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Head-to-head

Apple - iPad Pro 13 M4 vs Microsoft - Surface Go 4

Last updated · How Mars Score works
iPad Pro 13 M4APPLERENDER
Probe A
Apple
iPad Pro 13 M4
59.4/ 100C
Performance49· 40%
Display72· 32%
Design· 28%
Surface Go 4MICROSOFTRENDER
Probe B
Microsoft
Surface Go 4
49.1/ 100D
Performance46· 40%
Display52· 32%
Design· 28%
Quick verdict

Between the iPad Pro 13 M4 and Surface Go 4, the iPad Pro 13 M4 comes out ahead in peak brightness and storage, while the Surface Go 4 wins on weight. Overall, the iPad Pro 13 M4 scores 59.4 and the Surface Go 4 scores 49.1 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The iPad Pro 13 M4 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.3 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

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.

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.

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 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 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.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Display

SpecApple - iPad Pro 13 M4Microsoft - Surface Go 4
Screen size13 "lead10.5 "
Refresh rate120 Hzlead60 Hz
PanelOLEDleadLCD
Peak brightness1600 nitslead350 nits

Performance

SpecApple - iPad Pro 13 M4Microsoft - Surface Go 4
ChipsetApple M4Intel N200
RAM8 GB8 GB
Storage256 GBlead128 GB

Design

SpecApple - iPad Pro 13 M4Microsoft - Surface Go 4
Weight579 g521 glead
Stylus supporttruetrue
Cellulartrueleadfalse
OSiPadOSWindowslead
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