Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) vs Microsoft - Surface Pro 11
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) | Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 293 g | 895 g |
| Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 500 nits | 900 nits |
| Screen size | 8.3 " | 13 " |
Between the iPad mini (7th gen) and Surface Pro 11, the iPad mini (7th gen) comes out ahead in weight, while the Surface Pro 11 wins on storage / ram. Overall, the iPad mini (7th gen) scores 59.2 and the Surface Pro 11 scores 59.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (59.2 vs 59.6). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the iPad mini (7th 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. The single most decisive one: Weight — 602.00 g less. 293 vs 895.
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. The single most decisive one: Storage — 300.00% more. 512 GB vs 128 GB.
Both ship with comparable stylus support, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) or Microsoft - Surface Pro 11?
Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 leads the current Mars Score by 0.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare screen size, ram, storage, refresh rate against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) if…
Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) has the measurable edge on weight g.
Choose Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 if…
Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 has the measurable edge on storage gb, ram gb, refresh rate hz.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 602.00 g less. 293 vs 895.
Why Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 wins
- ▲Storage — 300.00% more. 512 GB vs 128 GB.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 16 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Peak brightness — 80.00% more. 900 nits vs 500 nits.
- ▲Screen size — 56.63% more. 13 " vs 8.3 ".
Spec comparison
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) | Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 8.3 " | 13 "lead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Panelⓘ | LCD | OLEDlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 500 nits | 900 nitslead |
Performance
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPad mini (7th gen) | Microsoft - Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 293 glead | 895 g |
| Stylus support | true | true |
| Cellular | true | true |
| OS | iPadOS | Windowslead |