On Monday Microsoft renewed its assault on the tablet market by introducing a number of new features and improvements to its Surface line of tablets with the Surface 2, the apparent follow-up to the Surface RT.
Offered in a slimmer package, boasting a better dislay (1080p), and packing more processing power (NVIDIA Tegra 4), the Surface 2 presents tablet consumers with a compelling new choice that could very well give them pause as they consider their next tablet purchase.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft Reveals the Surface Pro 2
Interestingly, rather than price the new device aggressively against competing devices, Microsoft actually increased the price of its entry level tablet, a sign of confidence in the allure of the new device’s feature set.
In order the make the decision easier for those on the fence, we’ve compiled a chart that pits the main features of the Surface 2 up against the reigning tablet king known as the iPad.
Did Microsoft do enough with the Surface to finally sway you from coveting Apple’s market-dominating tablet, or did the new device fall short of your expectations? Let us know in the comments.
Microsoft Surface 2
Apple iPad
Screen Size
10.6 inches
9.7 inches
Resolution
1,920 x 1,080
2,048 x 1,536
Pixel Density
208 ppi
264 ppi
Weight
Less than 1.49 lbs
1.44 or 1.46 pounds
Dimensions (WxHxD)
6.7 x 10.8 x 0.35 inches
7.3 x 9.5 x 0.37 inches
CPU
Quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4
Dual-core 1.3GHz A6X
Storage
32GB or 64GB
16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB
Connectors
USB 3.0, HD video out port
Apple 9-pin dock Lightning connector
Operating System
Windows RT 8.1
iOS 7
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours of video playback
10 hours of video playback (11,666 mAh)
Camera
3.5MP front camera, 5MP rear camera
5MP rear camera, VGA front camera
Networking
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and 2G, 3G, 4G LTE; Bluetooth 4.0
Apps
Approx. 100k
Approx. 900k combined native iPad & iPhone
Price
$449 for 32GB, $549 for 64GB
$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB, $799 for 128GB (Wi-Fi); $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, $829 for 64GB, $929 for 128GB (Wi-Fi + cellular)
Mashable composite. Images courtesy of Microsoft, Apple