> We believe Apple sold just over two million iPad Pros while Microsoft sold around 1.6 million Surface devices
So 2m Vs. 1.6m, the remaining 14.1m devices are an entirely different class at an entirely different price-point.
The iPad Pro did outsell the Surface line in one quarter, but it is worth noting that the Surface Pro 4 was a minor upgrade, whereas the iPad Pro was a brand new class of device for Apple.
Where Microsoft has been making in-roads with the Surface Pro line in particular is corporate/enterprise ultrabooks. The iPad, even the "Pro" doesn't have an answer to that.
Apparently iPad Pro and iPads are in a different price point but the current Surface product lines: Surface 3, Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book which are nearly doubled in cost respectively, are not. Then apparently an iPad with a larger screen is a brand new "entirely different" class, but Surface Tablet and Surface Books are not.
Then you go on about the launch quarter like it's the only reason why iPad Pro outsold all Surfaces, but both iPhone and iPads go on to outsell their launch quarters in the next year - this is what you get when you grow sales.
I'm surprised you didn't top it off by saying that Apple deliberately withheld introducing the iPad Pro to midway through the quarter so they could sell more units in that quarter.
The question is why is Apple not diving into a "productivity machine" like the Surface. The answer is that the iPad Pro is selling better than the Surface. That is: Apple isn't building the Surface because they built something that sells better.
Think about what you're saying, why would replacing laptops be a priority for Apple if they can outsell hybrids 10 to 1 by focusing on making a great consumption device?
Apple and Google are focused on the mobile computing platform of the future which already outsells pcs with the gap widening every year.
Instead Apple uses their OSX product lines to compete in the pc market.
Even the iPad Pro alone outsold all MS Surface products despite only being introduced midway through the holiday quarter.