Microsoft is really pushing its latest tablet up against Apple's iPad. They are arguing that their tablet can do much more than Apple's. Let's take a look and see which is the better buy.

Price: A new Surface Pro 3 is going to run you over $1,000 no matter where you get it. A nicely equipped iPad Air will only run you about $700.

Weight: It is hard to beat the Air's one pound weight. The Surface Pro 3 weighs almost two pounds (1.76 lbs.)

Processor: Apple is running its A7 processor at 1.4GHz while the Surface Pro 3 is using an Intel i5 chip running at 1.9GHz. Surface Pro 3 wins here because it is using a computer chip's processor while Apple is using more of a mobile device's processor (similar to one you would find in a phone).

Screen Size: The Surface Pro 3 grew to 12 inches in screen size. This is not always a good thing. It makes it a little less portable. The iPad Air is just 9.7 inches.

Storage Capacity: You will have to choose how much GB of storage you want in the iPad Air. The most popular model is the 128 GB model. You could survive with less space obviously and save a few bucks, but the 128 GB model is the best that Apple offers.  You can go all the way down to 16 GB and pay only $499, but 16 GB is not enough space these days for apps, photos and music.

For the Surface Pro 3, the 256 GB model is the best deal. For about $2,000 (after taxes and accessories) you can have the 512 GB model and also leap frog to the i7 processor.

Operating System: Here is the part that is going to sway some buyers. Sure, Microsoft Windows is nice, but do you really need it on a tablet? Some business professionals will say yes. Apple fans will say iOS software will suit them just fine and that there are tons of apps to help them stay productive. Microsoft Windows on a tablet is an interesting feature and it might make the tablet that much more valuable. Certainly, there are things that the iPad just cannot do because it is running a mobile OS while the Surface Pro 3 is actually running a computer-based OS (Windows).

Usability: With the Surface Pro 3 you are able to tilt the thing up and down. It has a keyboard case attached to it and it is very friendly to someone using it on a desk. The iPad Air is basically something you plop down on a table and tap away at. The Surface Pro 3 wins here. When you purchase one you certainly have to buy the keyboard case with it. For an iPad Air you will have to see whether or not you want to buy accessories to make the tablet more useful and ergonomic for you.

Final Verdict: The Surface Pro 3 has its ups and downs. The screen is a little too big for a true Tablet, it weighs almost two pounds and it's expensive. But, the Surface Pro 3 is basically a super-portable laptop. It will not replace your actual laptop but it will come close. The iPad Air is perfect for basic productivity, entertainment and other uses, but it will not come close to being a laptop replacement.