Don't thing Surface 4 with better for reliability and strong, especially Surface 4 is more easy damage that MacBook in travel. All frequency travel trip will be easy damage of electronic devices.
Six times for repairing IPAD ? How are you use the devices ? Most of my friends they have IPAD without any issue just long last.
People should minimum there devices when travel, in my choose i only take iPhone or pick a laptop and don't use any tablet, as i hate some people at next seat on plane just take out their devices:
Big IPAD,IPHONE and one Samsung,Laptop,big headphone......., i just seat in economic small seat and don't want my face touch your iPad and i avoid use any electronic devices on fly.
People already thing 2 in 1 included Surface 4 is a good choose, but i just said 2 in 1 devices with both of disadvantage of laptop and big tablet, and loss most advantages for both type devices.
TRAVEL AND DAMAGE
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I've never had an electronic device damaged in over two decades of regular international travel. It just hasn't been an issue for me. I am pretty careful with my equipment. All of my problems with my Macbook (not my iPad) have been manufacturing defects, in my opinion. Besides the discoloration (a manufacturing defect), even with regular use, my Macbook looks brand new.
TRAVEL AND THE NUMBER OF DEVICES
Actually, I do happen to carry three devices on most trips: an iPad, Macbook, iPhone (a Kindle as well, but it doesn't get any work done for me). I think two would do: a phone and a device (and the Kindle). I am guessing that I would be able to carry less in my bag, so I'd appreciate the weight off my shoulders. I've never had anyone complain about me using my iPad or computer in economy. I've certainly never been bothered by their stuff, as long as they use headphones and keep their stuff in their area. Maybe you have sat next to me, though, and been bothered by my screen
PREPARING FOR DISASTER
I have multiple backups, including ones on the cloud, so if there is something major like a Samsung 7 meltdown, I can always just go out, buy another device, and be up and running in a few minutes. A bluetooth keyboard paired with my phone works great for a lot of things (quite similar to the iPad Pro). In a worst-case scenario, I just log into a (hopefully secure) computer somewhere and work there using the data in the cloud.
SURFACE PRO
The Surface Pro is full of compromises, and is far from perfect (I've tested each generation for my use case and ultimately decided Apple stuff is a better fit each time). But, the Surface Pro has improved a lot each time and I think the last version just barely lost out to the Macbook for me (back when the Macbook was new, and I hadn't experienced issues yet). In retrospect, I should have bought the Surface Pro (it was good enough), and thinking of the future, I will probably get the Surface Pro 5. I think they are actually quite tough and durable, based on my experiences, and those of my colleagues'. In fact, my sense is that very few people have actually found much to fault in the well-designed hardware. The software is another issue... I would dearly miss a lot of apps in the Appleverse that don't have satisfactory alternatives on Windows. But, it could be done (just in case, I have done a test of my workflow on the old office Dell -- I can adapt).
APPLE
Frankly speaking, I think Apple has made a lot of great decisions over the years (especially with its strong protection of user privacy / security), but it has also made a lot of poor decisions over the last few years (iOS, OSX, and hardware). We can't just blame Cook. This has been a problem longer than that. It's just that now the problems are getting more irritating and there are some very appealing alternatives elsewhere. In the past, I could justify the "Apple tax" (I prefer to think of it as paying for high quality, trouble-free, enjoyable experiences), but now that the amount I pay doesn't seem to be buying me the kind of experience I want, I am ready to look elsewhere. If Apple wants users like me (ones who value reliabiity and durability over bleeding edge innovation) to stick around, they have to up their game.
MACBOOK VS SOMETHING ELSE
Anyhow, my experience with the Macbook is anecdotal. I have had no battery problems, I like how the keyboard feels (when it works), I'm thrilled with the gorgeous screen, the weight is great, the lack of a fan is a huge plus, and I've never felt it's slow enough to impact my work. I am sure there are plenty of folks out there who don't have to take it into the shop several times a year. Personally, though, I am done with the Macbook. The keyboard problems have been that annoying for me -- after all, without a keyboard, I might as well be carrying around a 1200 dollar brick. Assuming Microsoft puts out a nice iteration on its Surface Pro line, by this time next year, I will probably be working on it. The Mac hardware of mine will stick around a while (for file conversions, at the very least, because I have a lot of Keynote and Pages stuff), but won't be replaced when it finally gives up the ghost. If people like the OP are concerned about durability, I'd suggest looking at something else (Macbook Pro 13"?), especially if you don't live close to an Apple store.
