Apple iPad Air 11" M4 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 6 12.3" Touch
Apple iPad Air 11" M4 2026, 12GB, 256GB, Cellular, Starlight
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 12.3" Touch 2019, Core i5-8400T, 8GB, 256GB, Platinum
What Buyers Say
Apple iPad Air 11" M4 2026, 12GB, 256GB, Cellular, Starlight
The iPad Air M4 is widely praised for its blazing-fast performance, crisp display, and lightweight design, making it a solid upgrade from older models. Users highlight the M4 chip's ability to handle demanding apps and multitasking with ease, though a few note the lack of Face ID and some software quirks. Overall, it delivers excellent value for most users, especially those upgrading from older iPads.
Pros
- Blazing fast M4 performance
- Crisp and bright display
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent battery life
- Seamless multitasking
Cons
- No Face ID (only Touch ID)
- Occasional software bugs and freezes
- Older Apple Pencil not compatible
- No SD card slot
- Sidecar lacks sound output from iPad
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 12.3" Touch 2019, Core i5-8400T, 8GB, 256GB, Platinum
The Surface Pro 6 is generally well-received as a refurbished device, with many users praising its like-new condition and snappy performance for tasks like schoolwork and genealogy research. However, several buyers report issues such as scratches, dead pixels, touchscreen problems, and battery drain, along with a faulty charger. The lack of a USB-C port is noted as a minor drawback, but overall it offers good value for a budget-friendly Surface tablet.
Pros
- Like-new condition despite refurbished rating
- Snappy performance for everyday tasks
- Great value for a budget Surface tablet
- Easy Windows 11 upgrade
- Gorgeous display for videos and photos
Cons
- Scratches and blemishes on some units
- Dead pixels on screen
- Touchscreen issues on some devices
- Battery drains quickly for some users
- Faulty charger reported
Scores
Specifications
| Apple iPad Air 11" M4 | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 12.3" Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| CPU* | Apple M4 ★ | Intel Core i5 8250U |
| CPU Multi-Core Score | ||
| Cores | 10★ | 4 |
| GPU* | Apple (9-Core)★ | UHD Graphics |
| GPU Benchmark Score | ||
| Memory & Storage | ||
| RAM | 12 GB★ | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD | SSD |
| Expandable | โ | โ |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11" | 12.3" |
| Resolution | 2360 px | 2560 px★ |
| Panel | Liquid Retina | โ |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz★ | โ |
| Brightness | 500 nits★ | โ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7★ | WiFi 4 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth | โ |
| USB-C | 1★ | โ |
| Cellular | โ★ | โ |
| Features | ||
| Stylus Support | โ | โ |
| Stylus Model | Apple Pencil Pro | โ |
| Fingerprint Reader | โ★ | โ |
| Face Unlock | โ | โ |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 0.46 kg★ | 0.78 kg |
| Battery | 29 Wh★ | โ |
| OS | iPadOS | Windows 10 |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Air 11" M4 2026, 12GB, 256GB, Cellular, Starlight
- Strong social proof (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong cpu (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong gpu (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Below average affordability (15th percentile)15th %ile
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 12.3" Touch 2019, Core i5-8400T, 8GB, 256GB, Platinum
- Strong storage (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong screen (78th percentile)
- Strong ram (66th percentile)
- Below average connectivity (25th percentile)
- Below average portability (29th percentile)
- Below average battery (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 6 of 6 usage categories and 14 of 25 specs.