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Video Review: Using the 12.9-Inch M1 iPad Pro for Two Months

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Apple in May released the new M1 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, and they're the first iPads that use Apple's M-series chips designed for Macs instead of A-series iOS chips, and the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ has an all-new mini-LED display.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

We did a hands-on video back when the ‌M1‌ ‌iPad Pro‌ first came out, but MacRumors videographer Dan has been using it daily since launch, and thought he'd revisit it to give an updated review on how it has fit into his workflow and with his other devices.

If you're still on the fence about one of the ‌M1‌ iPad Pros, Dan's video is worth watching to see how it performs in day to day usage over a period of time and whether it's worth picking up.

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Top Rated Comments

IllinoisCorn Avatar
IllinoisCorn
67 months ago
This is the same story 10+ years in.

"It's getting better but can't completely replace by laptop yet."

And it never will. Give it up. Let it go. It's okay to use a Mac.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
Analog Kid
67 months ago
If you could include a text review as well it would be a better fit for many of us. I can scan text much more quickly to find interesting bits.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GuruZac Avatar
GuruZac
67 months ago

Well thought out and presented review Dan, I will be staying with the 2018 until IOS makes use of all that POWER!
Same same. The 2018 is still more powerful than iPadOS so whats the point in spending up. Apple threw the M1 in the iPad Pro for streamlining manufacturing not for any other grand scheme. If they wanted to make the iPad Pro equally capable they could.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
E
Eorlas
67 months ago
this is a brilliant idea for a review. i'll chime in another user anecdote as well:

have had mine since launch, i was already in the market for a pro and wanted that screen size.

obviously, it's a fantastic performing device. i absolutely cant help but feel like it's restrained from its full potential given the chip that's quarterbacking its whole operation. i also cant imagine that spending the extra $700 or so markup to get the 1TB for the sake of 16gb ram is helpful in this current iteration. at that point, one is better off getting a MBP that will be better off with the same chip, and the additional ram.

as far as ipads go, bottom line is i think if it's what you're in the market for, specifically for the other features the 12.9" tier offers, then it's hardly a bad buy.

if one specifically wants the performance of the M1, a 13" mbp is the cheaper buy as it has the M1, same amount of ram, the keyboard is attached and part of the cost. it doesnt have as nice a display though, so keep that in mind.

it's all about what specifically you're buying for. purely just to make sure you have a fast ipad....i think the preceding pros were hardly sluggish.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SonOfaMac Avatar
SonOfaMac
67 months ago
Well thought out and presented review Dan, I will be staying with the 2018 until IOS makes use of all that POWER!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
d4cloo Avatar
d4cloo
67 months ago
Right now, it seems, the cheaper non-Pro models are the better product.

To leverage the true “Pro” potential, Apple has great laptops and desktop solutions. A true Pro iPad will need to have an evolved operating system, professional apps, and upgraded hardware (true external monitor support, memory limitations gone, USB-C speeds matching laptop equivalent, et cetera)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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