iPad Pro M4 vs Surface Pro 11
Both the iPad Pro M4 and the Surface Pro 11 sit in the pro tablet class, and Apple and Microsoft are clearly watching each other. On balance, the Surface Pro 11 is the stronger package: it leads in 3 out of 5 areas, most clearly in memory & storage.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Surface Pro 11 wins
- Memory & Storage Surface Pro 11 wins
- Cameras iPad Pro M4 wins
- Battery & Connectivity Surface Pro 11 wins
- Price iPad Pro M4 wins
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Memory & Storage8.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Surface Pro 11 has 8 GB more RAM
On ram, the Surface Pro 11 posts 16 GB against 8 GB for the iPad Pro M4, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. More RAM lets a tablet keep more apps and browser tabs active, which matters for split-screen multitasking.
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The iPad Pro M4 has a 15.91 oz lighter build
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 15.66 oz for the iPad Pro M4 versus 31.57 oz for the Surface Pro 11. The iPad Pro M4 is easier to hold one-handed, especially in bed or on public transport.
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The Surface Pro 11 has 4 h more rated battery life
The iPad Pro M4 lists 10 h; the Surface Pro 11 comes in at 14 h. That’s not a rounding error. Ratings are usually based on light tasks like video playback, so heavier use will shorten both.
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The Surface Pro 11 has a 2-inch larger screen
On screen size, the Surface Pro 11 comes in at 13 in and the iPad Pro M4 at 11 in. Larger tablets shine on a desk or a couch; smaller ones are better for reading in bed or using on the move.
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The iPad Pro M4 has a 0.16 in slimmer body
At 0.21 in versus 0.37 in, this is a decisive lead for the iPad Pro M4, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Once you add a keyboard case, small thickness differences matter less, but the iPad Pro M4 still stays trimmer.
Design & Size
- iPad Pro M4 9.83 in × 6.99 in × 0.21 in
- Surface Pro 11 11.30 in × 8.23 in × 0.37 in
Side by side, the Surface Pro 11 is the one that fills more space; the iPad Pro M4 keeps things tighter. The iPad Pro M4 is 15.91 oz lighter, making the Surface Pro 11 the heftier of the two. The iPad Pro M4 keeps a lower profile: 0.16 in thinner than the Surface Pro 11.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.83 in | 11.30 in |
| Width | 6.99 in | 8.23 in |
| Thickness | 0.21 in (winner) | 0.37 in Thickest in class |
| Weight | 15.66 oz (winner) | 31.57 oz Heaviest in class |
Display
Too close to call
The iPad Pro M4 and the Surface Pro 11 match each other closely in this area. Either tablet will serve you equally well on display.
Screen size
iPad Pro M4: 11 in Surface Pro 11: 13 in Screen size largely decides what kind of tablet this is (a portable reader or a laptop stand-in), so think about where you’ll use it.
Performance
Surface Pro 11 leads
On balance, the Surface Pro 11 leads the performance section, just not by much. Point to the Surface Pro 11 for 1 more CPU cores. More CPU cores help when you run several demanding apps at once or export large files. The performance verdict goes to the Surface Pro 11.
CPU cores
iPad Pro M4: 9 Surface Pro 11: 10 For browsing and streaming, core count rarely matters; for creative work, the Surface Pro 11’s extra cores give more headroom.
Memory & Storage
Surface Pro 11 leads
On memory & storage, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Surface Pro 11. The Surface Pro 11 scores with 8 GB more RAM. Extra memory also helps a tablet stay usable as apps grow heavier over the years. The iPad Pro M4 adds a bigger top storage option. For anyone who cares most about memory & storage, the Surface Pro 11 is the safer choice.
RAM
iPad Pro M4: 8 GB Surface Pro 11: 16 GB Pro apps for photo, video and music work lean heavily on memory, so the Surface Pro 11 has more room to breathe.
Max storage
iPad Pro M4: 2 TB Surface Pro 11: 1 TB Most buyers won’t need the maximum, so this is a niche advantage rather than an everyday one.
Accessories & Productivity
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the iPad Pro M4 and the Surface Pro 11 row by row in the table below.
Cameras
iPad Pro M4 leads
Slight edge to the iPad Pro M4 on cameras. Most buyers could live happily with either. In its favor, the iPad Pro M4 has a sharper 12 MP rear camera. Rear cameras on tablets are mostly utility tools, so treat this as a small bonus. In short, the iPad Pro M4 is the better-equipped tablet for cameras.
Rear camera
iPad Pro M4: 12 MP Surface Pro 11: 10 MP Few people shoot holiday photos on a tablet, but the iPad Pro M4’s higher resolution makes quick captures and scans cleaner.
Battery & Connectivity
Surface Pro 11 leads
For battery & connectivity, the verdict is easy: the Surface Pro 11 leads, and not by a little. Here the Surface Pro 11 offers 4 h more rated battery life. Rated battery life is the manufacturer’s own figure, so it already reflects efficiency, not just battery size. Bottom line for battery & connectivity: the Surface Pro 11 has the edge.
Rated battery life
iPad Pro M4: 10 h Surface Pro 11: 14 h More rated hours suggest the Surface Pro 11 goes further on a long flight or a full day of classes.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 13 in |
| Panel type | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) | PixelSense Flow (LCD; OLED optional) |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2880 x 1920 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | 267 ppi Sharpest screen in class |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 1,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | Snapdragon X Plus |
| CPU cores | 9 | 10 (winner) Most CPU cores |
| GPU cores | 10 | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB (winner) Most RAM in class |
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB (winner) | 1 TB Smallest top storage |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Surface Slim Pen (sold separately) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) | Surface Pro Keyboard / Flex Keyboard (sold separately) |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP Lowest-res rear camera |
| Front camera | 12 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 31.3 Wh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | 14 h (winner) Longest rated battery life |
| Port | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4) | 2x USB4 (USB-C), Surface Connect |
| Cellular option | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.83 in | 11.30 in |
| Width | 6.99 in | 8.23 in |
| Thickness | 0.21 in (winner) | 0.37 in Thickest in class |
| Weight | 15.66 oz (winner) | 31.57 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | iPad Pro M4 | Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 | $1,000 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Surface Pro 11 carried a slight premium of $1 at launch. The Surface Pro 11 justifies part of its $1 premium with 8 GB more RAM and 4 h more rated battery life.
Based on US launch pricing as of June 2024. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Pro M4 if…
- you want the lighter tablet (15.66 oz vs 31.57 oz)
- you want the slimmer tablet (0.21 in vs 0.37 in)
- you work with big files and want the larger top option (2 TB vs 1 TB)
- you scan documents or snap photos with your tablet (12 MP vs 10 MP rear camera)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $1 matters
Choose the Surface Pro 11 if…
- you want more memory headroom for pro apps (16 GB vs 8 GB)
- you travel a lot and watch on long trips (14 h vs 10 h rated)
- you run demanding apps or heavy multitasking (10 vs 9 CPU cores)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Pro M4 or the Surface Pro 11?
For most people, the Surface Pro 11 is the stronger choice, unless you need a 15.91 oz lighter build, which only the iPad Pro M4 offers.
Does the iPad Pro M4 last longer on a charge than the Surface Pro 11?
Going by the official figures, the Surface Pro 11 leads: 14 h versus 10 h for rated battery life. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Is the iPad Pro M4 bigger than the Surface Pro 11?
The Surface Pro 11 is the larger of the two. It measures 11.30 × 8.23 × 0.37 in, compared with 9.83 × 6.99 × 0.21 in for the iPad Pro M4.
Which is faster, the iPad Pro M4 or the Surface Pro 11?
On paper, the Surface Pro 11 is the stronger performer, with 1 more CPU cores.
Which has the better camera, the iPad Pro M4 or the Surface Pro 11?
The iPad Pro M4 leads on camera specs thanks to a sharper 12 MP rear camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which costs less, the iPad Pro M4 or the Surface Pro 11?
The iPad Pro M4 is the cheaper option, launching at $1 less than the Surface Pro 11 (launch prices as of June 2024).
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the iPad Pro M4 and the Surface Pro 11. To me, the standout is that the Surface Pro 11 offers 8 GB more RAM. There’s more, too: the Surface Pro 11 offers 4 h more rated battery life. The iPad Pro M4 isn’t without merit: a 15.91 oz lighter build is a real advantage.
I’d match them like this: cameras to the iPad Pro M4, performance to the Surface Pro 11.
My pick: the Surface Pro 11. I’d only go for the iPad Pro M4 if you’d trade the rest for a 15.91 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.