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12/5/2014 | 1:42:09 PM
To say "well you can only look at the argument THIS way" is a disservice to the reader. The sheer POWER available in an i7 Surface to an iPad is certainly no comparison. The iPad can only run HOBBLED "apps". So Windows doesn't need as big of an "app" store. 450K apps? Great point was made about how many of them are essentially the same thing. If you widdle down to UNIQUE apps, the number drops quite astonishingly.
The ONLY advantage an iPad EVER has is there are simply some apps only available for iOS that aren't available elswhere. Particularly in Music Production and that's only for a small subset of things like Mainstage. In fact the ONLY reason I'm considering one for a current use I have. Because some developers are too LAZY to write for anything outside of iOS. Essentially forcing me to buy what is otherwise an IFERIOR product simply because of the lack of support. Oh, and it's lighter. That's the other "advantage". The Surface will surf the web just as well (and probably be more pleasurable with the larger screen) which is what 90% of tablets are used for. Maybe a few games, maybe to read e-books. Sure there's more you can do, but nothing a surface wouldn't handle easily.
The GLARING issues with the iPad is you get locked into the whole Mac ecosystem which is essentailly a WALLED GARDEN. You're also capped for storage at 128GB. Need more? Too bad, because this is a TOY, not a serious TOOL. See the difference? There's a reason why 12 yr olds LOVE iPads!
Things will get interesting with Windows 10. The iPad will either need to evolve (Beyond just goig "Pro" LOL) or deuce the price to about what they're REALLY worth: About $500 for the top of the line version. The fact that the Surface 3 entry level is as (possibly still more) powerful as the best iPad at the same price should tell you a LOT. The only interesting point is BOTH are still overcharging for storage.