Video summary

iPad Pro M2 vs Surface Pro 9 - Don’t Make a MISTAKE! [2023]

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) reviewed

  • Apple iPad Pro (M2, 12.9-inch generation, late 2022) with Apple Pencil hover, ProRes capture, and Wi‑Fi 6E.
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel-based, 13-inch) with 12th-gen Intel i5/i7, removable/upgradable SSD, Thunderbolt 4, Wi‑Fi 6E, improved mics/repairability, and studio-quality audio.

Key features highlighted (unique points)

iPad Pro (M2)

  • Display

    • “mini LED Liquid Retina XDR” IPS panel
    • Up to ~600 nits SDR and ~1600 nits HDR
    • ~2,500+ local dimming zones for better contrast and “inky blacks”

  • Performance / refresh

    • 120Hz refresh rate
    • M2 performance is praised, but is largely limited by software (no desktop-level apps)

  • Apple Pencil hover

    • Described as underwhelming despite being a headline feature

  • Camera system

    • “Clear win” for cameras:
      • 4K capture
      • Stage Manager support
      • Triple rear setup (main + ultra-wide + LiDAR), useful for AR and measuring

  • Connectivity / ports

    • Essentially single USB‑C (plus Thunderbolt support implied via keyboard accessories)
    • More reliance on adapters for expansion

  • Battery life

    • Apple claim: ~10 hours
    • Creator’s real use: ~8–9 hours (up to ~12 hours for video)

  • Software / UX

    • iPadOS 16 delivers a far better “tablet experience” than Windows tablet mode
    • Multitasking and multitasking features like Stage Manager
    • With Magic Keyboard, it’s “not far off” from a laptop—but still different

  • Biggest con

    • Lack of desktop-level apps prevents fully using the M2 chip’s potential

Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

  • Display

    • 13-inch PixelSense Flow IPS touch display
    • Looks great; 120Hz refresh
    • Vision IQ HDR
    • Brightness around ~440 nits

  • Laptop experience via accessories

    • With Signature Keyboard or pen, Windows becomes a “full-on laptop PC experience”
    • Multitasking and everyday tasks described as lag-free and slick

  • Ports / connectivity

    • Two Thunderbolt 4 ports + Surface connector (charging)
    • Also supports USB-C/charging options
    • Thunderbolt 4 improves docking and peripheral support
    • iPad is framed as having only one USB‑C (Magic Keyboard adds convenience via extra USB‑C)

  • Storage

    • Removable/upgradable SSD, better long-term flexibility

  • Audio / repairability

    • “Studio quality mics”
    • Improved repairability

  • Camera

    • “Fine” performance with a rear 10MP camera

  • Battery life

    • Creator’s real use: ~7.5 hours

  • Big comparison note

    • The speaker discusses the Surface Pro 9 SQ3 (ARM) version but uses the Intel version for buying guidance

Comparisons and buying guidance (major discussion points)

Intel vs SQ3 Surface Pro 9 (ARM)

  • SQ3 version advantages mentioned

    • Much longer battery (+3 to 4 hours)
    • 5G connectivity
    • Webcam noise reduction/effects via an AI chip
    • However, apps require emulation on Windows since it doesn’t run x86 apps natively

  • Why Intel is recommended (by the speaker)

    • ARM Surface Pro X legacy emulation has improved, but is still not there yet compared with Apple’s software + performance
    • Recommendation: choose Intel if you want it to work “like a laptop,” unless you’re confident your apps are optimized for Windows ARM
    • Intel Surface Pro 9 is also said to be a couple hundred dollars cheaper than SQ3
    • The creator hasn’t reviewed SQ3 yet and plans a side-by-side comparison (link mentioned)

“Tablet vs laptop” practical conclusion

  • If you want the best tablet: go iPad Pro
    • Software experience and the app store are the deciding factors

  • If you want the best laptop: go Surface Pro 9

    • Windows desktop apps + more proper laptop behavior

  • Otherwise, both have “frustrating limitations”:

    • iPad: limited by mobile/iPadOS apps vs true desktop software
    • Surface: even with great hardware, Windows tablet experience is more awkward than iPadOS

Pros & Cons (as stated)

iPad Pro (M2)

Pros

  • Best-in-class tablet UX (iPadOS/app store experience)
  • Outstanding display (mini LED, high brightness, strong contrast)
  • Strong cameras (4K, triple rear system)
  • 120Hz smoothness and excellent general tablet performance
  • Strong battery relative to Surface (8–9 hrs typical; up to ~12 hrs video)

Cons

  • Pencil hover described as underwhelming
  • Biggest con: no desktop-level apps, so M2 performance isn’t fully used
  • Port limitations: essentially single USB‑C; more adapters required

Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

Pros

  • Laptop-like experience with keyboard/pen; multitasking feels fast and smooth
  • Better connectivity/expansion:
    • Thunderbolt 4 (two ports) + docking possibilities
  • Removable/upgradable SSD
  • Improved mics and repairability
  • Comfortable screen with 120Hz and Windows desktop app compatibility

Cons

  • Battery life worse than iPad (~7.5 hours)
  • Tablet experience less polished than iPadOS (more “Windows as a tablet” feel)
  • ARM caveat (SQ3): app compatibility depends on emulation, so it’s not risk-free

Price / value notes

  • Both are described as “similarly priced-ish,” but top configurations can be expensive (creator mentions up to ~3 grand with keyboard + pen).
  • Spec/value recommendations
    • iPad Pro
      • 256GB or 512GB best value
      • Avoid cellular 5G (about ~£200 more); use phone hotspot instead
    • Surface Pro 9
      • Base ~£1000 i5 is a “bargain”
      • Storage upgrades are costly—suggests using an external SSD (examples: Crucial X8 / Samsung T7) since 256GB can be limiting

Overall verdict / recommendation (based on the video)

  • Choose iPad Pro (M2) if your priority is the best tablet experience and you rely on iPadOS apps (especially creative/drawing needs), with top-tier display/camera/battery.
  • Choose Surface Pro 9 (Intel) if your priority is a true laptop workflow:
    • desktop Windows apps
    • better I/O (Thunderbolt 4)
    • upgradable storage
  • If they don’t have another laptop, the speaker says they’d likely pick the Pro 9.
  • If they can bring a MacBook Pro for heavier editing, they’d lean iPad Pro.

Ratings / numerical scores

  • No explicit star ratings or score out of 10/100 were given.
  • Numerical figures mentioned include:
    • 120Hz refresh
    • Surface brightness ~440 nits
    • iPad brightness ~600 SDR / ~1600 HDR
    • iPad local dimming zones ~2,500+
    • Battery: ~8–9 hours (iPad), ~7.5 hours (Surface)
    • Storage note: 256GB limitations
    • Price add-ons: up to ~3 grand (top configs)
    • Cellular premium: ~£200

Speakers

  • Single main speaker (video narrator) provides the comparative analysis and recommendations.

Original video