The biggest difference is that the Magic Keyboard never fails. Not like it works 95% of the time or even 99% of the time. 100% of the time it types when you expect it to, connects when you want it to, disconnects easily, doesn’t double inputs or skip inputs. There’s nothing I would change about it.
To the parent- the surface works fine on a lap, provided you use a case with a solid kickstand (the stand on the actual tablet wants to fold in far too easily). For reference, the reason I abandoned the thinkpad is that I am managing a warehouse and spend ~50% of my day using the surface either standing, on my lap, or haphazardly resting on a pallet of product. I wanted something light and portable, I haven't regretted the tablet decision yet. I seriously considered iPad, but unfortunately it is essentially a phone OS. Win10 isn't the greatest, but it is a full-fledged OS for real work. My only gripe is that it isn't 100% touch optimized, so I can barely use the surface if I don't have the keyboard attached. Oh, and I do dearly miss the trackpoint. However, the keyboard has been great, and with WSL I don't really have any issues with getting the development side of my job done either. I have had a /. account long enough to be considered slightly 'rabid', but as much as it pains me to say Microsoft have made an excellent product.
I really want something that I hold on my lap for some emails.
Most models have that back supporting leg which is for table use only.