Apple makes better tablets than Microsoft. There, I said it. If you want a dedicated tablet, an iPad provides a superior experience to a Surface Pro.
Right now, you can grab an iPad Air (M3 11-inch) for $499. A $100 discount slashes the price of a tablet so good it makes me use a non-Windows device.
iPad Air vs Surface Pro 12-inch
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Right now, Best Buy also has a great deal on the Surface Pro 12-inch. That device packs Microsoft's Surface experience into an attractive tablet that can transform into a laptop-like device with a keyboard. The Surface Pro 12-inch also runs Windows 11, making it a better tool for productivity — at least for specific workflows.
With all that in mind, why would I prefer to get an iPad Air over a Surface Pro 12-inch? It's because I prefer a dedicated tablet over an all-around device.
When I was a university student, I loved carrying around a Surface Pro. The 2-in-1 made me feel like a cool tech guy because people gawked at the detachable keyboard, and it was also a useful tool for getting work done. I lived in a small apartment at the time and could only afford a single device for work and recreation.
Now, years later, I live in a house, have a real desk, and can afford to have separate devices. The iPad Air is an excellent tablet with an interface that feels fluid in-hand. I've always felt the Surface Pro was a good enough tablet, but shone most as a laptop replacement.
Both Apple and third-party developers work hard to optimize apps for the iPad. Some Windows apps feel shoehorned into a tablet experience. Apple's App Store has all the apps I need in a tablet and more, so I don't miss exclusive Windows apps or games. If I want to use those programs, I just grab my laptop.
My workflow also means I don't need to worry that Apple's Magic Keyboard is more expensive than the Surface Pro Keyboard.
I totally understand why some people prefer to have a single device that can do it all. The Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Pro 11 (also on sale right now) come close to that, but I prefer the tablet experience of the iPad.
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