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Apple’s M4 iPad Pro packs incredible hardware for a tablet, but iPadOS and a few other factors hold it back from achieving its maximum potential. If you want a tablet that will truly replace your laptop, you’re better off going withMicrosoft’s Surface Pro 11.
The13-inch iPad Propacks cutting-edge hardware—the flagship M4 chip, up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, and an all-newUltra Retina XDR display. However, many people, including Apple loyalists, say iPadOS holds it back from reaching its true hardware potential.
The biggest stumbling block with iPadOS for the longest time has been its inability to multitask efficiently. While iPadOS 17 introduced Stage Manager to improve the multitasking experience, it’s still not close to a true desktop multitasking experience.
iPadOS also lacks a system-wide file management utility. Sure, Apple offers the Files app for managing all your files, but it doesn’t have full access to your iPad’s file system like Finder on macOS.
Another gripe most pro users have about the iPad versus a MacBook is the inability to customize the Home Screen. While this is one ofthe best features of iPadOS 18that we’re finally getting after years of waiting, it still doesn’t let you place files on the desktop like on a Mac.
Surface Pro Options Are Cheaper
Apple devices command a premium, and the added price might be a dealbreaker if you’re not invested in the Apple ecosystem. Let’s compare the prices of the M4 iPad Pro with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11. Note that we’re only pitting the 13-inch Wi-Fi-only iPad Pro against Microsoft’s offering, as that makes for an even comparison due to the form factor.
Storage Capacity
13-Inch M4 iPad Pro with Ultra Retina XDR Display
Microsoft Surface Pro / Snapdragon X Plus with LCD Display
Microsoft Surface Pro / Snapdragon X Elite with OLED Display
8GB RAM / 9-core CPU
16GB RAM / 10-core CPU
16GB RAM / 12-core CPU
32GB RAM / 12-core CPU
If you look at these prices, you can see that Apple’s offerings with comparable storage space are significantly more expensive. For example, you have to pay a $300 premium if you need 256GB of storage, while the 1TB 13-inch iPad Pro is $200 more expensive than the comparable Surface Pro 11 tablet.
If you want the cellular variant of the iPad Pro, you’ll need to spend an additional $200 on top of the price tags we listed in the table above. Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11, on the other hand, doesn’t have LTE support.
Apple’s M4 chip may be more powerful than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, but does that really justify the price difference? Well, not unless you need the absolute performance of the M4 chip. And even if that’s the case, you’re likely better off getting a MacBook Pro withthe M3 Pro or M3 Max chip.
You Get an Extra USB-C Port
Users who need a tablet for professional use will likely appreciate extra ports. The M4 iPad Pro has a single USB-C port, but the Surface Pro 11 has two. This means you can recharge your tablet while attaching another USB-C peripheral to it, unlike the former, where you need a dongle to do so.
You will get an extra port if youpurchase the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, but that’s an additional expense. And if you don’t want to use Apple’s expensive keyboard case, you need a hub to use multiple USB devices with your iPad.
Official Accessories Are More Affordable
As mentioned earlier, the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro will give you an extra USB-C port. However, official Apple accessories are expensive. For example, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which requires a physical connection to your tablet, costs $329. On the other hand, Microsoft’s Surface Pro Keyboard only costs $139.99.
If you plan to use your tablet with a stylus, you can get the Surface Pro Keyboard with pen storage, which costs $179.99. This might be a tad more expensive, but it will at least securely store the Surface Slim Pen. Microsoft also offers the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard for $349.99. This is about $20 more expensive than Apple’s offering, but it connects wirelessly to your tablet.
Apple has the advantage when it comes to stylus options, though. You can get the Apple Pencil Pro for $129, while the Apple Pencil (USB-C) costs $50 less at just $79. Microsoft has only one option: the Surface Slim Pen for $129.99. It’s not only pricier but also doesn’t include a charger.
The Apple Pencil Pro doesn’t need a separate charger as the M4 iPad Pro charges it wirelessly, while you’re able to charge the Apple Pencil (USB-C) with any USB-C cable. Feel free to check outour Apple Pencil comparisonif you’re unsure which stylus to get for your M4 iPad Pro.
If you’re not getting the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, you need to purchase the Surface Slim Pen Charger for $34.99. However, if you buy any Surface Pro Keyboard and the Surface Slim Pen as a combo, you automatically get a discount—something that Apple rarely offers.
The Surface Pro Keyboard with Slim Pen costs $279.99, giving you a $30 discount compared to buying these items separately. However, you still need to get the Surface Slim Pen Charger, thus negating the discount that you get.
The Surface Pro Flex Keyboard with Slim Pen costs $449.98 together. This gives you the same $30 discount, but since the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard can charge the Surface Slim Pen, you don’t need to purchase a charger separately.
Nevertheless, both official Apple and Microsoft accessories are pretty expensive. That’s whybuying cheaper alternatives to the Magic Keyboard makes more sense.
It’s the Better Choice if You’re a Windows User
Unless you’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the better device in terms of flexibility. The latter’s single major advantage is its use of Windows 11, allowing you to use it as a proper laptop replacement with all the multitasking capabilities you expect from a computer.
Still, we’re not discounting the M4 iPad Pro’s astounding performance. If Apple decides to make iPadOS closer in performance to macOS than iOS, it would hands down beat Microsoft’s Surface Pro in every department except price.
