Microsoft has announced the Surface Pro, its own-brand Windows 8 tablet. We've put it head-to-head with the Apple iPad, looking at the differences. See also: Microsoft Surface Tablet release date and specs.
Microsoft has revealed two Surface tablets which will join the tablet market later this year with the launch of Windows 8. Read: Microsoft Surface Tablets launch: As it happened.
The higher spec model is the Surface Pro which will have to take on Apple's iPad. We've pulled together all we know about the two and compared them.
Check out our: Microsoft Surface RT vs Apple iPad comparison review.
We haven't had the two up against each other in our test lab so we will stick to looking at the specifications and dimensions of the tablets.
See also: Microsoft Surface review.
See also: iPad review.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Dimensions
The Surface Pro is a heftier tablet than the iPad with a weight of 903g and a thickness of 13.5mm. The iPad is slender in comparison at 662g for the heavier Wi-Fi and 3G model and measures in at 9.4mm.
What the Surface Pro lacks in fineness it hopes to make up for in other areas. Read on to find out more.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Screen
First things first, the Surface Pro has a larger screen than the iPad at 10.6in rather than 9.7in.
Microsoft lists the screen as 'ClearType Full HD Display' so it has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This gives it a pixel density of 208ppi. This is outdone by the iPad's 2048 x 1536 resolution and Retina quality pixel density of 264ppi.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Processor
At the heart of any tablet is its processor which is all important to how well it works. The iPad has an Apple A5X dual-core processor which is based on the ARM Cortex A9 architecture and has quad-core graphics.
Microsoft has installed one of Intel's third generation Ivy Bridge Core i5 processors inside the Surface Pro. We don’t know the exact model but at the least this will be dual-core with a clock speed of 1.7GHz and integrated Intel HD4000 graphics.
If Microsoft is true to its word, the Surface Pro will offer Ultrabook laptop level performance and the ability to run modern desktop games such as Diablo 3.
Group test: What's the best tablet PC?
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Storage
The iPad comes in a wide range of storage options - 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. However, it has no expansion possibility via card slots.
Microsoft eclipses this with the Surface Pro which comes in 64GB and 128GB models and to top things off has a microSDXC card slot for additional capacity.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Cameras
Individually, these tablets both possess dual cameras. The iPad has a 5Mp rear facing camera and a VGA quality front facing shooter. It's clear from the pictures of the Surface that it has two cameras which Microsoft calls 'LifeCams' but the firm hasn't given any more details such as resolution.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Connectivity
The Surface Pro has on-board USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort and a 2x2 multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennae for Wi-Fi. However, Microsoft hasn't listed Bluetooth connectivity.
The iPad has 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Physical ports are restricted to the sole proprietary 30-pin dock connector.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Software
As you would expect the tablets are very different when it comes to software. The Surface Pro runs on Windows 8 Pro while the iPad sports Apple's own iOS. Apps will therefore be differenct, with access to either the Apple App Store or Windows 8 Store.
However, the Surface Pro has a trick up its sleeve. Since it runs on Windows 8 Pro, you can install full-blown x86 Windows software and use it in the desktop part of the OS.
Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad: Battery
The Surface Pro has a 42Wh battery which the iPad only pips slightly with its 42.5Wh counterpart. They are very evenly matched on paper but actual battery life may not be the same. Apple claims up to 10 hours for the iPad but Microsoft has not given a figure.
We will update this article when we find out more about the Surface Pro.
Comments
Lobodemar said: The main issue is connectivity The iPad cannot accept files etc from pen stick or hard drive while surface canthis is so fundametally important to daily users that I am surprised its not mentioned more oftenI run the iPad and its crap for thatyes its beautiful and the retina display is great but its just not useable on a daily basis A royal pain in the assI have ordered my surface pro and cant wait to use it
Richards925 said: Its problems were compounded this weekend when it confirmed reports that its suppliers had used illegal child labour to make its products The admission has encouraged critics who accuse the company of profiteering The iPhone has an estimated profit margin of 55 per cent helping to make Apple one of the worlds most valuable listed companies But iPhone sales were worse than predicted over the Christmas quarter
Gawdamnit said: DERP
Jonas said: Finally I will be able to fully use Excel Word PowerPoint etc on a tablet without having to worry about losing formatting or Excel macros
Matt Egan said: Thanks I was asked for ID when buying wine from MampS the other day Being called mature is a lot more fun
Lofx said: Nice and mature recovery move Matt I totally agree that Surface Pro is a game changer and I am going out of my way to get it Enough of the cumbersome laptops for me
Ykkk said: Totally agree with you This article or even website plain fail I came across this site with a search and now thats it forget about this This article proved how clueless are the authors here
Joeweb said: Well said Evomedia I personally was waiting for a long time for such a tablet that can replace my laptop i bought an iPad a month ago and i regret it very much I guess soon i will give it to my daughter to play with it in the garden
Matt Egan said: The putative Intel x86 version could well be considered a cut-down laptop if that gets you through the day although it is currently vapourware to the extent that the processor doesnt yet exist Just as the Samsung Series 7 is every bit a cut-down laptop rather than a true iPad-style tablet But the Surface we can expect in October is an Arm-powered device Spec wise it is an iPad with a keyboard What makes it very interesting is that it is a device that can run Office and all Windows 8 Metro Style apps so it is indeed a professional tablet Quite possibly the first ever such device post-iPad
Evomedia said: They may not be the way MS are pushing it tyet but as I commented above I agree with Thearistotelian its not a phone OS like iOS it is spec is akin to macbook air with a full OS its the only comparison that makes sense its a touchscreen ultra book end of Comparing it to an ipad is completely pointless if you want an ipad equivalent then the base model will that but this is a laptop replacement Do a search on google on surface pro and youll see endless articles saying as such designed for professional use full power pc at tablet size first proper business tablet the list goes on I think you have completely missed the point and seem determined to cling onto your own view rather than accept what your being told Its nothing about how MS is promoting it its a fact of specs OS and potential marketing doesnt stop the facts that its a laptop with a touchscreen not a big version of an iphone
Evomedia said: The massive failing in this article is about apps the section readsMicrosoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad SoftwareAs you would expect the tablets are very different when it comes to software The Surface Pro runs on Windows 8 Pro while the iPad sports Apples own iOSApps will therefore be difference with access to either the Apple App Store or Windows 8 StoreIt completely misses the point in fact misses the main reason why the surface could be a winner Surface will use windows 8 which is a full OS its not a glorified phone OS you arent restricted to MS store unlike the ipad and the app store you can buy and run any PC software and Ive not found anything that I could run in win 7 that doesnt work in win 8Thats the major deal here you can run apps like zbrush full creative suite flash apps full office etc etc etc And the fact its a touch screen means digital artists will essentially have a wacom cintiq with the processor built in for half the price Add to that it will have a hardware keyboard and its a true laptop replacement ipads are hardly functional work machines but rather a lifestyle extension you play games browse the webs and download apps that are more lifestyle based than anything digital artists using wacoms will lap these up as will those doing digital illustration finally a full OS touchscreen with a decent spec I personally see a winner Apple would have to release a macbook pro touch using a redesigned for touch mountain lion to be in the same bracket as win 8 tablets
Magnus said: I would take the pro any day of the week over a lifetime supply of ipads or droid tablets Microsoft sold it to me when they fired up Adobe Lightroom during the keynote Even comparing this piece of epic tech to some half baked consumer play things leads me to the conclusion you isnt the buyer Microsoft has in mind Also after been using Win8 since development version and now consumer preview I cant wait till I get my hands on this dream come true machine For me it will save a shit load of weight to carry around during photography sessions
microsoft surface tablet lover said: This tablet will surely be making thedifference
Nikolai said: This is like Ferrari vs LexusHave you seen FerrariBut I love my Lexus
Johnyboy said: Looks a bit like a super thin Ultrabook to me I like the built-in stand and keyboard the better connectivity upgradeable storage and 169 screen If it browses like normal Windows then I would prefer this to Safari and its strange ways Our family iPad has been exceptional and is used easily from 2 year old to 65 year old but I think I would err towards this machine if it does what is claimed My only major problem would be persistent updates and upgrades in Windows which drives us all potty - none of this on the Apple just switch on and use
Matt Egan said: Thats very far from the way that Microsoft is promoting it
Thearistotelian said: It seems more appropriate to compare this version to the Macbook Air and the arm version to the ipad This is like an Air with a touch screen ink digitizer and also tablet like use cases
Matt Egan said: Indeed we did Im not sure why thats amusing - Microsoft certainly doesnt or it wouldnt have announced Slate PC and ARM versions of the same product Which leads me to ask who on earth will buy the X86 version with its massive battery
Puicuorez said: you just compared a slate pc to an ARM tablet