Apple - iPad Air 11 M3 vs Microsoft - Surface Pro 12

The Surface Pro 12 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the iPad Air 11 M3 if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, peak brightness.

Pick the Surface Pro 12 if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are ram, storage, refresh rate, among others.

Both ship with comparable stylus support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the Surface Pro 12 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.