Surface Pro 4 Vs. iPad Pro: High-End Hybrid Showdown
Apple and Microsoft are targeting the enterprise with high-end hybrid devices. We compare the iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4 specs and promises. Which would you buy?
Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 has some direct competition with the new iPad Pro, which became available via online order Nov. 11.
Since it created its original Surface, Microsoft has been trying to develop a laptop-killing device. Apple recently jumped into the game when it unveiled the iPad Pro, a massive tablet compatible with a Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
The iPad Pro is Apple's answer to Microsoft's latest Surface hybrid, the Surface Pro 4, which hit store shelves Oct. 26. Both devices target the enterprise market and are designed for mobile professionals.
[Is the iPad Pro the best business tablet? Here's InformationWeek's comparison.]
Critics have had mixed, but mostly positive, reactions to the two hybrids.
The Surface Pro 4, they say, is a welcome upgrade from the Surface Pro 3. Most of the changes are minor: Microsoft made the display a half-inch larger, boosted the resolution and power, and addressed issues in its Type Cover and Surface Pen.
Early reviews of the iPad Pro praise its hardware, power, and the optional Apple Pencil. Most critics agree the iPad Pro is impressive as a tablet, with its 12.9-inch display and high pixel density, but complain about Apple's Smart Keyboard and lack of iOS 9 optimization.
Here we put the specs for Surface Pro 4 and the iPad Pro side-by-side. Are you thinking about purchasing one of the two? Why or why not?
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Upon first glance, the most obvious difference between iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4 is the size. Apple's tablet display is noticeably larger at 12.9 inches; the Surface Pro 4's measures 12.3 inches.
While the iPad's bigger screen may be a welcome benefit for some professionals, the 0.5-inch size difference shouldn't make or break your decision. Both displays, which far exceed the 9.7" iPad screen, are comfortably sized for everyday productivity.
The iPad Pro, which measures 0.27 inches in thickness (sans keyboard) and weighs 1.57 pounds, is both lighter and thinner than the Surface Pro 4. Microsoft's hybrid is 0.33 inches thick and weighs 1.73 pounds for the Core i5 model; 1.69 pounds for the entry-level Core m3.
Despite their size difference, the two devices are close in pixel density. The Surface Pro 4 display measures 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI) and the iPad Pro is 2732 x 2048 (264 PPI).
The Surface Pro 4 comes with one of three sixth-generation Intel Core processors: the entry-level m3, the Core i5, or the Core i7.
The iPad Pro runs on Apple's A9X third-generation chip with 64-bit architecture, which Apple claims has a 2.5x faster CPU and 5x faster graphics than the iPad Air's A7 chip.
Microsoft's hybrid comes with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM and the option to choose 128GB, 256 GB, 512GB, or 1TB of solid-state storage.
The WiFi model of the iPad Pro comes with either 32GB or 128GB of storage. A WiFi + cellular model comes with 128GB. Both have 4GB RAM.
For both devices, prices vary according to storage selection.
Apple, like Microsoft, has developed a writing tool to accompany its business device. The Apple Pencil reportedly writes well and is ideal for graphics -- it even shades as traditional pencils do -- but there is room for improvement.
Microsoft launched the Surface Pen long before the Apple Pencil was released, and its updated writing tool addresses a few simple needs the Apple Pencil does not. The new Surface Pen has an eraser and can be stored via a magnetic strip on the side of Surface Pro 4. Apple Pencil has neither eraser nor storage.
The Surface Pen eraser is also used for shortcuts to launch Microsoft apps. Single-click opens OneNote, click-and-hold prompts Cortana, and double-click launches screen capture.
Another difference between the two is battery life. Microsoft promises the new battery-powered Surface Pen will last for one year of use. The Apple Pencil is charged via a Lightning connector. Apple claims a full charge will last 12 hours, and 15 seconds of charging will give 30 minutes of battery life.
It should also be noted the Surface Pen is included with the Surface Pro 4, while the Apple Pen will cost an additional $99.
The iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4 are compatible with attachable keyboards. Both Microsoft's Type Cover and Apple's Smart Keyboard are available as accessories and not included in the device price.
The Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro is a lightweight keyboard that folds into a kickstand for the iPad and unfolds into a screen cover when not in use. In order to make the keyboard 4mm thin, Apple designed the keys on custom-woven fabric with a springy tension that replaces traditional key mechanisms.
Thinness aside, reviewers have voiced disappointment with the $169 keyboard, which The Verge claims is "so light and small" it's "difficult to balance properly" for lap typing. Most apps don't support keyboard shortcuts, reports Wired. There is no escape key or trackpad, so you have to reach to the screen for navigation.
Microsoft is selling two Type Covers for the Surface Pro 4. The updated keyboard, which retails for $130, is an improvement over the cramped, flimsy Surface Pro 3 model. Its build is sturdier, keys are spaced farther apart, and a precision-glass trackpad is larger and more sensitive.
For $160, Surface users can buy a Type Cover with a built-in fingerprint reader for secure access. This seems a better option for Surface Pro 3 users because the Pro 4 comes with secure login capabilities via Windows Hello.
Speaking of security, both devices come with secure biometric login capabilities.
The iPad Pro has Apple's Touch ID technology, which uses fingerprint scanning for authentication. The scan is used to log into the device and confirm secure purchases in iTunes, in the App Store, in iBooks, and via Apple Pay.
Surface Pro 4 uses Windows Hello for biometric login with facial and iris scanning. As previously mentioned, an optional keyboard upgrade enables fingerprint ID.
Much of your decision to choose iPad Pro or Surface Pro 4 will weigh on the device's OS. There are several differences between Apple's and Microsoft's systems. However, it's worth noting that iOS 9 is exclusively built for mobile and Windows 10 is a full desktop OS.
Surface Pro 4 runs on Windows 10, which works similarly on both desktops and PCs. Like a laptop, it supports the full Office suite and other enterprise apps, multiple users, and virtual machines.
The iPad Pro runs on iOS 9, which was built with a few iPad-specific upgrades to boost productivity. Slide Over and Split View let you run two windows at once; Picture-in-Picture lets you view a video in a smaller window while working within another app.
Microsoft promises up to nine hours of video playback with Surface Pro 4, making it equal to Surface Pro 3 in terms of lasting power.
Apple claims the iPad Pro will last up to 10 hours of Web surfing on WiFi, listening to music, or watching videos. Battery life goes down to nine hours of surfing on a cellular data network.
So how much will these high-end hybrids cost you? For both the Surface Pro 4 and iPad Pro, the price tag depends on how the device is configured.
The entry-level Surface Pro 4 costs $899 and comes with a Core m3 CPU, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and the Surface Pen. A mid-level Surface with Core i5 processor, 256GB SSD, and 8GB RAM costs $1,299. For $2,699 you'll get the fully maxed-out Surface (currently sold out) with a Core i7 processor, 1TB storage, and 16GB RAM.
The entry-level iPad Pro, a WiFi-only model with 32GB storage, costs $799. The WiFi model with 128GB costs $949. You'll pay $1,079 for an iPad Pro with WiFi, cellular, and 128GB storage. None of these prices include the $99 Apple Pencil or $169 Smart Keyboard.
So how much will these high-end hybrids cost you? For both the Surface Pro 4 and iPad Pro, the price tag depends on how the device is configured.
The entry-level Surface Pro 4 costs $899 and comes with a Core m3 CPU, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and the Surface Pen. A mid-level Surface with Core i5 processor, 256GB SSD, and 8GB RAM costs $1,299. For $2,699 you'll get the fully maxed-out Surface (currently sold out) with a Core i7 processor, 1TB storage, and 16GB RAM.
The entry-level iPad Pro, a WiFi-only model with 32GB storage, costs $799. The WiFi model with 128GB costs $949. You'll pay $1,079 for an iPad Pro with WiFi, cellular, and 128GB storage. None of these prices include the $99 Apple Pencil or $169 Smart Keyboard.
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