Microsoft's Latest 12-inch Surface Pro Challenges iPad Air, Claiming the Victory in My Opinion
The latest Surface Pro 12-inch model represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, boasting a sleeker design that closely resembles the iPad Air. Notably, both devices boast uniform bezels and rounded display corners, a departure from the Surface Pro's previous boxier chassis with non-uniform bezels.
Microsoft appears to be directly targeting the iPad Air 13-inch with the new Surface Pro 12-inch. Externally, they share several similarities, including design, thickness, and weight, with the latter showing a negligible difference, making for a competitive edge for the Surface Pro.
Despite the iPad Air's edge in weight and thickness, the Surface Pro 12-inch remains a noteworthy contender, with a thickness of 7.8mm and weight of 686g compared to the iPad Air's 6.1mm and 618g. Additionally, the built-in kickstand on the iPad Air justifies any additional thickness and weight.
Both tablets support stylus accessories, with the iPad Air charging the Apple Pencil on one edge and the Surface Pro 12-inch charging the Surface Slim Pen on the device's back. The Surface Pro 12-inch intelligently hangs onto the pen with strong magnets, making it difficult to accidentally remove, compared to the iPad Air's Apple Pencil, which is known for falling out of bags.
The new Surface Pro 12-inch also retains other flagship features, including the Windows Hello face unlock feature, unlike the iPad Air, which relies on Face ID. Moreover, the Surface Pro 12-inch comes equipped with a higher 90Hz refresh rate display compared to the iPad Air's 60Hz, resulting in a smoother user experience.
Despite the iPad Air's higher-resolution screen, the Surface Pro 12-inch offers a display that falls comfortably within the "Retina" quality territory, making it difficult to discern individual pixels at regular viewing distances.
In the performance department, the iPad Air takes the lead due to its enhanced Apple Silicon chip. However, in real-world use, the disparity is minimal, with both devices handling everyday tasks efficiently. The drawbacks of the iPad Air are noticeable in battery life, where it surpasses the Surface Pro 12-inch's longevity.
Regarding the optional keyboard accessories, both devices present differences in their implementation, with the iPad Air's Magic Keyboard being more expensive, heavier, and resembling a case, while the Surface Pro's keyboard protects the screen and is more affordable.
Ultimately, the Surface Pro 12-inch undercuts the iPad Air 13-inch in price for similar storage configurations. When factoring in accessories, the Surface Pro 12-inch proves to be the more cost-effective option. However, it's essential to note that Windows 11 might not be perfect as a tablet operating system, as it falls behind iPadOS in touch-first experiences. On the other hand, iPadOS is less suitable for laptop use compared to Windows 11.
In conclusion, the new Surface Pro 12-inch offers better value for those prioritizing multitasking and laptop functionality, while the iPad Air excels in display quality and outdoor use.
We welcome your thoughts on the new Surface Pro 12-inch. Do you believe it outperforms the iPad Air as a laptop or tablet? Share your opinions in our comments section!
- The Surface Pro 12-inch runs on Windows 11, a departure from the iPad Air's iPadOS.
- The new Surface Pro 12-inch is compatible with Xbox cloud gaming, allowing for console-quality gaming on a laptop or tablet.
- Microsoft's line of smartphones and technology gadgets, such as the latest Surface Laptop, share the Windows operating system with the Surface Pro 12-inch.
- The Surface Pro 12-inch comes with support for Xbox cross-platform play, expanding its gaming capabilities beyond the tablet.
- While the iPad Air only supports the Apple Pencil, the Surface Pro 12-inch can utilize both the Surface Slim Pen and the Surface Pen, offering versatility for creative work.
- In addition to the Surface Pro 12-inch, Microsoft's hardware lineup includes the Windows 11-powered Xbox Series X gaming console, bridging the gap between smartphones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles.
