It's no secret that Microsoft's new Surface Pro tablet runs Windows 8. Unless, that is, if your only information about the device is from the chart on the company's specification page, which it has this to say: "[The operating system] runs current Windows 7 desktop applications and integrates with your existing enterprise management infrastructure. Use the programs and the apps available in the Windows Store." For those in the know about Windows 8, that last sentence was the giveaway; the Windows Store offers only Win8 apps.

Aside from its shyness about full OS disclosure (it comes with Windows 8 Pro), or its reluctance to provide the CRN Test Center with a Surface review unit, Microsoft's second-edition tablet stacks up nicely next to Apple's latest iPad, at least technically. But, it falls behind in a few key areas. Here's a blow-by-blow description of the two to help you figure out which might be best for you. Also, check out the results of CRN's reader poll for the channel's take on Surface vs. iPad, available on the CRN Tech News App.