Microsoft Says iPad Pro Will Always be a Companion Device

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Posted January 12, 2016 at 4:05pm by iClarified

Microsoft dismissed Apple's new iPad Pro in a recent interview, declaring that it will always be a companion device.

Dan Laycock, Senior Communications Manager for Microsoft Surface, told TrustedReviews that while customers can get by with just a Surface, the same isn't true for Apple's iPad Pro.

“Microsoft really wants you to only carry one device for tablet and PC use,” explains Laycock. “Whereas the iPad Pro is always going to be a companion device. The strategies are very different.”

“At one point in time, Apple declared that if there’s a stylus, that’s failure,” Laycock continues. “We’re a huge believer in the pen; we know our customers love it. So to see Apple do something that feels a little bit similar, that is clearly skewed for a bigger screen, and more productivity built in, and the ability to use a pen.”

“We don’t see it as a one-to-one comparison, because this is a full PC, you’re running full apps,” Laycock notes.

Do you want to see Apple unify iOS and OS X? Would you want to be able to run desktop apps on your iPad Pro? Or, does the iPad Pro already replace your MacBook? Let us know in the comments!

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Microsoft Says iPad Pro Will Always be a Companion Device

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Blake - January 12, 2016 at 11:36pm

I think the argument here is creativity vs productivity (iPad Pro vs Surface Pro). Apple has created an ecosystem that is dominated by design whereas PCs still dominate the business market. These two devices really shouldn't compete with each other. I agree that the iPad is a companion device. It won't replace your laptop but will do a pretty damn good job though. If the pen and keyboard for the iPad were included in the price of the unit, it would be a very reasonable buy. The Surface is a great device for business professionals. It does what they need it to do without delay.

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Clive - January 12, 2016 at 10:17pm

I'm a total Apple fan, but I have to agree with Microsoft on this one. I've trialed the iPad pro and it just doesn't work as an all in one device for me. I'm keeping my MacBook and iPad Air. I have to add that the Microsoft office iOS apps also perform and integrate so much better than the Apple equivalents.

gamerscul9870 - January 12, 2016 at 10:29pm

I don't mind having tablet and Mac seperate which is okay for me leaving me having the right oops for the right job, but I have to disagree about what you said about MS apps. I always used apples apps and I did try all from both companies.

Clive - January 12, 2016 at 10:35pm

It's horses for courses and there will always be some features that appeal to some more than others, but what amazes me is that the iOS apps that MS produce are so much better than the Microsoft ones!

Benso - January 12, 2016 at 8:30pm

I don't like both surface pro and iPad pro. They both are missing a point of their usability

prostovanka - January 12, 2016 at 7:26pm

lol! That reminds me of what Microsoft said about Apple's other Products and Steve Balmer and those alike were fools.

DMGrays - January 12, 2016 at 5:41pm

And that MicroS executive said exactly what he was suppose say about Surface vs Pro. He is not expected to say glowing and pos things of Apple products.

DMGrays - January 12, 2016 at 5:37pm

IOS everything at home, but my employer is MicroS, comp & surfaces.....I constantly toggle back and forth between the two, both are great, in my personal and professional experiences each sys has pros/cons. I relish browsing my iPad or phone and picking up my MacBook when I get home to finish the experience while watching my Samsung 75in UHD...hahaha, no Apple TV set, guys stop bickering n fighting.....roll with your choices....the Surface and iPad Pro both make watching movies great on the plane....I have both, personal choice and work given, therefore I could roll out an excel spreadsheet or publish a survey of what's to like/not like but it would be one persons opinion, yelp you guessed it, mine. I can't wait for both the next ipPro & Surface renderings.

gamerscul9870 - January 12, 2016 at 5:40pm

I agree but I'll admit I own an Apple TV with a Vizio without smart. Love it.

paulMOGG - January 12, 2016 at 5:29pm

I believe everyone has their own hopes dreams and desires so the iPad pro is another tool in the collection for us to use for whatever purpose ... Thank you Apple

gamerscul9870 - January 12, 2016 at 4:21pm

If I wanted a computer, I would buy one that's built like one. If I wanted a tablet, I would only buy one that has a keyboard on the screen, but also a tablet big enough to kick back with and enjoy using it at my fingertips and different kind of work different devices do. Combining laptop and tablet not only redeems most of what you find on their useless like using a mouse when you have a touchscreen or vice versa, but it's like trying to turn a tv into a tablet and have to go back and forth to reach something on the other side of the screen.

iosuser - January 12, 2016 at 4:17pm

bigger screen apple pencil = your ipad pro is just for drawing...if you don't draw and you look for a bigger ipad to replace your previous ipad air or mini, go for it...but for me ipad pro will still remains a compagnion device that you have to carry out with your macbook or pc laptop...i mean apple this ipad pro is a joke, go further and bring OSX on it!!!!!

gamerscul9870 - January 12, 2016 at 4:24pm

You can't be serious. iPad Pro can't stop there once you have bought it. Apple Watch can run OS X. It's ridiculous I know, why not jailbreak your iPad Pro to do it, hence the fact that duet display can make OS X be mirrored onto your iPad. Plus, iPad Pro's pen is not just for drawing. Think what this can do for business or lifestyle!

iosuser - January 12, 2016 at 4:48pm

i'm totally in accordance with you concerning the potential of the ipad devices (not only the ipad pro) but just that to mirror your osx on it with Duet (that i use with my macbook pro and ipad2) you will still need to carry out both your macbook/pc laptop and your ipad pro...cumbersome i humble think! all the pro potential of the ipad pro can be reached with an ipad air2 and why not with the next generation ipad air?!?!!!? that's why i said this is just for bigger screen and the pencil...and behold, with the coming of the force touch or pressure sensitive display on ipad air with just your finger i think the pencil it is more for design and draw

gamerscul9870 - January 12, 2016 at 4:54pm

When it comes to work, I only take my Mac with me and when I play, that's when I grab my iPad even if I use two of these the same day like that. To answer your question though, big space means more stuff to run and gave more to space to use for 2+ apps at the same time which is why big screen and pen make the most of it because 4gb ram can help. You can use the pen to do desktop like stuff like what Apple did in their keynote with photoshop while editing in another app. It's a long explanation I could go on about but you have to watch it to understand the potential it does have. Big screen and pencil isn't the only change though.

gamerscul9870 - January 12, 2016 at 4:13pm

Because they want to be so self centered about everything they claim and defend them.