Tablet Dilemma

[pinksnowmanshandle]

Sometime early(ish) next year I plan on getting a new tablet or laptop (or both).

 

I'm between the iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, Surface Pro 4 (or 3), or even the iPad Pro (though I'm not that fond of the iPad Pro). 

 

I prefer the iPad Mini 4 but the other options have more functionality and could better replace a laptop, though the Surface Pro 4 is more like a laptop rather than a tablet (especially because it's running Windows instead of iOS or Android). However, I kind of want more of a tablet experience but with some of the functionalities that laptops have (but not essentially a laptop (which is basically the Surface Pro 4).

 

I would like be able to use Steam In Home Streaming eventually and being able to play WoW around 1080p on good settings would be nice (and I guess the Surface Pro could do that) but that part isn't totally necessary. 

Also I'd want to get into some sort of graphic design (using the tablet like a wacom tablet), though I do like the size of the iPad Mini 4 but I do lose the functionality of the other tablets for doing graphic design. 

 

 

 

@GoodBytes I'm guessing you could give me some reasons I didn't list to go for the Surface Pro over the other tablets.

[dom1310df]

Surface Pro 4 would be my recommendation. It seems to meet most of your requirements

 

Have you ever used a Windows tablet before? I find Windows gives a good tablet experience on large screens.

 

One other reason to go with the Surface is that you can install whatever programs you want; you aren't limited by the App Store

[pinksnowmanshandle]

Surface Pro 4 would be my recommendation. It seems to meet most of your requirements

 

Have you ever used a Windows tablet before? I find Windows gives a good tablet experience on large screens.

 

One other reason to go with the Surface is that you can install whatever programs you want; you aren't limited by the App Store

 

No I've not really used a Windows tablet, I'm most familiar with iOS and Android on a tablet , though that is one thing I like about the Surface is that because it runs Windows it's well supported, whereas I can only have stuff on Google Play and Apple's  App Store.

[Coaxialgamer]

Sometime early(ish) next year I plan on getting a new tablet or laptop (or both).

I'm between the iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, Surface Pro 4 (or 3), or even the iPad Pro (though I'm not that fond of the iPad Pro).

I prefer the iPad Mini 4 but the other options have more functionality and could better replace a laptop, though the Surface Pro 4 is more like a laptop rather than a tablet (especially because it's running Windows instead of iOS or Android). However, I kind of want more of a tablet experience but with some of the functionalities that laptops have (but not essentially a laptop (which is basically the Surface Pro 4).

I would like be able to use Steam In Home Streaming eventually and being able to play WoW around 1080p on good settings would be nice (and I guess the Surface Pro could do that) but that part isn't totally necessary.

Also I'd want to get into some sort of graphic design (using the tablet like a wacom tablet), though I do like the size of the iPad Mini 4 but I do lose the functionality of the other tablets for doing graphic design.

@GoodBytes I'm guessing you could give me some reasons I didn't list to go for the Surface Pro over the other tablets.

I would get the surface pro 4. That way you'll have the ability to use in home streaming and you'll be able to use windows apps for design etc.

The best ios option would be the ipad pro. But ios doesn't have a lot of apps that can take advantage of all that power.

[GoodBytes]

They are drastically different devices the iPad and Windows powered tablets, and there is a cost to that. I mean while the Surface Pro 4 is thin and light... it still heavier than an iPad. I don't think you can hold it for extended amount of time in your hands on bed, without laying it somewhere. It is the cost of high performance. No matter how fast the iPad gets, assuming linear movement in technology (and not Intel and AMD decided to go tomorrow: "No more CPU for the next 10 years" type of situation), it will not catch up to ultrabook/laptop CPU, which is performance you always want. We always want things faster and provide more abilities.

Another question you should ask yourself is do you need the pen? That is a critical question to consider, because if you don't, then maybe an ultrabook would be better choice, and you can get better for your money by going to that instead of the Surface Pro 4, despite not being a tablet.

The pen on any mentioned device you listed don't use Wacom. I can't comment on the Apple pen technology, but on the Surface line it uses N-Trig.

N-Trig is getting a popular choice on the Windows tablet with pen space. Wacom is now difficult to find, despite being better for artists.

N-Trig focus is not on fast tracking, and smooth end strokes and all that, but rather high precision/. Which is great for note taking, and navigating Windows edge to edge (a big issue that Surface Pro 1 and 2 users experienced, as it used Wacom.. the pen had horrible tracking on the edges making difficult to close a program, or even use tool bars on the side of the screen. But works wonder at the center. Of course it doesn't help that it is known that Wacom keeps its best technology for itself). It also doesn't mean you can't draw with N-Trig pen either. Many uses the Surface Pro to do their sketch work or drawing on the go, as it is inexpensive device compared to Wacom Companion series, and allows pen on screen at low cost compared to the super expensive Wacom Contiq.

How does it compare to the Apple pencil with the iPad Pro? I can't say. Due to the difficulty of people to get the pen right now, it makes it hard to review sites that actually focuses on tablet + pen devices to actually provide information on it.

As for Home streaming, don't think you'll get to play your games like tablet games. You'll definitely need a keyboard and mouse, as 99.90% of PC games aren't design for touch. Some might work with maybe the pen, like Invisible, you have Civ5 for example that has touch support, you have some simple board game style games, like Ticket to Ride that works with touch, but that is about it. You won't have on screen controls like you have on tablet games. Just something to keep in mind, if you didn't know this.

The Surface Pro 4 will definitely give you the power you seek, in terms of playing games such as WoW (although I don't know the performance you'll get), sing professional drawing apps, and well it runs Windows. But it will be heavy, and wont' give you the best touch experience. It is workable, I mean Windows has full touch support since ages making touch work everywhere even on non-supported programs (emulate mouse click, and right-click for press-and-hold action), but its not iOS or Android experience.

Apple Pro currently doesn't have a collection of apps that allows to take full advantage of the pen. Windows does as you have professional software already on Windows. However, Windows doesn't run Android or iOS apps. So if you have a set of "must have" apps, you might not find them on Windows, especially not a true touch friendly version, due to lack of Universal Apps. Maybe in time that will come, but we are talking about 2-3+ years, because you need to consider that Windows powered tablets needs to be more popular, and actually have lot of reports showing the high market share, and then you need time for developers to make a Windows Universal App (which in turn means that Windows Phone will have more apps, and I think this is the whole idea from Microsoft).

[pinksnowmanshandle]

As for Home streaming, don't think you'll get to play your games like tablet games. You'll definitely need a keyboard and mouse, as 99.90% of PC games aren't design for touch. Some might work with maybe the pen, like Invisible, you have Civ5 for example that has touch support, you have some simple board game style games, like Ticket to Ride that works with touch, but that is about it. You won't have on screen controls like you have on tablet games. Just something to keep in mind, if you didn't know this.

The Surface Pro 4 will definitely give you the power you seek, in terms of playing games such as WoW (although I don't know the performance you'll get), sing professional drawing apps, and well it runs Windows. But it will be heavy, and wont' give you the best touch experience. It is workable, I mean Windows has full touch support since ages making touch work everywhere even on non-supported programs (emulate mouse click, and right-0click for press-and-hold action), but its not iOS or Android experience.

 

First, I'd like to thank you...

 

Secondly, I know that tablet support for most games isn't very good I would either connect the tablet to the TV and use a controller or put the tablet on a flat surface and use a mouse (with the keyboard cover) 

 

I do like the experience that iOS and Android have but I guess I'd be willing to try something new. 

Basically if the i5 6300U is better than the A8 6410 then all should be good. 

 

I would go for an iPad or a good Android tablet if Steam had in home streaming on one of the platforms, though I guess that'd require Apple to support mouse input in iOS...

Steam In Home Streaming I guess would be more likely in Android (because I'm fairly sure it still supports mouse input).