Number 4. iPad Pro 12.9 inch
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro resides in a league of its own within Apple’s impressive tablet lineup. Starting at $1,099 for 128GB of storage, it surpasses the M1 MacBook Air by $100. While this price tag may exceed the needs of most users and the platform still grapples with productivity limitations compared to laptops, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro reigns as Apple’s pinnacle of tablet hardware.
The display on this model surpasses that of the Air, boasting a higher brightness level and a remarkable 120 Hz refresh rate (compared to the Air’s 60 Hz limitation). However, the real standout feature lies in the 12.9-inch Pro’s Liquid Retina display. It stands as the sole iPad to employ mini-LED backlighting technology, resulting in heightened peak brightness, improved contrast, and an overall more lifelike visual experience.
Furthermore, the Pro is equipped with Apple’s cutting-edge M2 SoC, which may not offer significant real-world performance gains over the M1 but ensures enhanced future-proofing. Notably, the 12.9-inch Pro sports a 12MP rear camera akin to the Air, while introducing a 10MP ultrawide lens, an LED flash, and a LIDAR scanner tailored for AR applications. On the front end, its 12MP cameras capture stunning portrait-mode shots.
Moreover, the Pro boasts a faster Thunderbolt USB-C port, enhanced speakers, and Face ID support. With the latest iteration, it now features the ability to detect when an Apple Pencil hovers above the display, providing a preview of potential inputs. The storage options have expanded, reaching a maximum capacity of 2TB, with the 1TB and 2TB models offering an impressive 16GB of RAM (double the 8GB found in other variants) at a higher cost. It seamlessly integrates with Apple’s finest accessories, ensuring a comprehensive and tailored experience.
Undeniably a powerhouse, the 12.9-inch Pro emerges as the ideal choice for those seeking a more work-centric iPad experience. Its expansive display makes it incredibly suitable for all-day, laptop-style use. Pairing it with a keyboard maximizes its potential, and if you’re already investing significantly in an iPad of this caliber, the additional cost may not be a significant concern.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the 12.9-inch Pro caters to a niche audience. Its steep price tag and cumbersome size limit its appeal, making it less portable compared to other iPad models. While certain creative professionals have successfully embraced it as a laptop replacement, for the majority of users, multitasking and other computer-like tasks may prove more convoluted on iPadOS compared to a similarly priced MacBook. Furthermore, the incremental upgrades over the previous model are relatively minor. Nonetheless, as a tablet, the 12.9-inch Pro stands as an ultra-powerful and impressive device.
