Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd Gen vs Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13"

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd Gen, A12, 3GB, 256GB, Cellular, Space Gray

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd Gen, A12, 3GB, 256GB, Cellular, Space Gray

Apple
45 Overall Score
vs
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13" 2021, Core i5-1135G7, 8GB, 128GB, Platinum

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13" 2021, Core i5-1135G7, 8GB, 128GB, Platinum

Microsoft
67 Overall Score

Scores

Student
Apple
59
Microsoft
74
Entertainment
Apple
44
Microsoft
70
Art Design
Apple
50
Microsoft
70
Productivity
Apple
43
Microsoft
69
Business
Apple
46
Microsoft
63
Reading
Apple
40
Microsoft
30

Specifications

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd GenMicrosoft Surface Pro 8 13"
Processor
CPU*—Core i5★
CPU Multi-Core Score
5,066
9,282
Cores—4★
GPU—Integrated★
GPU Benchmark ScoreNo data
2,593
Memory & Storage
RAM3 GB8 GB★
RAM Generation—LPDDR4X★
Storage256 GB★128 GB
Storage TypeSSDSSD
Expandable—✗
Display
Size10.5"13"
Resolution—2880 px★
PanelIPS★LCD
Refresh Rate—120 Hz★
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6★
BluetoothYesBluetooth 5.1★
USB-C—2★
Cellular✓★✗
Features
Stylus Support✓✓
Stylus ModelApple Pencil (1st Gen)Surface Slim Pen 2
Fingerprint Reader✓★✗
Face Unlock—✓★
Physical
Weight—0.89 kg★
OSiOSWindows 11 Home

Pros & Cons

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd Gen, A12, 3GB, 256GB, Cellular, Space Gray

  • Strong feature (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong storage (84th percentile)84th %ile
  • Below average ram (11th percentile)11th %ile
  • Below average social proof (17th percentile)17th %ile
  • Below average battery (32nd percentile)

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13" 2021, Core i5-1135G7, 8GB, 128GB, Platinum

  • Strong connectivity (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
  • Strong screen (90th percentile)90th %ile
  • Strong social proof (89th percentile)89th %ile
  • Strong sharpness (78th percentile)
  • Below average reading battery (4th percentile)4th %ile
  • Below average portability (22nd percentile)
  • Below average affordability (30th percentile)

Pricing

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd Gen, A12, 3GB, 256GB, Cellular, Space Gray

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13" 2021, Core i5-1135G7, 8GB, 128GB, Platinum

Verdict

★ Winner: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13"

Scores 67 overall, wins 5 of 6 usage categories and 14 of 24 specs.

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 3rd Gen Better at:

Reading

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13" Better at:

StudentBusinessArt DesignProductivityEntertainment