iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi + Cellular
Surface Pro 9 · 256GB
256GB · 2022
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular lands at 93 and Surface Pro 9 · 256GB at 82. That puts iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular ahead by 11 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular if…
- ✓M5 performance in a tablet
- ✓Tandem OLED display
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
Pick Surface Pro 9 · 256GB if…
- ✓Portable creative canvas
- ✓Strong SoC
- ✓App ecosystem matures per year
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPortability
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + CellularCompared on the portability sub-score
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on portability (92 vs 88).
Performance
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + CellularCompared on the performance sub-score
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on performance (97 vs 82).
Display
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + CellularCompared on the display sub-score
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on display (98 vs 80).
Value for money
Surface Pro 9 · 256GBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Surface Pro 9 · 256GB more score per dollar ($1,199 vs $1,599).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular | Surface Pro 9 · 256GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M5 | — |
| Display size | 11" | — |
| Storage | 1TB | ▲ 256GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + Cellular | — |
| Release year | 2025 | 2022 |
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
- +M5 performance in a tablet
- +Tandem OLED display
- +Apple Pencil Pro support
- −iPadOS multitasking still limited
- −Keyboard sold separately
- −Pricey for casual use
Surface Pro 9 · 256GB
- +Portable creative canvas
- +Strong SoC
- +App ecosystem matures per year
- −Keyboard/pen extra cost
- −RAM often soldered
- −Mid-tier cameras
FAQ: iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular vs Surface Pro 9 · 256GB
Which is better, iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular or Surface Pro 9 · 256GB? +
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 11. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular worth the price? +
At $1,599, iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in display.
Is Surface Pro 9 · 256GB worth the price? +
At $1,199, Surface Pro 9 · 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in portability.
Does iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular or Surface Pro 9 · 256GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for portability, iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular or Surface Pro 9 · 256GB? +
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — leads on portability (92 vs 88). Compared on the portability sub-score.
Which is better for performance, iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular or Surface Pro 9 · 256GB? +
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 1TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — leads on performance (97 vs 82). Compared on the performance sub-score.