Surface Pro 9 · 512GB
512GB · 2022
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
M5 · Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi + Cellular
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB lands at 82 and iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular at 93. That puts iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular ahead by 11 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Surface Pro 9 · 512GB if…
- ✓Portable creative canvas
- ✓Strong SoC
- ✓App ecosystem matures per year
Pick iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular if…
- ✓M5 performance in a tablet
- ✓Tandem OLED display
- ✓Apple Pencil Pro support
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPortability
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + CellularCompared on the portability sub-score
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on portability (92 vs 88).
Performance
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + CellularCompared on the performance sub-score
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on performance (97 vs 82).
Display
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + CellularCompared on the display sub-score
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular leads on display (98 vs 80).
Value for money
Surface Pro 9 · 512GBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Surface Pro 9 · 512GB more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $1,799).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Surface Pro 9 · 512GB | iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ▲ 512GB | 2TB |
| Release year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Chip | — | M5 |
| Display size | — | 11" |
| Connectivity | — | Wi-Fi + Cellular |
Surface Pro 9 · 512GB
- +Portable creative canvas
- +Strong SoC
- +App ecosystem matures per year
- −Keyboard/pen extra cost
- −RAM often soldered
- −Mid-tier cameras
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · 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
FAQ: Surface Pro 9 · 512GB vs iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular
Which is better, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 11. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Surface Pro 9 · 512GB worth the price? +
At $1,299, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in portability.
Is iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular worth the price? +
At $1,799, iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in display.
Does Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular 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, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — leads on portability (92 vs 88). Compared on the portability sub-score.
Which is better for performance, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular? +
iPad Pro 11" (M5) · 2TB · Wi-Fi + Cellular — leads on performance (97 vs 82). Compared on the performance sub-score.