Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 | Microsoft - Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak brightness | 1600 nits | 350 nits |
| Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Weight | 579 g | 521 g |
| Screen size | 13 " | 10.5 " |
Between the iPad Pro 13 M4 and Surface Go 4, the iPad Pro 13 M4 comes out ahead in peak brightness / storage, while the Surface Go 4 wins on weight. Overall, the iPad Pro 13 M4 scores 60.3 and the Surface Go 4 scores 54.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iPad Pro 13 M4 edges ahead on the Mars Score (60.3 vs 54.9), but the 5.4-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the iPad Pro 13 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, storage, refresh rate, among others. The single most decisive one: Peak brightness — 357.14% more. 1600 nits vs 350 nits.
Pick the Surface Go 4 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight. The single most decisive one: Weight — 58.00 g less. 521 vs 579.
Both ship with comparable ram, stylus support, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the iPad Pro 13 M4 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 or Microsoft - Surface Go 4?
Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 leads the current Mars Score by 5.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare screen size, storage, refresh rate against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 if…
Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 has the measurable edge on peak brightness nits, storage gb, refresh rate hz.
Choose Microsoft - Surface Go 4 if…
Microsoft - Surface Go 4 has the measurable edge on weight g.
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 13 M4 wins
- ▲Peak brightness — 357.14% more. 1600 nits vs 350 nits.
- ▲Storage — 100.00% more. 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Screen size — 23.81% more. 13 " vs 10.5 ".
Why Microsoft - Surface Go 4 wins
- ▲Weight — 58.00 g less. 521 vs 579.
Spec comparison
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 | Microsoft - Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13 "lead | 10.5 " |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 60 Hz |
| Panelⓘ | OLEDlead | LCD |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 1600 nitslead | 350 nits |
Performance
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 | Microsoft - Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 579 g | 521 glead |
| Stylus support | true | true |
| Cellular | truelead | false |
| OS | iPadOS | Windowslead |