Tablet Comparison

Tablets are ever more popular and useful devices in the workplace and home. Today, I wanted to share insights into three prominent tablets—iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, and Microsoft Surface Pro 7—each offering distinct features tailored to different preferences and usage scenarios. While these are the professional versions of these tablets, the overview will be helpful in making decisions about tablets with the same operating systems.

1. Operating Systems:

- iPad Pro (Apple iOS): Seamlessly integrates into the Apple ecosystem with iPadOS, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience, especially if you're already using other Apple devices.

- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (Android): Harnesses the flexibility of the Android operating system, offering a customizable interface and a vast app ecosystem, making it adaptable to various preferences.

- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Windows): Runs on Windows, delivering a full computer experience with the ability to run a wide range of applications. It is in fact a computer that has a removable keyboard and can be used in tablet mode. Whereas the Android and Apple tablets are tablets that can be used like a computer in many instances.

2. Style of Usage:

- iPad Pro: Known for its sleek design, the iPad Pro is a go-to choice for creative professionals, offering compatibility with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard for versatility. It has been further enhanced with the iOS17 upgrades that allow more easily for external storage as well as cloud backup.

- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Strikes a balance between productivity and entertainment with a high-resolution display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for multimedia and business tasks. Like Android based phones, it has thousands of apps and many consider more customisable than an Apple device.

- Microsoft Surface Pro 7: It’s both a tablet and laptop, providing a 2-in-1 experience, making it ideal for those who need the convenience of both styles of usage. The real difference compared to the tablets mentioned is that it is a computer, with a detachable keyboard, and can be switched into a tablet mode. In tablet mode it still has full computer functionality but has an onscreen keyboard just like the other tablets.

3. Displays, Pen or No Pen:

- iPad Pro: Boasts a stunning Retina display, supporting the Apple Pencil for precision and creativity.

- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Features a high-resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it comes bundled with the S Pen for note-taking and creative tasks.

- Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Equipped with a high-quality display, and the Surface Pen adds an extra layer of productivity for note-taking and design work.

All the pens work extremely well. The most reported difference is personal preference for how the pen interacts with the touchscreen.

4. Battery Life:

- iPad Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Offer impressive battery life to keep you going throughout your workday.

- Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Provides reliable battery performance, ensuring you stay productive on the go.

Again, they are all good. The specifications might quote one as being longer lasting than the other. The reality is they all have good battery life, and your particular usage will determine how long the battery lasts.

5. Compatibility with Other Systems, Including Phone Choice:

- iPad Pro: Seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices, creating a cohesive ecosystem. Ideal for iPhone users.

- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Offers flexibility with a wide range of Android devices, ensuring compatibility with various smartphones.

- Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Syncs well with Windows-based systems and is compatible with a range of Windows smartphones. All the functionality of being a Windows computer with the ease of tablet style use when required.

Don’t be fooled into thinking you need a particular tablet to work with a particular system. All the systems have a degree of compatibility with each other. For instance, an iPhone can act as a hotspot for the other systems, and an Android for an iPad.

A Surface Pro will easily allow use of multiple screens and you can even use your iPad as an extra screen with a Windows computer. The iPad will very simply act as an extra screen and share documents across other Apple devices.

As you can tell, there is a lot to compare. But the reality is that it will come down to what you want the tablet to do and how you will use it.

Where to find more information

Loyal I.T. Solutions provides advice and implementation of the right hardware and software for your business. We are here to help. Please contact Loyal I.T. Solutions at 02 4337 0700 or reception@loyalit.com.au.