We know that Apple still maintains the top spot when it comes to all things tablets, but if you’re looking around in the market for a new tablet, should you go with the trusty iPad 4, or would the Microsoft Surface RT make a good choice to pick up?
First impressions: There’s nothing wrong with the way the iPad 4 looks, except there isn’t really anything so eye-catching about it either. But the Microsoft Surface RT looks quite attractive with its colorful exterior. In terms of screen size too, it’s a tad bigger with its 10.1-inch screen in comparison with the iPad 4’s 9.7-inch offering.
Processing power: Apple has put in a dual-core 1.4 GHz A6X processor to power the iPad 4. But if you’re more into multitasking and running heavier apps, then the Microsoft Surface RT’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Tegra 3 processor makes more sense for you.
Camera: This isn’t really too much of a deal-breaker, if you ask us, but if you plan on depending on your tablet for your photography needs, the iPad 4’s 5 MP camera sounds more exciting than the Surface RT’s 1.2 MP one.
Storage space: What we hate and have always hated about the iPad is its storage limitations. Sure, you’ve got options ranging from 16 GB all the way up to 128 GB, but there’s no way you can add to it using a microSD card or a USB port. The Surface RT, on the other hand, comes with 32 GB or 64 GB of internal storage as well as a microSD card slot.
Battery life: If you’re going to be on the move for a long time without access to a charging point, you might be disappointed with the Surface RT for its 360 hours of standby time. It can work for up to 8 hours on a single charge, while the iPad 4 offers up to 10 hours of talk time.
Price: The Surface RT costs $499 for the 32 GB version and $599 for the 64 GB version, making it more value for money than the respective iPad 4 versions which cost $599 and $699 respectively.
