Apple aims to convince PC users to ditch their obsolete machines and choose the iPad Pro as a replacement, and it deploys an unexpected strategy to do so.
To drive its point home, Apple offers an unusual option for its productivity tablet customers: purchase the iPad Pro and get Microsoft's Office Suite at the same time. If you recently attempted to buy such a tablet, you noticed the option to add a subscription for Office 365.
This is the only non-Apple accessory offered by the manufacturer. You may choose whichever package suits your needs best: the Home, Personal and University variants are all there, each sporting distinct features. The familiar productivity tools Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote are now Apple-ready.
This might seem a strange move from Apple's side, as the company already has its proprietary iWork suite.
One explanation is that Microsoft already rolled out full-featured free versions of its iOS Office apps. Specifically, Microsoft doesn't charge a dime for using its apps on tablets smaller than 10.1-inches. This means that owners of the recently released 9.7-inch iPad Pro can get the productivity suite for free, whereas owners of larger iPad models still have to pay for Microsoft's Office 365 package.
You may also subscribe to Office 365 when you buy iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4 or iPad Air 2.
The move hints at the fact that Apple is confident that Windows PC users will be making the switch to tinier devices for productivity, such as the iPad Pro. Laptops have begun to replace desktops for some years now, and looking at the powerful specs in 2-in-1 devices, Apple's bet could be backed by reality.
Some experts from the tech world estimate that Microsoft's tablet-computer Surface Pro is losing ground to Apple's iPad Pro.
Due to many factors, including technology entrenchment, Microsoft's Office still holds the title of productivity king. Apple banks heavily on this fact when it offers its customers a familiar tool that they know they can rely on, but pushes its own hardware at the same time.
A single-license Office 365 subscription on Apple's website costs $69.95 and lasts for 12 months. Should you make a four-year commitment, you may purchase subscription that costs $99.95 and contains five-licenses.
