iPad Pro Review Roundup: Powerful Creative Canvas, but Not Quite a PC Replacement

[MacRumors]

Apple released the iPad Pro online and in stores earlier today, and the embargo has now lifted for hands-on reviews of the new 12.9-inch tablet.

The consensus opinion is that the iPad Pro is an excellent device for content creation, with powerful hardware for intensive apps and multitasking, but not quite a PC replacement due to its iOS limitations. The tablet's experience will be better realized once more developers update their apps to take advantage of the larger canvas.

From left to right: iPad mini 2, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro (Image: WSJ)​

iPad Pro reviews praised its large display, which at 2,732×2,048 pixels has a higher resolution than the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, and most early adopters claim the tablet meets or exceeds its advertised 10-hour battery life. The new Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard also received positive reviews.

Ars Technica - Andrew Cunningham

It's best to think of the iPad Pro as a starting point, especially for iOS 9. These multitasking features are still brand-new, and there's a lot of low-hanging fruit to pick in future iOS 9 revisions and into iOS 10. My biggest gripes with the iPad Pro are with the software rather than the hardware, and that means that most of them can be fixed given enough time and enough feature requests. It took Microsoft three tries to really nail down the Surface Pro concept, and given a couple of iOS updates the iPad Pro has room to grow into a more versatile laptop replacement without necessarily giving up the things that people like about iOS.

For the rest of us, there's still the Mac.

CNET - Scott Stein

I want the iPad to eat the Mac, the way the iPhone ate the iPod. This iPad has already crept up to become as large as a Mac. But iOS needs to fully change with it. I need to connect to my old files and Web tools better, because that's what I need as a pro. I want it to become as flexible as a computer should be. The iPad needs to bridge the gap.

The iPad Pro feels like the top half of a new futuristic superpowered laptop. I want the bottom half, too.

MacStories - Federico Viticci

The iPad Pro is positioned as a more productive take on the iPad for those who need to get work done on it. My recommendation couldn't be more straightforward: if iOS is your main computing platform, or if you plan to turn an iPad into your primary computer, you'll want an iPad Pro. Its powerful hardware, multitasking interface, and extensible nature are superior to every other iPad. I don't see myself using a Mac as my primary computer ever again.

Mashable - Lance Ulanoff

It certainly has some impressive benchmark numbers. Its Geekbench single-core (3,218) and multi-core (5,455) numbers blew away virtually everything else (in the mobile space), including the A9 chip in the iPhone 6S/6S Plus. It even outperforms the new MacBook's Intel Core M processor (2,367 and 4,489 for single-core and multi-core, respectively). What's more, the iPad Pro's single-core score rivaled desktop performance on the Microsoft Surface Book (beating the sixth-gen Intel Core i5 and coming close to a sixth-gen Intel Core i7). The multi-core scores lagged behind both systems, but not by the margin you might expect.

TechCrunch - Matthew Panzarino

...iPad Pro absolutely, 100% could be the central computing device for a home. [...] But there is a certain (sorry) norm-core computing demographic that could very well end up with an iPad Pro as the 'enhanced' component to their smartphone, which is their real computer. Somewhere on the same level as other use-case-based devices like wearables and an interconnected home.

TouchArcade - Eli Hodapp

I'm not sure how anyone can walk away with a first impression that's any different from, "Wow, this is comically large." Unboxing my iPad Pro and getting it in my hands for the first time brought all the memories of the original Xbox rushing back, as everything about that console (particularly the launch day unit) from the size of the Xbox itself to how huge the controller is just felt absurdly huge. [...]

If you want a good size comparison without leaving the house, look around for a normal sized magazine. For whatever reason I've got an issue of People on my coffee table, and the screen of the iPad Pro is basically the exact same size. Add in a little extra around the edge for the bezel, and there you go.

The Verge - Lauren Goode

But even this split-screen mode isn't enough for lots of the "laptop" things I need to do on a daily basis. This is still a mobile OS we're talking about. It's nice that it's at least familiar feeling, unlike the foreign hybrid OS that Microsoft introduced with the first Surfaces. But I can't manipulate more than two app windows at a time on the iPad Pro. I can't control things with a trackpad. I can't run Final Cut Pro on the iPad Pro. Entering data into cells in the Google Sheets app on the iPad Pro is still onerous. There's no way to hand over the iPad to someone else and let them quickly log in as a "guest" user.

The Verge - Walt Mossberg

You can get a lot more done with iPad apps than with the paltry selection of tablet / touch-first apps available for the Surface. But, because Apple hasn't made a great keyboard, the iPad Pro isn't a complete replacement for a great laptop like the MacBook Air -- even for a tablet guy like me.

The iPad Pro will no doubt make a lot of Apple users happy, especially if they use it for graphics. But I won't be buying one, and I don't recommend that average users do so either.

The Wall Street Journal - Joanna Stern

The Pro may seem wedged between iPads and MacBooks, but it will be your main computer in the future. As our phablets push smaller tablets into retirement, the big tablet and its accessories will do the same for our traditional computers. For now, however, it may be easiest to step back and see the Pro as a... really good, really big iPad.

More Reviews: Bloomberg, Daring Fireball, Fast Company, TechRadar, The Telegraph, Wired and Yahoo Tech

Article Link: iPad Pro Review Roundup: Powerful Creative Canvas, but Not Quite a PC Replacement

 

[Dilster3k]

It's a niche product, it's practically an experiment on Apples end to see how much demand there is for a product like this.

This will do well in enterprise for sure, because for the longest time those mid-aged people keep saying they want "bigger" iPads. But I really doubt real professionals can implement this device into their work flow, it just seems like an inconvenience. It gets really suspicious when its main selling factor is it's stereo speakers, really...?

And don't get me started on that (ugly) 99$ stylus which doesn't seem to be well thought out, Jesus Christ.

Let's be honest, the only pro thing about this device is its price.
I even dare say that the Surface line by Microsoft surpasses this product

 

[Eidorian]

Faster than other current iOS devices and expensive seems to be what the reviews end up saying.

 

[phillipduran]

Tim . . . It looks like the people disagree.

 

[indask8]

Looks to be ridiculously fast but castrated by IOS, let's see what Apple have up their sleeve with IOSX/10/(they've done watchOS/tvOS, padOS?).

 

[LovingTeddy]

It is way to expensive, at least in Canada. 128GB WiFi only iPad Pro cost 1249 CAD plus 129 for Apple Pencil plus 229 for the keyboard (Seriously? Charging 229 for the keyboard? Surface keyboard is less than that)? Plus 13% HST equals 1815.91...

How can anybody justifying this price? For the price, I might as well my the MacBook... At least it runs OS X.

 

[Crosscreek]

Apple has proved that ARM can be as fast and powerful as X86. If they want to cut most Intel chips out they can at the sacrifice of OS X and Bootcamp support.

No Ports, mouse or trackpad support. It's not a desktop killer and probably not a laptop killer.

 

[The Mercurian]

By definition, a 'PC replacement' needs to run PC software...

 

[gsmornot]

s p a c e b e t w e e n a p p i c o n s i s t o o m u c h
...but I like the screen size.

 

[0098386]

Figured as much.

I'd like one as a Cintiq-like device, but that's also it's own thing so I can watch videos on it too. Certainly no PC replacement.

 

[NikeSG]

Apple needs to take an L on this device, but that means sheep need to not support a product that has almost no place in the market. iPad Pro should absolutely have an OS that differs from iOS by a great measure. As it stands, however, the iPad Pro is the product of laziness from a comfortable and overly confident Apple team.

This device does absolutely nothing different from any other iPad other than, yet again, having a different screen size and having a pencil tool. Spec bumps do next to nothing when you don't have a file management system. More of the same.

 

[HenryDJP]

By definition, a 'PC replacement' needs to run PC software...

I'm pretty sure you're capable of reading between the lines in regards to that phrase.

 

[mr_bam]

Where's the external storage? Where's the file system? How do you run a local web server? Where's Xcode? How do you even get comfortable to sit in front of and use an iPad as a work tool? How do I connect it to my Cinema Display? Okey... I'm not the target audience, clearly. I'm a way off ditching my Mac. I have now ditched my Mac Pro and I'm now running everything from a MacBook Pro via a Thunderbolt dock. It's an awesome setup and still extremely portable for me if I want to leave the office and head to the coffee shop (only problem, there isn't one). I have an iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6S. I'll wait and watch how the iPad Pro develops with interest. Exciting times. Good luck to early adopters ditching their MacBooks.

 

[Stella]

iPad Pro will replace a PC for the most basic tasks - browsing, email, listening to music, light word processing, spreadsheets. Anything more complex and you'd be struggling with an iPad Pro.

iPad Pro could be looked upon as a first gen PC replacement - but not there yet. Maybe in the 3rd Gen iPad Pro when Apple have improved iOS more.. then more people would be able to switch.

Its still a long time until you can replace that PC for doing things such as professional movie editing, software development, or replace that PC in the office for 'clerk' type work.

 

[Lesser Evets]

It is the Macbook/laptop killer.... well, it WILL BE that in the near future.

Again, the iOS just does't cut it. Yet. They also need a lot of software developers to switch over their major works onto the iPad Pro; if I could get many Mac-centric programs over to the Pro, it would slowly kill my Mac use.

Adobe is listing in the water, but if Manga Studio came over and there were publishing programs and music programs coming over, I would slowly ditch Mac.

 

[Jonathan Boice]

It's a niche product, it's practically an experiment on Apples end to see how much demand there is for a product like this. This will do well in enterprise for sure, because for the longest time those mid-aged people keep saying they want "bigger" iPads. But I really doubt real professionals can implement this device into their work flow, it just seems like an inconineice.

And don't get me started on that (ugly) 99$ stylus that doesn't seem to be well thought out, Jesus Christ.

Let's be honest, the only pro thing about this device is its price.

I think this is very true, but also a little unfair, it is a niche in fact that it is an iPad it is in fact a Niche of a Niche, but that does not detract from its ability, personal computers where also niche back in the day, the real problem here is the OS can it evolve enough, fast enough for tools and market to appear and grow to make a difference and earn that Pro moniker. Hard to say, but this does feel like Apple's second chance. I have not bought an iPad since the original iPad 2, and nothing had brought me close to doing so, until now I am will to explore one more time a work flow that starts on the iPad and finishes on the mac, to final deliver. I work building Apps and Web sites, and have a small product design company... so for me I am looking for this earn that Pro status and not supplant my mac but give me a mobile seamless experience between design, capture, client presentations, and final UI design.... can it do that well don't see why not.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Apple has proved that ARM can be as fast and powerful as X86. If they want to cut most Intel chips out they can at the sacrifice of OS X and Bootcamp support.

No Ports, mouse or trackpad support. It's not a desktop killer and probably not a laptop killer.

No... ARM is no where near x86 in performance... Maybe A9 close to one found in MacBook, but it no where near Core i5/i7 found in MacBook Pro or Mac Pro... And to give up x86, means every x86 program need to run in emulated environment, the end result is slowing everything down.

And, why do you want Apple change from Intel to ARM? It isn't ARM drastically faster than Intel, why would changes things that isn't necessary?

 

[Eidorian]

It's a niche product, it's practically an experiment on Apples end to see how much demand there is for a product like this.

This will do well in enterprise for sure, because for the longest time those mid-aged people keep saying they want "bigger" iPads. But I really doubt real professionals can implement this device into their work flow, it just seems like an inconvenience. It gets really suspicious when its main selling factor is it's stereo speakers, really...?

And don't get me started on that (ugly) 99$ stylus which doesn't seem to be well thought out, Jesus Christ.

Let's be honest, the only pro thing about this device is its price.
I even dare say that the Surface line by Microsoft surpasses this product

I have a second hand Surface Pro 2 at work and our users with iPads all seem to want one since it just works with our infrastructure much more reliably. They find themselves having to use our Chromebooks or a desktop more often.

 

[HenryDJP]

Apple needs to take an L on this device, but that means sheep need to not support a product that has almost no place in the market. iPad Pro should absolutely have an OS that differs from iOS by a great measure. As it stands, however, the iPad Pro is the product of laziness from a comfortable and overly confident Apple team.

Says the guy who bought an iWatch....
I personally feel it has almost no place in the market and nothing more than a sheep's product, but that's my opinion. Just as it's your opinion about the iPad Pro. Doesn't mean you're right, anymore than it makes me right about the iWatch.

 

[gsmornot]

The many, many Tim was talking about for desktop replacement are people that use their desktop for email, video watching and internet surfing. So, for them it can be a replacement to their desktop that they were using like a tablet. I don't think he meant it could be instead of a desktop because it would work like a desktop.

 

[Jonathan Boice]

Question... no talk about and wonder how this thing is going to work with scaling apps that have not gone to the effort to create a flexible UI? will you wait for the to update or shun them?

 

[2457282]

Looks to be ridiculously fast but castrated by IOS, let's see what Apple have up their sleeve with IOSX/10/(they've done watchOS/tvOS, padOS?).

I agree that with the hardware in place, all that is needed now is the OS/Software to catch-up. Well, sort of. What I mean is that there are the casual users (non on this forum, I am sure) that could totally get by with this as their only device (I am thinking of you Mom/Dad). I think that for school kids and even some college kids (those that are not into heavy gaming) this would also be enough as is today. In the workplace, a full blown office suite is still required in many cases. In the workplace, there is specialized apps that require a full blown PC.

However, the reality is that most workplace apps are slowly moving off the fat client and to server based, browser interfaced apps. In many workplaces storing data on your local machine is now a no-no for security reasons.

Based on this, it is my humble opinion, that the iPad Pro is ready to replace the laptop/desktop for many, but not all users. Each year, I suspect more people will be able to do so. The biggest issue will then be cost with the cheap window and android machines abound. But for me as I am most heavily invested in iOS apps, even more than OSX apps, I will replace my 2012 iMac with the iPad Pro.... in a few years.

 

[RepentHarlequin]

Not yet seen in person, but really ---

The idea that you can actually draw on this, somewhat analogous to a Cintiq finally makes it an iPad I want, though I don’t want the added cost of new versions of software ontop of this device’s price.

The iPhone hasn’t really killed the iPod has it? I still prefer the iPod myself - that’s 1 vote.

 

[jpgr15]

Split screen was a good step. File management would be a good step. Multiple user accounts would be another good step that I think everyone from a pro user to a family would use.

The hardware is there. Now give us a different version of iOS. It's beyond silly that the iPad and iPhone run virtually the same OS.

PS- does the iPad Pro come with a stock calculator app?

 

[sw1tcher]

The iPad Pro will no doubt make a lot of Apple users happy, especially if they use it for graphics. But I won’t be buying one, and I don’t recommend that average users do so either.

This is a bit surprising coming from Apple brown noser kiss arse #1