Surface Pro 8 vs M1 iPad Pro - Which is More Pro?

Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 combines the best of the Surface Pro 7 and X to make an ultimate all in one but at the same $1200 can it compete with the 12.9" M1 iPad Pro?

Links to these laptops on Amazon ⬇️
Surface Pro 8 ➡

In this comparison video, we compare basically everything between the new Microsoft Surface Pro 8 and the 12.9" M1 iPad Pro to see if Microsoft can dethrone Apple as the best portable computer!

We compare many things including the design, size, weight, displays, keyboards, trackpads, pen performance, CPU and GPU tests, and much more!

Timestamps ⬇️
Surface Pro 8 vs M1 iPad Pro - 00:00
External Design Differences & Weight - 00:26
Camera Differences & Quality - 1:43
Keyboard and Trackpad Comparison - 2:53
Face ID vs Windows Hello - 5:07
Webcam and Microphone Comparison - 5:40
Speaker Quality Comparison - 6:38
Display Comparison - 7:44
Mini LED vs LCD HDR Test - 9:03
Apple Pencil vs Surface Pen 2 - 10:12
Geekbench 5 CPU Performance Test - 11:08
Geekbench 5 Graphics Performance Test - 12:47
Unplugged vs Plugged in Performance - 13:11
iPadOS 15 vs Windows 11 - 13:37
Which device is more Pro? - 14:46

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[MaxTechOfficial]

Which one do YOU think is the actual PRO Device and which would YOU Buy?

Links to these laptops on Amazon ⬇

[DT-vchd]

I own an ipad pro (not m1), and it's a fine device, but (for me), a tablet OS will likely never replace a regular desktop OS. Even with m1 outperforming in most of these categories, the surface is the better fit for my current workflow needs.

[denziiey]

I don't care how fast Apple makes the IPad it is still a tablet (mobile ) platform while the surface is a full desktop platform. Nuff said there!

[程思凯-gj]

Ipad pro = bigger iphone + notebook
Surface = a real PC with notetaking feature
I have both of them and love surface more.

[Marngel]

If I was forced to only use one of these two as my only computer, I’d take the Surface Pro for the fact that it can run the few niche programs I have to use for school. However, I still love the iPad Pro more as an overall device because everything about it is just more fun to use. I just wished that “more fun” translated to more capable.

[zhongxina]

I feel like most people can’t really benefit that much from M1 in iPadOS

[knowledgeispower]

I like the iPad but using it like a computer is beyond frustrating, even with basic things like websites act weird on the ipad

[grom]

A good review. Surface is a real computer where you can run all the desktop apps and programs. But iPad is just a tablet (the best one though) with its limitations. I'm writing this comment from the Surface. And I use it as 2-in-1: a tablet and a PC depending on my purposes

[TriMuXx]

Surface Pro 8 for the win. It can get work done AND have fun. Especially if you add an eGPU into the mix. Try playing a cross platform FPS game on the iPad vs Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro 8 will be faster/smoother everytime. Also, even iPad OS has issues while consuming. You'll visit a page and try to watch the embedded video only to get an error "This video not available on a mobile device". Surface Pro 8 be like "Enjoy your video". I stopped at the iPad 4. I was tired of the restrictions and lockdowns due to iOS and to find out that iPad OS is also locked down is just a massive disappointment after all these years. The video goes to show that all the power in the world means nothing if the OS won't let you use it. I've personally felt that the Surface Pro 3 was the iPad Killer already, but now that the Surface Pro 8 has Thunderbolt definitely the better TABLET (Yes, I said tablet because that's the form factor. The keyboard is detachable and not permanently fixed and the screen is touchscreen so this makes it a TABLET not a LAPTOP. People trying to save the iPad from embarrassment because it can't compete with the Surface Pro so they put the Surface Pro in with the Laptops to be like "you didn't see that..." lol) of the two and has been for a while now. Hopefully Apple can get MacOS or make iPad OS more flexible and powerful in the future instead of restricting it's users.

[wmcmilli]

Good video. Agree with most of the comments. The operating system matters. A modified cellphone operating system is not adequate for a pro device. Great hardware on the iPad Pro, but it doesn't fit my workflow so I can't take advantage of it. I can drive four independent monitors with a Surface Pro. The iPad Pro just seems to me to be overkill since you have all of this power, but the same limited functionality as a regular iPad.

[DareBlink]

Congratulations, fantastic non biased comparison. Just two small things: the windows hello camera can also be used to buy things in the store and log in to websites. You also forgot to mention that the surface pro 8 (and the Surface Laptop Studio for that matter) will get the dynamic refresh rate as well in a future update. Great video congrats

[SAMURAI-xegn]

People can buy Surface 8 Pro for one reason and that is the one and only, the legendary 3.5mm HEADPHONE JACK!

[tannerted]

Most people will have a better experience with the iPad. That being said, as a software developer, I would choose the Surface over the iPad as my main machine any day of the week because I simply CANNOT compile code or use any of my favorite development tools on the iPad.

Granted, I probably wouldn’t choose the Surface as my main machine given all the options I have that are much better.

[steveellsworth]

I have owned both devices. The iPad Pro will always be a productivity device and nothing more. Apple severely hampers the OS. The last time I used the device, I was limited to extending the screen and not having a secondary screen to extend. The Surface Pro does exactly the same as the iPad Pro, but you can actually have an active, full fledged OS. The reviewer admitted the iPad Pro is locked down and less useful, but picked the device in their review. The review was done looking at a holistic approach to automation, but on their belief on hardware.

[SuperDesignguy]

Same story with iPad. Great hardware. We should have the option to run MacOS native apps. Until then, it's a great tablet held back by lack of desktop level apps and a terrible file system

[julian]

I'm going for the surface. It's cheaper, longer updates(cuz it's just windows), bigger screen and most importantly it's not just a scaled up iphone but a fully fledged computer/pc
Edit: Got the surface Pro 8 for some time now and I love it!

[LuKiSCraft]

Strongly agree with your conclusion. I honestly would probably buy an iPad Pro 9" if it had a Desktop OS. iPad OS is simply not sufficient for such a powerful tablet.

[a.s.a.]

And also to add, Thunderbolt port from Surface could be used to plug an eGPU on it and increase power. Great video!

[DannysHauntedJourney]

Keep in mind that the GPU's on the Surface Pro 8's have a difference of 20% for the i7.

[Deaconplus]

Thanks for the candid review. It really outlines the dilemma in choosing a tablet. I want the functionality of the Surface Pro with the capability of the iPad Pro. I am in the apple eco-system however I have been giving lots of thought to jumping ship for the the Surface pro 8 for laptop portability. I really wish Apple would eliminate the MacBook Air and make the iPad Pro a fully capable computer like the Surface. This would be a game changer.