By Nina Godlewski, News Correspondent
Microsoft and Apple are two of the biggest names in the tech industry and once again, their products are about to go head to head. With both companies releasing new tablet products, the chatter will be louder than usual.
“The Mac vs. PC argument is an argument with no end,” Ryan Leys, a middler communications major said. “While both are computers, they’re designed for two different types of people. Macs are more simple and easy to use while great for video and photo editing, but if you’re looking for more power in your machine or something to use either for playing or designing video games, a PC is better. It all comes down to preference.”
Microsoft released the second version of its tablet, the Surface 2 on Oct. 22. Apple announced the same day that it would release its iPad Air and iPad Mini, the fifth generation of iPads, on Nov. 1. This calls into question how these products compare to one another.
The rivalry between PC and Mac users has always been a fierce one.
In September, Apple released its iOS 7 update, creating a disagreement between users. To update or not? The biggest shock for most people was probably the change in design of the icons for applications and the short battery life plaguing some users. The new iPads have this software already, so if you’re not a fan of the new software, the new iPad may not be the choice for you.
“I find Apple more user friendly and easier to navigate,” Sara Shaker, a sophomore communications major and a self-proclaimed Apple fan, said. “Ten years ago the idea of a computer in your hands seemed far away, but millions of people carry their iPhones and iPads around today and it’s become the norm.”
But has Apple fallen behind? The Surface features a mini-HDMI port, a USB 3 port, a micro-SD card slot, a built-in kickstand, a headphone jack and twin speakers. In comparison, the new iPad features a headphone jack, twin speakers and the lightning port used for charging. These features could be a drawback for many users.
The iPad Air is smaller than the Surface by about an inch. But the battery life of the Air is 10 hours, topping the average six to seven hours reviewers from Tech Radar say the Surface has. The iPad is lighter than the Surface, making it more convenient for users.
The Air also has cellular capabilities as well as Wi-Fi, whereas the Surface 2 only has Wi-Fi capabilities. The iPad is available with a 16, 32, 64 or 128 GB memory, but the Surface 2 is only available with 32 or 64 GBs of memory. The prices vary accordingly. The iPad starts at $499 for the 16GB, increasing by $100 for each additional 16GBs after that for the Wi-Fi-only models. The models with cellular plans cost more. The Surface 2 starts at $449 for the 32GB and increases to $549 for the 64 GB.
Despite prices, many students on campus use iPads or Surfaces for work and fun.
Freshman chemical engineering major Jake McKnight uses his iPad to take notes in class.
“I got my iPad before there was a Microsoft product that actually worked,” McKnight said. “I like Apple products, they tend to not have bugs and they link up really well.”
McKnight, like many other people, has always been an Apple user, raising the question of whether or not people will start to make the switch over from iPad to Surface.
Only time will tell how these new products hold up to what they’ve promised, and how well they can withstand everyday use. But one thing is for sure, the shift between Apple and Microsoft users is something to watch for in the coming months.
