iPad Pro vs Surface Pro 4

[haven]

Not much to compare yet, since the iPad Pro was just announced, and the Surface Pro 4 is expected next month.

The success of the Surface Pro 3 is undeniable. Apple fans were waiting for a response, and today it's here. The iPad Pro has a 12.9 inch display, employs a new A9X processor that's up to twice as fast as the A8X in the iPad Air 2, and runs a new version of iOS that has much better support for multitasking in multiple windows.

Prices are pretty reasonable: $799 for the 32 GB model, $949 for 128 GB, and $1079 for 128 GB plus LTE. Optional are a stylus and a keyboard cover, just like the Surface Pro.

Let the Microsoft fans gloat about Surface running all Windows applications. Apple trotted out Microsoft and Adobe to demonstrate versions of their most popular software on the iPad Pro. My guess is that lots more mainstream Windows software makers will rush to support the iPad Pro.

Why the interest in this form factor? It effectively replaces both a smaller tablet and a larger laptop with one device. Reviewers say the Surface Pro is best used with the external keyboard with the machine sitting on a desk. It will be interesting to see if this holds true for the iPad Pro as well.

 

[fike]

I would go with the Surface devices. The reason I prefer them is that the file system is open. What I mean by this is that you can see and work with individual files in your storage. On iPad IOS, you can only see files in the context of an APP. This drives me crazy when I am backing up pictures and working with GPX files. For example, I couldn't find a way to get my iPhone Gaia GPX track log from my iPhone onto my iPad for viewing in the iPad Gaia. I tried emailing it to myself. I tried putting it on Dropbox. I tried air dropping it, but none of these would open the GPX file in Gaia. What's worse is that I couldn't do several of those possible options without cellular data service. The IOS environment depends on you being online all the time. That sucks for us. Another nuisance is that IOS doesn't let you use standard USB devices like hard drives, GPSs, cameras, or delorme inreach devices. I like to use hard drives for backing up photos during my trips, and this is harder to do with IOS because all the IOS interfacing devices are either very slow wired or very, very slow wireless (WLAN).

I have a Surface 3 (not pro) in the mail to me right now (based upon my experience with my wife's 3 Pro). It is smaller, but powerful enough for most off-the-grid applications like mapping, light photo work, and journaling. I also like that it uses standard USB charging so it is immediately compatible with a wide variety of solar and charging devices.

 

[haven]

I don't argue with your point about the iOS file system. It can be frustrating for folks who are used to Android or Windows. Many people use 3rd party utilities to have more control over file transfers.

Here's an article on the Gaia web site that talks about using Dropbox to transfer GPX and KML files. That may solve your file transfer problem. Gaia does have an offline mode, in which you're limited to the maps you have already downloaded.

 

[OCD Overland]

I had my first experience with a surface a few weeks ago and it didn't go well. I was meeting with a client and he wanted to show some photos and a spreadsheet he had done. First, the display kept flipping around with the slightest movement, then apps would switch when he touched it wrong and he'd have to swipe around and go back to the file system to get things back, and sometimes he was confused as to where things were. So, just a single experience but it didn't impress.

It looks like the pencil interaction for the iPad pro is pretty sweet. Not as functional as my Cintiq that I use for work, but if the apps are right, I can see myself using it for client meetings - it could potentially save me a lot of trips to the print shop. Make a 12x18 version of it and I'll be throwing money at them.

 

[fike]

Yes, but Dropbox doesn't work when you are in the wilderness and off the grid. I do have some third party utilities that can help with the stuff, but not with GPX file transfers from iPhone to iPad. ...and without wired USB, all the third party storage devices are super sloooooow. I can take 20 GB of photo or video in a day. That's a no-go on the iPad.

 

[haven]

Apple has a web page with specs for the iPad Pro. http://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/specs/

A few highlights

dimensions 12 in x 8.68 in x 0.27 in (about a quarter inch larger than an A4 sheet of paper {11.69 in x 8.27 in})
weight 1.57 lb
screen 12.9 inches, 2732x2048 pixels, 264 ppi (ppi same as "retina" iPad)
processor A9x, M9 coprocessor
the camera sounds like last year's iPhone camera (8MP, f2.4 lens), no bad thing.

 

[Scott Brady]

Certainly an interesting development this morning. I am planning to wait on the Surface 4 PRO and make a final decision. I am ready to abandon the laptop for good and have a big tablet for travel and a powerful desktop for in the office/photography

 

[1Louder]

I don't argue with your point about the iOS file system. It can be frustrating for folks who are used to Android or Windows. Many people use 3rd party utilities to have more control over file transfers.

Here's an article on the Gaia web site that talks about using Dropbox to transfer GPX and KML files. That may solve your file transfer problem. Gaia does have an offline mode, in which you're limited to the maps you have already downloaded.

For GAIA to your imports get dumped into a folder? You can also see them on your timeline. I don't like the way GAIA has implemented folders and the way they have changed importing files. Just a thought. I think the iPad Pro will work well for certain folks. I don't see a need for it with any of my off-road stuff but doing basic video production will likely work well.

Also Microsoft was at the keynote presentation. So they are finally on board with supporting robust applications. You can run two Office apps at once and can copy and past with the apps side by side.

 

[turboale]

iPad Pro is just a big iPad... If your already using the iOS ecosystem for your workflow it will be a nice addition. If not, and your sold on Apple don't try to cram a square peg in a round hole and get a MBAir. A device is only as good as the software... no matter how fast or sensitive it is.

OCD,
What version of Surface was it? I'm guessing a non-pro or Pro1 or Pro2? The Pro3 is the only Surface that runs full windows and is absolutely fantastic. I got one roughly a month ago and I couldn't be happier. Its super speedy and perfect for photographers. I'm even liking Windows 10. My only real issue is the power from the USB is a bit weak. ie, I need a powered hub to run my 7200rpm drive and a card reader. I haven't tried it with a slower drive but I'm usually in a hotel room when I need to offload to the HD. The Surface has a MicroSD card slot so I got a 95mb/sec 128gb card for $80 and its problem solved. The screen is beautiful, battery life is damn good for the size (I have the i5), and FULL Creative Sweet. Not some watered down touch version. I don't miss my laptop one bit.

 

[OCD Overland]

I couldn't tell you. Like I say, it was my clients and I didn't fiddle with it any myself. What stood out to me, capabilities aside, was that it just seemed awkward. I can see it being right for you, assuming you don't want to carry two devices.

 

[fike]

iPad Pro is just a big iPad... If your already using the iOS ecosystem for your workflow it will be a nice addition. If not, and your sold on Apple don't try to cram a square peg in a round hole and get a MBAir. A device is only as good as the software... no matter how fast or sensitive it is.

...

This is a case where Apple is following microsoft's leadership. They are copying the surface, albeit with two of apple's ideological idiosyncrasies (or idiocies, depending on how you look at it) no USB port and no built-in card reader. They added a touch keyboard and a stylus just like the surfaces.

Note that the smaller surface 3 (not pro) comes with full windows 8 or 10. It will run full photoshop and other apps but is a smaller device. One nice surface3 feature is USB charging.

iPads are good for consuming media- magazines, books, movies, music. They are fun for light gaming. BUT, they are no good at content creation or data manipulation and computing.

Be different. Buy a surface. Microsoft is finally innovating and Apple is following.

 

[chet6.7]

When I read the specs this morning, I was looking for two things,USB and a card reader.
The absence of these features is something I don't understand...I guess it is not looked at as a fault in Macland.

 

[Jason911]

When I read the specs this morning, I was looking for two things,USB and a card reader.
The absence of these features is something I don't understand...I guess it is not looked at as a fault in Macland.

Would be willing to bet a card reader and USB port will be a external accessory, as it is much in the the rest of the iOS ecosystem.

 

[Scott Brady]

Would be willing to bet a card reader and USB port will be a external accessory, as it is much in the the rest of the iOS ecosystem.

I thought the USB was a problem with iPad, but I just do not need it anymore. My camera has Wifi or I can plug it in to the charge port. I think peripherals are just becoming less relevant.

 

[fike]

I thought the USB was a problem with iPad, but I just do not need it anymore. My camera has Wifi or I can plug it in to the charge port. I think peripherals are just becoming less relevant.

If you take twenty or forty pics a day, then apple's wifi solutions are okay. If you take eight hundred or a thousand a day, then no, wifi won't work.

If you apply a fun little Instagram sepia filter and then post to Facebook, then IOS will be fine. BUT, if you want to work with raw files, stitch panoramas (the iOS pano apps really suck upon close examination), make stacked time lapse images, assemble HDR images, geotag photos not taken with an IOS device, or any number of advanced functions, then you need a computer like a Surface or a laptop.

I have had two generations of CF card readers for iPad and they are painfully slow...not to mention the fact that Apple totally screws up your file naming system and practically requires you to work in the IOS pictures/iTunes ecosystem.