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Head-to-head

Apple - iPad (11th gen) vs Microsoft - Surface Pro 11

Last updated · How Mars Score works
iPad (11th gen)APPLERENDER
Probe A
Apple
iPad (11th gen)
48.3/ 100D
Performance43· 40%
Display54· 32%
Design· 28%
Surface Pro 11MICROSOFTRENDER
Probe B
Microsoft
Surface Pro 11
67.6/ 100C
Performance64· 40%
Display72· 32%
Design· 28%
Quick verdict

Between the iPad (11th gen) and Surface Pro 11, the iPad (11th gen) comes out ahead in weight, while the Surface Pro 11 wins on storage and ram. Overall, the iPad (11th gen) scores 48.3 and the Surface Pro 11 scores 67.6 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The Surface Pro 11 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 19.3 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 (11th gen) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.

Pick the Surface Pro 11 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 storage, ram, 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 11 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Apple - iPad (11th gen) wins

  • Weight — 418.00 g less. 477 vs 895.

Why Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 wins

  • Storage — 300.00% more. 512 GB vs 128 GB.
  • RAM — 166.67% more. 16 GB vs 6 GB.
  • Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
  • Peak brightness — 80.00% more. 900 nits vs 500 nits.
  • Screen size — 18.18% more. 13 " vs 11 ".
Full readout

Spec comparison

Display

SpecApple - iPad (11th gen)Microsoft - Surface Pro 11
Screen size11 "13 "lead
Refresh rate60 Hz120 Hzlead
PanelLCDOLEDlead
Peak brightness500 nits900 nitslead

Performance

SpecApple - iPad (11th gen)Microsoft - Surface Pro 11
ChipsetApple A16Snapdragon X Elite
RAM6 GB16 GBlead
Storage128 GB512 GBlead

Design

SpecApple - iPad (11th gen)Microsoft - Surface Pro 11
Weight477 glead895 g
Stylus supporttruetrue
Cellulartruetrue
OSiPadOSWindowslead
Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

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