Surface Pro 4 vs iPad Pro and the future of pro tablets

[I7guy]

One devices runs a full desktop OS. The other runs an OS designed for a mobile phone that can't attach two different files to an email.

@MRU congrats on beating Germany

That basically has a full and rich ecosystem, where viruses and keyloggers are non-existent, that is built toward a mobile existence. It's a tough call. I'm probably going to get the SP4, lowest cost model, for my wife, instead of a laptop....but screen real estate is still an issue that has to be overcome.

 

[MRU]

@MRU congrats on beating Germany

Thanks. I take full responsibility 😀 😛

 

[I7guy]

Yep, that's how Apple operates now. They see what's hot and then jump on it in a year or two. Apple Watch, iPhone 6 Plus and the iPad Pro are all signs of that. At the same time i remember reading about patents from Apple and a stylus being involved. That was years ago, even before the Surface Pro I think.

True, but they seem to successful at it. But don't kid yourself, they don't jump on anything in a year. I don't know how long apple takes to develop a product, but I would think at least two years. They are not a stupid bunch...they give their customers what they want.

 

[Phil A.]

One devices runs a full desktop OS. The other runs an OS designed for a mobile phone that can't attach two different files to an email.

@MRU congrats on beating Germany

iOS mail supports multiple attachments now - it may have taken a long time, but it is finally here 😉

 

[spinedoc77]

Oh, you know I've given you specifics many times. They must just not apply to you. 🙂

For me, I still travel with my iPad even though I have a Surface Pro for several reasons. Primary is the battery life. I can take an all-week business trip to Europe, use the iPad extensively on the plane, in the lounges, or during in-between times waiting at hotels, etc. like I would pick up a book. I load it up with all of my magazine subscriptions so that I have plenty to read even when I don't have Internet access, and it will last me the entire trip without me needing to charge it or to even have to think about it. The Surface won't last me the flight over there, even using it in that mode, nor is it nearly as comfortable to use in those situations. It still feels like using a computer.

At home I use the iPad extensively as my music control system, streaming to wirelessly connected speakers. It can do this reliably and uses virtually no battery life to do so. The Surface can't do this on battery because as soon as the screen shuts off, after just a few minutes, the music stops. There are only a handful of apps, none of them ones I want to use, that can continue to stream in the background. I do the same with the iPad and streaming video. I have an iMac that acts as the home server where content gets downloaded, and using Air Video the iPad makes a fantastic remote to stream any video type to my tv flawlessly. I've tried the wireless mirroring on Windows and it is clunky and often unreliable.

In general our iPad just sits on the kitchen counter as an appliance always ready for someone to pick it up for any of the above activities, to video chat, to look something up, to show someone a picture from our albums, to reference a recipe. It's rarely on the charger, and it's always ready to use. I don't get the same reliability from my Surface - and many of the programs that are perfectly fine to use when you have the keyboard attached are suddenly a lot less useful when you have dough-covered hands, and need to try and hit that tiny touch target.

This is why I'm ok with iOS and the app ecosystem - it means that battery life and stability are pretty much guaranteed - and that I am probably going to get an excellent touch UI at the same time. With Windows I may have the programs at my disposal to do most any of the same things - but there is no guarantee of battery life nor of a good UI. I'm somewhat of the opinion that Microsoft is going to have to start limiting what programs and processes can do in the background even on the desktop side if they are ever going to get battery life under control. Apple, with iOS, doesn't have this worry, because it's baked in as a fundamental of the operating system.

1) Battery life: Well I think we are in the wrong category then. Get a non pro, surface 3 and battery life will be fairly close to your iPad. Problem solved.=). As for comfort, I suppose we differ. The massive limitations of iOS are what make using a tablet UNcomfortable for myself, gah I hate that feeling of not having the right tools when I'm stuck in the airport or on a plane.

2) Music: Yeah the surfaces suck at music type stuff, streaming music, Bluetooth in general, connecting a headset, having music shut off when you turn the screen off. Great point and we've discusses this before. Personally I just use my iPhone s6+ for those functions, if my screen is off playing music why do I need a larger iPad? But I understand where you are coming from and it's a very valid point, Microsoft needs to really put some effort into music, streaming and Bluetooth.

3) Yeah my SP3 sits around the house and does the same, video chat, search, picture consumption, recipes, etc. I don't have any tiny buttons to hit on my SP3 when doing those activities, in fact I rarely encounter tiny buttons and really only if I go looking for them like running a legacy program which hasn't been updated. Battery life is fine for all day consumption, but then again we are talking pro versus iPad when non pro S3 versus iPad should be considered in terms of battery life.

Great points, it's interesting to hear about these things to me. It's not any one of these particular points for you or me, but the convergence of all of them collectively.

 

[spinedoc77]

True, but they seem to successful at it. But don't kid yourself, they don't jump on anything in a year. I don't know how long apple takes to develop a product, but I would think at least two years. They are not a stupid bunch...they give their customers what they want.

Being market followers will affect them sooner or later. When a killer product comes out someone might retake a significant portion of the market at their expense. Foldable screens come to mind, if they are released at a decent price point, and they work well, I can see them becoming instantly popular like the iPad when first released. Apple will follow with one, but may have lost significant market share by then. Let's face it, even as market followers Apple isn't putting out anything significantly better than the competition, more often it's functionally inferior but well built and has that Apple loyalty behind it. Sony had that kind of loyalty once, but they turned into a market follower and look at them today.

 

[I7guy]

Being market followers will affect them sooner or later. When a killer product comes out someone might retake a significant portion of the market at their expense. Foldable screens come to mind, if they are released at a decent price point, and they work well, I can see them becoming instantly popular like the iPad when first released. Apple will follow with one, but may have lost significant market share by then.

They have been market followers since the days of the iPod. Still waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop.

 

[rowspaxe]

I'm more or less confused why people keep comparing a mobile operating system to a full blow desktop operating system. The mobile OS doenst really have much of a chance, it's an unfair comparison. Are these threads created because people don't know the ipad pro runs IOS, and not OSX ?

The issue is ease of use, or touch compatiblility. It seems obvious

 

[MissionMan01]

I think Apple's challenge is they won't introduce a sub standard product from a usability perspective. I have no doubt they are working on it (patents show that) but I don't think Apple would have released the Surface Pro with Windows 8 which was a terrible experience. Even Windows 10 has its caveats, it's great as a desktop but still provides a subpar tablet experience.

It's an interesting dilemma though, because if they can't get the user experience right, at some point they may still have to compromise because that's what users demand.

 

[MRU]

Well I still haven't got my iPad Pro as its to be shipped with the Apple Pencil and my date has slipped to the new year !!! Getting ridiculous tbh.

 

[MissionMan01]

Check the stores. There seem to be heaps of stock arriving

 

[MRU]

Check the stores. There seem to be heaps of stock arriving

Stores ? In Ireland ? We don't have ANY apple store 😉

 

[tbayrgs]

Stores ? In Ireland ? We don't have ANY apple store 😉

What are the shipping times right now if you were to just order an iPad Pro, sans Pencil?

 

[Abazigal]

Here's my take.

The Surface Pro strikes me as being a transitional product. Yes, it probably meets the needs of many a user out there, but only because it's still a laptop in essence running a desktop OS. That's what many people are familiar with, and that's what many people will still gravitate towards when they want to get work done and aren't willing to learn a new OS (iOS).

I still believe that the iPad Pro represents the future of mobile computing. The main problem is that the future is not here yet. Apple will eventually get there, but in the meantime, it's still better to go with a device like the Surface Pro that will serve you well during this transitional period.

But make no mistake about it - The Surface Pro is a mobile device built on the back of a desktop environment, and I do not believe for one moment that the Surface Pro represents the future.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Here's my take.

The Surface Pro strikes me as being a transitional product. Yes, it probably meets the needs of many a user out there, but only because it's still a laptop in essence running a desktop OS. That's what many people are familiar with, and that's what many people will still gravitate towards when they want to get work done and aren't willing to learn a new OS (iOS).

I still believe that the iPad Pro represents the future of mobile computing. The main problem is that the future is not here yet. Apple will eventually get there, but in the meantime, it's still better to go with a device like the Surface Pro that will serve you well during this transitional period.

But make no mistake about it - The Surface Pro is a mobile device built on the back of a desktop environment, and I do not believe for one moment that the Surface Pro represents the future.

iOS will never be the future as long as it prevents users from doing tasks that are required in the work place and home. Simple things like being able to download any type of file off the internet and then save it to a folder of your choosing in the home directory for easy access, not being forced to sandbox files into a specific app (leaving your work vulnerable to being deleted if the app gets deleted), not being able to email any sort of file type, not having apps be able to share information between each other, and so on. Basically, things that are accomplished every day in a normal work environment, can't be done with iOS.
Is the Surface Pro the future? Don't know. I have a feeling that everything we use now and think is normal will be nothing like what we are using in a decade. But I am certain, it won't be iOS based. Something that is that restrictive to use, simply won't make it in the long run.

 

[mi7chy]

But make no mistake about it - The Surface Pro is a mobile device built on the back of a desktop environment, and I do not believe for one moment that the Surface Pro represents the future.

As a counter argument iPP is built on the back of an iPod with the biggest limitation being iOS. While I agree that ARM architecture could very well dethrone Intel but what's preventing that from happening are:

- Lack of professional software that's available on Intel
- iOS limitations

I believe the future is:

- Surface Pro form factor
- ARM architecture
- The first ARM OS to mirror professional software availability of Intel. Usually the one with the largest market share will evolve the quickest so my guess is Android, Linux, Windows then iOS for ARM.

The wildcard is if Intel and to some extent Microsoft solve their performance per watt, connected standby and standby efficiency allowing Windows x64 to run across all devices down to mobile phone.

 

[I7guy]

Here's my take.

The Surface Pro strikes me as being a transitional product. Yes, it probably meets the needs of many a user out there, but only because it's still a laptop in essence running a desktop OS. That's what many people are familiar with, and that's what many people will still gravitate towards when they want to get work done and aren't willing to learn a new OS (iOS).

I still believe that the iPad Pro represents the future of mobile computing. The main problem is that the future is not here yet. Apple will eventually get there, but in the meantime, it's still better to go with a device like the Surface Pro that will serve you well during this transitional period.

But make no mistake about it - The Surface Pro is a mobile device built on the back of a desktop environment, and I do not believe for one moment that the Surface Pro represents the future.

Windows 10/Windows runs programs that were built years ago. The sp4 may not be the form factor but it can run anything in my windows Arsenal. And I have to admit syncing my documents over every device is appealing. However for ease of use, I'll turn on my iPad before my desktop. Glad there are choices.

 

[TheMissionMan]

My big issue with Microsoft is their lack of quality control. I came from Mac's, purchased an SP3 for a year, Windows 8.1 was dismal but I survived knowing that Windows 10 was coming. When Windows 10 finally arrived, the installation went fine, but that was where the problems started. I reinstalled Windows 10 twice, continue with problems, firmware issues, my wifi 4G modem stopped working, Outlook crashed every time I lost my internet connection. My stylus stopped working properly with Onenote which was the primary reason I got it. The battery would randomly run flat overnight leaving me with a flat battery before a 4 hour flight with work to do. The problems went on. I counted no less than 20 issues I had since Windows 10 was released. At the same time, I installed El Capitan at home on my Macbook Air and had no issues. I sold it a couple of weeks ago out of pure frustration.

In the last 8 years since running OSX, I have never reinstalled OSX, nor have I had to. To put that into perspective, I reinstalled Windows 10 more times in the short time since it was released than 8 years on OSX. Every time a new OS came out on OSX, I installed immediately (same day). I don't restart unless software requires it.

Now you can say what you want about the iPad Pro not matching the Surface Pro, but when you switch on the iPad pro, its works. It doesn't need to be restarted once a day like my Surface Pro would. I didn't install any more apps on my Surface Pro, that I wouldn't have on my Mac, it was the usual culprits, office, dropbox, adobe creative suite, etc and all licensed so no chance of virus gremlins in there. I found a third party app for IOS that allows me to carry our entire SharePoint library offline (OneNote for Business on iOS doesn't work properly - surprise surprise) so I have access to all our documents I need offline. On the Mac, I found a third party app (Beckfish) that works better than OneDrive for Business on Mac (which doesn't actually work) and gives better error messages than the windows client.

The sad part is they have a really good piece of hardware, let down by a really poor quality control. If they can fix that, they might have a good competitor. I was actually happy to switch to a hybrid but Microsoft lost me, rather than Apple winning me back. Either their staff are happy to let second rate software loose, or they don't actually use the software themselves.

 

[spinedoc77]

Here's my take.

The Surface Pro strikes me as being a transitional product. Yes, it probably meets the needs of many a user out there, but only because it's still a laptop in essence running a desktop OS. That's what many people are familiar with, and that's what many people will still gravitate towards when they want to get work done and aren't willing to learn a new OS (iOS).

I still believe that the iPad Pro represents the future of mobile computing. The main problem is that the future is not here yet. Apple will eventually get there, but in the meantime, it's still better to go with a device like the Surface Pro that will serve you well during this transitional period.

But make no mistake about it - The Surface Pro is a mobile device built on the back of a desktop environment, and I do not believe for one moment that the Surface Pro represents the future.

Meh, I don't get why the SP is a laptop in essence, doesn't make sense. Windows 10 is quite capable as a tablet OS and it's improving with every update. I've never figured out why people dumb themselves down so much and disdain windows on a tablet, in exchange for iOS which is so over simplified, having varying levels of decreased functionality depending on the users needs.

The ipad is a device built on the back of a phone environment, one meant for a small handheld interface. Having something built on such a simplified interface isn't the future to me. Having something powerful which CAN replace my desktop IS the future.

I don't disagree though that the SP is a transitional device, but really ANY device is a transitional device as hardware will always advance. The ipad was a transitional device, it bridged the gap between clunky, heavy, low battery life hardware and modern tablets, but Microsoft has completed that particular transition by having a full OS on similar hardware.

 

[spinedoc77]

My big issue with Microsoft is their lack of quality control. I came from Mac's, purchased an SP3 for a year, Windows 8.1 was dismal but I survived knowing that Windows 10 was coming. When Windows 10 finally arrived, the installation went fine, but that was where the problems started. I reinstalled Windows 10 twice, continue with problems, firmware issues, my wifi 4G modem stopped working, Outlook crashed every time I lost my internet connection. My stylus stopped working properly with Onenote which was the primary reason I got it. The battery would randomly run flat overnight leaving me with a flat battery before a 4 hour flight with work to do. The problems went on. I counted no less than 20 issues I had since Windows 10 was released. At the same time, I installed El Capitan at home on my Macbook Air and had no issues. I sold it a couple of weeks ago out of pure frustration.

In the last 8 years since running OSX, I have never reinstalled OSX, nor have I had to. To put that into perspective, I reinstalled Windows 10 more times in the short time since it was released than 8 years on OSX. Every time a new OS came out on OSX, I installed immediately (same day). I don't restart unless software requires it.

Now you can say what you want about the iPad Pro not matching the Surface Pro, but when you switch on the iPad pro, its works. It doesn't need to be restarted once a day like my Surface Pro would. I didn't install any more apps on my Surface Pro, that I wouldn't have on my Mac, it was the usual culprits, office, dropbox, adobe creative suite, etc and all licensed so no chance of virus gremlins in there. I found a third party app for IOS that allows me to carry our entire SharePoint library offline (OneNote for Business on iOS doesn't work properly - surprise surprise) so I have access to all our documents I need offline. On the Mac, I found a third party app (Beckfish) that works better than OneDrive for Business on Mac (which doesn't actually work) and gives better error messages than the windows client.

The sad part is they have a really good piece of hardware, let down by a really poor quality control. If they can fix that, they might have a good competitor. I was actually happy to switch to a hybrid but Microsoft lost me, rather than Apple winning me back. Either their staff are happy to let second rate software loose, or they don't actually use the software themselves.

I completely agree about Microsofts poor QC, mainly in regards to their OS and drivers as their hardware is impeccable. Although MS has fixed many of the bugs the SP4 launched with, Threshold 2 was a very solid upgrade. But it's not like Apple doesn't have issues. The ipad pro has launched with its fair share of issues. Unresponsive with a black screen issues, can't connect to wifi, screen freezing, system sounds no volume, etc.

 

[Abazigal]

Windows 10/Windows runs programs that were built years ago. The sp4 may not be the form factor but it can run anything in my windows Arsenal. And I have to admit syncing my documents over every device is appealing. However for ease of use, I'll turn on my iPad before my desktop. Glad there are choices.

That's the whole problem. Windows run programs built years ago. Programs that were designed for a desktop environment, not a tablet one. And I don't see any effort being spent to optimise those apps for mobile.

Meh, I don't get why the SP is a laptop in essence, doesn't make sense. Windows 10 is quite capable as a tablet OS and it's improving with every update. I've never figured out why people dumb themselves down so much and disdain windows on a tablet, in exchange for iOS which is so over simplified, having varying levels of decreased functionality depending on the users needs.

Because that's what Windows 10 is - an attempt by Microsoft to have a presence in mobile by building on its dominant product, Windows (itself a desktop OS). Sure, I can connect a keyboard and a mouse to the SP when I want to get work done, but I have essentially replicated a laptop both in form and essence.

Take those away and what are you left with? A tablet form factor with apps that aren't really optimised for touchscreen usage, which means the user experience is going to be a subpar one. Something Apple solved on day 1 by positioning the iPad solely as a touch-centric device, therefore ensuring that all apps created for the iPad would be optimised for touch and direct input.

The ipad is a device built on the back of a phone environment, one meant for a small handheld interface. Having something built on such a simplified interface isn't the future to me. Having something powerful which CAN replace my desktop IS the future.

The problem here is that the sheer power of Windows is not really giving many people more of what they want, but rather, more problems that they have to contend with. Complexity is not a selling point here; simplicity is.

I feel that iOS has many strengths going for it. It has better security and remains easier to use than Windows and OSX. Likewise, I believe that iOS will continue to get more powerful and fully-featured with subsequent iOS updates, all without compromising the fundamentals that make it uniquely iOS. It's simplicity and ease of use means that users no longer have to contend with all the traditional shortcomings of Windows, and this is a problem that will continue to plague Windows for as long as Microsoft continues to desperately cling to their desktop monopoly and refuse to give Windows the complete overhaul it so needs.

Just look at what Windows is replacing your desktop with. Another PC. Running the same operating system underneath. This isn't Microsoft replacing a horse with a car. This is them strapping rocket skates onto a horse and praying that it can compete with a car somehow.

And the iPad will be that car.

I don't disagree though that the SP is a transitional device, but really ANY device is a transitional device as hardware will always advance. The ipad was a transitional device, it bridged the gap between clunky, heavy, low battery life hardware and modern tablets, but Microsoft has completed that particular transition by having a full OS on similar hardware.

Windows 8 / 10 honestly strikes me as being a very inelegant concept. It's basically 2 different UIs bolted together, and I refuse to accept that such an abomination is the way moving forward.

The question is - what will be replacing the SP once that transition is over?

Microsoft has no answer to that - they are betting everything on the Surface Pro hybrid concept.

The more I look at Apple, I more I think I understand what they are doing. It's the whole "skating to where the puck will be, not where the puck is" strategem all over again. Apple is betting that while the Surface Pro might be seen as the "now", the iPad will ultimately be the "future", and Apple is perfectly content to have their Macs hold the fort and keep the hybrid concept at bay while they manoeuvre the iPad into the desired position.

Of course, the future isn't set in stone, and all these still boil down to how well Apple executes their roadmap. But I do see two things going for Apple. 1) That Apple can afford to wait, and 2) Microsoft has a long-standing history of spectacularly screwing up on the implementation side of their products big time.

 

[Zirel]

How do you feel?

Apple = being bold, betting on the future

Microsoft = hanging on the legacy, seriously, the SP/SB look like a eugenics experiment gone wrong, so much problems and remedies that shouldn't be there in the first place. It's not the computer of the future, with fans and everything and CPUs and GPUs that can eat the battery in questions of seconds (and make a furnace inside), and the pen that comes in bundled, yes, because it's basically required for operation with the most apps, which aren't touch first.

 

[Lloydbm41]

That's the whole problem. Windows run programs built years ago. Programs that were designed for a desktop environment, not a tablet one. And I don't see any effort being spent to optimise those apps for mobile.



Because that's what Windows 10 is - an attempt by Microsoft to have a presence in mobile by building on its dominant product, Windows (itself a desktop OS). Sure, I can connect a keyboard and a mouse to the SP when I want to get work done, but I have essentially replicated a laptop both in form and essence.

Take those away and what are you left with? A tablet form factor with apps that aren't really optimised for touchscreen usage, which means the user experience is going to be a subpar one. Something Apple solved on day 1 by positioning the iPad solely as a touch-centric device, therefore ensuring that all apps created for the iPad would be optimised for touch and direct input.



The problem here is that the sheer power of Windows is not really giving many people more of what they want, but rather, more problems that they have to contend with. Complexity is not a selling point here; simplicity is.

I feel that iOS has many strengths going for it. It has better security and remains easier to use than Windows and OSX. Likewise, I believe that iOS will continue to get more powerful and fully-featured with subsequent iOS updates, all without compromising the fundamentals that make it uniquely iOS. It's simplicity and ease of use means that users no longer have to contend with all the traditional shortcomings of Windows, and this is a problem that will continue to plague Windows for as long as Microsoft continues to desperately cling to their desktop monopoly and refuse to give Windows the complete overhaul it so needs.

Just look at what Windows is replacing your desktop with. Another PC. Running the same operating system underneath. This isn't Microsoft replacing a horse with a car. This is them strapping rocket skates onto a horse and praying that it can compete with a car somehow.

And the iPad will be that car.



Windows 8 / 10 honestly strikes me as being a very inelegant concept. It's basically 2 different UIs bolted together, and I refuse to accept that such an abomination is the way moving forward.

The question is - what will be replacing the SP once that transition is over?

Microsoft has no answer to that - they are betting everything on the Surface Pro hybrid concept.

The more I look at Apple, I more I think I understand what they are doing. It's the whole "skating to where the puck will be, not where the puck is" strategem all over again. Apple is betting that while the Surface Pro might be seen as the "now", the iPad will ultimately be the "future", and Apple is perfectly content to have their Macs hold the fort and keep the hybrid concept at bay while they manoeuvre the iPad into the desired position.

Of course, the future isn't set in stone, and all these still boil down to how well Apple executes their roadmap. But I do see two things going for Apple. 1) That Apple can afford to wait, and 2) Microsoft has a long-standing history of spectacularly screwing up on the implementation side of their products big time.

IOS has better security? That was the funniest thing I have read today. You must not have seen the news in the last 3 years to make that statement.

 

[TheMissionMan]

I completely agree about Microsofts poor QC, mainly in regards to their OS and drivers as their hardware is impeccable. Although MS has fixed many of the bugs the SP4 launched with, Threshold 2 was a very solid upgrade. But it's not like Apple doesn't have issues. The ipad pro has launched with its fair share of issues. Unresponsive with a black screen issues, can't connect to wifi, screen freezing, system sounds no volume, etc.

I'd expect there to be issues with first gen, but when they have issues with the SP3 on Windows 10 and they have had access to the hardware for over a year, I'm a little less accepting of poor quality control. That said, I've never seen anything near the level of issues they had on the Surface Book on any new Apple product launch. Anandtech refused to recommend it as a result which is scathing in itself.

 

[I7guy]

That's the whole problem. Windows run programs built years ago. Programs that were designed for a desktop environment, not a tablet one. And I don't see any effort being spent to optimise those apps for mobile.



Because that's what Windows 10 is - an attempt by Microsoft to have a presence in mobile by building on its dominant product, Windows (itself a desktop OS). Sure, I can connect a keyboard and a mouse to the SP when I want to get work done, but I have essentially replicated a laptop both in form and essence.

Take those away and what are you left with? A tablet form factor with apps that aren't really optimised for touchscreen usage, which means the user experience is going to be a subpar one. Something Apple solved on day 1 by positioning the iPad solely as a touch-centric device, therefore ensuring that all apps created for the iPad would be optimised for touch and direct input.



The problem here is that the sheer power of Windows is not really giving many people more of what they want, but rather, more problems that they have to contend with. Complexity is not a selling point here; simplicity is.

I feel that iOS has many strengths going for it. It has better security and remains easier to use than Windows and OSX. Likewise, I believe that iOS will continue to get more powerful and fully-featured with subsequent iOS updates, all without compromising the fundamentals that make it uniquely iOS. It's simplicity and ease of use means that users no longer have to contend with all the traditional shortcomings of Windows, and this is a problem that will continue to plague Windows for as long as Microsoft continues to desperately cling to their desktop monopoly and refuse to give Windows the complete overhaul it so needs.

Just look at what Windows is replacing your desktop with. Another PC. Running the same operating system underneath. This isn't Microsoft replacing a horse with a car. This is them strapping rocket skates onto a horse and praying that it can compete with a car somehow.

And the iPad will be that car.



Windows 8 / 10 honestly strikes me as being a very inelegant concept. It's basically 2 different UIs bolted together, and I refuse to accept that such an abomination is the way moving forward.

The question is - what will be replacing the SP once that transition is over?

Microsoft has no answer to that - they are betting everything on the Surface Pro hybrid concept.

The more I look at Apple, I more I think I understand what they are doing. It's the whole "skating to where the puck will be, not where the puck is" strategem all over again. Apple is betting that while the Surface Pro might be seen as the "now", the iPad will ultimately be the "future", and Apple is perfectly content to have their Macs hold the fort and keep the hybrid concept at bay while they manoeuvre the iPad into the desired position.

Of course, the future isn't set in stone, and all these still boil down to how well Apple executes their roadmap. But I do see two things going for Apple. 1) That Apple can afford to wait, and 2) Microsoft has a long-standing history of spectacularly screwing up on the implementation side of their products big time.

That I can run the surface like a desktop is a blessing not a problem; which means I can pick and choose.