Both devices aim to be laptop killers, but which one is worthy of the title?
Apple has always been fairly consistent in its design of the iPad, landing on a hit format early on that has remained popular with fans. However, with the launch of the iPad Pro, Apple was keen to demonstrate that its humble tablet is capable of much more than browsing the internet and watching videos – that it has the potential to evolve from a companion device into a genuine laptop replacement.
With Apple having recently refreshed the iPad Pro range, we decided to put that claim to the test, pitting its new model head-to-head against another device gunning to replace your laptop, Microsoft's similarly refreshed Surface Pro.
Microsoft's fifth-generation Surface Pro is the most refined yet, having trimmed away most of the fat of the old models and made noticeable improvements to battery life and the detachable keyboard.
With both devices vying for the same thing – an audience that wants the functionality of a laptop paired with the portability and flexibility of a tablet – which one will come out on top?
Here's a quick rundown of the specifications before we dive into the key criteria of this head-to-head review.
iPad Pro vs Surface Pro at a glance
| Apple iPad Pro | Microsoft Surface Pro | |
| Price range | $979 – $1,849 | $1,199 – $3,999 |
| Screen size | 10.5in or 12.9in | 12.3in |
| Screen resolution | 2,224 x 1,668 (10.5in), 2732 x 2048 (12.9in) |
2,736 x 1,824 pixels |
| Screen sRGB coverage | 96% (10.5in) | 94% |
| Screen max. brightness | 528cd/m2 (10.5in) | 437cd/m2 |
| Screen contrast ratio | 1,504:1 (10.5in) | 1,297:1 |
| CPUs | 2.36GHz 6-core A10X | Intel Core m3-7Y30, Core i5-7300U or Core i7-7660U |
| RAM | 4GB | 4/8/16GB |
| Storage | 64/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB/1TB |
| Battery life test | 12 hrs 59 mins (10.5in) | 11 hrs 30mins |
| OS | iOS 10 (10.3.2) | Windows 10 Pro |
| Ports | Lightning port, headphone jack |
1 x USB 3.0, 1 x mini DisplayPort, headphone jack |
| Dimensions | 251 x 174 x 6.1mm (10.5in), 306 x 221 x 6.9mm (12.9in) |
292 x 201 x 8.5mm |
| Weight | 469/477g (10.5in WiFi/4G), 677/692g (12.9in WiFi/4G) |
786g |
Next: Design, display, stylus and keyboard
