Surface is a LAPTOP & iPad Pro is a TABLET. PERIOD

[Night Spring]

With my iPad Air 2 there is no reason to remove the Smart Cover ever. To be honest with around 5 years of iPad and 7 years of iPhone ownership.....make that any apple product I have ever owned, never have I had a cover that I needed to remove due to design, that being being the difference between well designed cover and a dock.

Just from habits, and user experience of owning apple iPads, the natural response is to fold the Smart Cover behind the iPad if I go portrait. The user experience should not change, the fault is with the smart keyboard cover and its design, apples answer to the kickstand.

Guess we are different . I've never seen the need to remove the Smart Cover off my iPad Air, it provides protection when closed and grip when used in portrait for me.

I tried the Smart Keyboard at the store, and like you, I did not like the way it folded, and I also disliked the additional weight it added to the iPad Pro. I ended up deciding not to get a Smart Keyboard, and got the Smart Cover instead. By the way, you seem to use the two names interchangeably, but they are separate products. I paired the new Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad Pro, and I use that when I need to type extensively. Otherwise I just use the on-screen keyboard on the iPP. I'm using the on-screen keyboard right now to type this post. The iPP Smart Cover works exactly the same as the Smart Cover for previous iPads, and the new Bluettoth keyboard is very light. My plan is to use the iPP mostly at home, but if I ever need to take the iPP out of the house, I think I could throw the keyboard into a slip cover and throw it into a bag along with the iPP and it won't be much heavier than the keyboard cover, or much bulkier. To me, combining the iPP with the Bluetooth keyboard is perfect.

 

[MH01]

How do you know this? Any sources?

educated guess, my IPP cost me that my £1120 (IPP + KB+ pencil)

A 13-inch MacBook Air £1080

• 1.6GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
• Intel HD Graphics 6000
• 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
• 256GB PCIe-based Flash Storage

So given my iPad air is about 1/2 the price of the IPP with many components reused, and the MacBook Air has a more expensive cpu, twice the ram and twice the storage, 2x sub, TB. I'm going to go with a bold prediction also that it takes less time to manafacture An iPad than it takes to make a MacBook Air (glue on the cover for an iPad and assembling the air, which still uses screws, hinges and multiple components that make a laptop) .

From experience, Apple does not give you a new MacBook if there is a fault. Any issues I've had with an iPad, it's been a new replacement. So given if I have problems with my ipp, I'll get a brand new one, and my MacBook Air would get repaired, that tells me quite a lot, in my opinion

I'm sure there is a break up of all the components in both, and the MacBook Air will cost much more in parts alone.

 

[MH01]

I tried the Smart Keyboard at the store, and like you, I did not like the way it folded, and I also disliked the additional weight it added to the iPad Pro. I ended up deciding not to get a Smart Keyboard, and got the Smart Cover instead. By the way, you seem to use the two names interchangeably, but they are separate products. I paired the new Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad Pro, and I use that when I need to type extensively. Otherwise I just use the on-screen keyboard on the iPP. I'm using the on-screen keyboard right now to type this post. The iPP Smart Cover works exactly the same as the Smart Cover for previous iPads, and the new Bluettoth keyboard is very light. My plan is to use the iPP mostly at home, but if I ever need to take the iPP out of the house, I think I could throw the keyboard into a slip cover and throw it into a bag along with the iPP and it won't be much heavier than the keyboard cover, or much bulkier. To me, combining the iPP with the Bluetooth keyboard is perfect.

I like that suggestion. I'm really disliking the apple keyboard cover. I'm going to return it for the Smart Cover which is designed well and works like a treat, and go the Bluetooth KB route. The apple Bluetooth KB is light and day v the apple KB cover in terms of typing. Cheers for that.

 

[Abazigal]

If Tim can sell you man iPad that weighs more than a laptop with a keyboard cover attached and costs about the same, he is a genius , however he spins it. Cause there is more profit in an iPad than there is in a MacBook . That would make tim very happy.

Profit is what Apple earns, value is the utility I derive from the product.

I don't care so much about former as I do about the latter. I own both a MBA and iPad mini. I find myself using my iPad as much as my Mac, if not more. I would actually love to learn more about how to get more work done on my iPad, and the only roadblock is that the value I would derive from this would be less than the time and effort it takes to overhaul my workflow to make it more iPad-centric.

 

[MH01]

Profit is what Apple earns, value is the utility I derive from the product.

I don't care so much about former as I do about the latter. I own both a MBA and iPad mini. I find myself using my iPad as much as my Mac, if not more. I would actually love to learn more about how to get more work done on my iPad, and the only roadblock is that the value I would derive from this would be less than the time and effort it takes to overhaul my workflow to make it more iPad-centric.

Comes down to how much your time is worth.

For me personally, a Mac is more time efficient for many non basic tasks.

 

[masotime]

Of course some have also claimed there's no need for more than 3.5" display, 1GB DRAM, split view multitasking, precision pen input, etc. And, because some don't know how to utilize it or output to a large screen it's useless for everyone else.

Congratulations, you've successfully missed my entire point. I'm saying that having multiple windows as laid out in the given example is not refined. I'm not talking about whether people can or cannot utilize it, or whether people need large screen output.

Put it this way, I use multiple windows when doing development. I find it useful, but it is tedious to have to deal with window sizing and management. I repeat, it is not refined.

 

[TurboPGT!]

I have seen so many news article, youtube videos, forum thread comparing the both. Some really liked the Surface and some the iPad Pro. Many of the arguments just sounded so stupid to me and clearly just trying to put the other down.

For those of you who like to compare who is better. Please think before comparing. It is like comparing an apple to an orange.

The Surface is a laptop. It has the extra capability to function like a tablet, but it is not build to be a full tablet. PERIOD. So, if you need a laptop more than a tablet, than this is your choice, go for it. Don't bother with the iPad Pro.

The iPad Pro is a tablet. It is made as such and marketed as such. No one ever said it is a laptop replacement. It is not made to be a laptop. The operating system is clearly made to function as a tablet, not a laptop. If you think you will need laptop functions, don't buy the iPad Pro, it is not for you. But if you think, you need it as a big and powerful tablet, go for it. This is your device.


And if you really want a laptop and a tablet. Go get yourself a MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro and you can enjoy both.

Lot of things wrong with this post.

1) You make the same sweeping generalizations that the other crackpot reviewers make, like "laptop functions". I don't know what "laptop functions" are. To my inlaws, laptop functions are E-Mail and Aol.com.

2) Everyone knows the Surface is terrible at being a tablet, but it is not a great laptop either. Too many compromises to allow it to also be a (terrible) tablet. You're better off with any other laptop.

3) Most people do not want to carry around both a MacBook and an iPad.

 

[AppleRobert]

Someone probably mentioned it in this thread but the commercial for the Surface says "the TABLET that will replace your laptop".

 

[TurboPGT!]

duplicate

 

[Renzatic]

I wonder how many people use the Surface Pro without the keyboard and kickstand or in portrait orientation. My guess is hardly anyone. Just like I'll bet hardly anyone detaches the screen on the Surface Book. Both devices are used as laptops running desktop (i.e. mouse and keyboard) software.

I've done it plenty of times with my SP4. When I want to read something in bed or watch a movie on the couch, I pop the kickstand in, and tear the keyboard off. For these things at least, it's just as easy to use as my old iPad.

 

[hagr182]

I´m trying to decide which route to go as well. I need something more powerful than my 2009 13´ MBP, for legal research, annotation, light photo editing (not too big on retouching, I just like to correct WB, Saturation, Definition, etc) and media consumption.

The surface seems way too expensive for what it is, and so is the ipad; however I think the iPad Pro excels at being a tablet and the SP4 makes too many compromises on both areas (tablet and laptop) to be excellent at any, although it´s key advantage may be versatility.

I will visit both apple and ms stores to see if i can test them out a little, although right now I am inclined to get the 128 gb pro and wait and see how the MB skylake rumors pan out, for when I need a more powerful thing.

 

[Robnsn2015]

I've done it plenty of times with my SP4. When I want to read something in bed or watch a movie on the couch, I pop the kickstand in, and tear the keyboard off. For these things at least, it's just as easy to use as my old iPad.

You watch movies in portrait mode?

 

[Renzatic]

You watch movies in portrait mode?

No, that'd be insanity. But I do read in portrait mode.

 

[AttilaTheHun]

Maybe you have a point but for me. I don't want tablet to laptop. I like Laptop for work and fan and tablet for general (big iPhone).
so as a laptop my MBP 15" is 100 times better then the surface. and the iPad as a tablet with the pencil is for me better then the surface too.
I checked the surface pencil after using the iPad one, and for sure the apple one way way better.

 

[sracer]

Maybe you have a point but for me. I don't want tablet to laptop. I like Laptop for work and fan and tablet for general (big iPhone).
so as a laptop my MBP 15" is 100 times better then the surface. and the iPad as a tablet with the pencil is for me better then the surface too.

I have found that the 11" MBA + iPad Air 2 together serve my needs better than a Surface Pro... and cheaper too.

 

[mi7chy]

I have found that the 11" MBA + iPad Air 2 together serve my needs better than a Surface Pro... and cheaper too.

How do you live with that awful MBA display that's worse that a lot of mid end phones? rMBP is so much better in that regard but even the 13" is a pig at 3.5#. Hope the refreshed MBA with Skylake, retina display and thinner bezel is true but it still doesn't have a detachable keyboard tablet mode nor touch or pen inputs. Also, carrying multiple devices isn't going to cut it for frequent flyers who have to put up with airport security hassle. When I fly I just want a compact all-in-one device and the Surface Pro 4 currently fit that role best.

 

[sracer]

How do you live with that awful MBA display? rMBP is so much better in that regard but even the 13" is a pig at 3.5#. Hope the refreshed MBA with Skylake, retina display and thinner bezel is true but it still doesn't have a detachable keyboard tablet mode nor touch or pen inputs. Also, carrying multiple devices isn't going to cut it for frequent flyers who have to put up with airport security hassle. When I fly I just want a compact all-in-one device and the Surface Pro 4 currently fit that role best.

LOL I'm always amused by the hyperbole surrounding the quality of the MBA screen. I'm all for "more is better" but that doesn't make what preceded it instantly "horrid". I find it quite usable and although the screen quality between the iPad Air 2 and MBA is noticeable, it doesn't detract from using it.

I travel frequently and don't find it a "hassle" to bring both.

If having a single device is of a higher priority than the quality of the experience of either (tablet or notebook) then I can understand why you would find the Surface Pro 4 preferable.

 

[mi7chy]

LOL I'm always amused by the hyperbole surrounding the quality of the MBA screen. I'm all for "more is better" but that doesn't make what preceded it instantly "horrid". I find it quite usable and although the screen quality between the iPad Air 2 and MBA is noticeable, it doesn't detract from using it.

The MBA is not even IPS but low end TN display and 1366x768 is even bad on an 8". The word you're looking for is "passable" and not "usable". I wouldn't use it if I had a choice and definitely wouldn't buy it on any product. And, how do you figure $899 11" MBA + $679 iPad Air 2 minus a decent Adonit stylus or Wacom tablet is cheaper than $999 SP4 + $129 type cover (even less with SP3 combo)?

 

[christophermdia]

i have a SP3, Macbook, iPP, etc ... while title says SP is a Laptop and iPP is a tablet, well, i agree ... however, once thing to keep in mind is ... SP is a laptop, not a tablet ... and this makes a huge difference ... I begged my job for a SP to get the all in one experience ... and now, i don't go ANYWHERE without my mouse to compliment the SP ... with the iPP, I tend to travel alone with it now, and while i still use the pencil, get the whole tablet feel to it. its what i prefer so it works for me. there are some things i need to remote in for, but for the most part, can get most if not everything done on this thing ...