Owners of the Microsoft Surface seem a lot more satisfied than those who have bought the Apple iPad, a recent study conducted by J. D. Power revealed. While Surface topped the list with a score of 855 out of a maximum of 1,000, the iPad trailed behind with scores of 849. Samsung Galaxy tablets are a shade below with scores of 847.
As per the survey, Surface owners are impressed with the apps that come pre-loaded on the two-in-one device. Design and quality of materials that goes into the making of the Surface range also helped it score better than its rivals, as does its internet connectivity as well as its compatibility with external accessories.
The above finding will no doubt place the Surface in better standing vis-a-vis the iPad. The Apple tablet used to be the hot favorite when Surface was first announced back in 2012. The initial response wasn’t that great too, which had led many to believe Microsoft might never be able to live up to the Apple tablet challenge. Things, however, began to take a positive turn once the Surface Pro range was introduced a year later.
What is particularly positive with the latest J. D. Power survey is that it is the first time and young buyers that seem to prefer the Surface device more. This can be considered a positive sign for Microsoft as it is this group that tends to influence buying decisions of friends and families, leading to better brand awareness for the Surface.
The Apple iPad, on the other hand, seem to have lived its prime already. While it still continues to be the single largest selling tablet brand, sales have been on the decline for the past few years. The general decline of the tablet market as we have known of it should be another area of concern for the Cupertino giant.
In fact, it is the emergence of the new segment comprising of hybrid tablets that seem to have caught the fancies of tablet buyers big time. Such devices are tuned towards productivity and the Surface Pro happens to be the biggest player here. Apple responded by launching the iPad Pro that comes bundled with a keypad though the biggest distinguishing factor here happens to be the operating system. While the iPad Pro runs the iOS, the Surface range runs Windows.
Now, with Apple reduced to playing the price card – it recently launched the $349 9.7-inch iPad, its cheapest ever-it remains to be seen how it tackles the bigger issue of diminishing demand for its tablet devices.
As for the J. D. Power findings, it is based on the responses of more than 2,200 tablet owners between the period October and December 2016.
