Microsoft has insisted that its Surface Pro tablets can replace a laptop, while Apple has stayed away from laptop replacement argument in order to focus on its MacBook laptop. Still, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and the Apple iPad Pro are two worthy options for laptop replacements.

The two tablets are similar in size, with the iPad Pro being slightly taller and thinner, PC Mag reports. The reason for the extra thickness in the Surface Pro 4 is the built-in USB 3.0 port on the side of the tablet.

This device is the first tablet Apple has released with a large screen. The 12.9-inch screen on the iPad Pro is larger than the 12.3-inch screen on the Surface Pro 4, but the two tablets have nearly identical resolutions. The resolution on the Surface Pro 4 is 2,736 x 1,824 with 267 pixels per inch (ppi). The resolution on the iPad Pro is slightly better at 2,732 x 2,048 and 264 ppi. 

For accessories, the Surface Pro 4 comes with a free stylus called the Surface Pen. The iPad Pro supports the Apple Pencil, but the accessory is sold separately for $99. Both of these screen pens are extremely accurate and sensitive, but the convenience of having the Surface Pen included in the Surface Pro box gives it an advantage over the Apple Pencil sold separately. As for keyboards, it is hard to imagine the Surface Pro 4 without its Type Cover, which is an additional $129. iPads are not known for utilizing a keyboard, but the iPad Pro supports the Apple Smart Keyboard ($169). 

The Surface Pro 4 offers more conveniences of a laptop with its ports, including a USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader and a MiniDisplay port. The iPad Pro only has a Lightning port for charging.

The Surface Pro 4 runs a full version of Windows 10 and uses real processors from traditional laptops. The iPad Pro runs the mobile iOS operating system and uses a processor that is designed for tablets and smartphones. The iPad Pro's A9X chip is the fastest one made by Apple, but it will not run as fast as the Intel chips used by the Surface Pro 4.

The main advantage that the iPad Pro has over the Surface Pro 4 is price. The entry-level iPad Pro costs $799, while the entry-level Surface Pro 4 starts at $899. To get the most out of the Surface Pro 4, buyers will want to buy at least the second tier model, which comes with the Core i5 processor.