iPad Pro Versus Surface Pro 3

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Apple iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet review

We’re talking about a toy versus a tool here – iPads are for ordering Sushi, the Surface Pro is for actual work.

While the iPad Pro will no doubt gather all the celebrity glitz from the usual suspects – the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (and the soon to be announced Microsoft Surface Pro 4) are so far superior when it comes to performance and real world productivity it hardly seems fair to even compare the two.

With the Microsoft Surface Pro you get an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 running full blown Windows 10. This means you can run any software you can run on your desktop/laptop and standard mobile apps.

The iPad Pro runs iOS 9 on the new and improved A9X processor.

I don’t think that you can seriously compare the capabilities of iOS 9 and Windows 10 with a straight face.

However, the biggest fail of the iPad Pro is its lack of useful connectivity.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 comes with a full size USB3 port, a Micro SD card reader and Mini Display Port.

In other words – the Surface seamlessly connects with your external hard drive, USB drive, camera, card reader, USB mic and other accessories necessary to do your job.

Apple iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 3 USB ports

Apple’s iPad Pro tech specs don’t mention any other external connectivity except WiFi or LTE, so while Apple claims:

…you can quickly open even the largest files. Like the big 4K movie you just edited or all the RAW images you imported from your HD camera.

How you are actually supposed to get those 4K video files – or even RAW image files on and off of your iPad Pro is a bit of a mystery (WiFi I guess???).

Seriously, how much 4k video do you really think you could store on the iPad Pro’s puny 128 GB of internal storage anyway?

Apple iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 3 iOS 9 A9X processor

The Apple App Store has a much bigger app selection than what is available from the Windows Store. While all of the popular mobile apps like Facebook, Instagram etc. are there – some specialty apps are missing like Easy Release, DSLR Controller or DSLR Dashboard (technically you can run DSLR Dashboard from Windows – but it’s a bit of a hassle to setup compared to running it on an Android device).

The iPad Pro also has a better screen than the Surface Pro 3 (12.9 inch 2732×2048 resolution for the iPad Pro versus 12 inch 2160×1440 resolution for the Surface Pro 3).

Apple does build gorgeous screens, so if displaying your portfolio on your tablet is one of your prime uses – the iPad Pro would certainly take the cake there.

Apple iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 3 screen resolution review

The most useful feature of the new iPad Pro (and this should tell you something) is that it runs Microsoft Office.

It was a big enough concession for Apple to finally add a keyboard and a stylus (aka the “Apple Pencil”) to an iPad, but they just couldn’t quite bring themselves to go all the way and add a mouse too.

If you plan on doing any actual work on your tablet, the lack of a mouse is a deal killer.

Apple iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 3 apple pencil review

Which Pro Tablet Offers More Value To Your Business?

Besides being far more useful, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is also less expensive than an iPad Pro.

A 128GB i5 Surface Pro 3 lists for $814 compared to $1048 for the iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil (a stylus is included with the Surface Pro).

From a creative professional’s standpoint – the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will run all of your Photoshop CC desktop applications including Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat, Premiere Pro etc. Why anyone would be satisfied with Photoshop Fix or Lightroom mobile when they could just roll with the real deal is beyond me.

In addition to Office – a necessity in any true business environment, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will also run common small business desktop applications such as QuickBooks and other industry standard software.

Apple iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 3 review

Find Out More

This is an abridged version of this article first published at DIYphotography.net.  To read the entire article, click here.

 

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JP Danko

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JP Danko is an active lifestyle photographer based in Toronto, Canada. JP can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.

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