The Microsoft Surface RT and Surface Pro seem aimed at taking on Apple while the Google Nexus 7 is primed to reduce the Kindle Fire to ashes. Really, it’s hard to imagine who might purchase a highly modified Android tablet over one with the latest Jelly Bean 4.1 Android operating system.
Similarly, it’s hard to imagine who might purchase either of the Surface tablets instead of an iPad especially when pricing for the Surface hasn’t been set but is anticipated to be in the upper hundreds. Then again, the Microsoft Surface tablets promise at least a few features not yet available on the iPad – though you never know what Apple might have up its sleeve.
Microsoft Surface Tablets take on Apple’s iPad
We put together this reference table for a quick comparison of the tablets.
SPECS
Surface Pro
Surface RT
iPad WiFi
Processor
Intel Core i5
(Ivey Bridge)
NVIDIA Silicon
Tegra-based ARM
Dual-core A5
Weight
1.99 lbs
1.48 lbs
1.44 lbs
Thickness
.53”
.37”
.37”
Screen
10.6”
(Clear Type Full HD)
10.6”
(Clear Type HD)
9.7”
Pixels
1920X1080 (guess)
1280X720 (guess)
2048X1536
Storage
64GB or 128GB
32GB or 64GB
16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Extras
Digital Inking
Touch Cover or
Type Cover
Built-in Kickstand
Touch Cover or
Type Cover
Built-in Kickstand
USB 2.0
No
Yes
No
USB 3.0
Yes
No
No
Camera
Front & Back
Front & Back
Front & Back
MicroSD
Yes
No
MicroSDXC
Yes
No
WiFi
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Stylus
Yes
No
No
Speakers
Yes
Yes
No
Available
Jan 2013
Oct 2012
Current
Pricing
$999 (guess)
$499 (guess)
$499
The limited amount of information we have on the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro suggests that the device may give the iPad a run for its money. The full Windows operating system, the Touch/Type cover options, integrated kickstand and two USB ports may be enough to cause some Apple devotees to add the Surface Pro to their collection of devices.
So noteworthy is Microsoft’s decision to include two USB ports that Doug Gross of CNN wrote, “These ports open up the possibility of extra storage, printing and other external capabilities that should be easier and quicker than the workarounds iPad users need involving cloud storage, WiFi connections and the like.”
Even so, it seems the most likely consumer of the Microsoft Surface Pro will be those who are considering purchasing their first tablet. This segment of the market, having worked on full computers for so long, may be more comfortable with Microsoft’s beefy tablet/PC hybrid.
Considering the tablet market is anticipated to grow by 85% in 2012 this might not be a bad marketing strategy for Microsoft. Unfortunately speculation that the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro will cost around $1000 may cause some to sacrifice expandable storage and other extras in favor of keeping a few hundred dollars in their pocket.