Frustrated with your iPad? Bill Gates suggests you try out Microsoft’s Surface tablets, according to CRN.com.

In an interview with CNBC, the founder and chairman of Microsoft hyped up the Surface and Surface Pro tablets while bashing the iPad.

“With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to gain share in what has been dominated by the iPad-type device," Gates said. "But a lot of those users are frustrated. They can't type, they can't create documents, they don't have Office there."

Gates went on to say that Surface tablets combine the best of the tablet and PC worlds.

"If you have Surface [or] Surface Pro, you've got that portability of the tablet but the richness, in terms of the keyboard and Microsoft Office, of a PC," he explained.

Gates also said it is now harder to discern between tablets and PCs because of the blending form factors and the way the tablet’s functionality is increasing.

Intel PC business chief Kirk Skaugen is of the opinion that the tablet form factor is going to “rapidly erode” in 2013 and join with notebook-tablet hybrids that have convertible displays and screens that detach from the keyboard. This lead to mini-tablets becoming the strongest category.

"We look at the iPad as more of a secondary device rather than a primary device," said Brian Goddard, owner of GTechserv in Charlotte, N.C. describing the Surface Pro as a superior device to the iPad. "The Surface Pro is definitely a good fit for businesses because it has the horsepower and the apps that a straight tablet doesn't have. So I'd agree with [Gates] -- the iPad is more of a consumption device rather than a productivity device."

Despite Goddard’s praise he is still annoyed at Microsoft’s decision to forego selling the Surface through the channel. Goddard believes Microsoft passed up on a great opportunity.

The Surface RT (which starts at $499 on the Microsoft website) and Surface Pro (which starts at $899) are only available in certain retail stores and on the Microsoft website.