All iPads So I tried out the Surface, and came back to iPad Again

[JoeRito]

As evidenced by previous posts I have made, I have also taken the time to try out the Microsoft Surface RT. I also own other iPads, including a full sized iPad 2, and my main daily driver now, an iPad Mini + 4G LTE on Sprint.

At first, I loved it, I had the Touch Cover, and free Microsoft Office was very nice. Despite the lack of apps, Windows RT was not a bad OS at all, having the full Internet Explorer on a device was really nice, and definitely made up for the lack of applications.

The build quality of the Surface was very comparable to Apple's build quality. All metal, and I did really dig the kickstand and Touch Cover.

Now on to the bad and what caused me to return the device:

-The thing was just too dang wide to use comfortably. I am able to use the full size iPad 2 with no issues, but the Surface and it's 16:9 screen was just too awkward to hold in the hand to use "as a tablet."

-The battery didn't last as long, and the lack of built in 4G was a deal breaker. Yes I realize there is now a 4G model Surface 2, but I had the original RT which I got at a deal which included the Touch Cover in black.

-Heavy Heavy Heavy.

While I did really like the Surface, those unfortunately were deal breakers, and I had to return the device. I am now back to my iPad mini, and I do enjoy it very much.

Interesting analysis, thanks for sharing. Your balanced review makes real sense.

 

[JoeG4]

The Surface Pro/Pro2 actually weigh 2LBS.

lol whoops. And I own one. The thought never really occured to me.

 

[solarguy17]

After reading some (not all) of the comments in this thread, something to remember.
The Surface RT and surface should be considered competitors to the iPad 4 and iPad Air.
Those have a tablet innards and prices and a tablet OS.
The Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 should be compared to the MacBook Air (2012) and MacBook Air (2013). The SPro and SPro2 have full OSes, have laptop style hardware, and laptop prices.

So remember a SPro2 doesn't replace and iPad, nor does. surface 2 replace a MacBook Air.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

So remember a SPro2 doesn't replace and iPad

If you put the Lenovo IdeaPad Lynx in the same category as the SPro2, it replaced my iPad.

 

[maflynn]

So remember a SPro2 doesn't replace and iPad, nor does. surface 2 replace a MacBook Air.

The only reason why the Surface Pro doesn't replace the iPad is because of the size and weight. I don't think the version of the OS is a reason.

The iPad is very holdable in one (or both) hand. The Surface pro is not really designed to be used when holding it. The lap or desk is where it ought to be and for that reason its really a laptop replacement.

 

[solarguy17]

That's a fair point but if Apple ever made a "MacPad" (basically MBA in iPad form) that MacPad would be infinitely less hold able then an iPad. That's why I say a SP2 is comparable to IPad.
They are different types of devices.

Btw: MacPad is a great idea.