Microsoft Surface Pro 3 vs Apple iPad Pro : which is the better convertible

The announcement of iPad Pro had raised a serious debate. Is it better than the current king of convertibles, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Unlike our earlier comparisons, this one is a bit hard to pick. While one product excels in tablet mode, the other excels as a notebook and is better for professionals. Do note that this is purely based on paper specifications and (p)reviews across the internet.

iPad Pro over Surface 3

• Thinner and lighter, better touch sensitivity
• Apple Pencil is better than the Surface pen in many ways
• Better camera
• TouchID fingerprint sensor
• Apple has a stronger ecosystem, expect high quality dedicated apps
• Larger and higher resolution display
• LTE variant
• Better battery life
• Powerful iTunes ecosystem for multimedia

Surface Pro 3 over iPad Pro

• Full function Windows 10 OS
• Can run full function productivity and creativity apps like Adobe Suite
• More powerful Core i7 option
• Can get up to 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage
• Full size USB port, microSD card reader, mini display port offers great flexibility
• Built-in kickstand, no need to buy an accessory for this.
• Vastly superior file management
• No reliance on application like iTunes to copy photos, music and movies. connect an external storage using USB 3 or pop in a microSD card.

There is no doubt that, when it comes to ‘touch’ applications, Apple’s iPad Pro will have an edge. If not now, soon devs will flock to Appstore to submit applications tailor made for iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil. When it comes to actual professional applications that offer full functionality, iOS9 is way way behind a full fledged PC grade OS like OS X and Windows and Surface Pro 3 comes with full fledged Windows OS and it can run those countless professional productivity, engineering and creativity application suites. At the end of the day, many professional will have to switch to a PC or Mac if they are using iPad Pro while on the move but with Surface, they just need to plug it into the Surface cover and start using it like a notebook. The wider range of ports, memory expansion for Surface Pro 3 adds lot more value, be it professional users or normal users.

For normal users, iPad Pro makes more sense as it has a better display, camera, multimedia features, they can have fun with the new Pencil, the touch apps are of ‘high quality’. They can live without having the ‘extra’ connectivity options if they want and it will not be a deal breaker.

As we always do, we did a voting at GD over these two devices. I went with Surface Pro 3 for its superior operating system and ‘freedom’, Giri picked Surface Pro 3 for same reasons and for more powerful Intel Core chip. Deva went with iPad Pro for its tablet functionality and Rounak went with iPad Pro for same reasons. Naresh on the other hand remained neutral and is not exactly interested in either. So, for the first time, we have a tie! We will update this post when Naresh picks a side.