Neb,
I with you on the difference, to me it's just not as easy. I found hand placement was very critical when operating the V-Control for things other than faders and transport.
WHYZ,
It sounds like a great combo use both together. I don't have $3700 laying around to blow on a interface/surface either...
I really can't live without my Ipad in general. I use it for the video side of my business for many, many tasks... Teleprompter, slate, on-set shot logging, back-focus chart, and more.
I use it for V-Control and a scratch pad for demo's before I record in the big DAW on the audio side.
Anyway... have fun with the new setup!
Cheers,
Dave