Microsoft Windows 8 Surface vs. Apple new iPad – comparison in 8 main tablet pc features

U.S. Microsoft Corporation released a new Tablet PC Surface on June 18th in Los Angeles. This trial is considered to enhance major strategic adjustment with Apple and other competitors. We can see the comparison from below five aspects.

1. Keyboard / touchpad

Microsoft offers Touch Cover external keyboards with a variety of colors and adopts touch virtual keys; it also provides another external keyboard Type Cover and adopts physical buttons, the Type Cover external keyboard has only black model. Both Touch Cover and Type Cover can offer the Soft keyboard or physical keyboard functions. This is similar to Apple Smart Cover. iPad supports a variety of Bluetooth keyboards and the cover similar to Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, but is lack of touchpad or mouse accessories. This makes iPad can not be a real substitute to notebook. Microsoft Tablet PC may have the potential improvements.

2. Operating system.

The Surface tablets are divided into two versions: Windows RT uses Nvidia OEM ARM processor; Windows 8 Pro uses Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processors.

Apple iPad adopts iOS system, and the MacBook adopts OS X system. The applications of these two operating systems are not mutually compatible. The disadvantage is that iPad can not be a real substitute to the Mac. However Windows 8 Tablet PC is a full-featured computer and is capable of running the Tablet PC applications and PC applications. Microsoft may bring about changes in this area.

3. Thickness and weight.

The thickness of the Surface tablet PC equipped with ARM chip is only 9.3 mm, and weighs 675 grams; the thickness of the Surface tablet PC equipped with i5 chip is 13.5 mm, and weighs 9.3 grams; regarding the new iPad, it is 9.4mm and weighs 652 grams. The standard of Surface (ARM version) is almost the same as that of the new iPad. However, Windows 8 Pro is less convenient to carry due to its heavy body.

4. Interface and Built-in storage.

Windows RT has a USB 2.0 interface and 32GB and 64GB two versions; Windows 8 Pro will be equipped with a USB 3.0 interface and HDMI, the storage space is 64GB or 128GB. The new iPad has only headphone interface and data line interface with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB three versions, but it has no USB interface.

                                                 

5. Screen.

Windows RT and Windows 8 version of the Surface Tablet PC use different resolutions. The former is 720p and the latter is 1080p. The third-generation Apple iPad uses retinal display whose resolution is 2048 × 1536, which is higher than that of Surface. The resolution of iPad 2 is also 720p. It is not clear whether Microsoft will integrate higher resolution screen in Surface Tablet PC, but I think the cost is considerable.

6. Playability.

The iPad inherits the characteristics of various Apple products, and it has a lot of entertainment audio and video functions. It supports video formats such as M4V, MP4, MOV, MPEG. iPad is very easy and interesting while Surface Tablet PC is lack of playability. Both iPad and surface have limited video format supporting system, so users may as well use video converter to enjoy movies in various formats on these two kinds of Tablet computer.

7. The battery life.

Microsoft indicates that the battery of Windows RT is 31.5 watts, while the battery of the Pro version is 42 watts (same as the new iPad ). But this depends largely on the electricity power that the Windows8 will take up. In addition, the screen size also affects the battery life. Despite the Surface screen (10.6 inches) is larger than the iPad (9.7 inches), the pixel is lower than the iPad, which means that the screen may save more electricity power.

                                                      

8. Price.

The price of the Surface Tablet PC is still a mystery, while it is considered that it must have a very competitive price to dominate the Tablet PC market. Whether it will become a best selling Tablet PC following iPad, let us see in this autumn!

In conclusion: Microsoft will make the tablet market more competitive, coupled with Samsung, Sony, Amazon and other competitors , Apple will face increasing competitive pressure. For the consumers, the choice of the Tablet PC has become more diverse, which is a very good thing.