The tech community—along with gadget enthusiasts and aficionados everywhere—are eagerly awaiting the release of the iPad Pro, Apple's gigantic (12.9-inch) new tablet. Aside from its impressive size, the device's accompanying keyboard accessory and the new Apple Pencil are also generating some healthy buzz.
The latest press release from Apple officially announced that orders for the iPad Pro will begin on November 11, 2015, and the device will be available in Apple Stores and third-party retailers later that week. In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reported: “The Pro is available for pre-order this Thursday, November 12, and will be available in stores ‘later this week’. We assume that probably means Friday.”
Wait a minute. A tablet with an optional snap-on keyboard, and a stylus? Now why does that sound familiar... Oh, I see. At first read, the iPad Pro's features seem quite similar to those of Microsoft's Surface Pro, which has been offering the laptop-tablet hybrid design for the past three years. Its latest iteration, the Surface Pro 4, was officially launched last October 26.
How does the newcomer Apple iPad Pro compare to the latest version of the Microsoft Surface Pro? Here are some of the key comparisons you should take note of:
Size: The iPad Pro is 5% longer and 10% wider than the Surface Pro 4, and yet the Apple device is also 18% thinner.
Operating system: The iPad Pro runs on iOS9 software which is essentially a mobile operating system, while the Surface pro 4 runs Windows 10, a full desktop operating system.
Built-in kickstand: The iPad Pro can only be propped up by its keyboard accessory in laptop mode; the Surface Pro 4 has the feature built in.
Screen size: Apple's offering has 14% more screen than the Surface Pro 4.
Accessories: Both devices have their corresponding "pens," in the form of the Apple Pencil and the Surface Pen. Both have optional (although apparently essential) keyboard accessories available for a price separate from the actual tablet's. And Surface Pro 4 has a keyboard trackpad and mouse support, which are unavailable in the iPad Pro.
RAM: Apple has yet to confirm the iPad Pro's 4GB RAM. The Surface Pro, on the other hand, comes in 4, 8 and 16GB.
Storage: In this department, Surface Pro 4's versions are impressive, ranging from 128 to 256 to 512 GB and up to 1 TB. Apple's device comes in 32 and 128GB. In addition, the Surface has a microSD card slot—something that is missing in iPads and iPhones alike.
Battery: The Surface Pro promises up to 9 hours of video while the iPad claims to add an additional hour to that, although it's still best to determine these through actual speed tests first.
USB port: Surface Pro has a single USB 3.0 port that makes it great to use with most desktop PC accessories without needing adapters. The USB port is absent in the iPad.
So what's the general verdict?
The Apple iPad Pro is designed to be the most work-friendly iPad to date, thanks in large part to the Apple Pencil with its pressure sensitivity, sense tilt capabilities (letting users angle the tip and create shading effects like with a regular pencil), and a virtually imperceptible lag.
But while many get the impression that the iPad Pro is poised to compete directly with Surface Pro 4 because of their similarities as a 2-in-1 device, early reviews from tech experts see Apple's latest baby as more of a tablet for artists rather than an alternative to a laptop. Its limited storage size, lack of USB ports that would allow the use of common PC accessories, and its mobile operating system make it less functional and effective for getting a significant workload done.
Microsoft's Surface Pro 4, on the other hand, already runs Windows 10, provides up to 1TB of space for files, enables easy connectivity with accessories like a mouse and flash drives, and even takes the user's comfort and convenience into consideration by putting in a kickstand—all of these help the Surface operate more like a real laptop. And keep in mind that the top-level iPad Pro provides only the same amount of storage as the entry-level Surface Pro.
It's pretty safe to say that there's no contest—the two devices are simply too much like apples and oranges in the features department to be evaluated fairly.
Of course, different users will favor different devices depending on their needs and preferences. So what do you think?
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