Is Surface Pro 9 Better Than M2 iPad Pro For STUDENTS?

Is the new Microsoft Surface Pro 9 better than the M2 iPad Pro for students? We'll take a look at the hardware, OS, note-taking support, performance (and many more) of these 2 devices to see which one is currently the best for students. I hope you enjoyed watching this and found it helpful :)

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❀ timestamps ❀
0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Computer use
3:22 - Performance
4:56 - Portability & tablet use
7:58 - Note-taking
11:25 - External display
12:18 - Entertainment
13:25 - Overall thoughts

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My name's Ella and I'm currently a university student studying computer science. I love tech and I make all kinds of tech videos on this channel, such as reviews, unboxings, customizations, and comparisons. If you've enjoyed your visit to my channel, don't forget to subscribe!

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[Ehza]

Being limited by ipadOS has always been the thing that kept me from buying an ipad pro

[meahahmed]

" There are certain things you can do with only an iPad, but overall, the surface can do a lot more than the iPad" - one of the best reviews! Thanks Ella.

[ydcjydcj]

They can make the ipad m2 faster and faster, but the limitations on software support make it an overpowered niche machine

[Mc_Fly]

I've used my Surface for 3 years in classes and it was great! I used OneNote for all my basic Notetaking and then had a full Microsoft Visual Studio installation as well as an SQL Server running on it to code and work with databases during classes. All the ones with iPads had to bring a laptop or use the schools computers which are so bad....
So yeah, if you need a tablet/laptop combo for class definitely go for a Surface Pro. You won't be disappointed!

[akin]

In short, yes. Easier to replace the SSD, easier to play X-box live, and easier to use Excel advance features for finance/economic majors. Also, SP 9 feels like a slim laptop that can be a tablet too. Whereas the M2 Ipad Pro feels like only a tablet.

[PiyushKumar-lgis]

The best comparison of these 2 devices I’ve seen so far. Been looking since yesterday on youtube but no one covered every aspect of the devices better than this. Great work and thanks for helping me decide

[keithprice]

Why lock yourself into Apple's ecosystem? With the surface you get a full operating system that is far more flexible. iPads are just a style over substance choice.

[Sushi]

Currently a CS student and I am looking for a device which can act as a tablet but with laptop power and very portable without bringing my massive laptop around. A lot of videos on YT are suggesting either Apple Ipad or Samsung Tab S9 (because of Samsung Dex). I think you got me sold on Surface Pro 9. :)

Thanks for the nice and realistic review :)

[Luumus]

I used my surface pro 6 during my masters and it improved my studies significantly. I used it both to take handwritten notes in class and to write/run code in practical lessons and project work. It's particularly useful because it runs windows, and that means you are not limited by iOS or android. You can run all windows software without issue. So I went from having to lug around 1 laptop + 1 huge dossier + a book or two, to having one single, lightweight device. It honestly saved my back. So I highly recommend it for more STEM degrees.

It's was also a long-term investment, because I continue to use it everyday for work and during my free time for drawing on the AutoDesk Sketchpad. It's really quite versatile.

There are a few less positive points though: I've had my pro 6 for 6 years now and I've had to replace the pen tips multiple times (and they are so expensive), the keyboard once and the charging cable twice. The proprietary charging is trash it just keeps losing connection, so I hope they've improved that since. Occasionally the surface really lags out but I've noticed that has improved since I've upgraded to windows 11. With that said though, it's a 6 year-old device, so I hope new versions are significantly better built.

[kreeves]

Thank you for this! I had already bought an iPad for taking notes in class, but I always feel I should bring my laptop also because of the many features you mentioned. The iPad is awesome for certain things, and though the software is limited by the OS you will rarely run into problems with apps or with your device. It's been kind of hard for me to adjust to the iPad ecosystem but using the logitech folio case makes the iPad an amazing lite laptop and great note taking with the apple pencil.

[TotemKommo-o]

I used the Surface Book 1 when I was in college, and everyone else either had iPads, Macbooks, or traditional pen and paper.

I swear people looked at me when I would casually detach the screen and start using it like a tablet. One classmate in a coding lab even mistook it for a Macbook and did a double-take when I asked for assistance.

If you don't care or don't need Apple stuff, I think the Surface lineup is actually a pretty good 2-in-1 package. You can also probably save a little more money as well. (I bought a refurbished one for $600).

[haneno]

I've just recently started watching her reviews and I've found that I could understand and tune into the video more than other creators, thank you for your reviews

[Julenflopow]

I have both, I’ve had a lot of surface products in the past and a lot of apple too. I found the surface a lot more functional and flexible when it comes to functionality, BUT!! I’m gonna say it rn, the surface devices give in relatively fast. I don’t overuse or try to tamper into my devices etc— nah, they just crash. Surface prods sometimes overheat and develop those orange spot screen things, too. (If you touch the screen of surface devices, — especially the art-center end ones, you’ll notice the texture is a lil softer than your usual glass. I think it serves a purpose, but it’s also quite fragile) And sure you can have them fixed, BUT IF YOURE IN SOUTH EAST ASIA! Repairing the surface products are kinda quite obnoxiously expensive. When I moved to Australia, it was a lot more convenient. Overall, function wise, I’d say surface; Long term use- I’d go for the iPad.

[Verschiedenes]

Yes it is. In fact, I would go as far as claiming that the surface pro 9 is the ONLY useful tablet for students.

[impulsesystems]

Agree with all your main points, especially on app availability.

Maybe not relevant to students but Lumafusion is an iPad video-editing app that many pros use. I have more issues with the poor file handling on the iPad. This, to me, is its major obstacle.

[andrewcrossley]

Very well presented. As a university engineering lecturer, I can only agree with your comments. I have both ecosystems. I use Apple ( iPhone pro 13, MBP13 M1 (from work), MBP 16, Mac mini M1, iPad 10.5, iPad gen 9 (from work) and Studio Display. The Mac mini is needed to drive the Studio Display and a Dell 4K 27 in monitor at the same time. All the Apple gear is because I create a lot of content, filming and audio recording so the interfaces and speed for editing and rendering are superb.
However, for work stuff such as writing papers, white boards, OneNote etc the Surface 6 and more recently an 8 are brilliant. Your comments on the keyboard are interesting. On a desk you can use it in flat mode to aide stability and feel. It then emulates the Apple Magic Keyboard but with far more functionality. It’s also I think a bit lighter than the 12.9 iPad Pro and keyboard which some of my students use.
So it’s a balance really. iPads are great for consumption and creation of films. Surfaces are better for technical working.
For most students a MacBook Air or the cheapest MBP Pro are still great options, especially the M1 chip versions possibly from the Apple refurb store. Installing Parallels enables the user to have a hybrid system as most universities will give free copies of W10 or 11 Edu along with lots of other free software. Then buying a basic iPad Gen 9 and pencil gets you the best of all worlds.
Using a proper monitor back in your digs is an excellent idea. Dell offers student discounts so you can get a good 24 in for just over $100. Then get a good keyboard and mouse. Here the Surface pro wins hands down. The Surface keyboard is excellent. The Logitech MX keys is superb and would be my recommendation as it can drive 3 devices and both windows and Apple.
You only get one set of eyes so a large monitor helps, reduces eye strain and related headaches and definitely improves posture to protect you neck and back. Also get a good desk lamp for reading paper notes.

[DBLDomino]

You can attach the keyboard backwards to fold the keys behind the surface pro. Also, drawboard is a decent alternative to goodnotes for the surface if you use one drive for storage organization

[JacksonWalter]

For taking notes I prefer the iPad (I don't use OneNote), but overall for school my older Surface Pro 7 was just better. All of my school's apps/programs as a Mechanical Engineering major are all made for Windows while very few of them are made for iPadOS. That couple with the ability to take notes as well made me get a Surface Pro 7 while I ended up using the iPad Pro more for a gaming/entertainment device that I could also take notes with.

[Computer]

The surface pro 9 is the only tablet you can use for computer engineering

[GoreGamer]

There is one thing that you didn't really mention that I think can add a lot of clarity. Inform at the beginning that you have an SQ3 version and explain what that is. I love my Surface Pro 9 and know what SQ3 is but honestly not many people do. Other than that, Love the Vid!