Microsoft has announced its two Surface tablets which will enter the tablet market in a few months' time.
The first of the tablets is the Surface RT. Its biggest rival is arguably Apple's iPad which is now in its third generation. We've put together the following article comparing the two devices to see how they differ. Read: Microsoft Surface Tablets launch: As it happened.
Check out our: Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad comparison review.
We haven't had the two tablets going head-to-head in our test lab so we will compare the specifications and dimensions of the two for now.
See also: Microsoft Surface review.
See also: iPad review.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Dimensions
The two tablets are similar in terms of their size and weight. The Surface RT is marginally slimmer at 9.3mm compared to 9.4. This difference is too minute to be noticeable.
While the Surface RT is thinner than the iPad, it is slightly heavier. It weighs in at 676g and the iPad at 662g for the heavier Wi-Fi and 3G model.
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Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Screen
There isn't a great deal we can say about the Surface RT's screen because Microsoft hasn't given full details. However, we do know it's larger than the iPad's at 10.6in rather than 9.7in.
Microsoft lists the screen as 'ClearType HD Display' but hasn't listed the resolution. The Surface Pro has a full-HD display so we can assume that the Surface RT has a lower resolution – possibly 1366 x768.
Therefore, we can predict that the screen won't be as high res as the iPad's Retina display which has a resolution of 2048 x 1536.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Processor
The processor is an important element to a tablet. There is limited information on both processors on offer here.
What we know is that the iPad has an Apple A5X dual-core processor which is based on the ARM Cortex A9 architecture and has quad-core graphics. Unfortunately all we know about the Surface RT's chip is that it's also ARM-based and made by nVidia.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Storage
The iPad comes in three storage options, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB with no expansion available via card slots. Microsoft has opted for only 32GB and 64GB models but the tablet has a microSD card slot so this can be added to.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Cameras
Both of these tablets have dual cameras. The iPad has a 5Mp rear facing camera and a VGA quality front facing counterpart. We can see from the images of the Surface that it has two 'LifeCam' cameras but Microsoft has not given any details on their ratings.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Connectivity
The Surface RT boasts USB 2.0, Micro HD Video and a 2x2 multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennae for Wi-Fi. Microsoft hasn't mentioned Bluetooth connectivity.
Apple has fitted the iPad with 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. As usual the only physical port is the proprietary 30-pin dock connector.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Software
Software is an area where the tablets differ greatly, as you would expect. The iPad runs on Apple's own iOS while the Surface RT runs on Microsoft's own Windows 8 RT.
Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad: Battery
On paper the iPad outdoes the Surface RT when it comes to battery capacity. It is rated at 42.5Wh compared to 31.5Wh. When it comes to actual battery life span Apple claims up to 10 hours while Microsoft has not given a figure.
We will update this article when we find out more about the Surface RT.
Comments
tablet_dude said: Pointless review You have no useful informatio with which to make a good comparison or buying decision
Mark Jones said: Pointless review you do not have all the facts and you have also only compared the iPad to the lower spec RT modelTypical apple fan boy post
Mahsoom Moosa42 said: Microsoft made things betterthe ideapad yoga was too thick for a tablet carrying around a separate heavykeyboard is a chore or something like that is a chore
Louis Ouellet said: You that Bill Gates with Micosoft are the ones who introduced the first tablet in 2003 right And then if you appear to know that much about tablets and computer would you mind telling me the difference between a tablet and a mobile computer By definition a tablet is still a computer Ive been using Windows 8 prerelease and I agree it is quite glichy But you have to know that this isnt the final release and you dont get all the updates they made to the core So as long as Windows 8 isnt out we cant really tell about its fidelity Microsoft being the biggest Software Devellopper I dont think they intend to screw this up Windows Surface 10 as been release about 4 years ago and still the companies that tried it are pretty satisfied This new tablet offers something that any other tablet hasnt offered yet Running Windows means a lot more compatibility with devices such as printers scanners external HDD etc Which means you wont have to look for a damn AirPrint compatible printer Also this offers a lot more connectivity that they said Running a powerfull OS in a tablet means more access to networking Microsoft claimed Windows 8 to be multiplatform
Zorg said: I think Microsoft got it all wrong again All they did was produce a ultrasim notebook which Sony with their Vaios and other computer manufacturers already manufacture A Tablet is NOT a computer and is not meant to be So the real competitor is not the iPad but all other computer manufacturers On top of that we have yet to see how well Windows 8 will perform The early reviews are mostly negative and in case of a flop it will also affect the Surface so called Tablet