Microsoft Mocks Apple's Claim That iPad is Computer [Video]

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Posted August 16, 2016 at 3:04pm by Shalom Levytam

Microsoft has released a new ad mocking Apple's recent attempt to suggest the iPad is a full fledged computer.

Just because you call something a computer doesn’t mean it fits the description. Cortana knows that the Surface Pro 4, with its powerful Intel Core processor, detachable keyboard with real keys and a trackpad, pen, touchscreen, full Office and external ports fits the description. Everything else is just late to the party.

Take a look at the video below and let us know what you think in the comments!

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Comments (33)

Comments are closed for this article.

Uwotm8 - August 20, 2016 at 11:36am

Penut? You have to introduce me to this new type of food... A computer is defined as: "an electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form and of performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information or signals." By definition a phone, iPad, even microwave electrical control panel is a computer. I don't quite understand this advert though, the i7 (as referenced) surface pro is a £1000+ device and not comparable with the iPad Pro. It's stomping grounds are better compared to Apples Mac lineup. Just because they look similar does not make then comparable like for like.

rkflyer - August 18, 2016 at 2:09pm

I'm an Apple fan through and through with all Apple products.

rkflyer - August 18, 2016 at 2:12pm

Sorry finger trouble. Apple need to step up their game, great products but starting to lag behind. Give me a surface pro device with Mac OSX on it and we're going somewhere but the speed of innovation is appalling these days

Ken - August 18, 2016 at 2:43am

People have different views on this topic.

Tjp - August 22, 2016 at 5:02pm

First, criticizing spelling is a netiquette no-no. Second, 'moran' is valid urban slang. Third, to the forum at large, computer used to refer to a human that did calculations, often of a lengthy and complex nature. Currently it refers to a device capable of processing input, doing calculations, and providing output. We usually think of these as human input and human readable output. But car computers and many other process control computers take sensor input and control valves, fuel feeds, throttle positions, etc. Still, they are computers. Microsofts ad seems to say because the iPad can't run full Microsoft Office apps it isn't really a computer. Nothing stops Microsoft from putting full featured Office Apps on the device except Microsoft. Similarly I can't run Apple's Final Cut Pro on a Surface. Or any iPad app. Like Studio FiftyThree's excellent 'Paper' app. Just because they address different market spaces and have different processor architectures doesn't mean the Surface is a computer and the iPad isn't. And the iPad does tricks the surface can't, like act as an extension of my Macbook Pro (or Surface or other Mac OS or Windows) desktop through software called Duet. I can't use a Surface to run Mac OS X natively either. I can run Windows on my Macbook however. Least the public forget. Apple sells hardware. That is their money maker. Microsoft licenses software. And has a side business selling limited amounts of hardware in comparison.

Qyu - August 17, 2016 at 6:12am

The problem with the surface is that as a tablet the amount of optimised 'tablet' apps (designed for touch) are rather limited, and as a laptop the full Windows apps don't work as well in the surface form factor as on a regular laptop. So while you get 'both' a tablet and a full desktop class OS, both experiences are somewhat compromised. This might work for some, but not everyone.

N3 - August 17, 2016 at 4:05pm

...i agree !

JuergenWest - August 16, 2016 at 10:42pm

An iPad is an iPad and a laptop is a laptop and a notebook is a notebook. This is like when a Toyota Camry tries to say it's better than a BMW 3 Series because it's cheaper or some silly comparison like that. Pick the one that is best for you, your specific needs and budget and then be happy with it, what ever it is. I love my iPhone. For work I still use a ThinkPad running Windows 7. It's totally fine. My brother uses a MacBook running Windows. People do what they got to do.

Snqek18 - August 16, 2016 at 10:34pm

Ummm gaming? Windows, iOS lol

Captain Obvious - August 16, 2016 at 8:09pm

Yeah, but windows is a trash OS. I'd rather have no USB than be forced to use Windows 10.

Jim Wilkinson - August 16, 2016 at 7:01pm

This is a dumb argument. They are both computers. My phone is a computer. My microwave is a computer. They all serve different functions. My microwave sucks at making phone calls, that doesn't make it any less a computer. The iPad and the Surface are similar computers, they are both tablets. But the iPad sticks to tablet-y things while the Surface is doing tablet-y things AND desktop-class things. I'm an Apple user, and have been for awhile. I'm entrenched in the ecosystem. I've had iPads long before the Surface arrived and have incorporated them into my workflow. I code (web design) primarily on my MacBook and do some infrequent editing as needed on my iPad, as well as a myriad of other tasks. The ecosystem works for me, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't envy the Surface. Desktop-class on a nice tablet...it's excellent. I'm a technologist first and foremost. I'm extremely impressed with the Surface -- Microsoft NAILED it. But they kind of had to, really. They've dominated desktop OS's for 20 years now, but Apple crept up with iPhones and iPads and dominated these new 'mobile' markets (arguments to be made for Android too...naturally). For MS to honestly compete in mobile, their strategy for 'windows anywhere' was spot on -- bring desktop class computing to tablets. That's where they're strongest, it's what they do best. And it's stellar, the Surface rocks. So does the iPad. Both companies are wicked smart and are pursuing strategies that work best for them. To claim that either aren't a 'real' computer or is more real than the other is pointless. There is amazing tech out there, find what suits you best. Rampant fanboy-ism is ridiculous.

Ric Melton - August 16, 2016 at 6:46pm

Who cares what Microsoft states?

Um..... - August 16, 2016 at 6:25pm

I can run Halo on the Surface.....And I can run Candy Crush on the iPad....there argument over

drigomarki - August 16, 2016 at 5:34pm

Well, give them another 10 years and Apple will have what M$ has now. It will have a touch screen, macOS, USB ports and it will be a laptop!

Art - August 16, 2016 at 5:00pm

Don't be a salty Apple fanboy. I was one a fanboy like you.

Hayder Amily - August 16, 2016 at 4:35pm

I'm a big fan of Apple , and really don't like Microsoft . But I can say that iPad or iPad Pro is not computer it's just big mobile... There are no programming Lang No Matlab No external equipments , like multimeter or Oscilscope

Snqek18 - August 16, 2016 at 6:40pm

They need ipadOS not iOS which is same on iphone

Fred - August 16, 2016 at 4:26pm

I have the surface pro and an iPad. For mobile games and ok web browsing the iPad is great but for real world applications and quality games (plus Xbox steaming) the Surface wins.

Kk - August 16, 2016 at 4:11pm

Surface pro-like hardware with mac osx... It would Kill every tablet on the market! But apple wouldnt do that of course.. Because they want to be late in innovation.. As always..

gamerscul9870 - August 16, 2016 at 4:17pm

Or that Aple is always on time with innovation 24/7. The reason Apple wouldn't do this is to expand on variety.

Vic - August 16, 2016 at 4:38pm

Apple waits to perfect things and make sure it works pal. That's why. They don't use incomplete solutions to rush and bring it out.

Kk - August 17, 2016 at 7:25am

This wasn't the case when Steve was still around

N3 - August 17, 2016 at 4:03pm

Are you kidding? Don't care about expansion on variety as long as i need a tablet with MacOS that apple refuse to develop and produce...useless...iPad is a tablet with IOS, we need MacOS on it!!!!!

Tommyyy - August 16, 2016 at 4:04pm

Surface pro 4 hardware broke in just a month due to overheat while iPad2 lasts 3 years including its battery.

Art - August 16, 2016 at 5:04pm

You have a stupid argument. Just because you Surface broke in one month that does not mean every other will do the same. Just because your iPad lasted 3 years that does not mean everyone's iPad will last the same I've seen many iPads fail with the first month of purchase. So don't be so salty because the iPad is not a computer.

SayingWhatEveryonesThinking - August 16, 2016 at 3:32pm

We can all mock Microsoft's claim that Windows is a decent operating system.

N3 - August 16, 2016 at 3:22pm

...i just got a keyboard...oh! They forgot THE PENCIL ?!?!?

N3 - August 16, 2016 at 3:21pm

...i don't like where this is going!

Dredrums - August 16, 2016 at 3:19pm

Just bought an iPad Pro yesterday... I'd never buy or use a Microsoft Tablet!!!

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