Apple has released a new iPad Pro with a 9.7″ screen – and that means a $100 a year saving for Microsoft Office users. Here’s why …
The Microsoft Office apps for Apple and Android devices have a 10.1″ screen threshold.
Devices BELOW 10.1″ can use the Office apps free – at least the main editing/viewing features.
Devices ABOVE 10.1″ have to pay to use the Office apps – most commonly with an Office 365 ‘subscription’.
Microsoft’s logic is that larger screen devices are laptop replacements and therefore people should pay for Office software.
‘Ultimate PC Replacement’
Apple itself is calling the iPad Pro the ‘Ultimate PC Replacement’ which is pushing the limits of even Apple hype.
Certainly Apple is undermining Microsoft “10.1 inch” reasoning with their latest iPad Pro complete with optional keyboard and pen (just like Microsoft Surface tablets).
The 12.9″ iPad Pro requires an Office 365 subscription to use the editing and other core features of the Office apps for iPad.
Android
The same applies to Android tablets – those above 10.1″ have to pay for Office software.
FYI – Screen size is measured diagonally and is almost always quoted in inches – even in otherwise metric system countries.
