Does the new Surface Pro have what it takes to go head-to-head with the iPad Pro?
iPad Pro vs Surface Pro: Pricing, specs, performance
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Starts at$1899
Processor
Starts at Snapdragon X Plus
Screen size
13-inch
OS
Windows 11
4 min readIf you're looking to get work done on the go, a laptop isn't the only option. Nowadays, several high-end tablets are built to tackle the same type of workload in half the form factor. Even if they aren't the only options, the two most high-profile choices are Apple's iPad Pro and the Microsoft Surface Pro 11.
If you're not sure which tablet to go with, we're here to help. Let's see how the two tablets stack up in a side-by-side comparison.
Price: Microsoft Surface Pro vs Apple iPad Pro
$1,699 vs $1,899
When it comes to pricing, it's a bit of a mulligan. While the cheapest version of Apple's iPad Pro does come in cheaper than the cheapest version of the Surface Pro 11, it's worth noting that you are getting a larger screen with Microsoft's flagship mobility machine.
On paper, that difference in size is somewhat offset by the quality of the screen you're getting with Apple's tablet. However, in practice, it may make the baseline version of the Surface Pro 11 a better fit for professionals after a PC that emphasises portability.
In any case, you can consult the table below for a sense of how the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 11 compare when it comes to pricing.
As you can see from the table above, the iPad Pro is available in a lot more configurations. On the one hand, this gives you more options. By comparison, there's no way to mix and match the OLED version of the Surface Pro 11 with the cheaper processor or less storage.
On the other hand, it can make it more likely for it to end up the more expensive device if you do things the Apple way. The prices above don't even include the cost of the accessories you'll likely need to get the most out of the iPad Pro!
Plans: Surface Pro versus iPad Pro
While Australian mobile providers have offered the ability to pick up Microsoft Surface tablet on a plan in the past, that currently is the case for the new Surface Pro 11. In contrast, you can find the iPad Pro available on a postpaid plan through Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. Here's how much doing so will cost you:
Design and durability: Surface Pro versus iPad Pro
It might be an overstatement to suggest that Apple invented the tablet, but it's fair to say that they made it mainstream in a way that earlier efforts can't come close to matching. The latest iPad Pro pushes the potential of Apple's take on the format to the max, in part thanks to the same M4 processor seen in recent refreshes of the MacBook and MacBook Air.
When it comes to high-end tablets, these hardware gains are where the bulk of the action is nowadays. The rest of the design here is very much what you'd expect. The bezels are thin and the ultra retina screen on the current iPad Pro is a treat to behold. That said, there is some room for improvement when it comes to connectivity. The iPad Pro's biggest limitation is that only offers a single USB-C port whereas Microsoft's tablet has two. It might be lighter than the Surface Pro, but Apple's apex tablet does lag when it comes to offering up the latest in connectivity standards.
One other key design difference worth noting here is that the Surface Pro 11 comes with a built-in kickstand. There are practical benefits to that inclusion, as well as financial ones. However, one thing you won't find in the mix right now is cellular connectivity. Microsoft has said that a version of the latest Surface Pro featuring 5G is on the cards, but they haven't said when it's likely to arrive nor how much more it will cost. If having true mobile connectivity on your tablet is a must then, for now, the iPad Pro has the edge.
Surface Pro and iPad Pro colours compared
The iPad Pro might be Apple's most powerful tablet, but it's far from the most colorful. At the time of writing, there are only two options. Space Grey or Silver. Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 is a little more colorful with four shades on offer: Platinum, Black, Sapphire and Dune.
Check out the table below for the short version.
Colour | Apple iPad Pro | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 |
| Silver |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Space Grey | | |
| Platinum | | |
| Dune | | |
| Black | | |
| Sapphire | | |
Power and performance: Apple iPad Pro versus Surface Pro
With the arrival of this year's Surface Pro 11, Microsoft's high-end tablet is now rocking the same sort of lean-and-mean ARM processors that have been found in the iPad for a while now. Those gains in performance do come with a few strings attached, but they also make for a much more competitive offering relative to the current iPad Pro.
The Surface Pro 11 also offers more RAM and potentially more bang for your buck if you're specifically looking to compare it against the iPad Pro with the larger 13-inch screen. On the other hand, those who want to spare no expense can splurge on Apple's tablet with up to 2TB of storage and a 13-inch Ultra Retina screen.
Conclusion: Which is the better pick?
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 may be shackled by the inevitable growing pains that come with the transition to ARM, but it has a clear edge when it comes to affordability and practicality over the iPad Pro. If you're happy to live within the limits of the Windows 11 experience it offers, there's a decent argument that this tablet is the better value option.
On the other hand, the iPad Pro is simply built to offer a better experience overall. It's got a nicer screen and better accessories. However, none of that comes cheap and while Windows on ARM has its shortcomings, so too does iPadOS. If you're looking for a workhorse of a tablet, you can't do better than the iPad Pro. That being said, those willing to pay that premium should expect to pay a lot more than the starting price for the privilege.
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