iPad Pro vs Microsoft Surface Pro 4: Which Tablet Will Make the Best Holiday Gift?

By Lorraine Caballero, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, October 27, 2015

When it comes to the latest tablets, Apple's iPad Pro is being pitted against Microsoft's Surface Pro 4, and only a comparison of specs and features can ultimately help an individual decide which device will make the best gift this holiday season.

The first thing usually being considered before buying a gadget is its physical appearance. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 boasts of a 12.3-inch display with a resolution of 267 ppi, but the Apple iPad Pro comes with a 12.9-inch screen. However, the latter's resolution is only 265 ppi, according to Latinos Post (LP).

Talking about design, the iPad Pro is a bit longer but 18 percent thinner than the Surface Pro 4. But in terms of USB port, the Microsoft tablet takes home the bacon with one USB 3.0 port, a MiniDisplay port, and another slot for a microSD card versus the iPad Pro's sole port for the Lightning connector, The Week reports.

In the processor department, the Surface Pro 4's Core i5 and i7 variants will most likely win in terms of raw power. But the A9X system-on-a-chip in the iPad Pro will be able to run iOS smoothly, so the two devices may end up in a tie here.

Each of the two next-generation tablets comes with separate accessories to make usage more convenient. The Surface Pro 4 has a Type Cover that costs $130 and a free stylus, while the iPad Pro has the Smart Keyboard that can be bought for $169. However, since customers still have to purchase the Apple Pencil, the Surface Pro 4 emerges as the winner in this department, the report states.

The major factor to be considered in deciding between the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 4 is the operating system. There are users who can only be comfortable with iOS, and there are also those who appreciate the Windows OS.

Generally, it is recommended that users who own mostly Apple devices should stick with the iPad Pro because of compatibility issues with other ecosystems. But those who are not merely looking for tablets and want to own a "two-in-one" mini-desktop computer should choose the Surface Pro 4.