Is this a computer?

[@TheVerge]

Surface Pro vs iPad Pro vs MacBook Pro vs Pixelbook: which computer would you choose to be your only computer for the next couple of years? - Dieter

[@dill5597]

The Verge mac

[@ranjanajaiswal5982]

The Macbook pro

[@msinfo32]

windows! surface pro..

[@TheVerge]

Dill - We'll get right on that lol -- Dieter

[@thesurfacepallete]

it would be blasphemy to say other computers while typing this on a surface pro

[@boxertest]

I wonder how pissed the Apple Macbook Pro engineers were with the iPad commercial lol

[@symphonyreturnstswizzlevev8309]

HAHA....THIS COMMENT MADE MY DAY 😂 😂 😂

[@oxiotle]

boxertest - They already knew the Macbook sucked because no one is dumb enough to buy one.

[@Ccg9024]

Why would they be "pissed"? Silly kids

[@mangshu21]

apple's own macbook in my opinion is far far more useful than the ipad.

[@bradavon]

@@mangshu21 they have very different uses though. The iPad Pro is not a laptop though.

[@DS-Pakaemon]

Microsoft: We'll make a Tablet that'll run like a full fledged computer. Apple: We'll change the definition of computer itself so we could sell our phones as computers. Google: I dunno what I am going

[@tejacavalera]

Google: well, chrome OS can run on both machine via Google Chrome 😊

[@RadBunny2269]

😂😂😂

[@i_love_games110]

A mobile device is a computer

[@HelenFire420]

BroLifeGaming : so my leather wallet is a computer?

[@peterhendrik4589]

bahahahahaha

[@edouardheck9788]

That was a great video saying the exact truth. Keep going Dieter !

[@lonethseneviratne5758]

Chandigarider Prithvi don't give yourself a shout-out

[@LanDiEvil]

"Whats a computer?" *Smashes a 486 Packard Bell over her head.

[@spectralv709]

Lan G oh man those were the days

[@SeniorGumBoy]

I have a Surface Book 2 and love it.

[@keingdougie24]

SeniorGumBoy I want one so bad. My SP4 is still doing too well to justify it

[@SeniorGumBoy]

CDLLBOSS Lee 13"

[@dustbinsavesyou8283]

Everyone knows you love it. How can you not?

[@buccob]

I love my 1st gen one... definitely the laptop of the future (since 2015)....

[@houssamalucad753]

The surface books are the most perfect devices at a price tag to match, but then again it's both a rather powerful laptop and a good tablet so it might be justifiable!

[@lady_redcom]

*Apple;* What is a computer? *Me;* a computer? *Inner me;* i don’t know

[@TheVerge]

Same -- Dieter

[@shawnflynn5680]

then comes the Tailosive vid😂

[@rahul_ji21]

😂😂actually computers r dead

[@gl792]

It's a programmable machine that follows a set of instructions. I.e. its basically a device which allows us to perform any tasks we want it to do such as browsing or watching KZbin.

[@Mark-xw5yt]

Rahul ji how could a computer be dead when it is inside almost every peice of tech

[@thegametesterman]

Surface Pro. Why? It's a computer.

[@MrZekToR]

@Mark Herbert The iPad is a toy in comparison. 😀

[@techflare321]

yes, Surface Pro is a computer............

[@WycliffStudios]

@@MrZekToR Maybe you wanna try that now

[@brandonminiman]

nice job, dieter. difficult topic...but you addressed it well.

[@The.Renovator]

I never got why people want laptops to have touchscreens so badly now. A laptop with a touchscreen is more just a pointless luxury than a necessity, it does not make a laptop any worse for not having it. People that I see with touchscreen laptops rarely even use the touchscreen because there's no reason too, that's literally what the track-pad is for. It's a virtual touchscreen and it's also far more precise.

[@mykyta_myronenko]

I kind of agree. I use Surface but most of the time I use the track pad. I only use the touchscreen when painting. So this system works perfectly for me since I'm in the niche of the "creative" user base but idk why would an average consumer need Surface when MacBook or iPad would be more useful depending on a task. For me though Surface is as close to perfect as possible because I need 3D-modelling and 2D-drawing software with precise pen input. If MacBook had pen touch input I'd switch but they would likely not do that as it's against Apple's principles. iPad+MacBook would work too but it would be more expensive than Surface so I'm in that small niche.

[@pseudonymousbeing987]

Laptops don't need touchscreens. But laptops will become irrelevant (or at least should) to make way for 2 in 1s. 2 in 1s are already fully able to compete with full on laptops and provide superior usability. What i mean is that laptops will become tablets at the same time. And why do you need a touchscreen on a tablet, well because its a tablet.

[@peterhindes56]

IDK about you but the touch screen is far more precise for scrolling than the track pad on my laptop

[@RenM908]

I thought the same, and tried my wife’s Lenovo thinkpad for a week and all I do now is scroll with my finger. After going back to my MacBook, I found myself constantly touching the screen and nothing happening. I will say if you do graphic design work, I did really like the surface book 2 for the short amount of time I had it.

[@RihelB]

I see small kids, trying to touch non-touchscreens all the time. I see them trying to do some basic gestures that we are used to our smartphones, and yet we are also used to the 'old' mouse gestures. Maybe I should rather say touch is much more intuitive to the future generations, than us. Eg - Many people nowadays enjoy typing on their touch screens with plethora of gestures and flexibility, rather than using the actual physical Keyboard.

[@jonjonjonnyjon]

If it runs Crysis then it’s a computer.

[@AmmarAbotouk]

Yep !

[@cleverjay592]

lol true

[@meloD30]

LOL. sounds like you came here from the LTT forums

[@ark_knight]

Amen haha

[@p5rsona]

Couldn't have said it better.

[@ErasmoValladares]

I still believe a computer needs to run legacy apps to do real world work tasks. so I would go with the surface pro. I consider real world work task like heavy spreadsheets analysis and word documents.

[@SxC97]

Erasmo Valladares lol, spreadsheets and word documents? That’s it? You can do those through chromes web apps not to mention on any tablet that supports Apple or Microsoft’s work suites. If you have to deal with proprietary software for work then I totally understand but for what you said is “real world work” for you, any one of these computers would do fine.

[@pjdantino]

For many companies it's necessary to use full Microsoft Office Excel due to security issues (as oppose to Google sheets for example)

[@localcrackhead2904]

I hate that he considered the Chromebook to be able to run legacy apps. There are almost no legacy apps on browsers, aside from Google docs and other office type stuff. There's no Photoshop, no video editor, nothing other than word editors.

[@localcrackhead2904]

I'm Jack's Nipples legacy apps are apps that you download via the web and stuff, not from closed environments like the app store.

[@ChristianityExplained]

I have an old Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet purchased in 2015. When I got it, the tablet came with a slimmed-down version of Office Suite. I can easily pull up a book women's group on that tablet and do some work. However, is not a full replacement for my laptop simply because of the higher processing power. If I would doing video editing for KZbin channel then I would not touch a tablet. The power needed to do the work would crush it. This may change, as tablets are now becoming more powerful and have 4 gigs of RAM as opposed to 1.5 GB.

[@eduardomatias3011]

I would choose The Surface Pro.

[@MrMoose-mf1oy]

Eduardo Matias I hated my surface pro 4. It gave me nothing but problems

[@lutor6761]

Mr. Moose like what?

[@pkwok6]

Does the surface turn on slower than the ipad ?

[@amoghsolo]

Mr. Moose yeah sure. I have the surface pro 3 and it has been the most reliable laptop that I have ever used. And it still runs like new .

[@amoghsolo]

philip K it boots up faster but sleep/wake is not as fast. But it's mostly because of the Intel chip. Windows on arm wakes up a lot faster

[@ej_tech]

I currently use a laptop that does my file management, video editing, photo editing, transcoding video, 3D modeling, etc. If my laptop is going to be replaced by something, it's going to be a desktop. On the other hand, I have a smartphone. It is primarily for communication, PDA,, social media, and camera. (I have a DSLR but good luck carrying that everyday). I call both of these computers. By definition a computer is any electronic device that computes or processes information. With that even a calculator is a computer. The earliest electronic computers from the 30s are giant calculators (sort off). A "traditional" laptop or desktop computer, a tablet, and a smartphone are designed to do the task they are specialized to do. Traditional computer is for work, smartphone is for communication, and tablet is for media consumption. But we now live in a time where one device can do other tasks. The lines are beginning to blur. Windows 10 is now ARM compatible and can emulate x86 and some smartphones can be docked and be used like a desktop (Samsung Dex, Windows Continuum). You can argue that these features are not yet ready for prime time and are still under development, and yes you are right. But so far tablets have really blurred the line successfully. Remember the HP TC1100? Off course not. But you know the Microsoft Surface Pro. iPad for work? Just a giant iPod Touch before, but now a lot of productivity apps are available for it.

[@Evan2]

Love the TC1100. Used that one for a few years, still happen to have it. I still use it from time to time because nobody can deny how cool a Windows XP tablet is.

[@computronium8]

Over 10 years ago, I thought that future Tablet PCs were going to do every task that a PC does, such as run professional softwares, play ultimate games, etc. Practically they were going to replace laptops, but since Apple launched the iPad in 2010, they completely ruined that concept, making just a giant iPod Touch. In 2018, I still thinking that way and as you said, an iPad is also a computer as well as cellphones, but they won’t never going to replace desktops, neither laptops

[@cipherxen2]

Calculation and computation are different things. Computation consists of calculations and decisions (like if else conditions). So all computers are calculators but not other way around.

[@WaltMossberg]

Great video! Strong first episode!

[@ehza]

legend Walt

[@killerfast2485]

mfw when i randomly see thee *Legend*

[@TheDanielLivingston]

ILY WALT

[@YG-rt5yk]

If apple merged mac os with ios and put it on the ipad pro that would make the best computer

[@RomrotMechanikos]

Nope, because with Windows you can have virtual machines, I can run all these operating systems on a windows surface pro, including their apps, it's the clear and obvious winner.

[@noralasiah5623]

*Yes! Yes! Yes! YeEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!*

[@gryphon123456]

For the sake of getting EVERYTHING done include work, home and the stuff in between I would feel like I’d “have to” pick the windows tablet or the MacBook. It’s hard to get away from a point and click system. My WISH is that I could just do everything comfortably on an iPad. It just feels better on the whole to use from a speed and simplicity POV.

[@TheVerge]

So yeah! The whole idea I had was pretty much that I feel the same way about ALL FOUR of these devices. None of them get everything right yet. -- Dieter

[@gryphon123456]

The Verge well if we peek back, historically speaking there’s one of these companies that has a track record for amalgamating these kinds of needs into a single well thought out deliverable. I hope Apple has been thinking in this direction for a while. It will be interesting to see how the confluence of mac and iPad come together. Could be exciting.

[@S1893-0]

Indeed Having iPad Apps on the Mac could make the Macbook the clear winner of this discussion. While you could argue the iPad (or Tablets In general) have more intuitive User Input, physical Trackpads and Keyboards are clearly ahead on anything above web browsing. Having great iPad Apps on the Mac would be awesome. But to continue on this Path Apple should introduce something similar to the Surface Pro. Having the iPad Pro with one day the same Chip then a macbook, the possibility to switch between IOS and Mac OS by docking the iPad to a keyboard and touchpad, would be awesome. When you're relaxing you can just take the iPad with the familiar IOS interface. When you work you can use it just like the Surface with an Keyboard and Touchpad with an Complete operating system on it for Productivity (Mac OS). Think apple is right to not make Mac OS an touch friendly operating Systems. The Pointer System works to good in my opinion to change it. Microsoft took. a nice approach but I think having those two operating systems being perfect for its only purpose is the way to go. Also Apple could have some Huge advantages in future. Imagine having A18 Fusion Pro :P Chips on an Apple TV, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro at the sam time. Possibilities are Endless. You could introduce AAA Game titles for an Apple TV like Console and at the same time have it on the iPad and Mac Plattform. Microsofts attempt of their "Universal" operating system fails at their Hardware capabilities. Independence form Intel and AMD/Nvidia is the best way for apple to go. At the same time I don't believe google has a chance to win this "battle". Windows and Mac OS are far Ahead of Chrome OS in terms of first party Software and more importantly third party Software. At the moment microsoft is the king. But with iPad apps on the Mac this may change. Google has some nice products but hasn't all the products yet to compete to an Apple eco system. Microsoft has the Issue not to have an Mobile OS. To be honest I think apple has the best cards in this race. Google and Microsoft make a good combination but down have the same possibilities in the future.

[@SouvikDas123]

The Safest Universal option is the Surface Book, but in terms of Media Consumption and Design- iPad Pro is the King.

[@buccob]

My Surface Book is amazing for media consumption... sometimes I rather watch movies on its display close to me than on a big TV. Sound is great (though not as high as a MacBook Pro) and it is also great for gaming (obviously not the most current titles)... Media is nicely covered here... And I work doing mechanical and industrial designs with 3D software, and it definitely trumps any iPad for it... I don't do graphic design, but the Pen is very good as well... it is the best all around IMO

[@thesurfacepallete]

I just bought a Surface Pro last year and promised myself not to upgrade until 2020. Let's see if it holds up...

[@techblogger8323]

Aaron Domanais that’s 2 years try 2022

[@7on]

My Surface Pro 4 is about four years old now. I'm getting by, but I think what I'm going to do is build a relatively cheap/upgradable PC soon. Then continue using my SP4 for portability - but remote into the desktop PC to do anything that needs more power. I currently have a 2009 Mac Mini for that (sometimes I need to run multi-day scripts) but now that my SP4 is starting to slow down, I figure it I update my server I can split tasks between the two machines. And maybe, I don't know, by 2020 I'll replace the Surface for a mobile operating system and remote into the server fulltime. But we'll see. My biggest gripe with mobile platforms is the lack of compilers and IDEs.

[@Thermophobe]

good luck

[@nintenjoeee]

I think Microsoft has some upgrade programme anyway

[@NiravJoshi]

It will not

[@ChanonPongpanich]

Love this kind of philosophical approach to technology. Keep up the good work, Dieter.

[@OscarLeeMX]

The Verge really needs to upload in 4K.

[@NiravJoshi]

Oscar Lee they probably don’t have a computer

[@NiravJoshi]

GoodKingMort in this case, it is the one that can enable 4K video editing and uploading

[@dalmeow]

I don't think I'd notice much difference streaming in 240p...

[@S2Tubes]

Camera expenses. File sizes go up. Render times go up. Upload times go up. All for a tiny fraction of people that would use it, let alone notice. There will be a time when 4k is the default, but now is not that time.

[@Neojhun]

Verg use too at amazing quality. But stopped because face it, their audience probably didn't use it much.

[@frontlinebreakthrough5723]

I’m a third year medical student and someone who really enjoys blogging and drawing. So my main desires from a laptop are, editing notes and a screen that is easy to look at, a good typing experience, and the capacity to draw without feeling like I’m drawing on a screen. The iPad Pro 10.5 meets all of these requirements perfectly (With the Apple keyboard and the Apple Pencil). There are little trade offs for me, because of how specific my needs are. And even with the light video editing I’m playing around with now, this is more than perfect. And the fact that its so portable means I have access to this almost anywhere. Its been great for me thus far.

[@MisbahAlKhadem]

The surface Pro hits all the sweet spots for me. I have been using the Pro series since the pro 2, and only upgraded when the pro 4 came out. The ability to switch from a "tablet" to a laptop seamlessly, and i do mean SEAMLESSLY helps alot in my classes. OneNote is a huge reason the surface is successful, there is never a need to look for my notes, they're all on the cloud, ready to be access, edited, and shared at a moment's notice. All other offerings lack what the surface provides, and desktop, AND a laptop experience, i feel its the closest to it. Though if say apple comes out with an ipad pro, running mac OS with iOS app support. That would definitely seal the deal for many. Developing numerous good apps is much harder than developing a single piece of hardware.

[@MisbahAlKhadem]

One more thing, one of my professors went paperless this semester "except for exams, those are naturally done on paper" He does everything on his ipad pro, he connects it to the class projector, and draws on the ipad to signify important points. He even grades all the homeworks in the same manner, everything is done digitally.

[@NelsLindahl]

This was a seriously enjoyable video to watch. Thank you for putting this series together.

[@mi2-c035]

Remember when The Verge used to argue that the Surface can't replace your laptop because it's awkward to type when it is on your lap? No longer an issue since Apple is marketing iPad as a computer. lol

[@nintenjoeee]

Gage BlackW23 The first few surfaces weren't the best for typing on your lap but now they've been refined.

[@mi2-c035]

+Joel Abraham they complained about it with the Surface Pro 4 which has the same design of the newest Surface.

[@TheGreatDigitalism]

Great video as always. Written pieces are great, but The Verge are also excellent in videos. Keep up the amazing work!

[@venkateswarlur8490]

TheGreatDigitalism

[@jayface]

Great work Dieter. Looking forward to the next one. I’m hoping for big things from the next iPad. May finally be ditching my “computer” if it ticks all my boxes.

[@TheVerge]

[@Michael-eg3hc]

jarrod679 I have an iPad Pro and it can do almost anything my pc can do

[@seabedrock]

I'm an artist and i use the ipad pro everyday for professional work. Apps like Affinity Photo and Lumafusion are as powerful as their desktop equivalent or alternatives and they're full fledged editing and content creation apps that can run on a tablet. I was blown away by the processing power of the iPad. I can edit 4k-5k videos on the go without lag at all. This is just my statement. I bought the ipad pro because of what i can do with it and the convenience and portability it offers. It's up to your needs really, when choosing a "computer" :) hope you guys have a great day. Let's learn to understand each other's opinions. By the way, i love your videos :)

[@allluckyseven]

I think you could have shown how would you do the tasks you want to do on each of those computers.

[@thisisaarush007]

Dieter Bohn Please Make More And More Videos, We Love Your Way of Communication (Kind of) with us! Please! and Never leave The Verge! We Love U!

[@parker_aug2]

Computer I'd choose (in order): #1. Surface Pro - I have one already. It has Windows, but it's tablet app selection sucks. #2. iPad Pro - Amazing App Store but NOT a computer replacement. #3. PixelBook - Can't justify price for Chrome OS but Android support helps. #4. MacBook Pro - If this was cheaper, it could be number one.

[@alexm7047]

If I can’t access and manipulate an OS’s file system, I don’t consider it a proper full computer. Just my opinion based on my needs and preferences.

[@Griggsbygriffindore]

Sean S. Lally but none of these are actual computers

[@jenskessler8672]

Great video. I am pumped for the next episodes.

[@kD-rs1cu]

Great video! Refreshing to see someone talk about computers this way... Not just spec sheets and stuff. Kudos! Tough topic and you made it clear and also, ENTERTAINING! MORE OF THESE VIDEOS PLEASE!

[@Endru_cz]

Love it! Continue with this

[@nathanwong8336]

Love this new series! Great detail in the video and love the transtions in the video. Tied it all togeather really well!

[@dill5597]

The perfect computer would have a touch screen, run iOS (or android) apps, has a Windows like interface, and is fast and portable like a tablet. But, that’s never going to happen...

[@ricardoi.3275]

Dill 2 words: chinese hybrids. I'm just waiting for the combo Windows 10 + Android Oreo :)

[@samgerers]

I don't think at all. I just prefer Mac Os over iOS, it's just much easier organisable and I need a hard keyboard not these case keyboards. And it should also be strong enough to either game and/or edit videos and do photoshop. Being able to use a mouse is a must.

[@asicdathens]

There are Android emulators for windows (ex. Bluestacks) . You can run any Android app. The computer you need is SP4. Unlike iOS , W10 is an all purpose operating system that runs everything under the sun. You can even run native linux apps on windows.

[@Pulkit__7]

Plus a battery life like 10 hours of coding and can develop apps for both ios and android :)

[@meloD30]

Windows-like? You just mean have a windowing system right? If so, I'm on-board but... Optional graphics card. Detachable I'd say dual-boot the OSes for work/play modes. (i.e. I'd run MacOS with Android) Proper balance in laptop mode I mean, the Surface technically gets close right? And yet...

[@niekumati]

You did great job with this new series. I really like how straightforward Dieter is. Waiting patiently for tej next episode.

[@bullreeves1109]

Meanwhile I’m using my 2012 Lenovo Laptop That is about 2 Inches Thick... Still works better then my Iphones and IPad! Know why? Becase they are not making another 3 Versions Each year that Cost More and More all while making the older ones run slower to try to get you to buy the next 999,99 Phone/IPad!

[@michwashington]

Bull Reeves I still have a Lenovo thinkpad from February 2010

[@Sagarmohan92]

Very good video.. Loved the way you discussed both the pros and cons and its effects on future computing.. Always a fan of verge videos... Keep up the good work..

[@zetadroid]

The only one? Probably the macbook, I need to be able to install whatever I want on it. Also a terminal to (occasionally) work with it is a plus.

[@elijahketchum]

Great video! Definitely my favorite of the Verge video series so far 👍🏻

[@zyzzuschrist3410]

surface book best of all worlds

[@canyondust8758]

best of all prices too (as in its more expensive than anything in the video)

[@RoryBarrett]

This was a great watch. I've been wondering this for the longest time because more and more I see so many possible options.

[@AakashKalaria]

1. Surface Pro. 2. Macbook Pro. 3. Ipad? Pfft, why not. 4. Sell Pixel book and buy good phone/cheap laptop.

[@ACE112ACE112]

Sell all for a gaming laptop

[@go2yanks]

ACE112ACE112 Why?

[@LzysGraphics]

Or buy a Samsung Chromebook Plus or Acer Flip. Much cheaper and will be awesome.

[@AakashKalaria]

@LzysGraphics, I feel you can be more productive on Samsung Note Series than Chromebook.

[@sherrattsp]

Love the way he just says the surface runs full windows, no explanation required

[@Puddingfuzz]

Options, just give us options

[@karma183jh]

That was such a perfectly planned and executed video.

[@paul3003mathew]

Future computer: L A D I D A D A D I D A...{in a machine voice }

[@flawedhypothesis]

Thank you for these nerdy little considerations, and for making The Verge more than just a site that peddles tech products.

[@umayangaalahakoon]

Hey I'm an IT student. So I have to learn programming and other stuff. So Apple's new iPad isn't work for me. So I'm using a windows laptop. But there's plenty of time that I felt it's great to have an iPad (or any other laptop/tablet with touch screen ) and pencil. Because it really makes the process of taking notes super easy. BUT as an IT student, I have to programming, web designing, app developing and other stuff so using a macBook is great because then I can make apps for almost every platform. So a macBook with touch screen and pencil support is great for an IT student.

[@midnightfuture]

The fact that you can't program on an iPad Pro is exclusively because of Apple's anxieties about creating a vector to circumvent the App Store. Check out Continuous, a C# and F# IDE for iOS: continuous.codes/

[@danielkleins]

Dieter Bohn has always been by far one of the best, if not the best journalist from the Verge. He is always straight to the point, he doesn't pretend to know everything, and I am not talking only about this video. He does his work very well

[@BloodRider1914]

Obviously the Surface. I just need Windows. I guess the Mac could work, but nothing else

[@kercmerk]

Your videos are always fantastic.Excellent production quality.

[@salemite]

I've been pretty much entirely on a Surface Pro 4, minus a few spots of gaming here and there on my old desktop. That said, if my iPhone ran the full desktop apps I use and could just have a lil dock at my desk? I don't even mind having to flip between fullscreen applications - the convenience of one computer, that lives in my pocket, would be amazing.

[@tehevilengineer7939]

i just invest in large back-mounted pockets

[@priva28]

I thought the what’s a computer ad was pretty stupid until I got an iPad Pro. You can actually do more with it than I thought.

[@maxdeathlore]

Definitely the surface pro 2017. Fantastic battery life and I can play light games. It’s not just for spreadsheets like the verge likes to think! ;) I’d miss some of the integrated iPad features that come with using Apple products (like the pencil seems to be better on the iPad. Kinda broken on surface 2017 atm) but overall the surface pro just makes me happy using it :)

[@rlatmddjs]

I use surface pro 2017 and I don't think 6hours should be considered as FANTASTIC BATTERY LIFE should have been 7or 8 but that would make it too heavy I guess

[@hendriksuer9189]

tmddjs rla i have 10 to 12 hours of battery life on my pro 17 and i use it every day for university

[@transitvideosbayarea]

@@rlatmddjs Wtf do you do on your Surface to only have 6 hours?

[@saulgoodman2018]

According to Wikipedia, "A computer is a device that can be instructed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Modern computers have the ability to follow generalized sets of operations, called programs. These programs enable computers to perform an extremely wide range of tasks."

[@CEKROM]

Very interesting Video =D

[@papacfoxtrot]

Great video Dieter! More like this please from the Verge. If I had to pick it would be the Surface Pro for sure.

[@Abdulla79]

Silly marketing aside, i was waiting to hear anything about desktop in this video, i'm sure i'm not alone when i say i only work on desktop, and there will be no replacement for true desktop operating system, Microsoft and Apple may slowly kill that, but Linux is always there.

[@Rebelismo]

"Silly marketing" is a good summary of the whole thing. Even Apple's most recent iMac Pro ads which are meant to showcase it's power have text that says "additional equipment used for final render of some sequences". Workstations, render blades, and desktops are all necessary for creation and pretending that everything can be done on a tablet is not genuine.

[@andreseitsugo]

good old 'the verge video style'. love it!

[@_MHS]

The iPad can NEVER replace a MacBook and the MacBook cannot replace a PC EVER!! I say this because whenever I want to Netflix I use the iPad Pro BUT when I want to use photoshop or type documents I use my MacBook Pro HOWEVER when I need to use a USB port (for lets say a printer without wireless connectivity) I need to use my PC because well the MacBook Pro doesn't have standard USB Ports. I use PC for gaming too because my 15inch MacBook Pro 2018 can't even run fortnite smoothly.

[@ACE112ACE112]

MHS Why do you need the MacBook Pro if you have the Pc?

[@SxC97]

1.) USB-C is the future. Embrace it. 2.) MacOS supports external GPUs, you can game just fine on a Mac.

[@IanBetteridge]

I know full time novelists who churn out thousands of words a day using an iPad. If you think you need to use a MBP to do typing, you should talk to them.

[@WycliffStudios]

Surface Pro or Surface Go

[@ReevansElectro]

Pandering to "what users want from a computer" is exactly the same as asking people from a century and a half ago what they want from a horse. A faster horse was never the answer and yet that is exactly what people wanted. Now, people want a faster computer but what they really need is a computing device that gets their work done in a timely manner with ease of use. This video is just mindless drivel without any insight while passively asking for more of the same from tech companies.

[@siamakzahmat]

6 years later and still the situation is not much different!

[@azmatullahkhan4125]

I would like to pick up Surface book 2.

[@BohdanTrotsenko]

I bought Samsung Chromebook Pro last year, so far that was the purchase that made me happy the most.

[@justaholyfool]

The answer is 3D Holographics technology.

[@vandreadparty]

Great video Verge, I never understood why so many people hate that what's a computer ads, it's one of the best ads Apple has made in a while.

[@The-Rest-of-Us]

Did you just say the ChromeBook is more versatile than the iPad? Are you on crack? I can run photoshop, CAD software and cut 4K video on my iPad Pro. Do that on ChromeOS. Also, never mind the versatility - the quality of software is WAY better on iOS. Never mind you can use it offline. Not even close.

[@wildreams]

The Rest Of Us But he will get a lot of dislike for picking Apple products.

[@iletyoucallmestevesy]

They mean edit 4k video, not watch it. Also, maybe you can do that, I don't have a pixelbook. Just saying.

[@DnB925Art]

I can do those things as well on my ChromeBook because it has Android app support. Adobe Creative Cloud, Cyberlink Power Director (4K video editing) and multiple CAD apps are available.

[@David-xx7ny]

Wow! It’s the rest of us! So cool seeing people you follow in the same places

[@LzysGraphics]

Lol he is trying to compare iOS to Chrome OS, the OS is getting super clean from my power button on the side of my Chromebook Plus bringing up a clean looking power off or restard button to swiping up to see all my open "Windows"

[@keomafernandes7442]

Watching this video made me feel kind of old school. For me, the ultimate computer experience comes from a personalized build that is future proof and upgradable, changing parts as they evolve. Every other device it's just an accessory for mobility and versatility that's never quite as good the desktop can be.

[@MIGerlag]

I’d take the MacBook simply because it it’s the most flexible and versatile in terms of software, it’s the only device here that runs macOS and it can run Windows, it can do so natively or through parallels desktop, it can also run Linux, android and even versions of chromeOS in virtual machines. Heck you can even run an iPad iOS simulator through xCode in macOS. Yes I know the same can be said for virtual machines running Linux etc on a Windows device such as the surface, but my point is that you get macOS which in my opinion offers better quality desktop apps and a more polished feel than windows and the benefit of being able to use pretty much all the other platforms all in one package. Also parallels desktop is hands down the best and most polished VM software out there, nothing on windows allows for the level of integration between OS’s. Which makes using multiple OS’s on a daily basis seamless and effortless. Also, the chatter about unified Mac and iOS apps just further makes my point of it being the most versatile in terms of software. You also get premium top quality hardware and great support, the only drawback is the lack of a touchscreen, this can also be cured which a third party touch device, be it a less mobile solution but still possible. Also if you already have a regular desktop or laptop and you’re looking for the best tablet the iPad Pro is definitely the best tablet experience out there. I personally have the 10.5 inch iPad Pro and I’m very impressed with it, it almost replaces my MacBook and it kind of annoys me because in the areas that it falls short of my MacBook it does actually have the potential but is limited by stubborn Apple. But like I said as far as tablets go, you won’t find anything better, iPad apps are so good and so well optimised for the device and for touch interaction and the Apple Pencil is quite brilliant. Windows tablets such as the surface are getting better but windows is still not a touch first platform and even though the OS is moving well into touch environments the apps just aren’t and the experience of using it as a tablet just isn’t as satisfactory. If you don’t already have another regular desktop or laptop and you want something that can be everything I can definitely see the appeal of a windows tablet such as the surface, it’s probably the route I would go if that was my situation. I really hope Apple gets their act together with the iPad because it’s so close to being a viable computer replacement but falls short in a few key areas that Apple has left as untapped potential. It’s still a brilliant device and the best tablet you can buy if that’s what you want, but for now it’s still only a companion to a regular Windows or Mac desktop or laptop and not a replacement just yet.

[@Mark-xw5yt]

Nice essay

[@randomdude4669]

Word count: ......

[@matteo-ciaramitaro]

I totally agree. I had parallel desktop running on a mac and I could even play heavy steam games at a level that I could never come close to with other virtual machines. (it's still terrible compared to actually running games but it just shows how any other less demanding software will run well)

[@0xZUR]

I hate Apple, but your argument is right. Macbook is the winner here

[@Imran-bw7tn]

HacIntosh?

[@StevenWalker-ns5ii]

Great video. I like how The Verge just deals with the real world of technology for people, it's not all about performance scores or high end use such as video rendering. Informative and relevant advice. For me the perfect solution would be an iPad Pro that can use a mouse and has one port for USB.

[@jarvisbrooks4613]

Obviously the Surface l, what the hexk am I really doing with an iPad or A Pixel book and then the macbook is just so limited. The choice is obvious.

[@RoneyThomas]

Really well thought and excellent presentation as alaways. I always hated the Apple iPad ad. But after this I realize it's an important question to think about. What's is a computer?

[@Kostas1601]

Just make MacOS and iOS a single operating system that runs apps both in mobile mode and full mode, and you're done. The iPad is your device. The issue is that is really really hard, and requires hundreds of thousands of work hours and money, and nobody is even sure it's going to be good.

[@nattankress]

windows tried that, it didn't went well LOL

[@EtanChamare]

No toaster-fridges. They are two separate devices with separate uses, markets, and workflows. Combining them would cause more problems than it solves.

[@caedengoering]

Just do an iPad pro that goes full MacOS in computer mode and switches to full iOS in tablet mode. That would be the dream. Sell it as a laptop that breaks into a tablet, not the other way around. If I'm buying a computer, I want laptop first, tablet second. A laptop that ALSO works as a tablet. Not a tablet that is kinda a computer. They can still sell tablets, they can still sell laptops, but make one that is DEFINITELY both. Not mostly a tablet, or mostly a computer. One that is full MacOS, full iOS, full laptop, full tablet, ALL computer.

[@joshmike7598]

Caeden Goering they will NEVER do this, unless they absolutely have to. Apple doesn’t want to connect its markets. They want you to buy a MacBook and buy an iPad, and be satisfied with the connectivity of iCloud. It’s business genius, and it’s worked for them so far, so they won’t change it

[@caedengoering]

Josh Mike I completely agree. I'm not unaware of the fact that they would never do this. But in the interest of a perfect computer, that would be my choice. I realize that Apple isn't seeking to cannibalize both their tablet and laptop market in one stroke. Apple would never do this, but I believe in the interest of redefining a computer, this would be an excellent (if sadly only theoretical) option.

[@dimape]

tried replacing my notebook for an ipad twice and got back to full os systems. I don't think these devices are ready to replace our main computers just yet. they may even replace it well enough for most of your days, but eventually you'll need a windows or mac os system to get things done and it can be really frustrating not having it.

[@GeorgBednorz]

so funny... I'm thinking of buying me a surface pro for 2 years, but i don't like windows that much... cuz of the crappy fonts and some other details. Pixelbook is cool, but the pencil sux. I've got an iPad Pro, but I'm an android user. For work, there is my MacBook... oh man... The surface pro would combine most of it. And I think Microsoft has always the best user-centered ideas, but the fvck this up for some reasons. There is soooo much talent there, but I always feel that money is always more important in the end of Microsoft. Google and Apple do it differently. Apple = Golden Cage... Chrome(books) are not "pro" yet... Hard but it's going in the right direction. Funny is that I would bet on Microsoft or Google, Apple seams to be "old" fashion :)

[@DOFT.mp4]

You can also just get a surface pro and use a different OS. Maybe try Linux?

[@GeorgBednorz]

focussed beams maybe I should give it a try... Im really excited about fluent design from Microsoft... But still it doesn't feel like a modern os. But ya... Maybe I should really try. thx!

[@GeorgBednorz]

focussed beams aaah yaa I guess you're right. I'll have to give it a try!

[@mykyta_myronenko]

I'd say touch on Windows is half-baked. If you are looking for finger input tablet Surface is not for you. It supports touch and it is possible to things without mouse/keyboard but it is not very convenient. iOS has done well integrating gestures and I think Microsoft and Google need to do that as well because so far Android and Windows are not as fluent or as user friendly as iOS. Surface is good as a laptop though.

[@mykyta_myronenko]

I'm not even talking about apps but things like explorer and file management for example. It is way easier to navigate and work with files on iOS than on Windows if you are relying on touch input. The icons on Windows are quite small and even if you increase the size things like copying and moving aren't as intuitive. All I am saying is there is no question that using a touchpad or mouse is way faster than touch on Windows which suggests that it could be a better tablet than it is so far. And I still would like Microsoft and/or Google to try working on gestures like Apple has done because Windows and Android are lacking in gesture support compared to iOS. I know that Windows is being slowly updated to remove some legacy applications like Control Panel so maybe the explorer will improve as well but so far from my knowledge and experience it's not that intuitive.

[@wwjj64]

Speaking of computers......built any lately? You should put out a video about building computers.

[@gmonte00]

Surface Pro

[@InfiniteValue]

Very good presentation! 👍 Thank you!

[@AlexAparicio]

This guy uses windows instead of a MacBook? The verge is always talking good things about Microsoft. What are you guys hiding? Another Facebook like scandal?

[@IanBetteridge]

Hmmm, no, what he's saying is that the Surface Pro is a more modern design than the MBP. And that's absolutely correct.

[@AlexAparicio]

Ian Betteridge more modern design then the MacBook Pro? So it looks cooler? 😂 you guys are becoming more like android fans. All you guys care about is how it looks. Real people that use MacBooks, iPhones get work done. That’s why all google engineers all use MacBooks instead of windows.

[@IanBetteridge]

Sir Holmes The MBP is a very traditional design - no touch screen, no pen, no tablet capabilities. So, yes the Pixelbook and SP are more modern design, as is the iPad. As for the rest - I’m typing this on my iPhone 8 Plus.

[@AlexAparicio]

Ian Betteridge do you own a MacBook? My brother owns a touchscreen windows computer. Once you compare them both you realize how widows is a joke. The only thing windows is good for is gaming. For normal people Mac is a no 🧠

[@IanBetteridge]

Sir Holmes Yes, I do.

[@Vultrus]

I think Dieter's frustration that we lack a unified device that does everything we want is interesting. From a business perspective all the major tech manufacturers want us to think this way, they all want a monopoly on hardware, software, social networking, advertising and data. But consumers are actually probably better off with a fragmented market vying for new devices, new software and new utility. We wouldn't have had the iPhone (or smartphones in general) if Apple already had the mobile phone market locked down, we wouldn't have Android phones if Google and other phone manufacturers didn't want to counter iPhones with competitors and we wouldn't have Surface Books if Microsoft had the tablet market locked up. What we need is not a perfect device that renders all competitors useless and inferior, what we need is tech competition to go on as long as possible so none of these tech giants get a monopoly on everything because the worst case scenarios of that are staggering. Keep the ideas coming, we'll have something for every use case and the tech giants will have to keep improving to impress consumers.

[@ThunderApache]

I wish Mr. Steve Jobs was alive.

[@Thatguy-nh4by]

Ive been using the iPad for a while now and man i do need my laptop along with it to run many things

[@jubaer.hossain]

Awesome. Please do something like these on future as well. I'm using a mac and before picking up a computer I considered all of those and decided to go with mac. But I miss the portability.

[@utkarshsingh9652]

This guy is the face of The Verge for me. Great work!!!!

[@luiyanle]

Great job discussing a trend that has been floating around for the past year or so. What I see is less redefining "Whats a computer", but rather the blurring of traditional roles of technology in our day-to-day lives. Laptops are getting easier to use and portable. Touchscreens are making working with content more intuitive. Smartphones are becoming more powerful and capable of handling day to day tasks. Connectivity is making all our gizmos connected and inter-operability seamless. Tasks that needed lots of computing power are now much more accessible, more widespread.

[@pomeroytv895]

Great video! I have a MacBook, I have a surface, and an iPad Pro. I really like all these computers. Lately, I’ve been shifted my attention to the iPad Pro. I’m a school teacher and I try to use it for preparing presentations and my lesson plans. The iPad works great in that regard. Actually, any of the computers the video spoke about would work well solely for that style of computing. I like the iPad because I find myself taking it when I go on trips and for watching video. I think the tablet factor of it makes it great for things like that and kicking back and watching something

[@lemuelcubase]

Fortunately for me all the apps I need are already on the iPad. Final draft for my screenwriting, KZbin, twitter, facebook. And the Apple Pencil is great for taking notes when I'm at work. I don't have access to legacy apps, but I don't really need to either.

[@marccanales1071]

Bro your a G, the way this video was put together and everything. I'm just speachless.

[@HendrikDelagrange]

I already made my choice and use a Surface Pro. Nothing that I miss really, except maybe for a larger screen but I can connect it easily to a desktop screen. I really do use and appreciate the tablet mode.

[@harshpherwani6590]

Wow Did not expect a lot from this video but it was actually really good!

[@iipranavii]

Great video and very well executed and explained! :)

[@p90z__77]

I bought the iPad Pro the second day it came out

[@FouadBallan]

Man no body can do it like Dieter. You did the subject it's justice

[@jaborticus]

I would opt for the iPad Pro 12”. Most of what I do now is pretty simple, and the App Store is awesome

[@makaze44]

I have used a surface pro for a couple years and it does everything I need. I am not looking for apps when I can use the desktop version

[@MAWA315]

very good and well addressed topic, Dieter