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iPad Pro Went to the Apple Store for the iPad Pro, came back home with a Surface Pro

The Surface Pro isn't bad, just not as a tablet. I tried to use the 4 the other day as a tablet and it was just frustrating. I don't understand why anyone would want to use it like that (just my opinion, don't go crazy). As a laptop, it is pretty nice. I'd probably buy a Mac for the same price though and run both OS X and Windows if needed.
 
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DNichter said:
The Surface Pro isn't bad, just not as a tablet. I tried to use the 4 the other day as a tablet and it was just frustrating. I don't understand why anyone would want to use it like that (just my opinion, don't go crazy). As a laptop, it is pretty nice. I'd probably buy a Mac for the same price though and run both OS X and Windows if needed.
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I haven't really given Windows X...er, 10 a try yet, but I agree with your assessment as of 8.1. I had an Asus T100 Transformer tablet for a few months when it first came out, and though using it as a netbook was fine trying to use it exclusively as a tablet was a failed proposition. Aside from the serious lack of apps, it just wasn't well designed (IMO) for tablet-y things like reading ebooks and stuff like that. It just never felt like a tablet to me, and my minimal experience with W10 doesn't lead me to believe that they've really fixed that issue yet.

On the other hand, for a lot of people it's tablet enough while still allowing them to use it like a traditional laptop and that's all they want. I'm glad there are options out there for everyone; keeps innovation churning along. Lots of people scoffed at Chrome OS too, and it's been doing pretty darn well for itself.
 
The surface pro is a horrible tablet. It is just a laptop with a touch screen. With no real tablet apps. Not worth it if you want a tablet experience.
 
My problem with the Surface Pro is that it's too much of a notebook PC in tablet form. The OS isn't friendly to use without the keyboard and there are few mobile friendly apps.

I'm sitting here with a barely used SP4 that I have until Dec. 11 to return, but I'll likely fire it back before then b/c it's not compelling to use. If it's a small notebook PC you want, it's good.
 
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I don't understand the hostility towards the initial post. I'm sure there are many people who aren't posting that are weighing out both solutions. It is helpful to hear other people's experiences. Apple doesn't need a community forum defending it.

I've been an Apple customer since the iPhone 3G but the fact is that the landscape is changing and Microsoft has made huge strides where Apple has made incremental improvements in terms of functionality on its tablet platform. Microsoft is certainly not without its problems on its latest devices. The big issues appear to be imperfect drivers causing crashes/performance issues and the SSD performance is not in line with the cost of the devices. Hopefully Microsoft will work to eradicate those issues sooner than later. Apple on the other hand has such tight reigns on iOS that it is creating a dilemma for those that like the hardware but want more capability in the software. iOS needs to mature beyond the dumbed down experience it has offered to date if anyone is to take "Pro" seriously.

Regardless of who is ahead in any given area the competition is great for everyone. Without it the leaders will stagnate and do the minimum required.
 
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I think mileage varies, based on what you want out of a tablet. For me, 95% of my tablet use is: Web, NetFLix, Hulu, Weatherbug, NFL apps, and about 5 there that are on the MS Store. Really, it's more like Web NetFlix and Hulu being 90%+. There's not a whole lot more i do with tablets. All of that, and a whole lot more, has been on the MS store for a long time.

I will grant you that, for many users, the biggest app store is important. Hey, when I got my 1st iPhone, I was downloading every app in sight. Now, I'm reminded of this when I see the 80 or so apps I've previously downloaded or owned, yet don't even put on my iOS stuff any more.

maybe we're a rare bird, but all I need is: a browser, MS Office Suite, NetFLix, Hulu, Weather app, and a couple others. Anything else is just unnecessary. And Surface does this as well or better than any tablet.

ragermac said:
The surface pro is a horrible tablet. It is just a laptop with a touch screen. With no real tablet apps. Not worth it if you want a tablet experience.
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I don't think the Surface and iPad Pro are going after the same customer base, but glad you like it. Personally, I would probably take a Surface Book over the iPad Pro if I could make it my primary work computer, but don't think that is going to happen.
 
We are in exciting times for sure. Seems like we went through decades of beige boxes with minor speed bumps. Now, every time you turn around some kind of new genre is popping us for devices.

Was actually all set to get an i7/16 SP4, and then just got sidetracked by the new XPS series. Hmmmm? Will still likely do an SP4, or maybe wait for the SP5, but the new XPS series sure does look great! Not tablets or hybrids though, which makes the touch screen kind of pointless. But there's a whole lot of power in a little bit of space, with those things.


convergent said:
I don't think the Surface and iPad Pro are going after the same customer base, but glad you like it. Personally, I would probably take a Surface Book over the iPad Pro if I could make it my primary work computer, but don't think that is going to happen.
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blackoutz said:
I went to the Apple Store to try out the iPad pro. I really wanted it to work since I'm kind of devoted to the Apple ecosystem. However, two major flaws on the iPad pro compared to the surface - no kickstand and bad keyboard.

The iPad pro is just to big and heavy to hold. Without a case, it can't stand on its on.

And the keyboard is way below the type cover. No real key travel and I have to say it looks uninspiring to me personally. The type cover finally won me over because I plan to do a lot of typing, writing reports, emails etc.
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I'm sorry but today for the first time i tried the keyboard at the apple store and i liked it! it typed very well and it feels very secure when its connected!
 
Glad you choose the right device for your needs.

The surface and iPad pro are different devices ...
 
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blackoutz said:
I went to the Apple Store to try out the iPad pro. I really wanted it to work since I'm kind of devoted to the Apple ecosystem. However, two major flaws on the iPad pro compared to the surface - no kickstand and bad keyboard.

The iPad pro is just to big and heavy to hold. Without a case, it can't stand on its on.

And the keyboard is way below the type cover. No real key travel and I have to say it looks uninspiring to me personally. The type cover finally won me over because I plan to do a lot of typing, writing reports, emails etc.
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I'm glad you got what works best for you. I hope you enjoy it.
 
Originally I bought a surface pro rather than waiting for an Ipad pro because I wanted something more like a laptop, but which I could draw on. Then I decided if I wanted a laptop, I could get a laptop. So I returned the surface pro and wound up with a Lenovo Yoga Thinkpad 14, with active pen. I can fold it backwards and draw on the screen with the wacom pen. I can't detach the screen, but I don't care about that; for tablet uses I still have my iPad mini.
 
Maxsix said,

"It seems you may be in the minority.

I live in a large University Town. Last year at school and the various Starbucks shops surrounding the campus, 75% of the laptops were MBA or MBP.

This year a conservative estimate reveals 80% Surface Pro Models. What a surprise to see what the Students choose now. I must say it got me to try one. I enjoyed it so much I bought a Surface Pro 3 and really enjoy it. "

I also live in a university town and spend a lot of time downtown where there are a lot of restaurants with both indoor and outdoor seating. Over the years I've watched what laptops people use in these places, and I've seen the Apple products quietly take over the scene. Since the Surface Pro's have come out I've yet to really see any in use anywhere here. Asus and Viao's seem to be the most popular outside of Apple and even Dells, but MS laptops no.

Going to the local Best Buy (Pestering them as to when they will have :apple: Pencils in and playing with the new :apple: TV's) I see people come in and walk right by the MS display and head to the Apple tables to play with the all the Apple kit there.
 
I have quite a few students using surface pro's at my university. Before I bought mine, I asked my students how they liked them - all were enthusiastic about their choice. There are pcs and macbooks also - but there are almost an equal number of surface pros being used in my classes. I like both my ipad pro and my surface pro 3. The surface pro 3 does things the ipad pro can't do as well, and vice versa.
 
blackoutz said:
I went to the Apple Store to try out the iPad pro. I really wanted it to work since I'm kind of devoted to the Apple ecosystem. However, two major flaws on the iPad pro compared to the surface - no kickstand and bad keyboard.

The iPad pro is just to big and heavy to hold. Without a case, it can't stand on its on.

And the keyboard is way below the type cover. No real key travel and I have to say it looks uninspiring to me personally. The type cover finally won me over because I plan to do a lot of typing, writing reports, emails etc.
Click to expand...

Ended up doing the same. Looked at the iPP first then went and bought the SP4.

Aside from what you've mentioned I looked at what I use a tablet for and that's mainly browsing and media consumption. What's better about the SP4 for those tasks is being able to use one universal full desktop browser to view all sites instead of needing to download an app per site like one for Twitch.tv, another for YouTube, Facebook, Gmail, etc.

Don't do much gaming on tablet mainly due to shallow games that all make you grind for upgrades and milk you for IAP. Much prefer full immersive desktop games if I do like from Steam.

For productivity and creativity blown up phone apps can't touch professional desktop software.

SP4 is more of a professional all-in-one tool whereas iPP is a bigger consumption device.
 
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DNichter said:
The Surface Pro isn't bad, just not as a tablet. I tried to use the 4 the other day as a tablet and it was just frustrating. I don't understand why anyone would want to use it like that (just my opinion, don't go crazy). As a laptop, it is pretty nice. I'd probably buy a Mac for the same price though and run both OS X and Windows if needed.
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Windows 8's interface, although being ugly, was closer to a tablet interface and I actually liked that (!?). But after upgrading to Windows 10, the whole thing changed back to a laptop interface. In addition to the lack of tablet apps, I have never used my Surface as a tablet since then.
 
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mi7chy said:
Ended up doing the same. Looked at the iPP first then went and bought the SP4.

Aside from what you've mentioned I looked at what I use a tablet for and that's mainly browsing and media consumption. What's better about the SP4 for those tasks is being able to use one universal full desktop browser to view all sites instead of needing to download an app per site like one for Twitch.tv, another for YouTube, Facebook, Gmail, etc.

Don't do much gaming on tablet mainly due to shallow games that all make you grind for upgrades and milk you for IAP. Much prefer full immersive desktop games if I do like from Steam.

For productivity and creativity blown up phone apps can't touch professional desktop software.

SP4 is more of a professional all-in-one tool whereas iPP is a bigger consumption device.
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Based on your needs described, why did you go for a tablet (Surface) instead of a full function laptop? You never mentioned the need of the pen.

Same as the OP, Apple sells very powerful laptop (MacBook Pro) too, and you should not have even considered an iPad in the first place.
 
There's now an config option to bring back a full screen of tiles, if you miss that. Also, "tablet mode" has gotten pretty good, with the latest builds. You can set it up so that it automatically switches modes, when you attach or detach the keyboard, or just swipe your thing and change the UI in about a second. Actually, that part has now gotten pretty slick. But it did take a while to get there...

haruhiko said:
Windows 8's interface, although ugly, was closer to a tablet interface and I actually liked that (!?). But after upgrading to Windows 10, the whole thing changed back to a laptop interface and I have never used my Surface as a tablet since then. Now the Surface is more like a netbook than a tablet.
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haruhiko said:
Windows 8's interface, although being ugly, was closer to a tablet interface and I actually liked that (!?). But after upgrading to Windows 10, the whole thing changed back to a laptop interface. In addition to the lack of tablet apps, I have never used my Surface as a tablet since then.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you made the same mistake I did. Sacrificed one of my laptops to upgrade to Windows 10 and didn't think it was better than 8.1. It wasn't until I tried Windows 10 on a touch hybrid that I was impressed since it's like a fusion of desktop and Android OS with quick access menu, easy snap split screen multitasking up to four quadrants, etc. Very close to what I envision the more polished Android UI if it could run desktop professional software.
 
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I have to agree with the OP on getting an SP4 over IPP for the 2 things he specifies. The smart keyboard cover has very little travel like the latest MacBook and it has a really odd texture which made me not get the smart keyboard cover. The butterfly mechanism is excellent and the keys feel very stable and precise upon pressing them. It is a well made keyboard for those that do type on it but it's more about how it feels than how it's engineered when it comes to keyboards. While the smart keyboard cover is compact and decently light, I feel it is too much of a compromise that anyone that uses a keyboard regularly on the IPP, will eventually find it a nuisance. YMMV.

The lack of a kickstand actually doesn't matter to me but I did end up purchasing a Smart Cover so that the IPP can stand up 2 ways, one for viewing and one for typing. If the OP cares about that, who am I to convince him otherwise?

Of course we don't know much else about the OP's usage patterns which could sway his decision to go with the Surface Pro over the IPP. If he uses just the basics like web browsing and email, it's possible that the Surface Pro feels better overall to use just due to familiarity with desktop style apps. In any case, it's an interesting way to go instead of the IPP which is our current focus and it would be interesting to see other supposed competing products in comparison to the IPP.
 
You know, I keep seeing that people mention that the smart keyboard has very little travel, to me it has as much or more than the surface 4 keyboard. The surface 4 keyboard wins out for me in one way, being backlit which I am surprised was overlooked. I just think we are talking about two different devices, surface 4 is great as a laptop and not great as a tablet, Pro is a great tablet and not a laptop replacement. You pick what suits yours needs best, not hard, but they really aren't comparable devices for the most part.
 
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