Laptop-tablet versus tablet-laptop: the Apple M4 iPad Pro versus Microsoft Surface Pro 11. Which is better? Let’s go over the raw stats first.

Externals and Design

The M4 iPad Pro is Apple’s flagship laptop-tablet, sporting many features starting at a price of $1,000 for the smaller version and $1,300 for the larger one. While the Surface Pro 11 is Microsoft’s tablet-laptop that starts at $1,000 for the regular model and $1,500 for the OLED version. Both of these have accessories that are often purchased together, so here are their prices as well.

Display and Size

Size-wise, the iPad Pro has two: the 11in and the 13in, both sporting 120Hz refresh rates and OLED displays with the only real difference between the two options being the sizes. While the Surface Pro is 13in with a 120Hz display sporting either an LCD or OLED screen with the OLED screen costing a fair bit more. So, both iPad versions having OLED is better than the Surface Pro’s two different options, but the Surface Pro starter model is larger than the iPad Pro’s, so there’s a give and take.

Connectivity and Cameras

Connectivity-wise, both are not great, but there is a clear winner. The iPad Pro only has one Thunderbolt USB-C, so a dongle will likely be necessary for most users, while the Surface Pro has two USB-C’s and the Surface Connect port. So neither is really good in this regard, but the Surface Pro does have more ports in general.

For cameras, both of these devices are actually quite good. The iPad Pro has an extensive camera array with a wide rear cam, LiDAR scanner, and an ultrawide front camera, enabling the tablet to record at 4K, cover a large area around your face at the front, and project AR imagery. While the Surface Pro has a great ultrawide front camera and wide rear cam; the rear can record at 4K and the front at 1440p. So both of these devices are actually pretty neck and neck in terms of camera tech. Overall, though, I’d say the iPad has the slight advantage with the LiDAR scanner, but they’re both really solid.

  • External Summary: The iPad Pro takes points for both models having OLED and LiDAR scanners, while the Surface Pro has better connectivity and the starter model is larger.

Internal Specs and Performance

The iPad Pro sports the new M4, which is very speedy since it’s a computer processor put into a tablet and the newest generation of that chip. While the Surface Pro 11 rocks the also new Snapdragon arm chips, the Snapdragon X+ for the starter model and X Elite for the OLED version, which are also very fast and allow for some great overall performance and battery life.

Benchmarks and AI

To visualize this better, here are the alleged single core performance benchmarks of these device configurations and here are the multicore. As you can see they’re pretty neck and neck with the iPad Pro coming out on top. Both of these devices also support their own respective NPUs or neural processing units for AI functionality, which are great because AI is coming full swing.

Storage and Battery

For storage, both of these devices are not great, but they do tie: 256GB for both. You can’t get any more equal than that. However, the Surface Pro’s SSD is upgradeable, so that’s a point for Microsoft.

For battery lives, both seem pretty good. Both of these devices’ previous iterations showed solid battery lives, with the surface having a bit more variability; some users’ devices could last all day while others just a few hours. With both of these devices seeing a significant performance upgrade, expect there to also be an increase in battery performance as well, up to a full work day.

Security and Operating Systems

Both sport solid security software, with the iPad Pro rocking Face ID and the Surface Pro using Windows Hello. For the operating systems, the iPad Pro uses iPad OS while the Surface Pro runs Windows 11, meaning two completely different OSs that also translate to different uses for these devices. In summary, the iPad Pro has faster internal specs, while the Surface Pro has an upgradeable SSD.

Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

The M4 iPad Pro versus Surface Pro 11 are two really solid devices that for this year are really tough to choose, but I think despite the wonderful upgrades, the right choice for you is pretty clear.

Simply put, the iPad Pro is a laptop-y tablet, meaning a tablet that can sort of act like a laptop. It’s like a companion to your laptop or computer setup that you have already. While the Surface Pro is a tablet-y laptop, meaning a laptop that can kind of act like a tablet. So it has that compatibility with nearly everything on the internet and can be used as your main computer.

The iPad is an amazing tablet but not a great laptop because iPad OS just doesn’t have that compatibility with as many programs or that multitasking ability as Mac OS. While the Surface Pro is a great computer but not a great tablet because Windows is not a native tablet operating system, causing the tablet experience to be a bit more lacking.

If you are a student, professional, or wonderful consumer who already has a computer and/or is okay with iPad OS, get the M4 iPad Pro. If you are a student, professional, or wonderful consumer who does not already have a computer and/or would prefer the Windows operating system, get the Surface Pro 11. Ultimately, this is your decision and you can’t really go wrong with either device, but focus on what you need. The iPad is a fantastic companion to your setup, while the Surface Pro can be your setup. My name is Cirus. It’s spelled like Cyrus but like C-rooster, just take out the T. Thank you very much for reading and have a wonderful day.