Correct, it's $529: http://store.apple.com/us/buy/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad/ipa...

Note: I haven't kept up the specs etc.

That's the iPad 2. If it's comparable to the Surface, then your point is valid.

The cheapest iPad 3 with 3G costs $629.

And while YMMV, I don't require 3G on my tablet. I already have 3G on my phone, which is always in my pocket, and I can create a personal hotspot if reqd.

My point was that it's comparable to Surface: similar HW specs, no Retina display. iPad 3 offers more hence it's pricier. I simply don't see why anyone except Microsoft Office users (in 2013;-) would prefer Surface to iPad 3.

In what way is the Surface RT more comparable to the iPad 2 and not the iPad 3.

The new iPad has a Retina display but beyond that ? (I'm talking about hardware)

You can't even buy an iPad 2 with more than 16GB anymore.

"The new iPad has a Retina display but beyond that ? (I'm talking about hardware)" For a tablet form factor, one can argue that a fantastic display plays an enormous role in the user experience.

That's the 16 GB model. The surface has 32 GB. The version of the iPad with 32GB and 3G is $729.

That is the iPad 2 however. The New iPad with cellular starts at $629USD.

You can't get 3G/4G on the Surface at any price. How mobile is that? Hotspot/cellphone-tether needed? - not going to work for some users.

Since it has USB ports and runs Windows you can just plug in an aircard for either 3G or 4G and have that coverage.