iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface: War between Apple and Microsoft

After a few days Microsoft Surface was released, Apple pushed more than one device on Oct 23, and one of them is the iPad upgrade version - iPad 4 (iPad with Retina display). THe 4th generation iPad packed with a more poweful A6X processor and Retina display. It's sure that it has a better performance than the previous one. But for business people, the window 8 RT operating system and the keybord attract their eyes. Surface will become one of the top business tablets in the future. To check which is your style, let's compare them in details.

• Size and Weight
The 4th generation iPad remains the same beyond that, with the same form factor and display as the 3rd generation model. Microsoft Surface RT looks thinner and taller than iPad 4. The two tablets almost weigh the same. The 9.7'' and 10.6'' display can bring users a good watching experience.


• Color
iPad 4 has two colors for fans to choose - Silver / Black and Silver / White. Surface RT has only Black but users are allowed to choose the Touch Cover in White, Red, Cyan and Magenta.


• Processor
iPad 4 upgrades processor to A6X, but it's still dual-core. Microsoft Surface owns quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. It wins in speed.


• Operating System
iPad 4 runs iOS 6 while Surface runs Windows RT.


• Connectivity
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 are basic configuration in tablets. Besides, more advance in Microsoft Surface RT is that it supports USB 2.0. iPad series tablets never support USB ports until now.


• Camera
There isn't any more about Surface cameras, except the easy description on official website. Meanwhile, iPad 4 5M 1080p HD rear camera seems better.


• Storage and Price
Based on the same storage and the same connectivity, Microsoft Surface RT is cheaper than iPad 4. Adding the touch cover, the selling price of the two tablets are the same.

iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface

	iPad 4	Microsoft Surface
Design (height width thickness)	7.31''x9.5''x0.37''	6.77''x10.81''x0.37''
Weight	1.44 pounds	1.5 pounds
Color	Silver / Black, Silver / White	Black
Display	9.7'' IPS LCD	10.6'' IPS LCD
Resolution	1536x2048	168x1366
OS	iOS	Windows RT
Processor	Dual-core A6X with quad-core graphics	Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3
RAM	1GB	2GB
Storage	16GB/32GB/64GB	32GB/64GB with external storage support
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0,	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB2.0,
Camera	1.2-megapixels 720p front camera 5-megapixels 1080p rear camera	two 720p HD LifeCams, front- and rear-facing
Battery	42.5 Wh	31.5 Wh
Quoted use time	10 hr	8 hr
Price	Wi-Fi 16GB at $499 32GB at $599 64GB at $699 Wi-Fi + Cellular 16GB at $629 32GB at $729 64GB at $829	32GB at $499 32GB with Black Touch Cover at $599 64GB with Black Touch Cover at $699

No one can shake the best entertainment tablet place of iPad, and iPad 4 must continue to thrive. Thanks to its robust media ecosystem, fast performance, and incredible app support, iPad 4 will be hot again in 2012. The Surface can't compete on the app and its media ecosystem leaves a lot to be desired. There's no real support for books or magazines and very few quality games or useful utility apps are available.

But if you're looking for a tablet you can actually work on, the Surface RT should be your choice. Paired with either its Touch or its Type Cover keyboard and with the inclusion of Office 2013, the Surface is the best productivity tablet yet. Its keyboard is much more comfortable than the Infinity's or any iPad keyboard accessory I've ever tried. The Surface also includes a full USB port that supports game controllers and flash and optical drives.

To quickly sum up: If you're looking for a productivity tablet, the Surface is it. The iPad will likely remain the best entertainment tablet in the world.