Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
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Before taking our first snapshots, something in the back of our mind was telling us that we’d get better results with the iPad 4 – especially knowing that there’s a significant size disparity between their cameras. Rightfully so, that’s the case here, as the iPad’s 5-megapixel camera delivers the sharper looking details by far. However, it’s rather interesting to find that they both produce colors that are natural in tone and a balanced exposure. In low lighting situations, though, it’s again the iPad 4 getting the nods thanks to its superb handling of exposure to draw out details.
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Apple iPad 4 | ||||
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Microsoft Surface RT | ||||
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Apple iPad 4 | ||||
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Strong | Medium | Low light |
Apple iPad 4 | ||
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Apple iPad 4 Sample Video:
Microsoft Surface RT Sample Video:
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For the iPad 4, it surely makes good use out of the old adage of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Well, that’s plainly obvious seeing that it’s still sporting the same music player interface that was employed by the original iPad. Certainly, it’s functional in what it does, but it lacks the dynamic look of the Surface’s music player. Interestingly enough, the iPad 4’s single speaker actually pumps out stronger tones than the stereo speakers of the Surface – with the two producing pleasant tones that don’t have a hint of distortion.
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The Apple iPad 4’s music player | |||
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The Microsoft Surface RT integrates XBOX MUSIC with its music player | |||
Mainly due to its 16:9 aspect ratio of its display, we undeniably prefer using the Surface for watching videos – even more when it supports a wide variety of video codecs out of the box. Of course, it’s still pleasant over on the iPad 4, but we’re left to deal with seeing those typical black bars above and below the video.
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Apple iPad 4
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Microsoft Surface RT
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44 Comments
1. mydi.maus posted on 08 Nov 2012, 08:24 25 19
surface is the best,apple loose same ol rotten apple...
2. SleepingOz posted on 08 Nov 2012, 08:30 30 8
I'm far from being an apple fanboy but how exactly did apple lose?
15. ahmed_ali_yossef2010 posted on 08 Nov 2012, 09:33 5 5
what price !!!
did you read the review
they are at the same price "500$"
16. arsenaljimenez posted on 08 Nov 2012, 09:35 5 2
Actually at 500, you can't get the 32 GB version of the iPad
19. -box- posted on 08 Nov 2012, 10:02 14 5
Right. Also, no expandable storage, no factory keyboard option, and it's still just a ipod with a large screen.
32. JeffdaBeat posted on 08 Nov 2012, 17:27 0 6
So...let's get a few things straight. You can pretty much use any bluetooth keyboard with the iPad. Apple even makes one.
Also...HD space? Check this out:
http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/support/surface-with-windows-RT/files-folders-and-online-storage/surface-disk-space-faq
If you are buying the 32GB version, it seems so much space is taken by the OS and preinstalled apps that you're only left with 16GB. Apple's OS is less than 1GB. So thankfully the surface does have expandable HD.
44. bigdawg23 posted on 12 Nov 2012, 20:11 0 0
I am not a fan boy of Apple. However an iPod is far from a large screen iPod. Apps on iPads are much nicer and offer a lot more. The use of Docs to Go is much nicer.
Now as for expandable memory most of the world needs around 32gbs. I have a GNote that has 16 plus 16 sd card. In my case it's not close to being full. I have a 32gb iPad which is pretty full because of movies and TV shows.
26. pookiewood posted on 08 Nov 2012, 15:10 3 0
He Didn't say Lose, he said Loose. Loose! Footloose kick off your Sunday shoes!
24. bensch posted on 08 Nov 2012, 14:02 4 0
I am not an apple fan but I have to admit that the ipad seems like a very interesting product. The surface, however, would be my choice.
The article did not take into account the ipad's 4 monster GPU, which is a quadcore. It absolutely murders any other tablet on the market in terms of 3D performance. It even surpasses the new adreno 320 by many, many points.
But again, the surface wins in terms of every-day practicality. USB port, hdmi and 16:9 aspect ratio are the winners in this case.
34. AnTuTu posted on 08 Nov 2012, 20:46 1 1
Surface wins in productivity, design, platform, support, price, speed, multitasking, reputation and in every damn way.
37. AnTuTu posted on 09 Nov 2012, 02:56 1 1
Big LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL to you that you don't understand technology dude :)
4. OHaZZaR posted on 08 Nov 2012, 08:41 4 0
For those of you who need one of the better displays, likes having an app store with hundreds of thousands of games and apps, simplicity and having 29 Gigs of memory when buying a 32Gb model, get an iPad 4. If you need productivity, break-proof design and a solid keyboard, and 16 gigs of memory instead of 32 GB, get the microsoft Surface.
6. Ueliton posted on 08 Nov 2012, 08:52 7 0
This guy is the best reviewer PA has. By far! No sign of bias.
9. Kronic (banned) posted on 08 Nov 2012, 08:58 3 13
iPad 4 is the obvious winner. It has much better specs.
10. g2a5b0e posted on 08 Nov 2012, 08:59 5 5
Clearly. Because better specs automatically equal a better device.
20. -box- posted on 08 Nov 2012, 10:03 3 2
If specs were everything, high-end Androids and Alienwares would win every competition they were entered in
39. Googlethis posted on 10 Nov 2012, 15:58 0 0
Don't know about alien ware in the specs department. but android usually beats in specs in the phone and tablet catagory.
41. alfistas posted on 11 Nov 2012, 12:39 0 0
Both Tegra and Exynos have proven inferior to Apple's offerings... The A6X though dual core is a far more advanced design. Thus performs better on pretty much EVERYTHING.
42. alfistas posted on 11 Nov 2012, 12:43 0 0
iPad 4 wins because it has MORE and BETTER software. It is an unfair comparison. We need to give Microsoft Developers at least 18 Moths to prepare good software titles for us... I only hope Microsoft continues to release their own Tablets. The surface is truly gorgeous!!
12. jed27 posted on 08 Nov 2012, 09:23 1 0
The Surface keyboard. The PHYSICAL keyboard. Where is it in this review?
13. pongkie posted on 08 Nov 2012, 09:27 0 1
they have to remove it becuase it wouldn't seem "FAIR"
14. SpeakYourMind posted on 08 Nov 2012, 09:28 0 0
I have the Windows RT tablet and already witnessed the crash screen. I wonder, it is inherited from the MS background OS's?
43. alfistas posted on 11 Nov 2012, 12:46 0 0
What do you expect from a brand new OS? Give it time and updates will sort out all your problems!
Common! Android has been around for 4 years and it still crashes like day 1!!
21. Techsplash posted on 08 Nov 2012, 10:50 1 0
i would prefer the ipad 4 over the surface because i need to have a cellular connection to surf the net as here in india wifi is only available in very very few areas.i haven't used wifi even once in my life.i even dont understand how it works so even the surface has a better os i would choose the ipad 4 over it.but of course others dont have this problem so they can choose what they want.
23. nsnk86 posted on 08 Nov 2012, 13:18 0 0
i agree with you Techsplash.... am also from india &wifi hotspots can be found mostly in shopping malls....... so i prefer ipad4.... :)
25. devildantej posted on 08 Nov 2012, 15:03 0 0
you could use the full usb port to attach the internet usb key I think
28. nsnk86 posted on 08 Nov 2012, 15:13 0 0
@devildantej: no idea whether that would work.... even in the review of Surface RT nothing about this was mentioned.
31. Akfred posted on 08 Nov 2012, 17:13 0 0
Dude get a MIFI and get a whole new experience from surface. Ipad is a total cheat from Apple. without jailbreak ipad would have been s**t
27. nsnk86 posted on 08 Nov 2012, 15:12 0 0
@devildantej: no idea whether that would work.... even in the review of Surface RT nothing about this was mentioned.
29. cocote177 posted on 08 Nov 2012, 15:22 0 0
The article doesn't consider some important features within the surface: full usb port, micro sd card lot, hdmi output, which are not included on the IPad.
The surface is a productivity tablet, and with office preloaded is a powerful tool for business, not only for pleasure.
30. Akfred posted on 08 Nov 2012, 17:08 0 0
Dont say much guys, surface is still the best tablet so far around the globe. ipad is nice and ok, but surface, i can't miss it. i love it so much.
40. alfistas posted on 11 Nov 2012, 09:50 0 0
So according to PhoneArena the only real looser here is Google... Hurray! At last logic prevails!!!
45. EMOLOve1511 posted on 13 Nov 2012, 01:25 0 0
I You are heavy multitasking user i should recommended MS Surface but you are normal user i think you should use apple ipad 4
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