iPad Pro 12.9-inch Alternatives – 5 best tablet options to go against the supersized iPad

Samuel J Tan Personal Technology, Popular, Tablets, Technology 0

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (12.3-inch)

With Microsoft’s reference tablet unit, now in its 7th iteration, the new Surface Pro comes with stylus support both both Surface Pen and Type Cover are sold separately. The tablet has been very successful since launch and it is the very tablet that won back the heads and hearts of Windows users.

The 12.3-inch tablet is available in a variety of configurations from Intel Core i3 to Intel Core i7. Memory configurations can go up to 16GB while storage up to 1TB with front and rear facing cameras and useful ports. Even with all that, it is still a nice little package at 8.5mm thin and weighs onwards of 775 grams depending on the configuration.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with Intel Core i7

Display: : 12.3-inch PixelSense display, Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI), Aspect Ratio: 3:2, Touch: 10 point multi-touch
Processor: 6th Gen Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 – MORE PROCESSOR OPTIONS
Memory & Storage: 4GB, 8GB or 16GB RAM and 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD Storage – MORE MEMORY OPTIONS
Dimensions & Weight: 11.50 x 7.93 x 0.33 in (292.10 x 201.42 x 8.5 mm), i3 and i5: 1.70 lbs (775 g), i7: 1.74 lbs (790 g) – LIGHTER*
Battery & Power: up to 10.5 hours of video playback depending on configuration
Cameras: 5.0MP front facing HD camera, 8.0MP rear facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD video recording

Just like the Ipad Pro 12.9, both Surface Pen and Type Cover are not including. Apple does not include the Apple Pencil or Smart Cover keyboard, both are optional.

Search Surface Pro 7 on Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ (WiFi and 5G) 12.4-inch

Like the seventh generation Surface Pro 7, the Android equivalent, the seventh generation Galaxy Tab S7+ from Samsung has aged well. But, while the Surface Pro has been consistent in the looks and design department, the same cannot be said for the Galaxy Tab S7+. This is one of pro-level tablet offering with a bigger 12.4-inch display. The other has an 11-inch display, see where Samsung is going here? What this means is the Galaxy Tab S7+ is a direct contender of the Ipad Pro 12.9 making it a serious alternative.

Search Galaxy Tab S7+ on Amazon

Microsoft Surface Book 3 13 (13.5-inch)

Microsoft followed the success of Surface Pro slates with the Surface Book, a detachable 2-in-1 laptop that comes off its keyboard base to turn into a full size tablet and full size it is. At 13.5-inch, it is the biggest tablet on our list, bigger than even the 12.9 iPad Pro. It also support full fat Windows OS, which means it goes beyond just being a tablet, but a complete desktop operating system. While Apple may have improved and customised the iOS fo iPad, calling it iPadOS, it is not quite there yet with a full desktop experience. The Surface Book 3 on the other hand is more like taking a MacBook Pro 13 or 14, giving it a touchscreen, support for stylus and detachable screen that turns into a tablet.

Search Surface Book 3 on Amazon

HP Elite x2 G4 13 (13-inch)

At a glance, it looks like a Microsoft Surface. Upon closer inspection, you’ll start to see the etched HP logo at the back of the tablet. Or notice that its actually 8th Gen Intel. Either way, the performance level is indistinguishable. Too bad its battery struggles to keep up at heavy loads. Oh, and stylus feature is optional, by the way. The rechargeable Active Pen G3 is a must have to complete the detachable laptop and tablet versatility. As a stylus-supporting detachable, a 2-in-1 laptop with update connectivity options and super bright display, this ticks a lot of boxes. Although, I am still not sure of the picture frame like kickstand.

HP Elite x2 G4 includes HP Collaboration Keyboard with Touchpad

ASUS Transformer 3 Pro T303UA 2-in-1 Hybrid – STYLUS OPTIONAL

At first glance, the Transformer 3 Pro looks very much like the Surface Pro 4, those square edges, the kick stand and magnetic keyboard. But it does not only look the part, the 2-in-1 hybrid from ASUS means business.

Just like the Surface Pro 4, it may not have the portability and slender body of the iPad Pro, it comes packed with a lot of fire power, with sixth generation Intel Core i7 processor and PCIex4 Gen 3 SSD storage with SATA3 super fast storage.

You can even connect an optional ROG XG Station 2 for gaming grade graphics or Audio Pod for better audio with quad speakers, 360° surround sound and 5.1 channel virtual surround.

The body is made from premium-grade metal, a far cry from plastic Transformer tablets we are use to. After all, this here is a Pro, and a Pro deserves aluminium-magnesium alloy goodness. Given the bulk, it is still weighs only 800 grams and measures 8.35mm thin. There are two colours to choose from, icicle gold or titanium gray and four ASUS Transformer Cover keyboard colours. The integrated metal kickstand has a 155° step less hinge and can go up to 170° angle.

What really makes the Transformer 3 Pro stand out from the rest is the 3K display, packing 2880 x 1920 pixels with an extra-wide colour gamut of 121% sRGB and 85% NTSC for more vivid and accurate colours. It also aces on connectivity with USB-C with data rate up to 10Gbps and Thunderbolt 3 port with data rate up to 40Gbps. For good measure, Asus has also thrown in a full size HDMI port.

Finally, its not an iPad Pro 12.9 alternative without a stylus, ASUS Pen offers high-precision 1024 levels jotter for all those notes and ideas. And, instead of a finger print scanner, it can take advantage of Windows Hello using the front infrared camera for facial recognition and instant login.

12.6-inch (16:9) LED backlit WQHD+ (2880 x 1920) 60Hz Glare Touchscreen with 85% NTSC – BIGGEST, HIGHEST RESOLUTION
Intel® Core™ i5 6200U Processor or Intel® Core™ i7 6500U Processor – FASTER PROCESSORS
4GB / 8GB LPDDR3 2133MHz SDRAM Onboard Memory and 256GB/512GB SATA3 M.2 SSD storage with multi-format card ready
2MP front facing IR camera and 13MP rear camera
Integrated 802.11AC, Bluetooth 4.1, combo audio jack, 1 x USB 3.1 (Type C), 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI and 1 x Thunderbolt 3 port.
Built-in stereo 2W speakers and array microphone with Harman Kardon technology and ASUS SonicMaster Premium
39 Whrs Polymer Battery with quick charge 60% in 60 minutes.
298.8 x 210.1 x 8.35 mm (WxDxH), 800g

Samsung Galaxy TabPro S 12-inch 2-in-1 Hybrid Tablet – KEYBOARD INCLUDED

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S uses the same 6th generation Intel Core m processor as the Surface Pro 4. It is also a tablet first with a stylish body coming in at a mere 1.5 pounds (693 grams) and a slight 0.25 inches (6.3 mm) thin. That’s more up the iPad Pro 12.9’s street. In fact, it is both thinner and lighter than the iPad Pro 12.9 measuring 6.9mm and weighing 713 grams even with a full metal body.

The Full HD+ display uses Super AMOLED technology that takes viewing to an elevated level with strikingly clear videos and pixel-perfect images. Samsung Galaxy TabPro S includes a very impressive detachable full size keyboard with integrated precision touchpad but no sign of a stylus.

12-inch sAMOLED FullHD+ 2160 x 1140 pixel resolution (216ppi) touchscreen
Intel® Core™ m3-6Y30 Processor Dual-core 900 MHz / 2.2 GHz with Turbo Boost 4 MB cache
4GB RAM + 128GB SSD or 4GB RAM + 256GB SSD
5MP Front Facing Camera and 5MP Auto Focus main Rear Facing Camera
5,200mAh (39.5Wh, 7.6V) up to 10.5hrs / Fast Charging
290.3 x 198.8 x 6.3mm, 693g – THINNEST

Huawei Matebook Signature Edition 2-in-1 PC – KEYBOARD INCLUDED

The Matebook comes with its own portfolio backlit keyboard, one less thing to fork out for but does not support a pen input device. You do get a choice of processors, an Intel Core m3 or the faster Intel Core m5.

The 12-inch touch screen is super sharp pumping out bright colours at 2K resolution (2160 x 1440) offering plenty of details. There is also a built-in fingerprint scanner for quick login, another tick in the iPad Pro 12.9 vs Huawei Matebook.

It also has the same thinness of the iPad Pro at 6.9mm and given its slightly smaller display, also weights lighter at 639grams. Unfortunately, it does not come with a stylus nor does it have a stylus as an option.

12-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen (2160 x 1440), 10-finger multi-touch support
Core m3 or m5: Intel Core m3-6Y30 900MHz (2.2GHz with Turbo Boost) or Intel Core m5-6Y54 1.10 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.70 GHz
4GB or 8GB RAM memory with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD storage
Battery & Power: 33.7WHr, 4430mAh (up to 9 hours)
5MP web cam
Dimensions & Weight: 10.97 x 7.64 x 0.27 in (278.80 x 194.10 x 6.90 mm), 1.41 lbs (639.56 grams) – LIGHTEST

HP Spectre X2 12-a001na Detachable Laptop – KEYBOARD & STYLUS INCLUDED

The premium 2-in-1 tablet with stylus and keyboard included is another strong contender. While the screen is only Full HD, it is powered by the 6th generation Intel Core M7-6Y75, an efficient yet powerful processor.

It has an innovative U shaped stainless steel kickstand that rotates to 150° for various angles. The super strong body is made from a single piece aluminium and like the Surface Pro 4, it has rear camera with Intel RealSeanse 3D and two USB-C ports.

While iPad Pro 12.9’s stylus and keyboard are optional, HP Spectre X2’s backlit keyboard and stylus are included.

12-inch diagonal WUXGA UWVA BrightView WLED-backlit (1920 x 1280)
Intel® Core™ M3-6Y30 with Intel® HD Graphics 515 (900 MHz, up to 2.2 GHz, 4 MB cache, 2 cores)
4GB DDR3L SDRAM (onboard) memory, 256GB M.2 SSD storage, 1 multi-format SD media card reader
5MP HP TrueVision Full HD Webcam (front facing) with integrated dual digital microphones and Intel RealSense 3D Camera with dual digital microphone (rear facing)
802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2×2) and Bluetooth® 4.0 combo (Miracast compatible), 1 headphone/microphone combo, 2 USB 3.0 (Type-C)
Bang & Olufsen Quad Speakers, Full size island style backlit keyboard with touchpad that supports multi-touch gesture, Stylus
3-cell, 42 Wh Li-ion polymer
Dimensions & Weight:30.3 x 20.9 x 0.8 cm & 0.82kg (tablet). 30.3 x 20.9 x 1.31 cm & 1.19kg (tablet and base)

ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi

12.5-inch 16:9 WQHD (2560 x 1440)/Full HD (1920 x 1080)/Wide View Angle
Intel® Core™ M 5Y10/5Y71 Processor
4GB / 8GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz SDRAM, on-board memory and 128GB ISSD storage and MicroSD card reader
HD Web Camera, Integrated 802.11 agn, 1 combo audio jack, 2 micro USB, 1 micro HDMI
Built-in speakers and array microphone
32 Whrs battery
Dimensions and Weight: 317.8 x 191.6 x 7.6 ~ 16.5 mm (WxDxH) 1.45kg