Apple iPad Air M1 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Verdict: Microsoft Surface Pro 11 wins for most users needing desktop apps and a larger high-refresh display (2880x1920 120 Hz per RTINGS). Apple iPad Air M1 remains lighter and more polished for media but trails on RAM, storage base, and software flexibility. Surface Pro 11 beats the iPad Air M1 on battery endurance by roughly 3 hours in mixed use per Notebookcheck tests.
Winner: Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Apple iPad Air M1: 6.5/10
Microsoft Surface Pro 11: 8/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Apple iPad Air M1 | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| chip | Apple M1 | Snapdragon X Elite |
| display | 10.9-inch Liquid Retina 2360x1640 | 13-inch PixelSense 2880x1920 |
| ram_storage | 8GB / 64GB base | 16GB / 256GB base |
| battery | 28.6 Wh | 40 Wh |
Apple iPad Air M1
What works
- M1 delivers 1,700+ single-core Geekbench 6 (per Geekbench)
- iPadOS app ecosystem optimized for touch
- 7.5 mm thin and 461 g weight
What doesn't
- No native desktop apps or full Windows support
- Only 2 years of major iPadOS updates remaining as of 2026
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
What works
- Full Windows 11 desktop apps and multitasking
- OLED option with 120 Hz and 2000 nits (per RTINGS)
- Detachable keyboard with trackpad included in many bundles
What doesn't
- Heavier at 895 g with keyboard
- ARM app compatibility still has occasional gaps
Bottom line
Our pick: Microsoft Surface Pro 11.
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