Microsoft Surface Beats iPad in Design, Productivity, Accessory Use in J.D. Power Study

[Megalith]

After six years in the running, Microsoft has finally earned the number-one spot in tablet satisfaction, besting the fruity iPad. I am surprised it took this long, as its full OS and practical construction make it a clear winner: indeed, the Surface won the grand prize this year thanks to its features, styling, and design. Microsoft also bested Apple based on size and quality of materials used.

The J.D. Power U.S. Tablet Satisfaction Study measures customer satisfaction in the tablet market by looking at five areas: performance (28 percent); ease of operation (22 percent); features (22 percent); styling and design (17 percent); and cost (11 percent). The study accounts for 2,238 tablet owners who have owned their current device for less than one year, with participants being questioned between October and December 2016. With these rankings, Microsoft has received the designation as "among the best" on the market, while Apple at 849 points is "better than most."

 

[grtitan]

I would say, out of the box and in a corporate environment, yes it does.

But for home usage and light work, i think the ipad is still very usable.

But even though apple promotes the ipad as such device, the surface was really made for this.

 

[NeoNemesis]

And yet the only metric that really matters is sales...

 

[thejokker]

The difference between an iPad and a Surface Pro is like the difference between a moped and Kawasaki Ninja...

 

[heatlesssun]

And yet the only metric that really matters is sales...

Sure. But the Surface is far from the only 2 in 1 Windows tablet in the market. Microsoft basher tend to forget that Windows tablets and convertibles have a very long history and pre-date the iPad and Android tablets. The Surface line and other modern 2 in 1s are much more in the mold of those old Windows XP Tablet Edition devices that the iPad. While Windows tablets and convertibles never sold well they had EXTRMELY loyal buyers because while expensive and hot and heavy and often slow, they were flexible.

The Surface Pro was Microsoft kind of getting and listening to a niche market and finally getting a decent product out the door and getting OEMs on board to finally start making good devices instead of crap. Windows 10 on these kinds of devices finally got convergence right, at lest right enough.

 

[DPI]

 

[DPI]

The Surface Pro was Microsoft kind of getting and listening to a niche market and finally getting a decent product out the door and getting OEMs on board to finally start making good devices instead of crap. Windows 10 on these kinds of devices finally got convergence right, at lest right enough.

Myth. Nobody's really using the "convergence" features of a Surface Pro running Windows 10, nevermind the tablet mode experience was way better on Windows 8 and has only regressed in 10.

99% of Surface Pro use cases = purchased by employer and used as ultralight laptop. You'll never see one in the wild without the keyboard attached or someone poking at the screen.

 

[Nukester]

Of course. The iPad is a media consumption device. The Surface is everything. My iPads are great for reading news and watching movies.

 

[grtitan]

Of course. The iPad is a media consumption device. The Surface is everything. My iPads are great for reading news and watching movies.

Agreed, but I will add, using Word and a separated keyboard, I was able to do a lot of work, for example, then back to my media consumption.

Oh and I dont need recharge every day either.

 

[heatlesssun]

Myth. Nobody's really using the "convergence" features of a Surface Pro running Windows 10, nevermind the tablet mode experience was way better on Windows 8 and has only regressed in 10.

Windows 8 had some interesting things going for it tablet wise but 10 does something better. For one, it's much more natural to use desktop apps that are touch capable along UWP apps in tablet mode without the Win32/UWA separation. And inking has better support in 10.

[/QUOTE]
99% of Surface Pro use cases = purchased by employer and used as ultralight laptop. You'll never see one in the wild without the keyboard attached or someone poking at the screen.[/QUOTE]

Citation needed for the first sentence. As a Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3, of course you're going to have the keyboard attached to it carrying outside because it's a COVER for screen. Duh.

 

[heatlesssun]

Agreed, but I will add, using Word and a separated keyboard, I was able to do a lot of work, for example, then back to my media consumption.

Oh and I dont need recharge every day either.

The mobile Office apps are quite good, they're more than capable of doing all many would need. Still no mouse support though on the iPad.

 

[YeuEmMaiMai]

well duh, native windows apps on a pad... who would have not guessed it would be better than an Ipad in that regard?

 

[grtitan]

Still no mouse support though on the iPad.

They really need to get that there, but the pen is kind of nice, but of course, expensive.

 

[heatlesssun]

They really need to get that there, but the pen is kind of nice, but of course, expensive.

I'm a HUGE fan of digital pens so preaching to the choir. I know a lot of people think they are anachronistic but it's just so useful to be able write or draw on screens this size.

 

[Deleted member 243478]

Just because they are tablets (touch screen). Doesnt mean they are remotely the same device...

The ipad is seamless integration, reliability and instant on and off etc. The surface is a laptop in a different form factor with the same Windows drawbacks. We trialed them at work and had so many issues with the touchscreens, digitizer calibration etc and reloading software. Things that are a non issue for an ipad.

Performally I think the ipad pro is just as capable but you must change your workflows and apps to suit and utilise cloud sevices.

I personally hate them and their stupid screen resolutions and scaling... I was using someone elses the other day and they were running it at native 4k... did my head in.

Why the hell do you need a mouse on a tablet... your finger is the pointer... that is the whole point or them otherwise get a dam laptop...

 

[heatlesssun]

Why the hell do you need a mouse on a tablet... your finger is the pointer... that is the whole point or them otherwise get a dam laptop...

Because that tablet might be attached to a 4k non-touch screen? The point of a Windows 2 in 1 device is that it can be used different ways different scenarios. That's why there's so many OEMs making them and their sales are strong.

 

[Drawmonster]

I absolutely love my SP4. But the Ipad has a use. My 5 and 9 year old love theirs. For 100% pure media consumption the Ipad fills a gap.

 

[gunbust3r]

Just think about the satisfaction if they spent the extra $4 to not have the worlds worst performing and featureless Avastar WiFi/Bluetooth chip on board.