AppleInsider Staff
Apple's foray into large-format touchscreen productivity is by its very nature incapable of being the same kind of standalone workhorse as Microsoft's Surface line, a spokesperson for the Redmond-based company said this week.
"Microsoft really wants you to only carry one device for tablet and PC use," Microsoft's Dan Laycock told TrustedReviews. "Whereas the iPad Pro is always going to be a companion device."
Part of the reason for this distinction is the differing approaches to applications and content, Laycock noted. Apple based the iPad Pro on iOS rather than Mac OS X — shutting out many professional desktop applications — while the Surface runs Windows 10.
"We don't see it as a one-to-one comparison, because this [the Surface] is a full PC, you're running full apps," he said.
Laycock also dredged up late Apple CEO Steve Jobs's famous rant against styluses while reiterating Microsoft's own bona fides.
"At one point in time, Apple declared that if there's a stylus, that's failure," Laycock said. "We're a huge believer in the pen; we know our customers love it."
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86 Comments
Intellectual bankruptcy is what Microsoft does best, so of course they take the Jobs quote out of context.
This seems sort of random. As a aside, love their latest commercials. What rules did they break? How can you re-invent again? When I hear these things I know that very little has changed.
Good point. Why would you want to sell a tablet and a PC to someone when you could only sell them a Surface Pro? /s
More of this "runs full Apps" bull$hit.
I wonder what all those iPads used in enterprise/corporate (where they completely dominate everyone else) are being used for? Playing games at meetings while the laptop beside them is being used for work?
Edited: I forgot to add, if MS keeps making statements like this Apple won't invite you on stage at their next keynote.
“$500.00? And it doesn’t have a keyboard so it can’t be used for business?” - Steve Ballmer ca 2007 commenting about the iPhone.