IPad Pro 2020 VS Surface Pro 7 (Which is Better For You)

Why is it that people are always comparing iPads to laptops, iPads to Surface Pros, iPads to MacBooks, and so on. Each of these are completely amazing devices that can do basically the same things. Well maybe you can’t code on an iPad yet that I know of. 

The iPad can not be compared to a Surface Pro because they run different operating systems. The Surface Pro is probably the best tablet computer for Widows systems. It works well with your Windows needs. This is a full fledged Windows operating computer that has enough power for most peoples needs. The Surface Pro comes with intel core i5 or i7. It starts with 8GB of ram and goes up to 16GB. The Surface Go too is a great device that can do any task that a mid ranged Windows laptop can do as well. 

The iPad Pro on the other hand is just as powerful and excellent. With Apples A12Z chip and 6GB of Ram this tablet is sleek and fast. This device is totally replacing some peoples MacBooks and yes even iMacs. The iPad Pro has come a long way since 2015 and the iPad has too since 2010. If you are in love with MacOS then iPadOS isn’t all that different and you will be able to get some real work done. It is perfect for those who are married into Apples ecosystem. 

People argue the Surface tablets can run all the Microsoft apps just like a real computer. Maybe thats because it is a real computer designed by Microsoft. But then again, you can get these same apps on iPad or iPad Pro. The main difference here is that you don’t need these apps on iPads because the iPad comes with Apples versions, Pages to Word, Keynote to PowerPoint, and Numbers to Excel. You can export to a Microsoft format so those coworkers without iPads or Macs can receive and edit them as well. Plus these apps are free. 

The Surface runs full fledged Windows OS. This makes it easy for anyone previously using any Windows laptop to pick one up and understand how to get work done on it. iPads run on iPadOS that is a spin off of iOS. If you have ever used an iPhone or a Mac computer then you will be very familiar with iPadOS. 

Being that this debate has went on for so long I feel the only solution is to stick with what you know. The iPad can get real work done just as any Mac or Windows based systems. Both Surface and iPads come with just the (and yes I am gonna say it) “computer” and charger. You need to spend more on a keyboard folio and pencil or pen. By the time you purchase these accessories you’ll have as much in it as a decent laptop or desktop. I’m not sure about you but if I am spending a grand or more on a new device I better be able to get work done. 

One thing I will mention. If you are planing on editing videos on the iPad please know that LumaFusion for $30 is the best video editing software for the iPad. You can’t get anything like Apple Motion or After Effects on iPad. On the Surface you can get Adobe Premiere as well as After Effects. So if you are looking to edit video and need 3D animations or spectacular effects the iPad is not for you. With that said LumaFusion is no slouch when it comes to editing video. It does have a multitrack timeline, can handle 4K video, and has some really nice built in effects and animations. If you’re just editing videos for home movies, YouTube vlogs, short films, and that kind of thing then iPad Pro with Apples iMovie (Free App) or LumaFusion will work wonders. 

The iPad Pro has one USB-C port but you can expand that with adapters while the Surface has more ports such as USB-A and C plus a card reader. The iPad Pro also has a 12mp wide angle and 10mp ultra wide angle camera on the back as well as a 7mp front facing camera. The Surface Pro comes with a 7mp rear camera and 5mp front camera. Both record video in 1080 as well as the Surface has 2 mics while iPad Pro has 4. 

So the big difference is mostly operating systems. Windows Vs iPadOS. Each device can handle whatever an everyday user can through at it. Both devices have app stores that can recommend an app to get the job done. Both devices can get you online, offer a cloud service, allow you to create and edit office documents, handle spread sheets, create presentations, edit video, edit photos, create podcasts, watch videos, listen to some sweet beats, and so much more. 

One thing I always think about is this,when those of us in our 30s or older where growing up, the computer was a desktop that either our parents had or we used in school. As we got a little older laptops became more popular. No one wanted to pay high laptop prices for a machine that didn’t have the power of a desktop. Then early tablets came along. Most called them over priced giant iPods or iPhones. People didn’t want to pay that price for a device that can’t out perform a laptop. Now they can in most cases. Both the Surface and iPad Pro can out perform most computers. But just like us growing up using desk and laptops, kids today are using smartphones and tablets. So tomorrow the tablet might just be the go to device for those same kids that will be all grown up.