Tablet with a 12-inch screen, modeled after the iPad, offering the 'Windows experience', now available at a reduced price of $100
The Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch and the iPad Air are two highly competitive tablets that offer similar designs but boast key differences in performance, features, and pricing.
Performance
The Surface Pro 12-inch runs full Windows, optimized for the Snapdragon X processor, providing a full PC experience in tablet form. On the other hand, the iPad Air runs iPadOS, derived from iPhone software yet designed for tablet use, favoring app fluidity and efficiency over full desktop capability. This makes the Surface Pro more appealing for those needing full Windows software, while the iPad Air excels as a powerful tablet with a growing computing role.
Features
- Display: The Surface Pro 12-inch boasts a 90Hz display, offering smoother visuals compared to the iPad Air's 60Hz screen.
- Design: Both devices share a similar boxy design with rounded corners and uniform bezels, making the Surface look very iPad-like.
- Ports and Accessories: The Surface Pro offers more ports for flexibility but does not include a power supply. The iPad Air has fewer ports (USB-C only) and benefits from Apple's Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessory ecosystem. The Surface keyboard is less expensive at $149.99.
- Operating System: The Surface uses Windows scaled down to tablet form, supporting legacy PC software and multitasking. The iPad Air runs iPadOS, optimized for touch and mobile apps but increasingly capable as a professional tool.
- Connectivity: Both offer cellular versions with 5G support, with similar sub-6GHz capabilities.
Pricing
Base prices for both devices are roughly in the same range and often subject to discounts. Adding necessary keyboards increases the overall cost, with the Surface’s keyboard costing $149.99, significantly cheaper than Apple’s Magic Keyboard at $319. Accessories can push the final price notably higher on both devices.
In summary, the Surface Pro 12-inch is best for users who want a full Windows PC experience in a tablet form with a smoother 90Hz screen and more versatile ports at a somewhat lower accessory cost. The iPad Air offers a highly optimized tablet experience with iPadOS, excellent app support, and deeper integration into Apple’s ecosystem, but with a lower refresh rate and fewer ports. Choosing between them depends largely on whether the user prefers Windows for productivity or iPadOS for tablet-centric flexibility.
Additional Considerations
- Both devices require a keyboard, which is an additional cost factor to consider.
- The Surface Pro 12-inch is available for purchase on Amazon.
- The Surface Pro 12-inch and the iPad Air share several design similarities, but are different in their features and performance.
- The Surface Pro 12-inch is suitable for internet browsing, productivity work, media consumption, and portable computing.
- Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden has compared the Surface Pro 12-inch and the iPad Air.
- The iPad Air is currently on sale for $150 off at the time of publication.
[1] Comparison Article: Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch vs iPad Air [2] Review: Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch by Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino [5] Connectivity Details of Surface Pro 12-inch and iPad Air
- For those in search of a full PC experience in a tablet form, the Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch, running full Windows with the Snapdragon X processor, may be the better choice.
- The Surface Pro 12-inch boasts a faster 90Hz display for smoother visuals compared to the iPad Air's 60Hz screen.
- The iPad Air, with its iPadOS, optimized for touch and mobile apps, might be more appealing to users who prioritize app fluidity and efficiency over full desktop capability.
- In the realm of hardware accessories, the Surface's keyboard is less expensive at $149.99, while Apple's Magic Keyboard comes at a hefty $319.
- Laptop enthusiasts shopping for technology gadgets online may find the Surface Pro 12-inch available on Amazon.
- Despite their design similarities, the Surface Pro 12-inch and the iPad Air have distinct differences when it comes to features and performance, making each suitable for different lifestyles and home-and-garden setups.
- The Surface Pro 12-inch offers versatility with its multiple ports, making it ideal for tasks such as internet browsing, productivity work, media consumption, and portable computing.
- If you're a smartphone owner who is planning to add a Surface Pro 12-inch or an iPad Air to your gadget collection, considering the Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch vs iPad Air comparison article, along with reviews from trusted sources like Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino, might be beneficial. Moreover, taking advantage of current sales, like the $150 off offer for the iPad Air, could help you make the most of your shopping experience within the technology domain.
