Which two-in-one has your name on it?

My take on the two titans (Microsoft Surface Pro vs. Apple iPad Pro)

When folks see me using my Surface Pro 3 or iPad Pro in the office, they inevitably ask me how I like it and would it work for them. They are always intrigued by the fact that I take most of my notes using a pen/stylus — especially the designers. The response to which is best for them is always a little complex, because it depends what they plan to do with it.

I have been using a Surface Pro 3 since fall 2014 and a 12.9 inch iPad Pro since fall of 2015. Needless to say I have had plenty of time to experience the good and bad in both devices. You can be comforted by the fact that the good out ways the bad in both devices. I love them both, for different reasons.
They both have bright, sharp screens; very usable keyboards; plenty of power, and support a dedicated stylus input. As similar as the two devices are, there are some very distinct differences. Choosing one over the other comes down understanding how you plan to use it.

Microsoft and Apple see the implementation of this category quite differently. The Microsoft Surface Pro is a laptop with some tablet functionality. The iPad Pro is a tablet with some laptop functionality. These distinctions make more of a difference in usability then you may think.

Applications

The Surface Pro is focused on the desktop. The majority of “good” applications are desktop apps — the full powered business and creative apps everyone is used to. Many of them have been modified by their publishers to be more touch friendly, but they are still desktop applications. This is a positive thing if you are doing intensive work on a spreadsheet or video editing. Its not so great if you want a lighter full touch app that depends less on the mouse and more on immersion. Microsoft has tried to incentivize publishers to create touch/mobile versions of their apps, but with little success. With the advent of the “Universal” app this may change, but for now the reality is — there are only a handful of touch apps that are worth using.

Apple on the other hand has a huge echo system of publishers creating great touch based apps. They are immersive, intuitive and inexpensive. They do not however have very many full featured apps that run on the iPad. The iPad works great for creating content on the go, but fine-tuning is often still delegated to the desktop Mac. There is potential for this to change in the near future, but today there are real limitations to iPad apps.

On the Road

There is a noticeable difference in battery life between these two devices. Microsoft says that the Surface Pro should get nine hours on a charge. I have never gotten close to this, but I refuse to drop to the lower performance and brightness settings they recommend. I am invariably charging it well before the end of the work day. Apple quotes ten-hours battery life for the iPad Pro. I have found this is pretty accurate especially if you use the standard cover instead of the keyboard cover. On standby, it holds a charge for a long, long time.

Neither is as comfortable or stable as a standard laptop when working on uneven surfaces or the lap. The kickstand digs into my legs on the Surface and the iPad rocks and rolls when using the keyboard cover. I do find that content consumption during the commute is a little easier with the Surface because of the view angle is variable, where the iPad is fixed.

One thing that drives me crazy with the iPad Pro is the stupid emoji key. It is positioned at the far left corner of the keyboard — right where I want to rest my hand to stabilize the device. This continually displays the emoji overlay!

The overall size is close enough between the two that its kind of a toss-up in tight space like commuter trains or airplanes.

Creative Endeavors

For now the iPad stylus has the edge for drawing, sketching and retouching photographs. This is because the ipad can detect the angle as well as the pressure of the stylus. This makes using pencils and brushes much more natural. I assume that Microsoft will address the functionality in future iterations.

If you are using the stylus for technical designs, process flows, coloring, etc., you will find little difference. I actually prefer the Surface for writing notes because the pressure focus is on the tip of the pen.

Another big difference between the two, is that the iPad does not have mouse or touch pad support. You need to use your fingers or the pencil to maneuver around the screen. This isn’t an issue most of the time, unless you are trying to make very fine adjustments — then it can get a little dicey.

Adobe has done a good job of modifying its apps to work well in tablet and desktop modes on the Surface Pro. So, if you are a professional creative or student — the Surface may be a great solution. Adobe has also published several iPad apps to provide much of the functionality of the desktop on the tablet, but as discussed earlier — users must switch to a desktop device to complete detailed work.

Googlies

For those entrenched in the Google echo system (Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.) the iPad is not the solution for you. The current Google iPad apps are complete crap! They are so far behind the quality and functionality of other such as Microsoft, that they should be embarrassed. The issue is not apparent on the Surface, because you can use the desktop version of Chrome to access all your Google goodness.

Office 365

Microsoft provides solid cross platform tools under the Office 365 moniker. There are tablet and desktop versions for the Surface and a touch version for the iPad. The iPad version is missing many of the more robust features, but is still very serviceable for most people.

Dual Duty

A unique feature of the Surface is that it doubles as a solid desktop computer. When plugged into the docking station I has access to dual display support, multiple USB ports, a network connection and a solid power supply. The i5 and i7 models of the Surface provide serious power to drive any of your profession apps on big screens.

Wrapping Up

So, we end this article as we started: The decision of which device is best for you, is based on what you plan to do with it.

If I had to choose (glad I don’t have to), I would choose the Surface Pro. I am not an illustrator or designer and need access to Google apps and full versions of Adobe’s applications for work.

Content consumption is amazing on the iPad Pro. Magazines and videos are incredibly immersive once the cover is stripped off. So, which one is right for you?

Its great to have options….