Apple ipad Pro (M1)
Plus those dinky new Airtags
from £749 / stuff.tv/ipadpro The 2018 ipad Pro made good on Apple’s promise of an all-screen device that ‘becomes’ whatever app is running. The 2020 model improved things further, with a better camera setup, Lidar and the lovely Magic Keyboard. This year’s update looks identical, but represents bigger change than you first realise.
From a design perspective, it remains a premium and sleek
(if slightly weighty) slate, but the key is what’s new to tempt existing ipad users to upgrade… like stuffing an M1 chip inside. It smacks of overkill, but Pro users never tire of more oomph, and apps that demand power will excel on this hardware.
During testing, this ipad deftly dealt with everything we threw at it, from video and image edits to sequencers and console-grade games. Performance peaked at M1 Macbook Pro levels and, in some cases, software pushed the ipad ahead. That’s great… but it pays to look past the power.
I just diode in your arms
Our 12.9in Pro’s display (1) echoes previous models, but everything looks richer. That’s down to over 10,000 Mini LEDS, versus 72 normal LEDS in last year’s model. Brightness hits 1000 full-screen nits and ruins other ipad displays when handling HDR content. The catch: the 11in model doesn’t get the upgrade.
Follow view, follow me
The rear dual-camera/lidar setup remains, but now it’s all about the front-facing 12MP ultrawide Truedepth camera with its 122° field of view (2). On video calls, a tracking system called Center Stage keeps you in frame. It’s odd at first, watching smooth, regular adjustments while the ipad is motionless… but it works.
Central reservations
Center Stage is intelligent enough to adjust itself for extra people and ignore those passing through. Two minor negatives: the system doesn’t (yet) appear to work when recording, and it might trigger people with vestibular disorders. However, the feature can be disabled in settings on a per-app basis.
Thunderful life
Apple’s penchant for minimalism means the Pro sticks with just one port (3), but this USB-C connector supports Thunderbolt and USB 4. In theory, Thunderbolt unlocks support for large external displays; but in practice, most apps mirror the ipad’s display, leaving black bars left and right. This feels increasingly absurd.
System of mercy
The platform remains poor for coding, but other high-end tasks are supported by superb pro apps. For games, this ipad is strong too. Where things fall short is ipados itself, which lags behind IOS in some areas (widgets, App Library) and macos in others (Files being like a Fisher-price Finder, that flawed external display support).