iPad Pro vs Surface Pro 2024: Full Comparison
iPad Pro excels as a content consumption and creative device with superior display technology and app optimization, while Microsoft Surface Pro functions as a true laptop replacement with full Windows OS, file system access, and traditional software compatibility. The choice depends on whether you prioritize tablet experience or desktop computing.
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Premium tablet with OLED display and Apple Pencil Pro support for creative professionals
Digital artists, illustrators, designers, students, and media consumption users who work within Apple's ecosystem and don't need traditional desktop applications
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Thin-and-light Windows laptop hybrid with kickstand and Slim Pen 2 support
Business professionals, engineers, developers, gamers, and creative professionals who need full Windows compatibility and aren't committed to the Apple ecosystem
Quick Answer
AI SummaryiPad Pro excels as a content consumption and creative device with superior display technology and app optimization, while Microsoft Surface Pro functions as a true laptop replacement with full Windows OS, file system access, and traditional software compatibility. The choice depends on whether you prioritize tablet experience or desktop computing.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose iPad Pro if you prioritize creative work (drawing, photo editing with Procreate), media consumption, and want the best tablet display on the market with seamless Apple ecosystem integration. Choose Microsoft Surface Pro if you need to run desktop applications, access traditional file systems, play PC games, or require compatibility with enterprise software—it's genuinely a laptop replacement, not just a large tablet.
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Choose iPad Pro (2024, M4) if
Digital artists, illustrators, designers, students, and media consumption users who work within Apple's ecosystem and don't need traditional desktop applications
Choose Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra) if
Best pickBusiness professionals, engineers, developers, gamers, and creative professionals who need full Windows compatibility and aren't committed to the Apple ecosystem
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Operating System:✓ Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra) wins(Windows 11 vs iPadOS 18)
- Display Technology:✓ iPad Pro (2024, M4) wins(Tandem OLED 120Hz (iPad Pro 11" M4) vs LCD IPS 120Hz (Surface Pro 11))
- File System Access:✓ Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra) wins(Full Windows file system vs Limited sandboxed apps)
Key Facts & Figures
8 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | iPad Pro (2024, M4) | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,099 (11-inch M4, 256GB) | $999 (11-inch Core Ultra, 256GB) | |
| RAM(GB) | 8GB base (upgradeable to 16GB) | 16GB standard (upgradeable to 32GB) | |
| Weight(lbs) | 0.483 (11-inch) | 1.45 (11-inch with keyboard) | |
| Stylus Pressure Levels(levels) | 12,000 (Apple Pencil Pro) | 4,096 (Slim Pen 2) | |
| Battery Life(hours) | 10 hours mixed use | 13 hours mixed use | |
| App Ecosystem Size(applications) | ~2 million (App Store) | ~10 million+ (Windows/Steam) | |
| Color Accuracy (DCI-P3)(percent) | 99.5% (OLED) | 90% (LCD IPS) | |
| Contrast Ratio(ratio) | Infinite (OLED) | 1000:1 (LCD IPS) | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- iPadOS 18Operating SystemWindows 11(winner)
- Tandem OLED 120Hz (iPad Pro 11" M4)(winner)Display TechnologyLCD IPS 120Hz (Surface Pro 11)
- Limited sandboxed appsFile System AccessFull Windows file system(winner)
- App Store ecosystem (~2M apps)Software CompatibilityWindows software ecosystem (~10M+ applications)(winner)
- Apple Pencil Pro (0.5mm point, 12,000 pressure levels)(winner)Stylus PrecisionSlim Pen 2 (0.6mm point, 4,096 pressure levels)
- Separate purchase ($349-449)Keyboard InclusionOptional Type Cover ($280-350)
- Apple M4 GPU (10-core), iPad-optimized gamesGaming PerformanceIntel Core Ultra (8-core GPU), full PC games via Steam(winner)
- Operating System
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
iPadOS 18
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Windows 11(winner)
- Display Technology
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Tandem OLED 120Hz (iPad Pro 11" M4)(winner)
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
LCD IPS 120Hz (Surface Pro 11)
- File System Access
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Limited sandboxed apps
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Full Windows file system(winner)
- Software Compatibility
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
App Store ecosystem (~2M apps)
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Windows software ecosystem (~10M+ applications)(winner)
- Stylus Precision
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Apple Pencil Pro (0.5mm point, 12,000 pressure levels)(winner)
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Slim Pen 2 (0.6mm point, 4,096 pressure levels)
- Keyboard Inclusion
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Separate purchase ($349-449)
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Optional Type Cover ($280-350)
- Gaming Performance
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Apple M4 GPU (10-core), iPad-optimized games
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Intel Core Ultra (8-core GPU), full PC games via Steam(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | iPad Pro (2024, M4) | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,099 (11-inch M4, 256GB) | $999 (11-inch Core Ultra, 256GB)(winner) |
| Display Resolution(pixels) | 2560×1664 (11-inch) | 2560×1600 (11-inch) |
| Display Type & Refresh Rate(Hz) | Tandem OLED 120Hz | LCD IPS 120Hz |
| Color Accuracy (DCI-P3)(percent) | 99.5% (OLED)(winner) | 90% (LCD IPS) |
| Contrast Ratio(ratio) | Infinite (OLED) | 1000:1 (LCD IPS) |
| Processor(CPU cores) | Apple M4 (9-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | Intel Core Ultra 135U (10-core CPU, 8-core GPU)(winner) |
| RAM(GB) | 8GB base (upgradeable to 16GB) | 16GB standard (upgradeable to 32GB)(winner) |
| Storage Options(GB) | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Weight(lbs) | 0.483 (11-inch)(winner) | 1.45 (11-inch with keyboard) |
| Stylus Pressure Levels(levels) | 12,000 (Apple Pencil Pro)(winner) | 4,096 (Slim Pen 2) |
| Battery Life(hours) | 10 hours mixed use | 13 hours mixed use(winner) |
| App Ecosystem Size(applications) | ~2 million (App Store) | ~10 million+ (Windows/Steam)(winner) |
| Desktop App Support(compatibility) | Limited web/tablet versions only | Full Photoshop, Premiere Pro, AutoCAD, etc. |
| File System Access(level) | Sandboxed app-specific storage | Full hierarchical file system (C:/, Documents, etc.) |
| Gaming Capability(library size) | ~500k games (App Store, mobile-focused)(winner) | ~50k+ AAA games (Steam + Windows native) |
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
iPad Pro (2024, M4)
Pros
- Tandem OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and superior color accuracy (DCI-P3 99.5%)
- Apple Pencil Pro with 0.5mm precision point and 12,000 pressure levels for professional illustration
- Compact and lightweight design (483g for 11-inch model) with exceptional portability
- Excellent thermal performance with fanless M4 chip, completely silent operation
- Deep integration with Mac, iPhone, Apple Watch for seamless handoff and continuity
Cons
- iPadOS lacks traditional file system management and multi-window multitasking compared to desktop OS
- Cannot run desktop applications like Adobe Creative Suite (full versions), Microsoft Office, or specialized software
- Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro require separate $700+ investment for full productivity setup
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024, Core Ultra)
Pros
- Full Windows 11 OS with unrestricted file system access and all traditional desktop software compatibility
- Can run professional applications: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, AutoCAD, Visual Studio, and Steam games natively
- Magnetic kickstand with infinitely adjustable angles for flexible productivity and presentation modes
- Thermal performance allows continuous productivity without throttling for office and creative work
- Enterprise-grade security and IT integration for business users with Azure AD and Intune support
Cons
- LCD IPS display with 120Hz is good but lacks OLED's contrast ratio and color vibrancy compared to iPad Pro
- Slim Pen 2 has 4,096 pressure levels (vs iPad's 12,000), making it less ideal for detailed illustration work
- Heavier and thicker (1.45kg at 11.5mm) than iPad Pro, with larger overall footprint reducing portability
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
For light productivity (email, browsing, document editing), yes. However, if you need desktop applications like professional Photoshop, Premiere Pro, AutoCAD, Visual Studio, or specialized software, the iPad Pro cannot replace a laptop. The Surface Pro can genuinely replace a laptop because it runs full Windows and all desktop applications natively.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
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