The new iPad Pro is a remarkable feat in tablet design. It comes closest to realizing the vision of a tablet that feels like a seamless piece of glass in your hand rather than a traditional computer. Its slim profile is impressive; the USB-C cable I use to charge the 13-inch model is thicker than the device itself. It’s a light, fast, and outstanding machine.
But does this matter anymore? The iPad has long been a hardware marvel, being fast, light, and durable enough for nearly any task. The real issue has always been the software. Apple’s insistence on a restricted, overly simplistic operating system has kept this ultra-portable and ultra-powerful device from becoming the full-fledged computer many users desire.
Apple believes the iPad’s appeal lies in its versatility, a sum greater than its parts. True, you can’t do everything you might on a MacBook, but you can hold it comfortably in bed, draw on its screen, and play mobile games. Apple emphasizes the iPad’s “versatility” as its primary selling point — being a jack-of-all-trades is seen as an advantage, not a flaw. However, excelling at everything is a tall order.
Apple pitches the iPad Pro as a device for the future. It boasts the processor, screen, and accessories to prepare you for the next decade of computing. With AI advancements on the horizon, having a powerful device seems wise. Yet, these future benefits aren’t tangible now. The most crucial elements of that future will unfold on the screen, not behind it.
The new iPad Pro feels like the culmination of the iPad’s 14-year journey, with all the pieces finally in place. However, it remains a futuristic device hindered by outdated software, making it a tough recommendation for most people.
A Magical Pane of Glass
I reviewed a high-end iPad Pro, a 13-inch space black model with 1TB of storage, 16GB of RAM, and built-in cellular, priced at $2,099.
Regardless of the model, the three standout features of the new iPad Pro are the chip, the screen, and the design.
First, the chip. The Pro runs on the M4 processor, a new chip designed for the Pro’s screen and design. It’s incredibly fast, scoring about 50 percent higher in benchmark tests than the previous M2 model. In real-world use, it doesn’t feel 50 percent faster, but it is noticeably quicker. Apps load and close faster, complex games run smoothly, and video rendering in iMovie is faster compared to the 11-inch M2 Pro. These improvements are significant for intensive tasks like photo and video work or gaming. Throughout testing, the device never felt hot, only slightly warm at times.
The top-tier models with 1TB or 2TB of storage feature the best M4 chip, with an extra performance core. However, the difference in everyday use is likely negligible. The iPad’s performance hasn’t been a concern for years.
The M4’s main job is powering the new OLED display. Apple’s "Tandem OLED" technology combines two OLEDs for a sharper, brighter panel, branded as Ultra Retina XDR. The OLED benefits are clear: richer blacks and more dynamic photos and videos. Colors are vibrant, sometimes overly so. The Pro’s peak brightness surpasses the new Air, which is impressive for an OLED.
The only downside is the increased glare and reflection compared to the Air’s LCD panel. Outdoors, this means increasing brightness to see the screen clearly. Despite this, the screen looks fantastic, and battery life doesn’t seem to suffer at max brightness.
Design-wise, the new Pro is a refinement rather than a redesign but remains impressive. At 5.1mm thick for the 13-inch model and 5.3mm for the 11-inch, they are the thinnest iPads yet. The 13-inch model weighs about a quarter of a pound less than last year’s, making it much more comfortable to hold. Despite its thinness, it feels sturdy.
A notable design change is the repositioned front-facing camera, now in the center of the long side, aligning with the iPad’s landscape orientation. The camera quality is adequate, and its placement is much more practical.
From a design and engineering perspective, the new iPad Pro is outstanding.
Feature Creep
There are essentially two types of iPad users. The first group seeks a straightforward device for emails, news, puzzles, photos, and web browsing. For them, the new iPad Pro is overkill. While it offers improvements over the new Air or base iPad, these are not substantial enough to justify the higher cost unless you desire the OLED screen.
The second group uses the iPad for more specialized tasks. Musicians, students, filmmakers, and designers have specific needs that the iPad Pro meets. Apple’s goal is to make the iPad appealing to as many users as possible by continually enhancing its features.
This year’s new features are mostly related to the Pencil Pro. It introduces a squeeze gesture for quicker access to menus and tools, with developers able to customize this function. The Barrel Roll feature allows artists to turn their virtual brush by twisting the Pencil, which works well.
The new Magic Keyboard is another significant upgrade. It adds a full keyboard and trackpad, making the iPad more laptop-like. The new model is sturdier and lighter, with improved function keys and a larger trackpad. This makes the iPad more versatile and convenient for long sessions of typing or watching shows.
However, these upgrades are more likely to appeal to existing Pro users rather than attracting new ones.
There’s potential for AI to change the game. Advanced AI could enhance photos, make Siri more useful, or improve camera software for video calls. Apple may highlight AI advancements at the upcoming WWDC to make the iPad Pro seem indispensable for the future. If they succeed, many might be eager to get an iPad Pro.
For now, the iPad Pro remains just an iPad. It’s the best iPad ever, possibly the best you could ask for, but its story is fundamentally about software. The hardware has been held back by the software for years. Apple suggests this might change soon, with significant AI and iPad advancements expected at WWDC. Until then, the iPad Pro is almost too advanced for its own good.