Microsoft’s new Surface RT tablet made its debut today, just three days after Apple announced the new fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini. If you’re not completely dedicated to iOS, you’re probably having a hard time decided which tablet to go for.
To help you make your decision, we’ve put together a handy chart that compares the Surface RT with some of the most popular tablets on sale right now, including the new iPads, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD, the Google Nexus 7, and more.
 iPad mini |
 iPad |
 Amazon Kindle Fire HD |
 Microsoft Surface RT |
 Google Nexus 7 |
 Asus Transformer Prime |
 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 6 | iOS 6 | Android 4.0 (customized) | Windows 8 | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean | Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Display | 7.9-inch LED display (1024×768) | 9.7-inch Retina display (2048×1536) | 7-inch HD LCD display (1900×1200) | 10.6-inch display (1366×768) | 7-inch HD display (1280×800) | 10.1-inch Super IPS+ LCD display (1920×1200) | 10.1-inch AMOLED display (1280×800) |
| PPI | 163 | 264 | 254 | 148 | 216 | 224 | 149 |
| Processor | 800MHz dual-core A5 | 1.2GHz dual-core A6X* | 1.5GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 | 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3* | 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 | 1.6GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 | 1.4GHz quad-core |
| RAM | 512MB* | 1GB* | 1GB | 2GB | 1GB | 1GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB | 32GB, 64GB | 32GB, 64GB | 8GB, 16GB | 32GB, 64GB + microSD slot | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB + microSD slot |
| Camera(s) | 5MP (rear) with f2.4 + 1.2MP (front) | 5MP (rear) with f2.4 + 1.2MP (front) | 1.3MP (front) | 720p (front) + 720p (rear) | 1.2MP (front) | 8MP (rear) + 2MP (front) | 5MP (rear) + 1.9MP (front) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p | 1280×1024 | 720p | 720p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Wireless | 3G + LTE (optional) | 3G + LTE (optional) | 3G + LTE (optional) | None | None | None | 3G |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 | Stereo Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Stereo Bluetooth | Bluetooth 3.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Dimensions | 200 x 134.7 x 7.2 mm | 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm | 193 x 137 x 10.3 mm | 274.6 x 172 x 9.4 mm | 198.5 x 120 x 10.45 mm | 263 x 180.8 x 8.5 mm | 262 x 180 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 308 g | 652 g | 395 g | 680.4 g | 340 g | 598 g | 600 g |
| Battery | 10 hours | 10 hours | 11 hours | 8 hours | 4,325 mAh | 9 hours 30 mins | 33 hours |
Editor’s Note: Specs with an asterisk are suppositions right now. We will update when we have exact specifications.
Image: CNET
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
9 responses to “How Microsoft’s New Tablet Stacks Up Against iPad & Others [Chart]”
and this tells us….. survey says! NOTHING! hahaha
In these modern times, system really just dont matter anymore.
Need to add prices to that chart.
I hate to nitpick, but The Surface RT tablet runs Windows RT, NOT Windows 8. I wouldn’t mention it but pretty much the biggest complaint about Microsoft’s new OS is that there are two differing versions for two similar products and that the limitations of RT haven’t been well-enough documented. By branding the OS “Windows 8” you are adding to Microsoft’s (most-likely not entirely unintentional) product confusion.
Just to clarify: both the new iPad 4th gen and the iPad mini both come with 1.2MP Front cameras but they will do 720p HD video which is what a lot of users will use it for and should be noted. And the statement that surface rt is running windows rt is not nitpicking, it is a significant factor in the purchase.
I don’t go by just specs. Specs don’t tell whether the OS is any good to begin with. Specs don’t discuss the number and types of apps available, specs don’t discuss don’t explain ease of use, etc. I will go with specs once I’ve determined the OS platform first, THEN pick the one with the specs that suits my needs.
The chart is a little confused. It should be clearer that he iPad mini can shoot video at 1080p, but it can’t play it at that resolution. Maybe instead of just “Video” it should say “Video capture” or input?
So the specs kinda suck. Shocker.
Too little, too late.
It’ll need all that extra RAM and processing power to support clunky Windows.
Why does it say that the Galaxy Note 10.1 gets 33 hours of battery life? Like any Samsung product has ever got any where close to 10 hours with the screen on.