Microsoft Surface Beats iPad in Design, Productivity, and Accessory Use in New J.D. Power Study

[KPOM]

Not surprising. ....it runs a full desktop OS.

I do not want OS X ported to ARM and the iPad. That said, this should be a wake up call that Apple needs to improve the capabilities of iOS for iPad.

 

[freediverx]

I love my iPad (browse the web, Netflix, etc...) but anything outside of that, I go to my Mac. The iPad is gimped by iOS. I know Apple's mentality is to make iOS simple but as years go on, there will be more tech-savvy people; the old generation who never used computers will be going away.

Prime example of gimping: viewing files. I don't want Finder on my iPad but I hate how files live in apps in iOS. For example, I have documents created in Pages and in Word. Why can't I just see all my documents in one view? Or if I delete Pages, I will lose all my Pages' documents (unless I move them one by one).

While I agree with you that gimped file management is one of iOS's greatest handicaps, it's important to remember that it's also a key reason behind its success. The iPhone and iPad made using a computer easy and intuitive for a broad swath of users who never understood the concept of a hierachical folder structure.

Likewise, iOS's severe restrictions on user privileges played a large role in delivering an unprecedented level of system security and stability.

It's all about tradeoffs.

 

[lightmyway]

The Surface is a solid computer and a terrible tablet.

 

[kyleh22]

My company started replacing our laptops with surface pros. They are absolutely amazing! The surface dock is awesome for when we are at our desks. The tablet easily plows through standard office tasks and pushes dual monitors smoothly. They're also less intrusive in meetings than the bulky laptops they replaced. I used to bring my ipad to work for taking notes during meetings, but it was a PIA to not have access to full OS when I needed it.

I hate to say it but MS did a wonderful job with the surface pro. I'm really looking forward to the surface pro 5.

 

[TechZeke]

This folks, is why Apple is coming out about the Mac and pro users.

I'm enjoying mine. Replaced my Air 2 with a surface Pro 4 and haven't looked back. Yes, iPad is the better tablet for general usage, but I can leave my 15" rMBP at home entirely with the SP4. I was skeptical of the concept at first, but it's definitely better than I initially thought. Microsoft hit a home run with the newest Surface keyboard cover.

 

[freediverx]

The Surface is a solid computer and a terrible tablet.

The few people I know who own a Microsoft Surface use it almost entirely as a notebook, while occasionally undocking the display to show off how it converts to a tablet. For instance, see if you can find anyone using a Surface in portrait mode, such as for note taking while standing up.

 

[TechZeke]

The Surface is a solid computer and a terrible tablet.

I disagree. iPad is definitely the best tablet experience for general stuff if that's what you're going for. Although, I actually think the SP4 holds its own with the kickstand. It's much easier to use on my lap or on a desk than trying to BS around with the type cover on an iPad.

 

[sofila]

I was in a meeting with someone who was using one and the fan turned on. It was difficult to hear in the meeting from time to time because of the fan.

Sounds (no pun intended) like a defective unit. In no way a Surface Pro 4 fan can be as noisy as you described.

 

[RedWing512]

I've spent some time with a Surface when I was able to borrow one from a colleague for a few days. Compared to an iPad, the design isn't as nice, it was heavier and not comfortable to use with one hand or for casual use, reading or browsing.

Despite what you may think, a very high percentage of users don't need something that has multiple compromises like the Surface.

Assuming you were using the Surface Pro. If so, you were most definitely using it wrong. I don't think you're going to be using it with one hand. Nor do I think you'd be using the iPad Pro with one hand, either--while casual use is possible, these are bigger devices aimed more at productivity foremost (the Surface Pro moreso).

If you're wanting something for casual use, the plain-ol' iPad or Kindle Fire would be a better bet.

 

[freediverx]

Apples and oranges IMO.

It looks like Microsoft's marketing department successfully persuaded JD Power to set up a survey comparing different products types. Had they compared the Surface to a MacBook I trust the results would be different. Likewise if they'd sought out users who have no need for a full blown computer but want a thin, light, convenient and easy to use device for web browsing and other content consumption, while delivering insanely long battery life, the results would also have been different.

 

[Ted13]

Prime example of gimping: viewing files. I don't want Finder on my iPad but I hate how files live in apps in iOS. For example, I have documents created in Pages and in Word. Why can't I just see all my documents in one view? Or if I delete Pages, I will lose all my Pages' documents (unless I move them one by one).

You *can* view all of them on iCloud Drive - just create new folders there for all your files if necessary.

The problem with the iPad that does exists is software, software, software -- plenty of great iOS software does exist, but many small 3rd party developers can readily earn a living from the Mac but not the iPad -- Apple has to figure out how to make first rate Pro apps just as worth developing for the iPad as they are for the Mac.

 

[fourthtunz]

So the Surface is a few points higher than the iPad..ok, there are more window users in the world and more
windows users like surface than the non windows iPad.
If I were Apple I'm not sure if this would compel me to change direction.
If apple put Mac OS on an iPad or created a touch version for the MacBook,
is this really going to convert a windows user over to the mac?
Not saying I don't want to see a touchscreen mac but not sure if will net them much.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

As someone who just switched to iPad Pro 12.9 from Windows 10 tablet I would have to say, nope, not so in my opinion.

It is nice to run a full desktop but it doesn't work right switching between desktop and tablet modes. Also it slows down horribly over time as Windows tends to do as it gets more and more bloated. Some models have really noisy fans that turn on. The iPad pro does not have a fan. I was in a meeting with someone who was using one and the fan turned on. It was difficult to hear in the meeting from time to time because of the fan. It was a serious distraction.

Yes, having a desktop and tablet combined is nice, however the drawbacks is Windows 10. It's a hot mess.

I know some people who have Surface Tablets, and among other uses, they use theirs to give public talks and presentations. I've seems them tremble and worry about their Surface freezing or failing during their presentations. So they carry hard copies of their material in case something happens.

I understand their feeling; I would have felt the same. i don't trust Windows in that sense. It's not reliable. I don't have that problem with my iPad. I know that it's always ready to be used, and unless you use a crappy app, you shouldn't have any trouble. I do carry a backup of my material: in my old iPad, which I haven't needed to use yet.

 

[freediverx]

Hmm... I mean, considering I could run desktop apps on it and play desktop games (to an extent) on it, I'd agree. However, I think I'd also be comparing the Surface to laptops instead of tablets. I'm sure it would probably do as well there as it did here, it just seems like an odd classification to me.

The Surface sucks as a notebook compared to a MacBook, and it sucks as a tablet compared to an iPad. Those are the key comparisons this survey failed to address.
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Having owned one, I can confirm that is a nice product. More powerful, flexible then the iPad.

I prefer to use the right tool for the right job.

Microsoft Surface

Apple MacBook + iPad

​

 

[69Mustang]

The few people I know who own a Microsoft Surface use it almost entirely as a notebook, while occasionally undocking the display to show off how it converts to a tablet. For instance, see if you can find anyone using a Surface in portrait mode, such as for note taking while standing up.

You are trying...

It looks like Microsoft's marketing department successfully persuaded JD Power to set up a survey comparing different products types. Had they compared the Surface to a MacBook I trust the results would be different. Likewise if they'd sought out users who have no need for a full blown computer but want a thin, light, convenient and easy to use device for web browsing and other content consumption, while delivering insanely long battery life, the results would also have been different.

... way too hard.

The Surface sucks as a notebook compared to a MacBook, and it sucks as a tablet compared to an iPad. Those are the key comparisons this survey failed to address.

You seem to be forgetting the important qualifier of "in my opinion". Cuz that's all it is, an opinion. One not shared, funnily enough, by a lot of people. Some people like the Surface more than the iPad. So what? The multi-post caterwauling isn't going to change that.

 

[profets]

Assuming you were using the Surface Pro. If so, you were most definitely using it wrong. I don't think you're going to be using it with one hand. Nor do I think you'd be using the iPad Pro with one hand, either--while casual use is possible, these are bigger devices aimed more at productivity foremost (the Surface Pro moreso).

If you're wanting something for casual use, the plain-ol' iPad or Kindle Fire would be a better bet.

I've been using an iPad Pro 9.7" as my only computer when I'm away from my office desk. With its size/weight it is definitely possible to use one handed in certain situations.

I was most definitely using the Surface Pro wrong? And how did you come to that conclusion? It's a product of compromises. Not excellent at being a laptop, nor is it excellent at being a tablet.

 

[freediverx]

No file system? Hmm, pretty sure it does have a file system, just that it's not user accessible.

Do you really want access to the system folders within the file system? Any reason specifically?

I'm not an admirer of Microsoft products, let alone the Surface, But to answer your question, this isn't about wanting access to the system folders. It's about wanting direct access to the file system and having the ability to organize your files in folders by topic or project instead of having them sandboxed according to the app they were created in. iOS makes it impossible to group assets of various types together when working on or archiving a project.

 

[profets]

I'm not an admirer of Microsoft products, let alone the Surface, But to answer your question, this isn't about wanting access to the system folders. It's about wanting direct access to the file system and having the ability to organize your files in folders by topic or project instead of having them sandboxed according to the app they were created in. iOS makes it impossible to group assets of various types together when working on or archiving a project.

Adding iCloud Drive (in iOS9 was it?) was an excellent start, but it needs a lot of work.

There are some excellent options though, like Readdle's Documents that lets you access many resources in one place and manage multiple files.

 

[freediverx]

We have both a Surface Pro and an iPad in my household. My wife uses the iPad for web browsing, Facebook, and online ordering. It is a terrific device for content consumption like she uses it for since it is simple, the battery lasts a long time, and it wakes from sleep almost instantly.

The Surface is better overall though.

Like the JD Power survey, you're comparing apples to oranges. Buy yourself a MacBook and then tell us which you like better.

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

Not surprising. My wife currently uses an iPad as her main device, but constantly has to switch back to the mac to do bigger word processing, etc. She really wants one device to rule it all.

We are looking at a Surface for her next machine. The way it seamlessly blends both multi-touch and pointer-based UI is really appealing to her - and me tbh.

I wish Apple would get off its high horse and recognize that maybe in Apple's purist sense they don't like mixing a touch OS with a pointer OS, but users want that. Enough with the Henry Ford analogies... these products have been on the market for a long time, so in this case, the customers DO know what they want. They are choosing what Microsoft is giving them rather than what Apple isn't.

Most of my office was MBP and MPA when I started (including me). One by one we have all started covering to the Surface Books and no one is looking back.

 

[LordVic]

Surface is running a desktop operating system so this is an apples to oranges comparison. I'd love to see a survey gauging the desirability of a Surface vs a MacBook 12".

I'm not sure there are any direct numbers of MacBook's right now to use for comparison

But considering that the PC industry, including Apple's PC's have been trending downwards as a whole, and the only segment of the PC industry that is trending upwards is "2 in 1s" like the Surface,

it ls only based on loose conjuncture that the Surface and 2 in 1s are outselling MacBooks

 

[JungleNYC]

Windows on a tablet. *Shudders*

Windows 10 is great. What are you talking about? Have you even seen it in the last few years? MSFT has done a really great job in responding to Apple…you should check it out. You'll be surprised.

 

[The Cappy]

It should, but it hasn't, and it won't .... unfortunately.

It might. Apple finally felt the heat about the Mac pros. And worst case scenario: if the surface really does seem to be a better product for you, you can switch too. I've found myself considering them because of apps like ZBrush. Nothing like it in the iOS world, and it just seems so much better to be able to put my pen on the screen rather than indirectly on a separate tablet.

 

[LordVic]

Actually, I wish I could marry the iPad Pro 12" with the Surface Pro 4. I have both. As a Tablet the Pro is not as nice as the iPad. Even as a laptop it has the usual Windows issues. I have multiple issues with the Surface Pro 4. Windows Explorer crashes all the time even after clean install. This seems to have something to do with quick view and you need to turn off a bunch of features as a work around. Typical MS bs that they usually blamed on third parties in the past but now this is their hardware. If I load the new MS office I can't print with it since it crashes so I use the later version and lose some new features. I have it hooked up to two external monitors. After it goes to sleep it loses them so I have to disconnect the MS Dock and reconnected. Then I have to rearrange all my windows back to them. It keeps loosing the connection to the MS wireless keyboard for no reason.

The Problems with the iPad Pro. No file system or easy way to access work network files. The pencil dies to quickly, I think I only replaced the battery in my Surface Pen once in the year and a half that I have had it. MS office doesn't have all the fonts on it, so it screws up word docs if font is missing. There are work around but this only help a little and are a pain.

From using the Surface Pro I can see why Apple says they are not making a touchscreen Mac. Don't know what the cost would be to add touch screen to a Mac. I really only use touch to scroll on my Surface and pinch zoom.

What would be nice if they could but a true 2 in 1 system. Something that runs IOS and MAC OS on the same system.

take your surface back in. That's not normal behaviour for Surface or Windows. Have a surface Pro 4 right here (getting it read yas a loaner for work) and it doesn't have any of those behaviours.

my Surface Pro 2 doesn't either nor does any windows desktop I have.

Sounds like there's probably a hardware issue

 

[profets]

Windows 10 is great. What are you talking about? Have you even seen it in the last few years? MSFT has done a really great job in responding to Apple…you should check it out. You'll be surprised.

I've had to support it in many instances where I work. I actually really liked and enjoyed using Windows 7 for years at work. But Windows 8 and 10 are a disaster. That's what happens though when you force one OS to work on all devices. Can't optimize for desktop use, nor can you optimize for touch/tablet use. Not surprising overall though, for Microsoft it is their only move at this point.