Could I use a 64-bit iPad 5 or a Surface 2 as my main work computer?

Summary: We've asked these sorts of questions before, but now we have (or are about to have) a new crop of even more capable hardware. ZDNet's David Gewirtz put it to the acid test: could either serve as his main computer?

As we get ready for the next batch of Apple announcements (most likely the iPad 5 and a new iPad mini) on October 22, there's been some discussion about whether the iPad 5 (which will likely sport a 64-bit processor) can do the heavy lifting of a main work computer.

To be fair, we've covered the iPad (and tablets in general) as work computers before, and — depending on what you do for work — the answer has been generally positive.

But I wanted to see if I could use an iPad as my work machine. Could it handle the breath of tasks my current Windows laptop does easily, or would I be left out in the cold, unable to get the job done?

To sweeten the story a bit, I decided it would be fun to compare the expected new iPad with the newly announced Surface 2 Pro (which runs full Windows) and Surface 2 RT (which runs Office, and not much else).

Oh, and one last note: I'm not considering a jailbroken system. I want to know if it's possible to do my job, not take on a new job in addition to all I do.

Stay tuned. At the very end, I'll rank the winners and losers. You might be surprised by the results.

Image: GraphicStock and Microsoft

David Gewirtz, Distinguished Lecturer at CBS Interactive, is an author, U.S. policy advisor, and computer scientist. He is featured in the History Channel special The President's Book of Secrets and is a member of the National Press Club.

New 64-bit iPad 5 will pile more pressure on beleaguered PCs, analyst claims

(Source: Apple)

Apple's introduction of the iPad might not have been what single-handedly bought down the PC industry, but it certainly was the catalyst for a chain of events that heralded the era where "post-PC" devices dominated.

But one believes that things are only going to get worse for the PC industry when Apple unveils the iPad 5.

According to Chris Whitmore of Deutsche Bank Equity Research, the additional pressure on the PC market will come as a result of the iPad 5 making greater headway into the corporate environment.

See also: iPhone 5s 64-bit A7 chip is a 'marketing gimmick,' says Qualcomm exec

"We expect growing [desktop] virtualization and iPad deployments in the enterprise to pressure corporate PC sales through 2014-15," wrote Whitmore in a note. "We expect Apple's iPad refresh to include 64-bit architecture, which should enable a greater array of enterprise App development and facilitate greater enterprise penetration over time."

While nothing is officially known about the iPad 5, it is widely anticipated to feature a 64-bit processor similar to the one found in the new iPhone 5s.

As a result of this additional pressure, the estimates for PC shipments for 2013 and 2014 have been cut by 10 percent and 8 percent year-to-year respectively, from previous estimates of 8 percent and 6 percent.

Whitmore doesn't put much faith in Intel's new processors to help buoy sales either.

"In the near term, back to school PC demand appears relatively soft and recent new hardware releases (Haswell) had little impact spurring incremental demand. Furthermore, we believe the corporate upgrade cycle will peak in the [second-half] 2013 as corporates complete Windows 7 transitions ahead of Microsoft's ending support of Windows XP in early 2014."

Even cheap ultrabooks aren't expected to generate much holiday cheer.

"We expect [sub-$500 ultrabooks] to create additional PC average selling price and profitability headwinds."

Personally, I don't think that the transition to a 64-bit processor will make that much of a difference to the iPad in the short term. Apple's transition to 64-bit with the iPhone 5s is more about setting the groundwork for the future than it does with providing an immediate benefit for users.

The same will be true with the iPad, and while IT admins might have their interest piqued by a 64-bit processor, the real advantages it brings will only show up over time. 

And it's also not all plain sailing for the iPad. I foresee the tablet experiencing pressure from Amazon's new BYOD/enterprise-ready Kindle Fire HDX.