Battle Of The Pros

With a sharper focus on software and productivity, the new Apple iPad Pro will compete with the new Microsoft Surface Pro for the top spot.

- Nidhi Singal

TABLET WARS between Apple and Microsoft have been on for a long time. While Apple’s iPad Pro has been an impressive device with a robust app ecosystem and security features, Microsoft Surface Pro, running on Windows 10, has been known to offer an unmatched computing experience with its soft keyboard, touchpad and stylus. More than a year ago, in a bid to up its productivity quotient, Apple launched the iPad Pro with a 12.9inch display, with a smart keyboard dock and stylus so users could work on the go. While it showed promise, it failed to take the sheen off Surface Pro devices.

Cut to 2017. At the Worldwide Developer Conference 2017, Apple announced the launch of the new iPad Pro – packed with better hardware and enhanced computing ability. Microsoft, too, is gearing to ship its new offering – the Surface Pro – that runs on Intel’s 7th generation processor for better performance and improved battery life. As the battle of the ‘pros’ commences yet again, we bring you a detailed account on what the two tablets bring to the table.

DISPLAY: The recently announced Surface Pro is the successor to the Surface Pro 4. (Strangely, it is not called Surface Pro 5, but only Surface Pro). Both look identical; only minor tweaks have been made to the design. The new one boasts a razor sharp 12.3-inch PixelSense display with 2,736 x 1,824p resolution. The new iPad Pro has a 12.9-inch display with 2,732 x 2,048p resolution, same as its predecessor, but the redesigned Retina display promises to be brighter and less reflective. The 120Hz refresh rate on the new iPad Pro will enhance movie, video watching and gaming experience.