Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Release Date, Specs & Features vs iPad Air 3 - Which Is Better?

Will the next Microsoft Surface Pro laplet outshine the rumored iPad Air 3?

Just this January, we heard that the sales of Microsoft Surface Pro 3 reached over $1 billion, more than 20 percent higher than previous year's figure. Meanwhile, Apple has sold over 21.4 million iPads and iPad Minis during the first fiscal quarter of 2015, translating to an $8.9 billion revenue. Therefore, it is quite clear that Microsoft and Apple could again capitalize on these products, releasing newer versions of their respective devices.

Although Microsoft and Apple have both yet to confirm the release of the two devices, rumors about the device specs and features have continue to spread on the Internet. To help you decide which device to go for, we try to compare these two devices based on the rumors we heard.

Design and Size

The Motley Fool believes that the new Surface Pro 4 laplet is going to be just an enhanced Surface Pro 3, and there will only be very few changes to be seen in the new device. Christian Today reported that it is likely that the new Surface Pro laplet would be available in two sizes -- 13-14-inch and 8-inch. A separate report from the same news outlet said the Surface Pro 4 would probably have the same screen resolution that the Surface Pro 3 has which is 2160 x 1440.

As for the iPad Air 3, the new tablet is expected to inherit the classic iPad design. The 7.5 mm thinness of the iPad Air was further reduced to 6.1 mm for the iPad Air 2. Could this mean that a much thinner iPad Air 3 could come out? Mac World says that could be a possibility. Aside from the Retina Display, the new iPad Air 3 is expected to get a resolution upgrade. Macworld noted that a pixel density approaching 401ppi is likely.

More RAM

Both devices are expected to get an upgrade on their RAM. Christian Today said the new Surface Pro 4 would probably get a bigger RAM than its predecessor which has 8 GB RAM. Android Origin says it is very likely that the new Apple tablet would get a RAM upgrade as Apple announced before that its 2015 products would feature more memory. Christian Today says it would be a 4GB of RAM.

Processor

The biggest upgrade expected in the new Surface Pro 4 is its processors. The Motley Fool says it would be the new 14-nanometer Broadwell chips. Meanwhile, the new iPad Air 3 is expected to get the thinner A9 chip.

Other details

The Surface Pro 4 is seen to get the new Windows 10 as its operating system. It is also believed that the new laplet would be LTE-capable.

Meanwhile, it is being speculated that the that Apple would bring back the mute toggle switch on its new iPad Air 3. Android Origin also noted that the new tablet would also likely get the new Apple Pay and Touch ID features currently on the latest iPhone and iPad models. Wireless charging could also be one of the iPad Air 3's new features.

So which is better? We are leaving the decision to you. Besides, all of the information discussed here are just based on the rumors spreading on the Internet and these have not yet been confirmed by Microsoft and Apple.