Surface Pro 9 · 512GB
512GB · 2022
iPad Pro 13" (M5)
M5 · 13″ Tandem OLED · Wi-Fi 7
iPad Pro 13" (M5) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB lands at 82 and iPad Pro 13" (M5) at 95. That puts iPad Pro 13" (M5) ahead by 13 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 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
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPortability
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Compared on the portability sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) leads on portability (92 vs 88).
Performance
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Compared on the performance sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) leads on performance (97 vs 82).
Display
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Compared on the display sub-score
iPad Pro 13" (M5) leads on display (98 vs 80).
Value for money
iPad Pro 13" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPad Pro 13" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $1,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Surface Pro 9 · 512GB | iPad Pro 13" (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ▲ 512GB | 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB |
| Release year | 2022 | — |
| 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) |
| 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 |
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 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
FAQ: Surface Pro 9 · 512GB vs iPad Pro 13" (M5)
Which is better, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 13" (M5)? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 13. 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 13" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,299, iPad Pro 13" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in display.
Does Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 13" (M5) 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 13" (M5)? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) — leads on portability (92 vs 88). Compared on the portability sub-score.
Which is better for performance, Surface Pro 9 · 512GB or iPad Pro 13" (M5)? +
iPad Pro 13" (M5) — leads on performance (97 vs 82). Compared on the performance sub-score.