Replace iPad with Windows Tablet?

[bluespark]

Hi, guys. I'm thinking about replacing my aging iPad Air 2 with a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 tablet. I make pretty heavy use of business apps -- mostly Microsoft Office -- and I markup lots of PDFs, for which the tablet form factor seems ideal. I don't currently have a laptop other than my crappy work-issued Dell, so the X1 tablet would become my travel "laptop" for work as well.

On the other hand, I use my iPad all the time around the house for media consumption, light web browsing, and Flipbook, etc. I often use iMessage as well, but I think I could live with restricting that to my phone. Could I use the X1 tablet both as a windows laptop and as an iPad replacement? Also, where do Windows-based tablet users go for tablet apps?

Any thoughts/advice appreciated. For those not familiar with the X1 tablet, here it is: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/tablet...ries/ThinkPad-X1-Tablet-3rd-Gen/p/22TP2CP0113

 

[sracer]

It's highly subjective, but I wouldn't recommend the X1 as an iPad replacement. The X1 is terrific and makes a great ultrabook. Hold on to your Air 2 and when a sales comes up on the 2018, get the entry level model.

 

[kasakka]

Windows tablet apps are mostly limited to the UWP apps from the MS Store and even then the selection is pretty crappy. Desktop apps will be perfectly usable but obviously the difference between made for tablet software like on iOS vs desktop apps that work with a tablet is going to be significant. I suggest you go try the Thinkpad or a Surface Pro in a store and see how it works for your intended uses. On desktop apps a lot of elements are small and thus not easily clickable without using a stylus.

I went from an iPad Air 2 to a 12.9" iPad Pro and feel that it works well as a laptop replacement as most websites can be viewed in desktop layout and there is more room to work with various apps. The drawback is that it's significantly larger and heavier so adding a physical keyboard would add quite a bit of weight on top of that. I just use the virtual keyboard and it works surprisingly well on the larger screen but I would not want to type on it all day. Perhaps a separate Bluetooth keyboard would be a good compromise by not having something attached to the device itself and thus not adding any bulk. The smart cover is a good cover/stand combo.

 

[SteveJUAE]

You sound like many Ipad owners who try and find some casual use for it only when you think its a little easier than waiting a few seconds longer to fire up a laptop to stream a few bits and pieces and a bit of browsing that your iPhone probably covers just as well

For user that spend hours playing with an Ipad or any other simple tablet there are pros and it will always be a little more effort with and 2 in 1 where they overlap but then there are so many more gains for most with a full OS

It seems like you do not get much out of your Ipad and you need a laptop/2 in 1 more. Given that your Ipad will be devaluing shortly is it even a really worth selling

The X1 is a great device but I would not think it as an Ipad replacement in your scenario as I doubt you even need the Ipad currently you need something more rounded with a greater emphasis on productivity

Get the X1 or something similar and enjoy, hang on to the Ipad that can simple sit in the bedroom or lounge for occasional use for what its worth

 

[bluespark]

You sound like many Ipad owners who try and find some casual use for it only when you think its a little easier than waiting a few seconds longer to fire up a laptop to stream a few bits and pieces and a bit of browsing that your iPhone probably covers just as well

For user that spend hours playing with an Ipad or any other simple tablet there are pros and it will always be a little more effort with and 2 in 1 where they overlap but then there are so many more gains for most with a full OS

It seems like you do not get much out of your Ipad and you need a laptop/2 in 1 more. Given that your Ipad will be devaluing shortly is it even a really worth selling

The X1 is a great device but I would not think it as an Ipad replacement in your scenario as I doubt you even need the Ipad currently you need something more rounded with a greater emphasis on productivity

Get the X1 or something similar and enjoy, hang on to the Ipad that can simple sit in the bedroom or lounge for occasional use for what its worth

This is helpful. You're probably right that I could keep my iPad around for occasional use but probably would get more use out of the X1 (or similar) for productivity. I'll wait to see what Apple introduces in a couple of weeks, but I think a 2-in-1 makes more sense for my needs.

 

[spinedoc77]

Just be aware that the main thing you will lose is battery life. That may or may not affect you, depending on your uses and needs. But you will most likely be looking at around half the battery life with a windows tablet, even less if you put a lot of stress on it.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Just be aware that the main thing you will lose is battery life. That may or may not affect you, depending on your uses and needs. But you will most likely be looking at around half the battery life with a windows tablet, even less if you put a lot of stress on it.

Agreed for most laptops vs Ipads and their like, but lasting twice as long doing nothing is still nothing which is why I suggested OP keep the IP for casualness as its of low $ value

Reading say Kindle on the X1 is OTT but maybe not on the Surface GO or IP

 

[pika2000]

I have one of the arguably the "best" Windows tablet, which is the Surface Pro (the 4th iteration). And let me tell you, it sucks as a tablet. I tried operating it as a tablet only when I was still waiting for the keyboard to arrive, and I don't get anywhere far. The whole UX is just poor as a tablet, and we don't even talk about apps.

If you really want a tablet, get the 2018 iPad with Apple pencil. Probably the best value ever on the market.
Windows "tablets" are still laptops in reality, and they are better suited to be laptops, not tablets. Most people with Surface Pros using it as a laptop, not a tablet. The tablet ship has sailed, and the winner is the iPad.

 

[bluespark]

I have one of the arguably the "best" Windows tablet, which is the Surface Pro (the 4th iteration). And let me tell you, it sucks as a tablet. I tried operating it as a tablet only when I was still waiting for the keyboard to arrive, and I don't get anywhere far. The whole UX is just poor as a tablet, and we don't even talk about apps.

If you really want a tablet, get the 2018 iPad with Apple pencil. Probably the best value ever on the market.
Windows "tablets" are still laptops in reality, and they are better suited to be laptops, not tablets. Most people with Surface Pros using it as a laptop, not a tablet. The tablet ship has sailed, and the winner is the iPad.

Yes, I'm starting to see that. I'm hoping, though, that it would work well for one thing I currently use my iPad for -- marking up PDF documents. The idea of having that capability on a system that also runs a desktop OS seems pretty great to me, but you're all convincing me to keep the iPad (or get a 2018 one) for day-to-day around-the-house tablet stuff.
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Just be aware that the main thing you will lose is battery life. That may or may not affect you, depending on your uses and needs. But you will most likely be looking at around half the battery life with a windows tablet, even less if you put a lot of stress on it.

On the X1, it's apparently even worse than that. That's the one big negative that shows up in all the reviews. And yes, my iPad has spoiled me on that front. Even with my now quite old iPad Air 2, the original battery is still trucking along pretty well.
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Agreed for most laptops vs Ipads and their like, but lasting twice as long doing nothing is still nothing which is why I suggested OP keep the IP for casualness as its of low $ value

Reading say Kindle on the X1 is OTT but maybe not on the Surface GO or IP

Good advice, thanks. My iPad remains great, but my needs have shifted and I need a workhorse device. But yes, you and others have convinced me not to "switch," but rather to use the X1 in addition to what I have.

 

[jamesrick80]

I would have just one tablet if this felt possible.....windows as a tablet needs work........galaxy book 12 with that amazing hdr amoled display is best when not in tablet mode unless you are watching videos from Netflix etc.....that’s all I can say.....