Screen
On a tablet, the screen is all important and they don’t come much better than the new iPad. Apple calls it 'resolutionary', we call the 9.7-inch screen that supports a 2048 x 1536-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) and it is the best screen we've seen on a tablet. The Microsoft Surface Pro it’s a larger screen at 10.6-inches on the Pro and RT models with what Microsoft are calling a Clear Type HD display.

Processor
NVIDIA has announced that its chip will be used in the Surface Pro model and it will be a TEGRA but no official news on the power but it’s likely to be the quadcore Tegra 3. The new iPad comes with the A5X and runs a quad-core graphics chip.

Weight
It’s a mixed bag when it comes to weight the new iPad is heavier than the Surface RT at 680g compared to 676g but lighter than Surface Pro that comes in at a heavy-weight 903g.

Connectivity
Connectivity is a win for the iPad. It likely that neither the Surface RT nor the Pro will not be available in a 3G version for the moment, leaving the new iPad unchallenged in non-wifi connectivity and its now added LTE and HSDPA+ for us in the UK.

Price
The price is where it should get interesting but not quite yet as Microsoft hasn’t officially announced what price-point the Surface will come in at but we’re promised it’ll be competitive. Apple has stuck with the same price as the iPad 2, prices start at a pricey £399 for the basic model.