is not. Far from it. Microsoft Office is still the alpha and omega of business world and apple is FAR from creating software even remotely as good as office.
iPad was and still is made as a device for "information consumption" and nothing more, just because apple made some office-like software that looks like it was made for complete retards, doesnt mean that the ipad i suddenly a great device for serious work.

 

[nefan65]

What the hell are you talking about? I'm in my mid-20's and have to crank out lengthy reports, proposals, and docs for work all the time. The lack of responsiveness from a touchscreen is exactly why a laptop or desktop will always be a more effective productivity tool than an iPad.

Again FOR YOU. You constantly generalize that what works for you HAS to be the way it works for everyone, and it will never change. Absolutely no way anyone can use an iPad/Touchscreen, and be productive, because I know what's best for all.

So when you were in high school/college [6 years ago] tablets/touch screens were pretty popular and abundant? Again, that's CHANGING. Which is my point.

 

[Michael Goff]

Why? Use a Bluetooth keyboard and be done with it. Get the main points on the paper and the heavy formatting on a laptop.

I'd even say a 25 page report on a Netbook would be pure hell. The Acer One I've got would fit that bill well. Small-ish keyboard, horrible trackpad and barely adequate performance.

If you're going to use a laptop for the formatting anyway, why not just use the laptop period? What do you gain by using two devices to do one task?

 

[linux2mac]

Nothing says "better" than having to tell everyone your competition sucks.

Reminds me of a scene straight out of Game of Thrones.

Joffrey Baratheon: I am the king! I will punish you.
Tywin Lannister: Any man who must say, "I am the king" is no true king.

 

[brianvictor7]

What you fail to understand is that just as you "roam" to any "product pastures" you want, some people may CHOOSE to stick with a particular brand or product because they Damn well LIKE IT or WANT TO. What do you know about what each person's reasons are?

All these animal and sheep analogies are being misused to try and bully people who have strong opinions for a company or product.

And not even sure where the "Big Bad Wolf" comes into this... To me that just smacks of a consumer who can't make his mind up.

I see where you are coming from. We all have strong opinions here about something. And you are absolutely right, some people do choose to stick with a given brand because they like it and just want to (I tend to be that kind of person myself).

I believe the Wolf analogy works in the sense that it reminds us that there are options out there which we might want if we decide to look. I'm interested enough to try out the Surface, but even since I posted that intention, I keep thinking over my computing needs for down the road and will probably stick with my original plan of getting a Macbook Pro w/ Retina because it will meet my needs better in the long run. As for making up minds, some people are more cautious than others, that's true. It has its advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully all this comes across cordially.

 

[Bill Killer]

Again FOR YOU. You constantly generalize that what works for you HAS to be the way it works for everyone, and it will never change. Absolutely no way anyone can use an iPad/Touchscreen, and be productive, because I know what's best for all.

So when you were in high school/college [6 years ago] tablets/touch screens were pretty popular and abundant? Again, that's CHANGING. Which is my point.

I'm generalizing because a person's individual tendencies are irrelevant for corporate strategy. Your son and some of his friends are in a significant minority in using iPads as a primary means for content creation. And this comes back to my original point that you were so sensitive about and taken aback by: Apple cannot, and likely doesn't, expect iWork to significant take off and compete with Office since its largest userbase is on iOS, and simply most people don't use iOS to replace what they can get on a Mac or PC for productivity purposes.

 

[nefan65]

not really, these people are actually the ones who are close minded since they believe that the ipad is the only great tablet out there and the only one for serious work, which is not. Far from it. Microsoft Office is still the alpha and omega of business world and apple is FAR from creating software even remotely as good as office.

So they're close minded because they got something they like, and found useful? Android Tablets are selling quite well too, so I guess folks that buy them are also close minded?

There are more people stating that the iPads are toys, than there are saying they're for serious work, so not sure where you're getting that info.

I don't think I ever said Office wasn't the defacto standard for enterprise/business. Sounds like you're a tad sensitive.

 

[booksbooks]

Assuming this is a serious post and you are not someone MS is paying to promote their products. I can think of a few issues here:
1) Tablets are not the best devices for office productivity. If you want to get a lot of writing done, a laptop is far better.
2) The surface is unlikely to be very useable on the plane, on your lap as the keyboard is too flexible. Typing for long periods of time on a touch screen is not fun.

This is the problem with the surface, pretty much it's only advantage over the iPad is that it has Office. But Office on a tablet is not the best way to get work done, a ultra book is a much better option. Now there are some tasks that can be performed better or just as good on a tablet, but then they will be better on the iPad because of the greater number of quality apps.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

1) Tablets WEREN'T the best devices for productivity until the Surface came along. I CAN get a lot of writing done, finally, with a tablet thanks to the razor thin keyboard cover with backlighting on the Surface and a built-in stand.
2) The Surface isn't usable on a plane? Have you EVER flown anywhere and done work? You realize there's something called a dinner tray that everyone rests their laptop on to do work? Most people don't put the device on their lap. Please...

So no, the Surface's only advantage over the iPad is not just that it comes with Office, but that it has two main things that totally separate it:

1) Built-in retractable stand.
2) Razor thin backlit keyboard cover

You see all those third party keyboard covers and stands for the iPad in Apple Stores and other stores? You see how much the market is peppered with these two accessories? Yes, you do see it. And that's because people want this functionality and have to deal with crappy third party garbage to glue onto a device that was never meant for that functionality in the first place.

Look, I'm an Apple guy but I'm not a fanboy. My hat's off to Microsoft for nailing the productivity part of a tablet. The Surface is flawed in other ways like the iPad is flawed for productivity, it's not perfect. But once you use a tablet with a retractable stand built in and a keyboard cover that's razor thin, you literally have 0 third party accessories and total productivity.

I'm upset because I like Apple and the iPad. There were some articles that came out about smart keyboard cover patents etc. before the event. But nothing. Same old slippery, overly simplistic tablet. I want Apple to make this thing productive.

 

[brianvictor7]

Again FOR YOU. You constantly generalize that what works for you HAS to be the way it works for everyone, and it will never change. Absolutely no way anyone can use an iPad/Touchscreen, and be productive, because I know what's best for all.

So when you were in high school/college [6 years ago] tablets/touch screens were pretty popular and abundant? Again, that's CHANGING. Which is my point.

Agreed that this definitely something one must try to decide for oneself. I wrote half a book on a iPod Touch. An *iPod Touch*. Would have gone faster with a laptop, but I did the writing on the fly on breaks at work, waitin for the mrs while she shopped for something, etc. Whatever you have with you is generally best. Personally, I find touch surfaces slower to create with, but if they are what you have in your pocket or bookbag, they'll do.

 

[Smartass]

So they're close minded because they got something they like, and found useful? Android Tablets are selling quite well too, so I guess folks that buy them are also close minded?

There are more people stating that the iPads are toys, than there are saying they're for serious work, so not sure where you're getting that info.

I don't think I ever said Office wasn't the defacto standard for enterprise/business. Sounds like you're a tad sensitive.

i was referring to your statement

These will be the same ones that will graduate college and head into the workforce in a few years.

you made it sound like the future workforce will only use ipad-like tablets for everyday serious work so i continued from there

and doesnt matter, Android or iOs tablets, both cant be used for serious work.

 

[nefan65]

I'm generalizing because a person's individual tendencies are irrelevant for corporate strategy. Your son and some of his friends are in a significant minority in using iPads as a primary means for content creation. And this comes back to my original point that you were so sensitive about and taken aback by: Apple cannot, and likely doesn't, expect iWork to significant take off and compete with Office since its largest userbase is on iOS, and simply most people don't use iOS to replace what they can get on a Mac or PC for productivity purposes.

You're naive. These trends do change corporate culture. By your logic everyone would still be on mainframes/green screens...

Sounds like you're the one who's a bit sensitive. You're pushing product names, and solutions for you argument [iWork vs. Office, etc.]. My original argument is that what is being done right now, isn't necessarily the way it will be in the near future. The idea of "my way is the best way for everyone" is ridiculous.

Also, you're assuming that the only thing done on a tablet is word processing and spreadsheets. Again, you're implying what you do, is what everyone does, so my way is best...

 

[BaldiMac]

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

1) Tablets WEREN'T the best devices for productivity until the Surface came along. I CAN get a lot of writing done, finally, with a tablet thanks to the razor thin keyboard cover with backlighting on the Surface and a built-in stand.
2) The Surface isn't usable on a plane? Have you EVER flown anywhere and done work? You realize there's something called a dinner tray that everyone rests their laptop on to do work? Most people don't put the device on their lap. Please...

So no, the Surface's only advantage over the iPad is not just that it comes with Office, but that it has two main things that totally separate it:

1) Built-in retractable stand.
2) Razor thin backlit keyboard cover

You see all those third party keyboard covers and stands for the iPad in Apple Stores and other stores? You see how much the market is peppered with these two accessories? Yes, you do see it. And that's because people want this functionality and have to deal with crappy third party garbage to glue onto a device that was never meant for that functionality in the first place.

Look, I'm an Apple guy but I'm not a fanboy. My hat's off to Microsoft for nailing the productivity part of a tablet. The Surface is flawed in other ways like the iPad is flawed for productivity, it's not perfect. But once you use a tablet with a retractable stand built in and a keyboard cover that's razor thin, you literally have 0 third party accessories and total productivity.

I'm upset because I like Apple and the iPad. There were some articles that came out about smart keyboard cover patents etc. before the event. But nothing. Same old slippery, overly simplistic tablet. I want Apple to make this thing productive.

So, in your opinion, the biggest advantage that Surface has over the iPad is that it can also be used as a poor laptop.

 

[nefan65]

i was referring to your statement

you made it sound like the future workforce will only use ipad-like tablets for everyday serious work so i continued from there

and doesnt matter, Android or iOs tablets, both cant be used for serious work.

No, I used iPad because I know of an example of its use [my son in this case], and it was pertinent to this thread. It could be anything like I said...