On Oct. 17, Apple unveiled the iPad Air 2 along with a Retina iMac, iPad Mini, Apple Ray, iOS 8.1 update and OS X Yosemite. While the spotlight was on Apple, its rival Microsoft posted a new ad on Youtube reminding all that its latest laplet Surface Pro 3, which was released in May 2014, was still the "unmatched tablet on the planet."

However, the iPad Air 2 might just be the device to dismiss Microsoft's bold claim. A comparison between Apple's new tablet and the Surface Pro 3 would serve as a good place to start when trying to match or outmatch, the "unmatched."

Doubling as an ultrabook, Surface Pro 3 boasts a solid slate form with a multi-position kickstand. The Surface Pro 3 comes with a 12-inch screen and a 7.93 mm thick body. On the other hand, the screen size of the iPad Air 2 is relatively smaller.

However, Apple boasts beautiful thin dimensions of the device, which is quite impressive at 6.1 mm. The screen resolution of the Apple device is at 2048×1536, somewhat comparable with Surface Pro 3's 2160 x 1440.

In fact, the Surface Pro is almost like a lightweight laptop that can get "more work done" with its 1.76-pound make. On the other hand, iPad Air 2 weighs just 0.96 pound and is comparatively thinner as well as lighter.

Surface Pro 3 packs a fourth generation Intel Core processor (i3, i5, or i7 variations), while the iPad Air 2 houses an Apple A8X. While Surface Pro 3 has 4 GB RAM, iPad Air 2 is far below its contender, having just 1 GB.

The batteries of both the devices come very close. While Surface Pro 3 promises nine hours of power, the latter assures ten.

However, there is a major difference as far as the cameras of the two devices are concerned. The Surface Pro comes with an integrated webcam at 5 megapixels, whereas the iPad Air 2, with redesigned shooters, boasts an 8-megapixel rear camera that captures detailed photos and 1080p videos, in addition to a 1.2-megapixel snapper for selfies and 720p videos.

The Apple device comes with Touch ID, a fingerprint scanning scheme for security. While these are absent on the Surface Pro 3, Microsoft's device comes with a pen that allows users to mark up documents and creative files, take notes in their own handwriting, as well as collect electronic signatures.

To put it briefly, the two devices are very much different as far as their capacity is concerned - they actually cater to different lifestyles and requirements. While Microsoft promises productivity and power with its "revolutionary laptop," Apple assures a device with "massive power in its most minimal form."

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 comes in four versions - 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB and in three colors - red, black and cyan.

On the other hand, the iPad Air 2 comes in 16 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB versions. The price of Surface Pro 3 starts at $799 and can go up to $1,949. On the other hand, the 128 GB iPad Air 2 version is priced at $699.