The unveiling of the iPad Air 2 is still fresh in everyone's mind. Apple revealed its new offering along with a new iPad Mini, a Retina iMac, Apple Pay, OS X Yosemite and the iOS 8.1 update on Oct. 17. However, Microsoft made it a point to squeeze into the important Apple day by posting a new Youtube ad reminding everyone that its Surface Pro 3, released in May of this year, is unmatched, not when it is "the most productive tablet on the planet".
Nevertheless, iPad Air 2 might just be the one to dispel its rival's claim. With a specs matchup, it will be easy to know if the software giant will stay true to its tagline, and if either one has what it takes to be called such a title.
Surface Pro 3 doubles as an ultrabook. Boasting a solid slate form and a multi-position kickstand, the tablet has a 12-inch screen and a 7.93 mm thick body. The iPad Air 2, on the other hand, has a relatively smaller screen at 9.7 inches, but Apple boasts its beautifully thin dimensions, which is at an impressive 6.1 mm. Its screen resolution is at 2048×1536, fairly comparable with Surface Pro 3's 2160 x 1440. The Surface Pro is almost like a lightweight laptop which can get "more work done" with its 1.76-pound make. The iPad Air 2, however, weighs only 0.96 pound. As the Apple flaunted, thinner and lighter.
Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is powered by a 4th generation Intel Core processor (i3, i5, or i7) while iPad Air 2 houses an Apple A8X. Surface Pro 3 has 4 GB RAM while iPad Air 2 is too far away from its contender with just 1 GB. Battery life is a close fight, with the former promising 9 hours of power and the latter, an hour longer.
There is a big difference when it comes to their cameras. The Surface Pro, which resembles a laptop, has an integrated webcam at 5 megapixels. The iPad Air 2, with redesigned shooters, boasts an 8-megapixel rear camera that captures detailed photos and 1080p videos, and a 1.2-megapixel snapper for selfies and 720p videos. It can also be noted that the Apple device has Touch ID, a fingerprint scanning scheme for security. The Surface Pro 3, on the other hand, has a pen that users can use to mark up documents and creative files, take notes in their own handwriting, and gather electronic signatures.
In a nutshell, the two are very much distinct when it comes to their capacity, considering that the two cater to different lifestyles and needs. Microsoft guarantees productivity and power with its "revolutionary laptop" while Apple promise a device with "massive power in its most minimal form."
Buyers inclined toward the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 can choose from 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB versions in three available colors: red, black and cyan. Apple lovers, on the other hand, can get the iPad Air 2 in 16 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB. As for price, Surface Pro 3 starts at $799 and can go up to $1,949, while a 128 GB iPad Air 2 is at $699.
