iPad Pro 13" (M5)
M5 · 13″ Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi 7
Surface Pro 10 · 256GB
256GB · 2024
iPad Pro 13" (M5) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPad Pro 13" (M5) lands at 95 and Surface Pro 10 · 256GB at 85. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) ahead by 10 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPad Pro 13" (M5) if…
- ✓13″ Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED at 2752×2064
- ✓9- or 10-core M5 with 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine
- ✓Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 + Thunderbolt / USB 4
Pick Surface Pro 10 · 256GB if…
- ✓Portable creative canvas
- ✓Strong SoC
- ✓App ecosystem matures per year
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Compared on the performance sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) leads on performance (97 vs 85).
Display
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Compared on the display sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) leads on display (98 vs 83).
Portability
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Compared on the portability sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) leads on portability (92 vs 88).
Value for money
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPad Pro 13" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $1,399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPad Pro 13" (M5) | Surface Pro 10 · 256GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 chip (9- or 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) | — |
| Display | 13″ Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED, 2752×2064 at 264 ppi, ProMotion 10–120 Hz | — |
| RAM | 12 GB (256/512 GB) or 16 GB (1/2 TB) | — |
| Storage | 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB | 256GB |
| Weight | 579 g (Wi-Fi) | — |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, optional 5G | — |
| Ports | Thunderbolt / USB 4 (40 Gb/s) | — |
| Pencil | Apple Pencil Pro + Apple Pencil (USB-C) | — |
| OS | iPadOS 19 | — |
| Release year | — | 2024 |
iPad Pro 13" (M5)
- +13″ Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED at 2752×2064
- +9- or 10-core M5 with 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine
- +Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 + Thunderbolt / USB 4
- −Lower-tier (256/512 GB) configs cap RAM at 12 GB
- −$1,299 base climbs fast with Magic Keyboard + Pencil Pro
- −iPadOS multitasking still trails macOS for power workflows
Surface Pro 10 · 256GB
- +Portable creative canvas
- +Strong SoC
- +App ecosystem matures per year
- −Keyboard/pen extra cost
- −RAM often soldered
- −Mid-tier cameras
FAQ: iPad Pro 13" (M5) vs Surface Pro 10 · 256GB
Which is better, iPad Pro 13" (M5) or Surface Pro 10 · 256GB? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 10. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPad Pro 13" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPad Pro 13" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.
Is Surface Pro 10 · 256GB worth the price? +
At $1,399, Surface Pro 10 · 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in portability.
Does iPad Pro 13" (M5) or Surface Pro 10 · 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 performance, iPad Pro 13" (M5) or Surface Pro 10 · 256GB? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) — leads on performance (97 vs 85). Compared on the performance sub-score.
Which is better for display, iPad Pro 13" (M5) or Surface Pro 10 · 256GB? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) — leads on display (98 vs 83). Compared on the display sub-score.