Probably many of you wonder how Surface Pro 6, which was recently unveiled by Microsoft, compares to one of the best tablets in the market, iPad Pro. Let’s take a look at their key aspects to find out which device is better.
Design
Talking about the design, we need to mention that these two tablets do not have much in common. When it comes to the building material, iPad Pro is made of aluminum, while Surface Pro 6 was built using magnesium. This in turn explains the difference in weight between them (without any additions): iPad has 1.57 pounds compared to the 1.71 pounds of Surface.
Kickstand
Nowadays, kickstand is an important feature of every tablet, as more and more people use these devices in a way similar to laptops. Here, Surface Pro 6 is a winner, as it is equipped in a kickstand that moves up to 165 degrees. On the other hand, users of iPad Pro have to purchase additional cases or keyboards in order to use it in the same way.
Display
Both tablets are equipped with very good displays: iPad Pro has a 12.9-inch screen with a resolution of 2,732 x 2,048 and a pixel density of 264, while Surface Pro 6 has a 12.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824 and a pixel density of 267.
Dimensions
When it comes to the dimensions of these two devices, iPad Pro, at 12 x 8.66 x 0.27 inches, is the larger one, as Surface Pro 6 measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches. However, as we have already mentioned, iPad is lighter, even though it is bigger.
Battery
According to various review tests, the battery of iPad Pro lasts for up to 10 hours, while Microsoft states that its device can be used for up to 13.5 hours without the need to charge it.
Connectivity
Connectivity-wise, iPad Pro and Surface Pro 6 are nothing alike. Apple’s tablet is equipped only with a single Lightning Port, which means that it cannot be connected to other devices without using official dongles, which have to be purchased separately. Microsoft, on the other hand, provided its Surface Pro 6 with more conventional USB 3.0 and mini-Display Port.
Specifications
As these two devices were developed by two companies who have their own operating systems and chipsets, some huge differences in performance are to be expected. In the case of iPad Pro, this tablet runs iOS 12 and has a A10X chip with 64-bit architecture, an embedded M10 co-processor, 4GB of RAM and a storage of 32GB, 128GB or 256GB. When it comes to Surface Pro 6, it comes with Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 10, a quad-core eighth generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7 Processor, either 8GB or 16GB of RAM and a storage of up to 1TB.
Stylus
As for the option for styluses, they can be used on both tablets, although the pen or pencil is not included in their prices. Both the Apple Pencil and the Microsoft Surface Pen are perfectly designed to work within their operating system, and specs-wise, the differences between them are very small.
Price
The last thing we need to mention is the price. Here, iPad Pro is a little more accessible, as it can be purchased starting at $800. On the other hand, the price of the more technologically advanced Surface Pro 6 starts at $900, which is still rather affordable.
iPad Pro or Surface Pro 6?
As these two devices are very different, but also extremely good at what they are designed to do, it is rather impossible to choose a clear winner. However, we can definitely recommend iPad Pro to those who search for something close to a conventional tablet, while Surface Pro 6 will surely be a perfect choice for users who wish to use their device as a laptop.
Juana loves to cover the tech and gaming industry, she always stays on the first row of CES conference and reports live from there.