Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - iPad Pro 11 M4 | Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak brightness | 1600 nits | 400 nits |
| Weight | 444 g | 686 g |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 90 Hz |
| Screen size | 11 " | 12 " |
Between the iPad Pro 11 M4 and Surface Pro 12, the iPad Pro 11 M4 comes out ahead in peak brightness / weight, while the Surface Pro 12 wins on ram / screen size. Overall, the iPad Pro 11 M4 scores 61.9 and the Surface Pro 12 scores 58.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iPad Pro 11 M4 edges ahead on the Mars Score (61.9 vs 58.7), but the 3.2-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the iPad Pro 11 M4 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 peak brightness, weight, refresh rate. The single most decisive one: Peak brightness — 300.00% more. 1600 nits vs 400 nits.
Pick the Surface Pro 12 if you care most about ram / screen size. Its strongest claims are ram, screen size. The single most decisive one: RAM — 100.00% more. 16 GB vs 8 GB.
Both ship with comparable storage, 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 Pro 11 M4 or Microsoft - Surface Pro 12?
Apple - iPad Pro 11 M4 leads the current Mars Score by 3.2 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare screen size, ram, refresh rate against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - iPad Pro 11 M4 if…
Apple - iPad Pro 11 M4 has the measurable edge on peak brightness nits, weight g, refresh rate hz.
Choose Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 if…
Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 has the measurable edge on ram gb, screen size in.
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 Pro 11 M4 wins
- ▲Peak brightness — 300.00% more. 1600 nits vs 400 nits.
- ▲Weight — 242.00 g less. 444 vs 686.
- ▲Refresh rate — 33.33% more. 120 Hz vs 90 Hz.
Why Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 wins
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 16 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Screen size — 9.09% more. 12 " vs 11 ".
Spec comparison
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPad Pro 11 M4 | Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 " | 12 "lead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 90 Hz |
| Panelⓘ | OLEDlead | LCD |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 1600 nitslead | 400 nits |
Performance
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPad Pro 11 M4 | Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 444 glead | 686 g |
| Stylus support | true | true |
| Cellular | truelead | false |
| OS | iPadOS | Windowslead |