Skip to content 
Compare Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs the iPad Pro 2024 which flagship tablet best fits your needs
Choosing between the new iPad Pro 2024 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 involves several critical considerations. The iPad Pro 2024 boasts an impressive OLED display, a powerful M4 chip, and a starting price of $999, offering considerable value in the premium tablet sector. Conversely, the Microsoft Surface Pro 10, starting at $1,199, provides enhanced functionality with its integrated kickstand and the versatility of Windows 11.
However, the iPad Pro 2024 should not be overlooked in the productivity realm. Our review at 21 Boost suggests that, with the addition of a compatible detachable keyboard, the iPad Pro 2024 has the potential to serve as a viable laptop alternative. In this comprehensive analysis, we will thoroughly evaluate how these flagship tablets compare in terms of performance, functionality, and overall value.
Surface Pro 10
iPad Pro 2024
Specs and price comparison of the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs the iPad Pro 2024
| Feature | Surface Pro 10 | iPad Pro 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13-inch (2880 x 1920), 120Hz | 11-inch (2420 x 1668), 13-inch (2752 x 2064), 120Hz OLED |
| Colors | Platinum, Black | Silver, Space Black |
| Chip | Intel Core Ultra 5 135U / Ultra 7 165U | Apple M4 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Cameras | 1440p ultrawide front, 10.5MP rear | 12MP front, 12MP rear |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G |
| Size | 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches | 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 in / 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.2 in |
| Weight | 1.94 pounds | 0.98 pounds (11″) / 1.28 pounds (13″) |
| Price | From $1,199 | From $999 (11″) / $1,299 (13″) |
Pros and Cons: Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs iPad Pro 2024
| Feature | Surface Pro 10 | iPad Pro 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Larger display (13 inches) with higher resolution (2880 x 1920) – Powerful Intel Core Ultra processors (Ultra 5 and Ultra 7) – Built-in kickstand for versatile use – Supports a full desktop-like experience with Windows 11 – Larger front-facing camera (1440p ultrawide) – Multiple ports (USB-C, Thunderbolt 4) for connectivity | – OLED display on both 11″ and 13″ models with sharp resolution – Apple’s M4 chip provides industry-leading performance – Available in both 11″ and 13″ sizes for more options – Excellent ecosystem integration with iOS and macOS devices – Slimmer and lighter design – 5G support for faster wireless connectivity |
| Cons | – Heavier and thicker compared to the iPad Pro (1.94 lbs) – Less storage capacity options (max 1TB) – Battery life may not match iPad’s efficiency – No 5G support | – More expensive at higher storage tiers – iPadOS lacks full desktop functionality like Windows – No built-in kickstand, requiring a case or external accessory – Limited connectivity options compared to Surface Pro |
Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs iPad Pro 2024 : Display
The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 features a 13-inch “PixelSense Flow” touch display, offering a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This display is designed with anti-reflective technology, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions, and supports Dolby Vision IQ for vivid color and high-quality visuals.
In terms of resolution, the Surface Pro 10 for Business stands strong against the iPad Pro 2024, providing a pixel density of around 267 PPI (pixels per inch) on its near-3K display. Despite this impressive resolution, the Surface Pro 10 lacks an OLED panel—something that could be a deciding factor for many buyers. The absence of OLED might push some consumers toward the iPad Pro 2024, which offers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors due to its OLED technology.
The iPad Pro 2024 is the first iPad to ship with an OLED display, and Apple calls it a Tandem OLED due to the two layers of OLED pixels that combine to produce up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness and an incredible 1,600 nits when viewing HDR content. The iPad Pro 2024 also supports various HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10, for an enhanced viewing experience.
Both sizes of the iPad Pro (11-inch and 13-inch) come with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, which makes scrolling and interaction feel incredibly smooth compared to a standard 60Hz display. The resolution varies depending on the model: 2,420 x 1,668 pixels for the 11-inch model and 2,752 x 2,064 pixels for the 13-inch model. This provides a PPI of roughly 264-267, which is on par with the Surface Pro 10.
For those concerned about glare, Apple offers a nano-texture glass option on the 1TB and larger iPad Pro models for an additional $100. This feature helps reduce reflections and glare on the OLED display, making it more suitable for bright environments.
While the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 matches the iPad Pro 2024 in resolution, its lack of OLED technology may be a drawback for users seeking the best display quality. For others, the Surface Pro’s built-in kickstand, full Windows experience, and high pixel density might outweigh the benefits of the iPad’s OLED screen.
Surface Pro 10
Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs iPad Pro 2024 : Design
The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 shares a similar aesthetic to the iPad Pro 2024, featuring slim bezels, rounded corners, and a sleek rectangular frame. However, the Surface Pro 10 is notably heavier, weighing almost two pounds—up to a pound more than the iPad Pro, depending on the models being compared. This extra weight is understandable given that the Surface Pro 10 is designed with upgradability and repairability in mind. Unlike the iPad, Microsoft offers replacement parts and tools (available on its website and through iFixit) that allow users to replace, repair, and even upgrade components such as the SSD, battery, and motherboard.
Additionally, the Surface Pro 10 includes a built-in kickstand, which might add some heft but proves useful when using the device on a desk or during travel, such as on an airplane. This versatility gives the Surface Pro an edge in scenarios where hands-free use is important.
In contrast, the iPad Pro 2024 is available in two sizes—11-inch and 13-inch—and retains the sleek, modern design typical of iPads. It features rounded corners, slim bezels, a well-placed front-facing camera on the longer side, and a rear-facing camera array positioned in the back corner. According to my colleague Tony Polanco’s iPad Pro 2024 review, Apple has managed to make the latest model even slimmer than its predecessors, bringing it closer to the thickness of the 2024 iPad Air. At just 0.2 inches thick, it’s noticeably thinner than the Surface Pro 10’s 0.37-inch body, but this difference in thickness is unlikely to impact how comfortable either device is to hold during use.
Overall, while the iPad Pro 2024 excels in design and portability, the Surface Pro 10 offers more flexibility in terms of repair and upgrades, along with added convenience from its built-in kickstand.
iPad Pro 2024
Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs iPad Pro 2024 : Performance
The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 for Business can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM, making it a strong contender in terms of memory capacity. It is equipped with Intel’s latest Meteor Lake processors, which include a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for enhanced AI and machine learning tasks. However, despite these advanced features, it is uncertain whether the Surface Pro 10 can outperform or outlast the Apple M4 chip, given that this comparison is based on prior performance data of Intel CPUs and Apple’s M series chips. Comprehensive performance tests of both the iPad Pro 2024 and Surface Pro 10 are pending, and we will provide updated insights once those evaluations are completed.
Currently, the iPad Pro 2024 is notable for being the first device to feature Apple’s new M4 chip, available exclusively in this model. Higher-end configurations of the iPad Pro 2024, with 1TB of storage or more, come with 16GB of RAM and a full 10-core GPU and CPU, offering substantial performance capabilities. In contrast, the more affordable models with less storage are equipped with 8GB of RAM and a slightly less powerful M4 chip with a 9-core GPU. This means that the entry-level iPad Pro 2024 may deliver slower performance compared to the higher-tier versions.
iPad Pro 2024
Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs iPad Pro 2024 : Software
The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 offers the flexibility of running either Windows 11 or Windows 10, providing a robust operating system designed for versatility and productivity. Windows is highly adaptable, especially when paired with a trackpad or keyboard, transforming the Surface Pro 10 into a powerful Windows laptop. Users can take full advantage of Windows’ capabilities, including web browsing, file management, installing applications from various sources, coding, and more.
While Windows has become more touchscreen-friendly over the past decade, it can still be cumbersome to navigate without additional input devices. However, once peripherals are attached, the Surface Pro 10 offers a desktop-like experience with comprehensive functionality.
In contrast, the iPad Pro 2024 operates on iPadOS, which will be updated to iPadOS 18 upon its release. iPadOS is designed for ease of use on tablets, featuring a simpler and more streamlined interface compared to Windows. It is optimized for touch interactions and is user-friendly, but it does come with some limitations.
iPadOS is app-based and restricts users to applications available in Apple’s App Store. While this ecosystem offers a wide range of high-quality apps, it does not match the full range of capabilities available with Windows applications. For instance, editing file details or managing files in a traditional manner can be challenging on iPadOS. Additionally, iPadOS does not support downloading and running programs from external websites, which enhances security but also limits functionality.
Overall, while both operating systems have their strengths, the Surface Pro 10 provides a more versatile and traditional computing experience, whereas the iPad Pro 2024 excels in simplicity and ease of use within its app-centric environment.
Surface Pro 10
Microsoft Surface Pro 10 vs iPad Pro 2024 in terms of : Cameras, Audio and Accessories
Cameras
The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 features a front-facing 1440p ultra-wide camera with an integrated IR sensor for facial recognition via Windows Hello. This camera setup, combined with Windows Studio Effects, allows for enhancements such as automatic framing and background blur during video calls. On the rear, the Surface Pro 10 is equipped with a 10.5MP camera, which, while slightly lower in resolution compared to the iPad Pro 2024’s 12MP rear camera, still delivers high-quality photo and video capabilities. This difference in resolution may be notable for users who frequently use their tablet for photography or video recording, though it is likely to be minimal for most users.
The iPad Pro 2024 also boasts a robust camera system with a 12MP ultra-wide front camera and a 12MP rear camera. It includes Apple’s TrueDepth camera for FaceID authentication, allowing users to log in with facial recognition. Additionally, the rear camera supports video recording in up to 4K or ProRes resolution, making it a strong choice for video professionals and enthusiasts.
Audio
The iPad Pro 2024 is equipped with four built-in speakers that support Dolby Atmos, providing a rich and immersive audio experience. It also features four microphones, which contribute to its capabilities as a versatile device for calls, podcast recording, and music production. The presence of multiple microphones enhances its utility for various audio applications.
In comparison, the Surface Pro 10 includes two studio microphones and two stereo speakers. While this configuration is less extensive than that of the iPad Pro 2024, it still supports Dolby Atmos and should offer satisfactory audio quality for most tasks.
Accessories
Both the iPad Pro 2024 and Surface Pro 10 support a range of accessories, including detachable keyboards and styluses. For the iPad Pro 2024, users can choose from the Apple Pencil (USB-C) for $79 or the Apple Pencil Pro for $129. Additionally, Apple offers a new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, priced at $299 for the 11-inch model and $349 for the 13-inch model. This new keyboard includes a larger glass trackpad, a new aluminum palm rest, and a row of function keys, enhancing its functionality and making it more akin to a traditional laptop keyboard.
The Surface Pro 10 also supports a variety of accessories, including its own detachable keyboard and stylus options, though specific details and pricing for these accessories are determined separately.
iPad Pro 2024
Conclusion
Choosing between the iPad Pro 2024 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 can indeed be challenging, but understanding their strengths can help clarify your decision. The Surface Pro 10 stands out for its versatility and practical functionality, making it an excellent choice if you need a tablet that can serve both recreational and professional purposes. Its support for full Windows 11 functionality, along with a range of compatible accessories, allows it to double as a powerful work device. This can be particularly advantageous if you value the ability to run desktop applications and manage files in a traditional manner.
While the Surface Pro 10 is robust and adaptable, the iPad Pro 2024 offers a more polished and engaging experience for users who prioritize entertainment and high performance. The latest M4 chip ensures that the iPad Pro 2024 handles games and apps from the Apple App Store with exceptional speed. Its OLED display delivers vibrant visuals, and the tablet’s four speakers provide an enhanced audio experience.
If your primary use involves enjoying media and gaming, the iPad Pro 2024 might have the edge due to its superior display and audio setup. However, if you seek a device that combines recreational capabilities with professional-grade functionality, the Surface Pro 10 offers considerable value. Its versatility as both a tablet and a potential laptop replacement, combined with the flexibility of Windows, makes it a compelling option for users who need a device that can adapt to both work and leisure.
Ultimately, if a tablet that serves as a powerful work tool and a fun device is what you’re after, the Surface Pro 10 could be a better fit. On the other hand, if you are drawn to cutting-edge performance and an immersive display for entertainment, the iPad Pro 2024 is likely to impress.
