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Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition

Buy the iPad Pro 13 M5 if you want the best tablet-first experience: a brighter tandem OLED, a huge native app library, and long software support. Buy the Surface Pro 13 if you need a real Windows desktop, more storage and RAM out of the box, and a keyboard-and-pen workflow that doubles as a laptop. The iPad wins on display quality, app polish and resale, and owners rate it well. The Surface wins on flexibility, ports and built-in storage, but Windows on Arm still has app compatibility gaps and the keyboard is sold separately.

  • Choose the iPad Pro 13 M5 if your work lives in iPad apps, drawing, video and reading, and you want the sharpest screen and the smoothest long-term updates.
  • Choose the Surface Pro 13 if you need full Windows apps, a desktop file system, and a tablet that replaces a laptop with a detachable keyboard.

Prices

  • Apple iPad Pro 13" M5: $1,274.99 at eBay (checked today)
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition: $1,599.99 at Amazon (last seen Nov 8)
  • Difference: the Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 is $325.00 cheaper than the Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Apple
Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 OLED Wi-Fi Tablet 256GB Space Black 2025 Model

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 OLED Wi-Fi Tablet 256GB Space Black 2025 Model

4.4(104 ratings)
$1,274.99at eBayVerified
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

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Pros
  • Tandem OLED screen with excellent contrast and antireflective coating
  • M5 chip handles heavy creative apps and multitasking
  • Light for a 13-inch tablet at about 1.28 lb
  • Long iPadOS update support and a deep app library
  • Apple Pencil Pro support for drawing and notes
Cons
  • Only 256GB storage, no card slot
  • Keyboard and pen cost extra
  • iPadOS limits true desktop workflows
  • No Wi-Fi 7
  • Fewer ports, USB-C only
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Pro 13" OLED Touchscreen Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) 2026 16GB Memory 1TB Storage Device Only (12th Edition)

Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition

Microsoft Surface Pro 13" OLED Touchscreen Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) 2026 16GB Memory 1TB Storage Device Only (12th Edition)

5(1 rating)
$1,599.99at AmazonObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:00 PM
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Full Windows 11 with desktop apps and file management
  • 1TB storage and 16GB RAM standard
  • Rated battery life well above the iPad
  • Wi-Fi 7 and a kickstand-based laptop replacement design
  • Copilot+ features and Qualcomm AI engine
Cons
  • Heavier at nearly 2 lb before the keyboard
  • Keyboard and pen sold separately
  • Arm app compatibility still has gaps
  • Windows tablet mode is less polished than iPadOS
  • Snapdragon performance varies by app

What separates them

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition
Operating systemiPadOS, touch-first, huge tablet app catalogWindows 11 Home, runs desktop x86 and Arm apps
Display13-inch OLED, 2752 x 2064, 120Hz, standard glass with antireflective coating13-inch PixelSense Flow OLED, 2880 x 1920, 120Hz, 600 nits
ChipApple M5, 12GB RAMSnapdragon X2 Elite, 12 cores, 16GB LPDDR5x
Storage256GB1TB
BatteryAbout 10 hours ratedUp to 15 hours 30 minutes rated
Weight20.4 oz (about 1.28 lb)1.97 lb
Keyboard and penMagic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro sold separately; Pencil support built inDetachable keyboard and Slim Pen sold separately; device only
WirelessWi-Fi 6E class, Bluetooth, optional 5G eSIMWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth

Price history

$1,599.99$1,399.00
Nov 5Nov 9
  • Apple iPad Pro 13" M5: lowest $1,399.00 on Nov 5 at Apple Education Store; $1,424.00 on Nov 9.
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition: lowest $1,599.99 on Nov 8 at Best Buy; $1,599.99 on Nov 9.

Prices at every store

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5

  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by paymore_derita (99.7% positive, 3,400 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $1,274.99Free shippingVerified
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,399.00Free shippingObserved Nov 7, 2026, 11:45 AM
    Visit Amazon
  • Apple Education StoreNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,399.00Observed Nov 5, 2026, 3:34 PM
    Visit Apple Education Store
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,399.00Observed Nov 5, 2026, 3:10 PM
    Visit PC Richard & Son

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 18 stores and price history →

Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $1,599.99Free shippingObserved at 1:32 AM
    Visit Best Buy
  • Abt ElectronicsNew

    In stock

    $1,649.99Free shippingObserved at 1:32 AM
    Visit Abt Electronics
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $1,649.99Free shippingObserved at 1:32 AM
    Visit Newegg
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,599.99Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 6:00 PM
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 9 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple iPad Pro 13" M5Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition
hard_drive_capacity256 GB1 TB
colorBlueBlack
actual_colorSpace BlackBlack
editionStandard Glass12th Edition
Storage256 GB Storage1TB
Screen Size13 in screen13"
Weight20.4 oz1.97 lbs. (0.89 kg)
Battery Life10 hours batteryUp to 15 Hours, 30 Minutes
Refresh Rate120Hz120Hz
Processor CoresDeca CoreTwelve-Core
size13-inch—
Operating SystemiPadOS—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple iPad Pro 13" M5Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition
Display Resolution2752 x 2064—
Language / RegionEnglish / United States—
Energy StarYes—
Network Connectivity5G—
RAMRAM: 12 GB—
ConnectionsUSB-C—
Active Digitizer (Stylus pen)Yes—
BluetoothYes—
Camera Resolution (front) (MP)12.0—
System on Chip (SoC)

What reviewers say

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5

  • 4.4 / 5104 ratings

Owners rate the 13-inch iPad Pro highly, with a 4.4 out of 5 average from 104 ratings. They praise the OLED screen, speed and build quality, while some question the price and whether iPadOS can replace a laptop.

What people mention
  • DisplayPraisedReviewers call the OLED screen vivid and sharp, with deep blacks and smooth 120Hz scrolling.
  • PerformancePraisedThe M5 chip and 12GB of RAM are described as fast and fluid, even with heavy editing apps.
  • PriceCriticisedMany owners say the tablet is expensive, and adding a keyboard or pencil pushes the cost higher.
  • SoftwareMixedSome find iPadOS capable for work, while others say it still falls short of a laptop for multitasking.

Questions and answers

Which is better for drawing and design work?
The iPad Pro is the safer pick. Apple Pencil Pro support, a huge set of drawing apps and the OLED screen make it the stronger tablet for illustration. The Surface works with the Slim Pen and full desktop design apps, but the pen is extra and the tablet experience is less refined.
Can the Surface Pro 13 replace a laptop?
Yes, more so than the iPad. It runs Windows 11 and desktop apps, and with the detachable keyboard it works like a laptop. The iPad Pro can do laptop-like work but stays limited by iPadOS.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
Microsoft rates the Surface Pro 13 at up to 15 hours 30 minutes, well above Apple's roughly 10-hour rating for the iPad Pro. Real-world results depend on screen brightness and workload, but the Surface has the edge.
Is the iPad Pro worth stepping up to over the Surface?
Step up to the iPad if screen quality, app polish and light weight matter most. Choose the Surface instead if you need storage, RAM and desktop software without add-ons.
Which has more storage?
The Surface Pro 13 ships with 1TB against 256GB on this iPad Pro configuration. Neither has a memory card slot, so pick the storage you need up front.
Do I need to buy a keyboard for either?
Yes. Both are sold as tablets, and the Magic Keyboard for the iPad and the Surface keyboard are separate purchases. Budget for one if you plan to type.

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  • Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 OLED Wi-Fi Tablet 256GB Space Black 2025 Model vs iPad Mini OLED
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 13" OLED Touchscreen Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) 2026 16GB Memory 1TB Storage Device Only (12th Edition) vs iPad Mini OLED

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best 13-inch iPad Pro tablets
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Apple M5
—
Pixel Density (PPI)264—
Miracast (Screen Mirroring)No—
Keyboard IncludedYes—
Telephoto CameraNo—
SIM CardeSIM—
NFCNo—
No. of Back Cameras1—
Depth (")0.2—
No. of Front Cameras1—
Memory Card ReaderNo—
Video Resolution (max)2160p (4K), 1080p (Full HD)—
Water ResistantNo—
OS VersioniPadOS 26—
Weight (oz)20.4—
Release Year2024, 2025—
Mobile Networks5G, No—
Height (")8.5—
Battery Capacity (mAh)10290—