Are you team iPad, Galaxy, or Surface?

I'm team surface on this one. It's just an actual computer with all the stuff you'd expect from one while still being a great tablet

Samsung ecosystem is amazing: I have the Tab S7+ with 8gb RAM, Galaxy Watch 4, Buds pro and A51, SmartTags and a Samsung TV. They work together beautifully for synced notifications, alarms, reminders; seamless device switch with the buds, app continuity between phone and tablet, shared clipboard, quickshare, using others devices to make calls with the sim card in another device, etc

From what I can tell, the three of these are fantastic. It kind of ends up being an Android vs Windows vs iPadOS battle.

I think you did a great job except you didn't say much about the Samsung eco system and didn't mention that the s7+ and s7 tabs have different displays the s7+ has a super AMOLED display

Great job comparing these three devices. I work as a teacher, and I recently switched from a Galaxy book (which runs on Windows 10) to the Surface Pro 8, pretty much for the same reasons you mentioned. What I need is a really compact computer that has a touch screen and pen, which is important for stuff I'm doing in in lessons. Otherwise, I also need to be able to handle and synchronise large amounts of files; mainly powerpoints and word documents, and I need to be able to edit and tweak them with the full array of the Office 365 package, and since most other devices which don't run on Windows 11 have a more reduced version of those programmes, getting the Surface Pro 8 really was a no-brainer.

I’d like to add that the Ipad Pro is the only device here that cannot do true multiple screen, instead it only do mirroring if you connect external monitor to it. The Samsung DeX does surprisingly well to simulate desktop experience. EDIT : with the release of the IpadOS 16, I guess my comment is no longer valid. Credit to Apple

If I had to choose only one of these, it would be the Surface Pro 8. The Surface could be my only device & wouldn't need another laptop or PC.

So once again you're comparing Samsung base model to apples top model. You did the same thing when you compared the s21 + model vs the 13 pro max model instead of the Ultra. Come on man, it's starting to get obvious as to what you're doing

I currently use the Galaxy Tab S7 together with a Galaxy S20, Buds Pro and a Watch 4. Their ecosystem is really good and works really well inside the ecosystem.

The surface wins for me because I'll be sure it will have the usual apps I need and I'm sure they will run like expected and they're available for download and installation. There's something about apps in tablets that sometimes the features are limited or they can't run apps that well.

I quite enjoy my tab S7. The app window configuration is just way more freely adjustable. So splitting multiple apps is a dream. The tab S7 also has face ID unlock along with the fingerprint unlock. Not sure why that wasn't mentioned.

Hell yeah, the video I've been waiting for. Been having so much fun using the Surface Pro 8 for school, note taking, digital art, xbox gamepass that came with it, and overall media consumption.

Great to the point without redundant rhetoric or cliches. For me, it's exactly what I needed to know comprehensively over a range of popular competitive devices- no more, no less. 👍

The real tablet: Ipad pro The real laptop replacement: surface pro A bit of both :Samsung S7plus

I like the Tab S7 better. Great price, better file management than the iPad, and open-sourced.

Lol my surface pro 8 is in the mail… I’m now broke but excited

I find Dex easier to navigate and less cumbersome than iPadOS for most computer like activities. There are a lot of good apps on Android for tablet users BUT...in general, for using apps, the iPad is just more optimized and has more optimized tablet apps available. So, for light mobile computing in general I do prefer the iPad or tab s7+ tablet options. One of those devices would be my choice for mobility. But for work related heavy lifting, surface all the way.

Thanks for the review! I just broke my surface and your video was the best I could find. Extremely informative. I kind of want the Surface Pro 8 :).... Although, I just dropped a few K on another desktop a few months ago. Dang it.

Another superb video review, Mike. You are so professional and smart in your presentation. A real pleasure to watch and to have your really expert but to the point comments on these devices! I have the SP8 and am still deciding whether to keep it. I think I probably will. It is a very premium made device and while I only have the i5 chip it is certainly fast enough for what I will use it for.

Team Galaxy for me! I don't engage much into the Samsung ecosystem(I have a Samsung phone but am considering switching to a Pixel soon) but the various aspects of the s7 sell me. It's cheaper than the rest and comes with the stylus included, I like that the Samsung case has a spot for the pen so I don't have to worry about loosing it. Most of all is Samsung Dex, this is what I want from 2-in1's. The ability to switch between a desktop interface and a tablet interface. I can put up with it being buggy as long as it has the functionality.

Excellent reviews. First time to watch a video from you and you definitely do a great job! A new subscriber.

Whew, looks like I'm early again, 8 mins into your video. Good job as usual. Last time I was early for the Smartwatch video. As a non Apple user, ipad is definitely out for me. (Yikes, sorry) But the choice between the two is really tough. I'd say ultimately Surface Pro seems a tad more Future-Proof. + More ports + Expandable Storage + Headphone jack, in case whichever of my bluetooth peripherals are faulty. - Proprietary charging ports sucks - Base models alone, Surface Pro is the highest-priced - Audio Quality isn't stellar, but I will be using Audio peripherals so not too big of an issue.

I was a little skeptical when you started the car analogy but then I realized it was perfect!

Ive been on the market for a surface pro 8 or iPad pro and of the countless reviews I've watched, this has been the most informative one. Welldone mate.

Thanks for the review, good explanation too.

great review. definitely made my mind up to go with the surface pro thanks to your vid

Good explanation. The surface is basically a full laptop/tablet. The other two are tablets that kind of do laptop stuff.

I have the Tab S7Plus and love it, have had it since release so just over 12 months. I can do all my work, games, social media, movie and You Tube watching on it no hassles what so ever. Then there is Dex AMAZING, so amazing i have put away my Laptop and have not used it for 12 months. Tab S7 Plus is deff the best of both worlds. I actually enjoy using the Keyboard and love how functional, neat, slim and compact it is and the extra Plus I know my SPen is tucked away safely and securely :-) My only gripe is that the Keyboard is not back lit, that would have made it totally awesome. The Tab S7Plus as expected Works awesomely well with my Note 20 Ultra. Movies are a treat to watch on and i do that allot, infact i watch just about all my movies, You Tube content etc on my Tab S7Plus. It has the amazing Samsung screen that im so used to. Gaming for me is great but in saying that in not into heavy gaming or high impact games. I dont care much for the camera as its totally awkward trying to take photo's with a almost 13 inch Tablet, but it does its job for the small amount of photo's i take with it. That is what my Note 20 Ultra is for. SPen is so so much better that that on the Tab S6 its infact a HUGE improvement and i love using it and its many many functions. As an all round Tab/Laptop you seriously cannot go past the Tab S7 Plus ;-) and its priced quite reasonably in comparison to the other 2. Prices are even better now so deff 100 % worth it. Id love to own the Tab S8 plus but its impossible to upgrade every year so id probably be looking at the Tab S9 Plus if not the Tab S10 Plus. I seriously highly recommend the Tab S7Plus its a great all rounder ;-)

got my surface pro 8 two days ago and i love it. its just a great device even though its very expensive. the performance is great and the handwriting experience is amazing even when its on 60hz using the old pen. If you have the money and need something that isn't *JUST* a tablet, get the surface.

mike, i thought your channel was really good at comparing gadgets/techs, the best actually. just a suggestion, what if you make a video about comparing iot's ecosystem, OS, ui, etc. that must be great.

Very smart idea and good presentation Thank you

Nice job, you left a lot of info out but time is limited, I wish reviewers would make more use of on screen graphics to show more details as the video is playing.

I think you should've have mentioned that the price mentioned was for the tab s7+ instead of the regular S7

I'm watching this on my Samsung Tab S3. Still working great.

Surface Pro 8 recent buyer. Dream machine, period. My setup, I bought the Wavlink thunderbolt hub, which has tons of ports and the key is it outputs to 2x full 4K display at 60Hz. And I have two Dell 49” 5120x1440@60. Perfect with just one USB-C thunderbolt cable to connect to two monitors, external HDD, keyboard, mouse, headset, GigaLAN. So one cable I turned it into a full desktop that can run full resolution on two big monitors and peripherals. Unplug it, I turn it into a tablet for entertainment or drawing. Hook the keyboard cover, I am ready to go. So I am selling my desktop Ryzen 5700G and Dell XPS 13 now because this SP8 can turn into both + tablet. Galaxy tab? iPad? Too bad, won’t work for me. I love M1 Pro but iPadOS allows us to use only 40% potential of it, no point buying. MacBook Pro that uses M1 Pro, great use of such chip, too bad for me it can’t turn into a tablet. So to me, SP8 (mine is i8/16/256, coz I think buying an i7 that constantly thermal throttling is pointless) is my win-win-win situation here.

I found its really hard to get the best of both world (tablet & computer), you cant get the best tablet experience like ipad, you cant get the best productivity like surface pro. If you are unsure which side you want, go for tab S7. for me i found i carry it more often than a ipad or laptop, major selling point is s7 runs LCD and i can keep the screen on all the time without worry screen burning, i can use it for home secuity cam monitor non stop, while i can use it for video consumption due to its good aspect ratio and speaker. if i want productivity i just snap the keyboard cover and use DEX for muliti windows tasks. If i want some PC stuff i just remote desktop to my PC, the 16:10 aspect ratio is best for PC remote. Its much lighter and easy to carry on the go. I know its not a laptop you can productivity fast, but how often you need to do a long good typing productivity work in an hour of public transport? I think all of these thing can be right with ipad pro, its just its a more expensive machine, i really wont drive it so casually like tab s7. I dont know hows the build quality of the m1 ipad pro, i got a ipad Pro 10.5 (2017) but i found the screen full of light spot (looks like LCD backlit damage) after 3 years of use, i do have hard case, so i dont know how the hell it got some many damage. so i am not dare to use it on the go to have more damage. Also the kick stand of tab s7 just amazingly good, its much easier and realiable than any ipad stand, i basically just carry my tab s7 with keyboard cover kickstand and no front cover, the front display is just tough enough (of coz with glass screen protector on)

Great head to head! Instant subscription, first time seeing your videos and it was really helpful. For me, I've ended up going with the Surface Pro 8. Price is hefty, but in terms of pure utility it just can't be beaten since it runs full Windows 11 and I can use all the same software and tools I currently use on my desktop PC. I don't plan to do any gaming whatsoever on the Surface Pro 8 (I have my desktop PC, a PS5 and a Nintendo Switch, so I'm fully covered in that area), it's purely just for being productive while on the move so I think overall it's the best choice. I just wish it cost a bit less than it does.

Great review, you really showed the strength and combined power of the device and its OS capabilities. Anyone can make a choice from then onwards. Good review. The surface pro does it for me, I run some Eng programs, read and e learning, its a lot of things in 1. However, I just need a device for e learning in the meantime the tab being cheaper and coming with a pen already does it for now.

Great, u did an amazing review and summarized all features in fantastic way At the end, it depends on what u really need from device as also I believe that nothing like windows as an operating system I was confusing what to get and for that reason I searched for comparing videos but now I decided to go with surface pro 8 Thanks for support

For the Samsung tab 7, I bought a Bluetooth mouse for $20 and Bluetooth Keyboard for $20 on Amazon, so for me, an additional $40 and I picked of the Tab S7 for $500, so $540 before tax.

why not S7+?? (considering that has the same price as the others)

I like your video but which you recommend for note taking and low price from the 3 tablets?

I have a galaxy tab and I love it! I use it as a learning tool for university, this way I can leave my big powerful computer at home!

Great job helped me a lot

I have a Surface Pro 3 that I have used to run my office without problems for years! Most reliable computer I have ever had. I have dock stations at the office and home office. If I need to go to a court or a clients house, I tuck it into my briefcase with the keyboard. It runs all of the high end professional legal practice software that isn’t available on a tablet. That said, I watch KZfaq and check news gathering sites on my iPad which I just replaced with a Samsung S7 SE. The iPad is a 2017 model and is experiencing random crashes. I bought the Surface Pro 3 in 3014 and it is still running strong!

Good overall Review of all 3 Devices. 👍

in my opinion you did not talk about all the samsung tab S7 features and possibilities. First one the tab s7 can become a second display even for a windows laptop or computer just pressing win +K on the laptop, and you can choose about the performance mode or the quality mode. Plus the S pen have an enormous versatility thanks to the fully personalised gesture. The S7 + has a screen finger print unlock and a super amoled display. Also the Samsung ecosystem with buds, watches, phones are really well built, the fast sharing or the possibility to continue what you where during just switching from the tab to your phone is unique in the tablet field. I think that considering it just like a cheap version is a little reductive

I have both S7+ and Surface Pro. I can say I'm way much more happy with S7+ than Surface Pro. It's much smoother and stable.

Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge. Thanks for this very clean and informative video. I like the Surface Pro line.

Even though the Tab S7 has technically the weakest SoC as it was the earliest of the 3, it still runs pretty well. I'm a heavy user and I have hardly had any lags on my tablet. My next tablet would perhaps be the iPad, but if the iPad OS still sucks by then, I'll probably just stick to the Tab S8 coming soon. The Surface Pro 8 is really Mouth watering but I already got a PC and because it runs intel SoC, it has the worst battery lofe of them all.

above a certain price a laptop just makes so much more sense, so I think whatever device you can get the best deal on is the best lol

Surface Pro 8 was expensive but well worth it!

I love all three. I am a huge Samsung, Apple, and Microsoft fan.

I am actually using the tab s7+. And it is a great secondary device, something I can carry to a coffee shop and do some light office work. For someone who is not into editing photos/videos and who's work needs office applictions, the Tab S7+ is more than capable, specially with alternative office apps like WPS, you can get things done while having some fun.

It's pointless to compare the hardware when the deciding factor when purchasing is the software.

Bought Surface pro 8, yesterday. Very cool hybrid device to use as a laptop or a tablet. The best part is of course the Windows 11 OS.

A good thing to add is that if you have the extra cash (assuming you can afford those tablets plus their keyboards, you probably do), you can add an external gpu for around 400 euroes on the surface. So you can basically use it as a tablet/laptop outside or at work, and as a full on desktop machine at your home. All you gotta do is connect a single thunderbolt wire, and your surface will be connected to a keyboard, mouse, gpu and a monitor. And you have 2 thunderbolt ports.

I’m about to replace my 10 year old laptop, and right now I would go for the Surface Pro 8. If I don’t go that way, I think I could get a normal laptop with the same specs and also get an iPad (at the low end, not Pro) for about the same amount of money.

I use the tab s7 and it works really well for me, I use it tgt with s21fe and galaxy buds live, absolutely amazing. Tab s7's capability of doing stuffs are incredible and i have never regret buying it.

In the Surface, can you transfer data, use two monitors, power and ethernet through one usb type C or do you need the windows hub?

Hello Mike O'Brien, can you please guide me should I upgrade my S7 plus to iPad pro-2022 or Sa8 Ultra? Could they replace a laptop computer? Please advise me if you see it good for me 🙏

I think the Samsung tablet is good overall however when it comes to resell value & software updates the Apple iPad would be a wiser long-term choice until Samsung can offer longer updates

When it comes to 2 in 1 devices, I tend to stick with one or the other. So for instance I have the Galaxy tab s7 plus. Use it to consume media mostly and take notes. I then have a laptop for school for windows programs and then a gaming PC for power. I've always felt like 2 in 1s are something people should only get if that's the only device they can have. If it is I'd suggest the surface series. Ipads for apple ecosystem people and Galaxy for media consumption and flexibility. I use a lot of apks and such on my Galaxy tab s7 plus

Appreciate this review. I noticed the mic on the Surface Pro 8 sounded awful and was cutting out. Was that just a fluke or is the quality that poor? I really need a good mic, as I host weekly office hours for English learners (so they need to hear me clearly).

Great video!

The thing about the surface is that it uses actual computer software, while the others use phone operating systems

Keep taking the tablets Mike!

I got my gf the surface pro 8 she loves drawing but needed the functionality of a laptop as well. It’s a good little machine and she loves it

Samsung S7+ and Surface Pro 8 for me. The Samsung for more content consumption, note taking, light sketching and drawing. Surface Pro 8 for more serious drawing and artwork and more content creation than consumption. Surface is definitely better for getting work done, although I might consider a bigger and more powerful convertible with pen support over the Surface, and use it in conjunction with the Samsung S8?

Why do I have the weird impression that this video is meant to discredit the Galaxy Tab S7 🤔? Lack of application and power, seriously 😳? Not to mention the fact that the ecosystem you mention for the iPad as a plus is also available for the Tab S7. Using the Tab S7 as an additional screen (side car at Apple) has been feasible since long before it was on the iPad. The Spen does not need to be recharged to operate. And apparently you don't know what Dex is capable of?

Considering purchasing a Surface Pro 8 to be my only device for college. Trying to keep down costs but also want something that will work with all systems I would use in school. The biggest reason I am leaning towards a tablet is because it would allow me to take notes digitally with ease. Any thoughts?

Thank you for this video - I almost ended up buying the wrong one before watching this

Personally, I have an iPad Pro and am looking to get a tab S7+ or the Tab S8+ when it comes out. I've always liked having two tablets and currently have an old Tab A I want to upgrade. The reason I like 2 tablets is simple, Apple is limited in areas windows and Android are not. I cannot use an expandable memory on the Pro. I can connect hard drives to it like my laptop but I can't use it the same way I can on a laptop as if it were another folder in my memory, reason being that apps do not recognize and external storage device as a memory which is a big annoyance since it means I have to load anything I want to use on the iPad memory itself which is problematic when you have a 60GB book library and a 45GB textbook library, because it fills up fast. I have to decide what I want to use. That's not a problem with an expandable memory in android because I can keep all that stuff on the expandable memory which works like another memory folder and all apps use it. If apple were to release updates to their apps that make proper use of an external hard drive, that would be great. Plus, since the d was for work and school, I prefer to have a separate device for my entertainment stuff, I feel more productive that way. Personally, I actually wouldn't get the surface. It's really expensive for one, but mainly because for what it is, I'd rather have a 2-in-1 laptop which has better bang for my buck. Thugh for a student the price tag on the Pro is a bit prohibiting but the iPad Air has almost the exact same features for less money so that's a good alternative. Pretty much every school now requires students to have an actual laptop, the tablet is more a luxury item though a lot of schools are also starting to require them as well. Having a tablet and laptop is best for students

I got a used surface book for around the price of the S7+ and am really glad I did, but it is currently terrible in tablet mode.

Surface Pro is clearly best one because it can run both desktop apps + Android apps. It is a fully PC plus tablet at the same time. Combination of a gaming desktop with Surface Pro gives you all you need as gaming, mobility, ultra portable PC etc.

You missed out on the battery test and real life use case ):

Galaxy S7, the 1rst week blew thru a 256GB micro SD card. So easy to pump out work on. The surface and iPad are a no for me. I have 1, 000 very good android apps. Motion graphics and animated graphics are too easy on it. Sketching and designing effortless. Especially 1, 2, 3 and multiple point perspective drawings, schematics, video editing and layouts. Just got through creating content. Plan on going up a size when the S8 comes out. It's a dream work tablet.

The main differances is the surface can run any windows application, it can also run VM's or other OS's on it, were as the Samsung and the iPad are tablets that only run basically glorified phone aplications.

I am a tab s7 plus and it help me in all my needs

Which one is the best among the three in terms of creating quality digital art?

Just bought the SP8!!!

Did I miss the differences in screen brightness, screen technology and battery life?

im sorry... this is just dumb.. why would u compare the s7 to the more expensive ipad and surface? and not the similarly priced s7+ which is way better

Which one would you suggest for sketching, drawing and things like architectural design? In other words for light work like sketching but also some heavier stuff like 3D models of buildings etc?

Also gaming is objectively better on the surface and the tab s7. Not because of hardware but due to the library of games. The surface can run new releases but the gpu is more than enough for 30fps gaming with new releases and can max out older games easily. This unlocks a massive backcatalogue of pc games that neither the apple or gaming tablet can match. The tab s7 also talks silver because the support for emulation. This unlocks all games up to gamecube (and also PS2 with aether emulator) amd even some switch games. Apple has the most powerful chip but only has mobile games, so has the most limited library.

Thanks 🎉

I used to be an avid surface person but since switching to Samsung for school the writing experience is just way better Also I have to add. I haven't used the latest surface pro but another big reason I left is because while it can use all eng software it kind of sucks at it. Solidworks chugs anysy chugs photoshop chugs, even coding on matlab chugs

Team galaxy for me i have the s7 normal its amazing i havent tested all feature but im impressed woaw 😁 these three are great still

What do you think about Chrome OS? When compared to the Galaxy Dex?

Will freeware office word processing programs that are similar to MS office work on these little tablets? (Like Libreoffice for example) Thank you.

Did you get a chance to try out the new Lenovo xiaoxin pad pro 2021?

Wish you did it with tabs s8

as an ipad pro user, i should say that the ipad pro with the magic keyboard and apple pencil is an amazing device in terms of media consumption, drawing and productivity, and it's basically carried my entire 2 years of high school. Plus i'm into the apple ecosystem, and it's amazing. but i would be happier if apple actually did something good for the software compatibility, because it restricts your 800$ device to the productivity of a 330$ ipad, and the only benefits you get is the hardware. If apple decided to invest more for their currently most underwhelmed os in their ecosystem, then the ipad pro would truly be the best tablet out there.

I have an iPad and have seen more apps feeling like they are designed for iOS and not padOS with some developers dropping tablet versions, this is growing ever since Apple added screen rotation for iOS app on the iPad. In addition to that I have seen a few apps that force portrait and when using a keyboard that gives a poor experience. So, at this time Windows still has the best hybrid tablet/laptop experience, I agree with the statements about the iPad having the power to do real work but no software for professionals, the weirdness of the front facing camera (which I would love if apple would not put any cameras on the back and add multiple front facing ones and use software to combine them into an image that makes it have you looking in the right direction; could also make for better blurring), and home screen customization should be more like Android/desktop as forcing to a grid is very limiting.

Haven’t four anything better than the iPad Pro for my editing needs. That M1 chip blows through rendering images and video if you can work with the software available the choice is obvious for me. But i do understand peoples need to have control over everything.

great vid

I like the way you review but your review comes off biased since you used the pro version for two and not the plus for the Samsung tab. You're also very throurough with the iPad ecosystem and how it's great for a second screen which the Samsung Tab has its own ecosystem and can be used as a second screen for any PC. It just seems you didn't use the tablet and threw it in here to complete you're review of the 3 tablets.

you said the Gpu wasn't the best for gaming so I was good for gaming SO I was expecting you to actually mention the GPU it has but you didn't really mention the specs

wanna see huawei matebook e next time! it is same as surface,using intel processor and running windows11,but it is much cheeper,and give you keyboard