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Even with Windows 10 and the latest Surface Pro 4, I don't think they're very usable as actual tablets. Virtually every time I see a Surface Pro, either in real

by nilkn 11y ago

Even with Windows 10 and the latest Surface Pro 4, I don't think they're very usable as actual tablets. Virtually every time I see a Surface Pro, either in real life or even advertisements, it's being used as a laptop with the kickstand and keyboard attachment. You almost never see anybody use it as a tablet. This happens so much that it's actually hard to find a review of the SP4 that even shows what it's like to use as a tablet. So while Windows 10 supports touch interaction, it's honestly not that great at it, and so far as I can tell nobody really uses it outside of content consumption. But by taking this approach, Microsoft skipped the massive step of needing to get new versions of all major software developed for a truly touch-centric interface. The SP4 is also not nearly as good as a family device. It's much harder to use and is far more susceptible to user error. Apple seems to be taking the opposite approach. They're taking a hit early on by building up everything from scratch for a touch interface, but their bet is that over the long-term the end result will be better. I don't know which approach will pan out, of course. I suspect to begin with the iPad Pro will simply serve a more affluent segment of exactly the same demographic that the iPad has always served, but over time it might expand to more professional users as its software develops and begins to rival desktop software.

Someone1234 11y ago
How often do you see people use a Surface in general? I see people using them as OneNote scratch pads regularly: in business meetings, at conferences, and for diagramming. > So while Windows 10 supports touch interaction, it's honestly not that great at it, and so far as I can tell nobody really uses it outside of content consumption. That's fine, that is what tablet mode is often for. You have the kickstand/keyboard/touchpad for actual productivity. You have the tablet for consumption, and you have the tablet + pen for productivity when the activity allows it (e.g. drawing, hand-written notes, etc). I haven't used a Surface Pro 4, but the Surface Pro 3 had issues: It was too heavy, and the touchpad on the keyboard cover was frankly terrible (and per this article nobody wants to sit there with their outstretched arm touching the screen). We'll see if the SP4 solves any of the above. > The SP4 is also not nearly as good as a family device. It's much harder to use and is far more susceptible to user error. Absolutely. Which is why it was never targeted at that demographic. It is a professional device, just like the iPad Pro.

by nilkn 11y ago

Someone1234 11y ago

How often do you see people use a Surface in general? I see people using them as OneNote scratch pads regularly: in business meetings, at conferences, and for diagramming. > So while Windows 10 supports touch interaction, it's honestly not that great at it, and so far as I can tell nobody really uses it outside of content consumption. That's fine, that is what tablet mode is often for. You have the kickstand/keyboard/touchpad for actual productivity. You have the tablet for consumption, and you have the tablet + pen for productivity when the activity allows it (e.g. drawing, hand-written notes, etc). I haven't used a Surface Pro 4, but the Surface Pro 3 had issues: It was too heavy, and the touchpad on the keyboard cover was frankly terrible (and per this article nobody wants to sit there with their outstretched arm touching the screen). We'll see if the SP4 solves any of the above. > The SP4 is also not nearly as good as a family device. It's much harder to use and is far more susceptible to user error. Absolutely. Which is why it was never targeted at that demographic. It is a professional device, just like the iPad Pro.