Google - Pixel Tablet 2 vs Microsoft - Surface Pro 12
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Google - Pixel Tablet 2 | Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 498 g | 686 g |
| Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| Peak brightness | 600 nits | 400 nits |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen size | 11 " | 12 " |
Between the Pixel Tablet 2 and Surface Pro 12, the Pixel Tablet 2 comes out ahead in weight / peak brightness, while the Surface Pro 12 wins on storage / ram. Overall, the Pixel Tablet 2 scores 60.2 and the Surface Pro 12 scores 58.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (60.2 vs 58.7). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the Pixel Tablet 2 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 weight, peak brightness. The single most decisive one: Weight — 188.00 g less. 498 vs 686.
Pick the Surface Pro 12 if you care most about storage / ram. Its strongest claims are storage, ram, screen size. The single most decisive one: Storage — 100.00% more. 256 GB vs 128 GB.
Both ship with comparable refresh rate, 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: Google - Pixel Tablet 2 or Microsoft - Surface Pro 12?
Google - Pixel Tablet 2 leads the current Mars Score by 1.5 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare screen size, ram, storage against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Google - Pixel Tablet 2 if…
Google - Pixel Tablet 2 has the measurable edge on weight g, peak brightness nits.
Choose Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 if…
Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 has the measurable edge on storage gb, 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 Google - Pixel Tablet 2 wins
- ▲Weight — 188.00 g less. 498 vs 686.
- ▲Peak brightness — 50.00% more. 600 nits vs 400 nits.
Why Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 wins
- ▲Storage — 100.00% more. 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- ▲RAM — 33.33% more. 16 GB vs 12 GB.
- ▲Screen size — 9.09% more. 12 " vs 11 ".
Spec comparison
Display
| Spec | Google - Pixel Tablet 2 | Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 " | 12 "lead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 90 Hz | 90 Hz |
| Panelⓘ | LCD | LCD |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 600 nitslead | 400 nits |
Performance
Design
| Spec | Google - Pixel Tablet 2 | Microsoft - Surface Pro 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 498 glead | 686 g |
| Stylus support | true | true |
| Cellular | false | false |
| OS | Android | Windowslead |