Surface Pro 4 vs iPad Air 2 Specs, Price Comparison: Review of Features - Latest Microsoft Hybrid Costlier but Offers More

Microsoft looks set to launch the Surface Pro 4, the latest iteration in its tablet/laptop hybrid line this month, during its Build Developer Conference from April 29 to May 1 in San Francisco, C.A. As for the specs and design of the Surface Pro 4, indications are that it will keep the current design of the Surface Pro 2 and improve on it. Needless to say, when the Surface Pro 4 is released, it will run into competition with the iPad Air 2 from Apple which is mostly a tablet but is much cheaper.

Design

The Surface Pro 4 is expected to come in two sizes: a 12-inch model and a bigger 14-inch version. Both are expected to have a kickstand which will enable it to transform to a laptop when attached physically to a type cover. Compared to this, the iPad does not have a kickstand but can be used as a laptop when it is paired with a Bluetooth keyboard. In terms of build, the iPad Air 2 is made from aluminum while the Surface Pro 4 will probably be made from magnesium. As for size, the iPad Air 2 is expected to be much smaller and lighter than the Surface 4.

Display

The Surface Pro 4 will have a much bigger display when compared to the iPad Air 2. As for actual size, the smaller version of the Surface Pro 4 could have a 12-inch screen while the iPad Air 2 has a screen measuring 9.7 inches. The Surface Pro 4 and the iPad Air 2 have touch screens, but only the device from Microsoft has a dedicated stylus with advanced features.

Specs

The starting model Surface Pro 4 is expected to have a Broadwell processor while the iPad Air 2 has an Apple A8X chipset and a triple-core CPU clocked at 1.5 GHz.

Memory

The beginning version of the Surface Pro 4 will come with 4 GB RAM while the iPad Air 2 has 2 GB. In terms of memory slots, the iPad Air 2 does not have one while the Surface Pro 4 is widely expected to have one onboard.

Camera

Both devices have front and rear cameras. The Surface Pro 4 is expected to come with an improved 8 megapixel camera on its rear and a 3.5 megapixel camera on its front. The iPad Air 2 has an 8 megapixel camera at its back and a 1.2 megapixel camera at front.

Price

The Surface Pro 4 could be priced between $1,000 and $1,200 while the starting version of the iPad Air 2 is priced at $500.