Microsoft Surface Pro 12th Edition vs Apple iPad Mini

Buy the Surface Pro if you want one device that replaces a laptop: a 13-inch 120Hz OLED screen, a full desktop OS, 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage. Buy the iPad mini if you want a small, light tablet for reading, notes, media and travel. The Surface is the more capable computer and the better long-term work machine; the iPad mini is the more polished tablet and far easier to hold for hours. Reviewers consistently praise the iPad mini's size and build, while Surface Pro owners like the kickstand-and-keyboard flexibility but note that the keyboard and pen are extra.

• Choose the Surface Pro if you need Windows apps, real multitasking, a keyboard, or a large OLED screen for work and drawing.
• Choose the iPad mini if you want a one-hand tablet for reading, streaming, note-taking and travel, and you don't need desktop software.