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Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) vs Microsoft - Surface Pro 12

Last updated · How Mars Score works
iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB)APPLERENDER
Probe A
Apple
iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB)
67.6/ 100C
Performance64· 40%
Display72· 32%
Design· 28%
Surface Pro 12MICROSOFTRENDER
Probe B
Microsoft
Surface Pro 12
61.7/ 100C
Performance60· 40%
Display63· 32%
Design· 28%
Quick verdict

Between the iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) and Surface Pro 12, the iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) comes out ahead in peak brightness and weight, while the Surface Pro 12 wins on several specs. Overall, the iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) scores 67.6 and the Surface Pro 12 scores 61.7 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) edges ahead on the Mars Score (67.6 vs 61.7), but the 5.9-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.

Pick the iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) 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, storage, among others.

The Surface Pro 12 similarly doesn't carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.

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

Bottom line: the iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB) wins

  • Peak brightness — 300.00% more. 1600 nits vs 400 nits.
  • Weight — 107.00 g less. 579 vs 686.
  • Storage — 100.00% more. 512 GB vs 256 GB.
  • Refresh rate — 33.33% more. 120 Hz vs 90 Hz.
  • Screen size — 8.33% more. 13 " vs 12 ".

Why Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 wins

  • No decisive advantages.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Display

SpecApple - iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB)Microsoft - Surface Pro 12
Screen size13 "lead12 "
Refresh rate120 Hzlead90 Hz
PanelOLEDleadLCD
Peak brightness1600 nitslead400 nits

Performance

SpecApple - iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB)Microsoft - Surface Pro 12
ChipsetApple M4Snapdragon X Plus
RAM16 GB16 GB
Storage512 GBlead256 GB

Design

SpecApple - iPad Pro 13 M4 (512GB)Microsoft - Surface Pro 12
Weight579 glead686 g
Stylus supporttruetrue
Cellulartrueleadfalse
OSiPadOSWindowslead
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