Surface vs. iPad: A tale of the tape
The biggest variables in this fight are the questions Microsoft has yet to answer
June 19-Microsoft has finally stepped into the modern tablet market following its unveiling of the Surface tablet Monday.
The new device is clearly Microsoft's attempt to go toe to toe with the current champ of the tablet realm, the iPad, but how do the two stack up?
We've put together a comparison of the two devices to help you measure them. In some cases, the new Surface gets a jump on the iPad, while in others Apple's tablet fared better. But the biggest variables in this fight are all the questions Microsoft has yet to answer.
Apple's tablet runs on iOS, its mobile operating system. Currently the iPad is on iOS 5; come fall - around the Surface's scheduled launch date - it will upgrade to iOS 6.
Without a doubt, hands down, the Surface is the top choice for this category. The iPad arguably has two ports: one for its charger cable and the other for a Micro-SIM for the purpose of 3G connectivity. The Surface, on the other hand, will have microSD slots, USB slots - including USB 3.0 for the Windows 8 - and a Micro HD Video connector, which on the Windows 8 is a Mini DisplayPort Video port.
The Surface Windows RT is available in two forms, a 32 GB version and a 64 GB version. The Windows 8 model comes in a 64 GB version and a 128 GB version. The iPad is available in 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB increments, which are available in Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and 3G versions.
Other
For the other things, Apple also builds and separately sells the iPad Smart Cover and Smart Case, which offer some protection for the device and include a cool feature that lets the iPad turn on by simply flipping the cover open.
But Microsoft may have one-upped Apple here. The Surface not only includes a built-in stand that flips open, but Microsoft has also built a cover for the Surface that doubles as a keyboard for its tablet. No word though on whether they will come included.
Price
This is the biggest question of the all. Anyone can build a powerful tablet, but can they do it at a price consumers can afford? Apple has been able to and offers its device starting at $499 and going all the way up to $829. But Microsoft didn't specify the price of the Surface, only saying it will be competitive to other tablets on the market.
It looks like Microsoft has built a great device, but if it doesn't get the price right, the entire effort could be doomed.
