Returning to Windows Tablet?

[Altis]

Please note I do not mean for this message to come across as an attack.

Your filing issue is a mindset/workflow issue, that stems from old PC OS structure that has carried over through generations to current PC OS's. And to be honest it wreaks of an old, archaic, prehistoric filing system. Isnt it beautifuly elagant, natural and convienient to store ones files in the program/s it was created in? Then you can open it, edit it and save it all in one place, AND assuming you are working with iCloud Drive, you can search for eaverything in one place. If you absolutely have to, you can even create your own complex filing structure within iCloud Drive, open the file (which will automatically open in the program) and search in one place.

I don't understand the need people have to want to create their own filing system and structure, in a whole other place, ultimately creating duplicates, and entrenching documents and files so deep and embedded, that to find anything becomes a massive search through a tidal wave of documents.

Now you are also saying you want to have a curser? It sounds like you want your iPad Pro to be a Mac.

My 2 cents, again not an attack.

[doublepost=1481031666][/doublepost]
Nice post, iPad Pro is the result 37 years of modern personal computing, and iPad has only been around for 6 years, versus PC's at 37 years. I believe iPad is the future of mobile computing. It has so many advantages over Macbook, from OS security, battery life, to apps available in the App Store to name just a few. It's the mind set change, about how we go about these new workflows which used to be done a certain way on PC, that people struggle with the most. Yet when you become accustomed to working on iOS and you embrace the change, you realize that you don't want to live anywhere else, and you realize how complex and unintuitive the PC operating system is.

iOS still uses the traditional, "prehistoric filing system"... it just segregates it by app. You still have files, folders, filetypes, etc... but now you have to deal with each app having its own. Since most files can be dealt with by many different apps (depending on your preferences and what you need to do), it's now more complicated than before.

"It has so many advantages over Macbook, from OS security, battery life, to apps available in the App Store to name just a few. "

OS security, battery life, and app store are not unique to iOS at all. I don't get how there are "so many advantages over Macbook" but the ones you list aren't really that true? MacOS is very secure, battery life is quite good, and it has an app store with all kinds of apps (but you can also choose to use any of the other applications available to the OS).

However, when you list advantages of Macbook, it's quite different: Connect to external monitors, mouse, keyboard, audio devices, hard/thumb drives... multiple user accounts... can arrange multiple windows how you like, and use multiple applications at the same time (such as listening to YouTube videos in the background or referencing while working on a document), etc...

The only thing you really use the file system on a Mac for is storing and organizing your files... but you still have to do this on iOS, within cloud services or apps. How is it any different? You say the "PC operating system" is "complex and unintuitive" -- but MacOS works very much like iOS in many ways. You wake it, open the application you want to use, use the application. The desktop environment just permits more flexibility (gets in your way less).

It cracks me up when preachers go on about how everyone needs to change their mindset, embrace the paradigm shift, etc... like it's joining some cult. The reality is that the iPad is good for some things, but incredibly cumbersome for many others. iPads are not Macs, and that's good and well. But just because it works for one doesn't mean it's how it should be for everything -- and not everything is better because it's newer (RIP Minidisc).

 

[lionsy]

I've gone iPad (original) to iPad Air 2, to iPad Pro and I got a Surface Pro 4 a few weeks ago, and I honestly couldn't be happier.

I was hoping Apple would move towards a better experience with iOS, and I thought they were moving that way when they added split screen for apps, which is great, but ultimately I want more control. I'm keeping my iPhone because it's still the best phone on the market and I can't see that changing, but I want more and could get more when it came to the tablet.

 

[M. Gustave]

The reality is that the iPad is good for some things, but incredibly cumbersome for many others. iPads are not Macs, and that's good and well. But just because it works for one doesn't mean it's how it should be for everything -- and not everything is better because it's newer (RIP Minidisc).

The reality is that a Mac is good for some things, but incredibly cumbersome for many others. You see what I did there?

And absolutely nobody has suggested an iPad is "how it should be for everything".

 

[Altis]

The reality is that a Mac is good for some things, but incredibly cumbersome for many others. You see what I did there?

And absolutely nobody has suggested an iPad is "how it should be for everything".

You've just stated the corollary of what I said as if it isn't 100% in line with my point. The Macbook is better at many things, while the iPad is better at others(low cost and small footprint being the most notable).

Did you not read the post I was replying to? That was the gist of their point...

I believe iPad is the future of mobile computing... [snip]... Yet when you become accustomed to working on iOS and you embrace the change, you realize that you don't want to live anywhere else, and you realize how complex and unintuitive the PC operating system is.

The idea that a file system is somehow obsolete is ridiculous considering that's exactly what iOS uses still. It just further segregates it, so now each app effectively has its own file system. That's no better.

Instead of "which folder contains my file...", you have to first wonder which app it's in.

 

[jeremiah256]

The idea that a file system is somehow obsolete is ridiculous considering that's exactly what iOS uses still. It just further segregates it, so now each app effectively has its own file system. That's no better.

Instead of "which folder contains my file...", you have to first wonder which app it's in.

Apple has bet the company's future on iOS, so iOS devices are all about security. Apps on iOS segregate data due to sandboxing, ensuring one app cannot stick it's nose in another app's or the OS's business. The trade off is that the best way to use an iOS device is to centralize your working documents using the cloud.

Does someone who is just using their iOS device for personal and casual use need to worry about this? No. Let your photos, music, notes, etc, reside in the app. Does someone using their iOS device for business or a serious hobby need to understand this? Yes. But, how is this different from what you normally do anyway? Regardless of if you are using Windows, Android, macOS, ChromeOS, or iOS, if you are doing Real Work (tm), you would create a project folder and store your working documents in that folder.

The issue seems to be that iOS lures people into thinking it's an 'app' first OS, when it really is a 'cloud' first platform.

 

[Beavix]

iCloud. You don't have to import or export anything. I use PDF Expert to markup PDFs, and it seamlessly opens docs in iCloud Drive, then saves them there, just as you would expect. No copies no hassle. It also works with Google Drive, and other services.

I have PDFs stored in a couple of folders on iCloud Drive. Every time I edit a file, PDF Expert makes a copy of that PDF and stores it into its own iCloud folder. So now I have two copies of each file I've ever edited.

If I open and edit PDFs from Dropbox, PDF Expert doesn't even upload them back, I have to do it manually if I want to keep everything in sync.

I'm genuinely interested to hear if there is a better way to do this on my iPad Pro without duplicating and uploading files manually. (Anyone, please feel free to chime in with suggestions. I may be on Mr. Gustave ignore list so he won't respond.)

 

[M. Gustave]

I have PDFs stored in a couple of folders on iCloud Drive. Every time I edit a file, PDF Expert makes a copy of that PDF and stores it into its own iCloud folder. So now I have two copies of each file I've ever edited.

What's strange is that if you use the search in iCloud Drive, you only see one result. I assumed this was a bug or something, but if you delete that one result file, it's actually deleted from both folders. So I'm not sure what's going on. Sorry for the confusion/misinformation.

I guess you could just do a cleanup of the "PDF Expert" iCloud folder once a month or whatever. You could probably even create an action in Workflow to do it with one click.

 

[iPadDad]

My earlier comment about being an engineer was a joke... sort of.

To be honest, I didn't take your comment as an attack. I'm really open to ideas about how I can change or adopt a new work flow. It seems that several posters have advocated similar changes in mindset. What I'd really like to know then is how you've rearranged your mindset or workflow for the iOS system.

I'm more along the lines of what Rick Taylor described. I don't visualize my work along App lines, or even what App is necessarily the best. I think in terms of projects/events/activities. I don't tag either - maybe that's an issue given that I didn't grow up using such tags or identifiers. If I did something on paper long ago, I'd file it somewhere for retrieval or referral, and that's how I treat electronic files as well. If I'm coordinating a major event at my university, I bundle everything into a folder or container for that object, and everything goes into it. If I'm teaching, everything associated with that course goes into as well.

My work is also broken into three major themes: teaching, research, and administration, and my day to day and long term activities are similarly defined. So, my "filing system" is already defined, and I want whatever device/apps/programs to fit to my needs, rather than trying to reconfigure what I do to some other system. Even if I switch back to Windows for digital inking, I don't want to use OneNote: I already a filing system (perhaps its outdated and somewhat rigid), and I don't want yet another filing system to deal with. That's sort of how I feel about GoodNotes - great app, but I have to play within the apps rules and then defining categories, rather than having a huge jumble of randomly assorted notes. When I just used the older Windows tablets, all I used 95% of the time was Journal - a simple but often overlooked program, and it fit my needs admirably. I understand Journal has since formally disappeared and is only a legacy program now - still available, but on its way out likely.

The other issue is connectivity. Maybe I'm a bit paranoid, but when I'm teaching or traveling, I don't want to rely on internet connectivity to facilitate my work. I know I can store things on the iPad, but it feels cumbersome to me. Some places I travel to I can't even get connected, so some offline redundancy is useful.

Yes, to the earlier question... I would have loved a Mac - basically a MacBook optimized like an iPad Pro.

But I'm open to suggestions! Can anybody give me examples of what they do in terms of a workflow optimized for iOS?

I understand what you saying. I think as you have correctly said, it's about workflows. I am certain there are great workflows that will work for you.
You want the benefits of iPad Pro and a workflow for your tasks that make sense for your daily work. Fair enough, let's see what comes up in the thread.

What does your computing activities look like Day to day, I think this will help people understand what solutions to advise.

 

[masotime]

The issue revolves more around project or document management. Projects often involve multiple documents that may have different formats but a common context. That's the main problem with having a sandboxed system for single document types.

The solution isn't really a file system, but a way of accessing disparate documents as a contextual group. The file system is merely the underlying implementation of the operating system.

Having direct access to files is just very messy - navigating complex folder structures may give you more flexibility, but it's very unrefined. It's necessary for some use cases - like writing bash scripts or rsyncing my files, but for the casual use cases it still feels very brute force and inelegant.

I don't disagree that different workflows solve the problem on iOS, but they also don't feel elegant - to me unified document management still appears to be an unsolved space.

 

[rui no onna]

The issue revolves more around project or document management. Projects often involve multiple documents that may have different formats but a common context. That's the main problem with having a sandboxed system for single document types.

The solution isn't really a file system, but a way of accessing disparate documents as a contextual group. The file system is merely the underlying implementation of the operating system.

Agreed. I really like how Google implements tags in Gmail. I think a similar system for cloud storage would be great.

 

[ozone]

I've gone iPad (original) to iPad Air 2, to iPad Pro and I got a Surface Pro 4 a few weeks ago, and I honestly couldn't be happier.

I was hoping Apple would move towards a better experience with iOS, and I thought they were moving that way when they added split screen for apps, which is great, but ultimately I want more control. I'm keeping my iPhone because it's still the best phone on the market and I can't see that changing, but I want more and could get more when it came to the tablet.

I actually picked up a Surface Pro 4 (on sale - Cyber Monday special) and I was about to open it when I had some last minute reservations; hence this thread.

After reading all the posts, I by chance came across one of our students who uses a Surface Pro 4 regularly. She swears by it, and allowed me to try it out. Somewhat disappointingly, I was less than impressed with the writing capability compared to the iPP. I'm used to the Windows tablets of yesteryear with their harder displays: I found the pen/nib/screen interface a bit mushy and not as responsive as my iPP or even my old Windows tablets. You'd think I would have discovered this out when randomly trying out demo units at Staples or Best Buy, but nothing beats trying out a unit right in front of you.

So, I pretty much made up my mind that, like some other posters, I'll live with the limitations of iOS as a tradeoff for superior writing performance.

I downloaded PDF Expert based on a number of recommendations. It seems pretty good, but because I use DropBox, I don't think I can work with the original document directly: it produces a copy, and I then upload a copy. So, my workflow does not change much (it's pretty much the same as with GoodNotes) if I'm not overly concerned with PDF specific edits and I'm more just free flow editing by hand. I assume if I go with iCloud, then I can work with the one and only document as needed... except my university has adopted OneDrive as the platform to accompany our switch to Office 365. So, I have DropBox right now; migrating to OneDrive for work... I don't think I want another cloud service.

However, unlike GoodNotes, I've noticed that uploading my edited copy is very, very slow. It seems to take PDF Expert a long time to "find" the folders within DropBox. I created a test Word document in DropBox to play around with to see how the uploading process works, and the difference is very dramatic between how slow PDF Expert is and how quick GoodNotes is.

I also tried using PDF Converter from Readdle to convert this test Word document in my DropBox (consisting of just text and a square drawing object)... and it didn't work. I'm pretty sure I followed all the instructions (only a few steps), and when I go to open the document in PDF Expert, it's blank. I just tried converting another simple Word document, and it again shows up as blank when opened in PDF Converter.

So, while I *think* I'll stick with my iPP, these work arounds are frustrating.

 

[RickTaylor]

I actually picked up a Surface Pro 4 (on sale - Cyber Monday special) and I was about to open it when I had some last minute reservations; hence this thread. . .

I'm in a very similar position. As I wrote earlier, I'm an instructor using an iPad pro for lectures, and a macbook for writing exams, handouts, keeping track of grades, etc. I went the Microsoft Store and was going to pick up a Surface Book, but the pen and screen on the demo models seemed mushy to me, and not nearly as good an experience. This review I posted earlier in this thread from someone who used the two iPad pros and the surface pro 4 confirmed my impressions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/4d6g38/my_experience_ipad_pro_129_vs_97_vs_surface_pro_4/

With that in mind, there are several counter-points

1. I've used the iPad pro for many months now. I's natural the feel of the pencil on it might feel "right" to me, but given more time with the surface pen, I might change my opinion.

2. I tried five demo units in the store. But they were demo units; the pens were probably worn.

3. Some other people who've used the surface pen for an extended time say they don't like it; but others like your student swear by it. Who's to know which category I would fall into if I gave it the chance?

The Microsoft store has a generous return period. At some point when I have extra free time, I may buy one and give it an extended try. Before that though, I want to spend time to better learn how to use what I have now. I may listen to the series of audios Gustave posted previously, and seek out other sources of information. The thing is, the iPad pro is just wonderful as a note taking device, and that is the primary reason I got it. If I switched to something else, I'd want it to be nearly as good at as the iPad at that function.
[doublepost=1481137314][/doublepost]

I wish Apple had an eraser function on the end - it's so natural for me to try to flip the Pencil around to erase. Hey, if you're going to call it a PENCIL... put an eraser on the end! On the other hand, after years of using Windows tablets (which are decent), the Apple Pencil/iPP is a superior writing experience.

Actually, I prefer using my pencil to activate the eraser function over flipping the whole pencil around in my hand. And you can set a preference in Goodnotes so after you erase something, it automatically switches back to writing mode without you having to do anything.

 

[ozone]

Actually, I prefer using my pencil to activate the eraser function over flipping the whole pencil around in my hand. And you can set a preference in Dropbox so after you erase something, it automatically switches back to writing mode without you having to do anything.

Ah... preference in DropBox? Writing mode?

 

[RickTaylor]

Oops. i meant preference in Goodnotes. I'll go fix that.

 

[iPadDad]

I'm in a very similar position. As I wrote earlier, I'm an instructor using an iPad pro for lectures, and a macbook for writing exams, handouts, keeping track of grades, etc. I went the Microsoft Store and was going to pick up a Surface Book, but the pen and screen on the demo models seemed mushy to me, and not nearly as good an experience. This review I posted earlier in this thread from someone who used the two iPad pros and the surface pro 4 confirmed my impressions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/4d6g38/my_experience_ipad_pro_129_vs_97_vs_surface_pro_4/

With that in mind, there are several counter-points

1. I've used the iPad pro for many months now. I's natural the feel of the pencil on it might feel "right" to me, but given more time with the surface pen, I might change my opinion.

2. I tried five demo units in the store. But they were demo units; the pens were probably worn.

3. Some other people who've used the surface pen for an extended time say they don't like it; but others like your student swear by it. Who's to know which category I would fall into if I gave it the chance?

The Microsoft store has a generous return period. At some point when I have extra free time, I may buy one and give it an extended try. Before that though, I want to spend time to better learn how to use what I have now. I may listen to the series of audios Gustave posted previously, and seek out other sources of information. The thing is, the iPad pro is just wonderful as a note taking device, and that is the primary reason I got it. If I switched to something else, I'd want it to be nearly as good at as the iPad at that function.
[doublepost=1481137314][/doublepost]

Actually, I prefer using my pencil to activate the eraser function over flipping the whole pencil around in my hand. And you can set a preference in Goodnotes so after you erase something, it automatically switches back to writing mode without you having to do anything.

There are a few other points that have not been mentioned yet, that I think are actualy far more significant than what has been mentioned above as primary concerns for deciding which device to go for.

It seems you are getting hung up on workflows which can be streamlined over time, gotten used to and even automated in some cases. I think a few major points need to be thought about very carefully before worrying about the workflows. And these are;

1.) Ecosystem - are you prepared to have a totally different device in your ecosystem, think about cloud storage, think about syncing, charging, sharing etc.
2.) App Store - are you prepared to live with the significantly smaller Windows App Store, and as the reviews say "less polished apps". A device is only as powerful as the software that drives it.
3.) Operating System - Do you prefer windows OS because that going to ultimately determine a large portion of your user experience

 

[ozone]

There are a few other points that have not been mentioned yet, that I think are actualy far more significant than what has been mentioned above as primary concerns for deciding which device to go for.

It seems you are getting hung up on workflows which can be streamlined over time, gotten used to and even automated in some cases. I think a few major points need to be thought about very carefully before worrying about the workflows. And these are;

1.) Ecosystem - are you prepared to have a totally different device in your ecosystem, think about cloud storage, think about syncing, charging, sharing etc.
2.) App Store - are you prepared to live with the significantly smaller Windows App Store, and as the reviews say "less polished apps". A device is only as powerful as the software that drives it.
3.) Operating System - Do you prefer windows OS because that going to ultimately determine a large portion of your user experience

I used to have both Windows and Apple machines at the same time for many years, but because my HP desktop died a few months back, I've forgotten how much the Windows update would irritate me. Nothing like shutting down, only to be told to NOT disconnect or power off the computer. Surprise! Sometimes, that meant running across campus with the notebook in hand, lid up.

I keep forgetting about this.

 

[iPadDad]

I used to have both Windows and Apple machines at the same time for many years, but because my HP desktop died a few months back, I've forgotten how much the Windows update would irritate me. Nothing like shutting down, only to be told to NOT disconnect or power off the computer. Surprise! Sometimes, that meant running across campus with the notebook in hand, lid up.

I keep forgetting about this.

Hahaha yeah my pet peeves that pushed me from windows was; pop-ups, anti-virus, Office licenses expiring when projects and presentations were due!

 

[M. Gustave]

I used to have both Windows and Apple machines at the same time for many years, but because my HP desktop died a few months back, I've forgotten how much the Windows update would irritate me. Nothing like shutting down, only to be told to NOT disconnect or power off the computer. Surprise! Sometimes, that meant running across campus with the notebook in hand, lid up.

I keep forgetting about this.

We take it for granted how convenient, robust and foolproof the update and install process is in iOS. Even in Windows 10 you still have to reboot the machine after every application install/uninstall.

 

[bensisko]

The issue revolves more around project or document management. Projects often involve multiple documents that may have different formats but a common context. That's the main problem with having a sandboxed system for single document types.

The solution isn't really a file system, but a way of accessing disparate documents as a contextual group. The file system is merely the underlying implementation of the operating system.

The issue is entirely based on mindset - if you have a Task-based mindset, the iOS system makes (relative) sense. I want to edit the client proposal so I open Word, see my document listed there and bingo. I don't see the sales presentation because it's a presentation, not a document - that organization makes sense because I'm working on a task. If I want to view/edit a presentation, I open the associated application and see my presentation there.

For me, I HATE how Windows and Mac OS X handles files. I don't want to have to organize "files" - it's mindless busy work that I shouldn't have to do. iOS solves this for me in a BIG way. I don't need to worry about how things are organized or where a file is - it's just there, no orgainizing no sub-sub-sub-sub folders.

I've said it before - I'm open to somebody coming up with a system that allows people to create as many nested folders as they want, as long as I can operate my device like iOS and never have to worry about it. A lot of people mention Android, but their system is too much like standard File Browsers.

I see how this drive someone with an organization mindset crazy - they want to have everything related together. Thing is, to me, this seems like a computer driving the person instead of the person driving the computer.

 

[bensisko]

We take it for granted how convenient, robust and foolproof the update and install process is in iOS. Even in Windows 10 you still have to reboot the machine after every application install/uninstall.

Completely agree that we take the iOS install process for granted.

I will point out, though, that you don't have to restart windows after every application install/uninstall (With the exception of system updates, I haven't had to restart Windows due to an install yet since XP).
[doublepost=1481157670][/doublepost]

There are a few other points that have not been mentioned yet, that I think are actualy far more significant than what has been mentioned above as primary concerns for deciding which device to go for.

It seems you are getting hung up on workflows which can be streamlined over time, gotten used to and even automated in some cases. I think a few major points need to be thought about very carefully before worrying about the workflows. And these are;

1.) Ecosystem - are you prepared to have a totally different device in your ecosystem, think about cloud storage, think about syncing, charging, sharing etc.
2.) App Store - are you prepared to live with the significantly smaller Windows App Store, and as the reviews say "less polished apps". A device is only as powerful as the software that drives it.
3.) Operating System - Do you prefer windows OS because that going to ultimately determine a large portion of your user experience

These are some valid points, but I disagree with some of the assessments:
1 - Multiple Ecosystems are NOT a huge deal - not nearly as bad as they used to be. With cross-platform tools, using multiple devices with different operating systems can be pretty smooth. The ONLY time I've had problems is when it comes to restrictions based on employer. One of the lessons you learn being cross-platform is that not everything NEEDS to be on EVERY device! It's okay if a device has specific uses and purposes. I have more devices than I care to admit, but not even every iOS device has all my stuff on it - my 12.9" iPad Pro is reserved mostly for artistic endeavors, while I moved most of my work stuff to the 9.7" iPad. Same thing with Windows - I don't have all of my contacts and calendar stuff on the Surface Pro because I don't need to. If I want to move a drawing from the iPad to the Surface Pro, it's actually pretty simple - I could use Drop Box or OneDrive, or I could connect my iPad to the Surface via USB (I would LOVE for Apple to make AirDrop for the PC...).

2 - App Store - While the Microsoft Apps store itself isn't great, that HARDLY means that there are no apps for the Surface. In fact, there are TONS and TONS of apps for Windows. Are they all in the shiny new "Modern UI"? No, but with Windows 10 they don't need to be. Also, I would REALLY hesitate to say Windows apps are "less polished" than their iOS counterparts. Some are, but many others are just as polished (or better).

3 - Windows - I really do prefer the direction MS was going with Windows 8, and I often talk smack about Windows 10 Tablet mode (deservedly so), but the Windows 10 user experience is quite a bit better than older Windows (even 7 - and yes, even in my jaded opinion, there are quite a few improvements over Windows 8 as well, especially in how non-Modern UI apps are handled). While I still prefer iOS (ESPECIALLY in Tablet Mode), the Windows 10 experience is quite good.

Ultimately, the point is that there isn't a "better" operating system, there's just a "better for YOU" operating system.

Personally, I have a hard time using the Surface in the 'casual' settings i use my iPad in, but it's completely a personal mindset that holds me back - it's a mindset that's based on how easy and natural iOS is for me to use. I CHOOSE to use the iPad because it's the tool i want to use.

From the standpoint of the OP's dilemma - I just ask if you HAVE to choose? I have both and enjoy both for different reasons. My "workflow" is fluid enough that it's really based on the preference I have at the moment (with some exceptions). Keep both and use both.

 

[M. Gustave]

I will point out, though, that you don't have to restart windows after every application install/uninstall (With the exception of system updates, I haven't had to restart Windows due to an install yet since XP).

I assure you that in Windows 10 I got the message "Please restart your pc to complete _____ installation", or "Windows update requires your pc to restart..." many times. Seriously, I'm not making this up.

 

[bensisko]

I assure you that in Windows 10 I got the message "Please restart your pc to complete _____ installation", or "Windows update requires your pc to restart..." many times. Seriously, I'm not making this up.

Yep - system updates absolutely requires a restart (as on any system)(and you don't usually have to restart immediately, but can delay until you're ready), but installing applications rarely require restarts (at least the apps I install - Adobe, Office, Sketchbook, Unity, Steam, Windows Store Apps). Visual Studio did require a restart though.

 

[M. Gustave]

Yep - system updates absolutely requires a restart (as on any system)(and you don't usually have to restart immediately, but can delay until you're ready), but installing applications rarely require restarts (at least the apps I install - Adobe, Office, Sketchbook, Unity, Steam, Windows Store Apps). Visual Studio did require a restart though.

Yeah I'm talking about application installations and uninstalls. That was dumb of me to mention system updates, which is just confusing the discussion.

 

[ozone]

Completely agree that we take the iOS install process for granted.

I will point out, though, that you don't have to restart windows after every application install/uninstall (With the exception of system updates, I haven't had to restart Windows due to an install yet since XP).
[doublepost=1481157670][/doublepost]

These are some valid points, but I disagree with some of the assessments:
1 - Multiple Ecosystems are NOT a huge deal - not nearly as bad as they used to be. With cross-platform tools, using multiple devices with different operating systems can be pretty smooth. The ONLY time I've had problems is when it comes to restrictions based on employer. One of the lessons you learn being cross-platform is that not everything NEEDS to be on EVERY device! It's okay if a device has specific uses and purposes. I have more devices than I care to admit, but not even every iOS device has all my stuff on it - my 12.9" iPad Pro is reserved mostly for artistic endeavors, while I moved most of my work stuff to the 9.7" iPad. Same thing with Windows - I don't have all of my contacts and calendar stuff on the Surface Pro because I don't need to. If I want to move a drawing from the iPad to the Surface Pro, it's actually pretty simple - I could use Drop Box or OneDrive, or I could connect my iPad to the Surface via USB (I would LOVE for Apple to make AirDrop for the PC...).

2 - App Store - While the Microsoft Apps store itself isn't great, that HARDLY means that there are no apps for the Surface. In fact, there are TONS and TONS of apps for Windows. Are they all in the shiny new "Modern UI"? No, but with Windows 10 they don't need to be. Also, I would REALLY hesitate to say Windows apps are "less polished" than their iOS counterparts. Some are, but many others are just as polished (or better).

3 - Windows - I really do prefer the direction MS was going with Windows 8, and I often talk smack about Windows 10 Tablet mode (deservedly so), but the Windows 10 user experience is quite a bit better than older Windows (even 7 - and yes, even in my jaded opinion, there are quite a few improvements over Windows 8 as well, especially in how non-Modern UI apps are handled). While I still prefer iOS (ESPECIALLY in Tablet Mode), the Windows 10 experience is quite good.

Ultimately, the point is that there isn't a "better" operating system, there's just a "better for YOU" operating system.

Personally, I have a hard time using the Surface in the 'casual' settings i use my iPad in, but it's completely a personal mindset that holds me back - it's a mindset that's based on how easy and natural iOS is for me to use. I CHOOSE to use the iPad because it's the tool i want to use.

From the standpoint of the OP's dilemma - I just ask if you HAVE to choose? I have both and enjoy both for different reasons. My "workflow" is fluid enough that it's really based on the preference I have at the moment (with some exceptions). Keep both and use both.

As I said, I operated with both Apple and Windows simultaneously for many years: it's only because my HP desktop died recently that I am now back to Mac full time. To be honest, the latest hardware offerings from Apple have me less than excited.

I realize that Mac and iOS have a lot more Apps... but on this point, I don't care, and I'd argue that I don't need 15 variations of a PDF reader or some bizarre game. I just want some solid, dependable programs or apps to choose from. So for me, I could take or leave the iOS ecosystem.

Do I have to choose? Well, not really. In some ways, since my only full time usable system is Mac OS X + iOS, I might as well stick with it if I'm uncertain about bringing Windows back into the fold.

 

[ozone]

Oops. i meant preference in Goodnotes. I'll go fix that.

Alright... I can't find this preference setting in GoodNotes. What am I missing? Where should I look?