New iPad Pro Reviews: Mini-LED Display Looks Great, M1 Performance Held Back by iPadOS

[MacRumors]

The embargo has lifted on reviews of Apple's new iPad Pro, providing a hands-on look at the device before orders beginning arriving to customers this Friday. Key new features include Apple's custom M1 chip for impressive performance improvements, a brighter mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model, Thunderbolt 3 support, and 5G on cellular models.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn said the mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a "dream screen" and functionally equivalent to a high-end OLED TV to his eyes:

The joke I've been telling people is that the display is so good that Tenet actually makes sense when you watch it on this iPad Pro. HDR content is incredible on this screen. I am not a display quality enthusiast, but this screen is functionally equivalent to a high-end OLED TV to my eyes, especially in a dark room.

While the new iPad Pro is around 50% faster than the previous generation model with the A12Z chip, some reviewers believe this impressive performance improvement is held back by the iPadOS operating system.

Caitlin McGarry at Gizmodo:

The iPad's hardware is a non-issue at this point. Apple's tablet gets better with every iteration, and the M1 iPad with miniLED display is truly impressive. There are no other tablets that can compare.

But the iPad Pro isn't competing against other tablets. It's competing against the Mac. And though the iPad is very, very capable, its software often feels hamstrung compared to the Mac's. I give this example all the time, but my most-used app is Airtable, a project management tool I use for my job all day every day. The iPad app looks and works perfectly, just like the Mac app, until I have to do a random task and it boots me to Airtable on the web, which would never happen on the Mac.

CNET's Scott Stein said iPadOS's limitations extend to the iPad Pro's new Thunderbolt 3 support:

Monitor support is a big example. The iPad Pro can only use an external monitor for apps that choose to support it, which is limited now to some games, video-editing tools... and that's mostly it. It doesn't extend your iPad to a second desktop area, or allow multiple apps on different screens. This is what you'd expect monitor support on an M1-equipped iPad would add, and yet here we are. Apple's developers conference (WWDC) is weeks away, and should reveal where the next iPadOS is heading. I'd expect big changes for the M1 iPad to be announced, but it's hard to predict anything yet.

Jason Snell at Six Colors said 5G support on cellular models is a "big deal" if you live in an area with mmWave 5G coverage:

I know that 5G is an eye-roll-worthy buzzword and that in most parts of the country 5G isn't too much faster than 4G if you can even find it.

However, if you're lucky enough to live somewhere with high-speed millimeter-wave 5G available, you will find that it enables broadband-like data rates. Apple made a big deal about 5G on the iPhone, but I think the iPad Pro is a better fit since it's a device you’re more likely to use for applications that require that level of bandwidth. I went to San Francisco's Marina district and while sitting on a bench next to the Palace of Fine Arts, downloading data at two or three gigabits. My home cable connection theoretically offers one gigabit, and I almost never see speeds that approach it. If you're someone who frequently works on an iPad in an area covered with the ultra-fast form of 5G, this will be a big deal.

The Loop's Jim Dalrymple said one of his favorite new features on the iPad Pro is Center Stage. Enabled by the iPad Pro's new Ultra Wide front camera, Center Stage automatically keeps users perfectly framed during video calls:

One of the features I love the most on the iPad Pro is Center Stage. Using the TrueDepth camera system, a new 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, and the machine learning capabilities of M1, Center Stage allows users to move around while using FaceTime, and the camera will keep them centered in the frame. It's pretty amazing to see it in action.

I started a FaceTime call seated at a desk, I stood up and took a step back, and the camera zoomed out a little to make sure I was in the frame. As I walked back and forth, the camera would pan side to side, following my movements, always keeping me in the center of the window (except if I went to the extreme side). If someone else comes into the frame, it will zoom out, ensuring that the camera can see both people in the frame.

More Reviews

• Federico Viticci at MacStories
• Jake Krol at CNN Underscored
• Todd Haselton at CNBC
• Daniel Bader at iMore
• David Phelan at The Independent
• Nicole Nguyen at The Wall Street Journal
• Patrick O'Rourke at MobileSyrup
• Brenda Stoylar at Mashable
• Samuel Axon at Ars Technica
• Chris Velazco at Engadget
• Christian de Looper at Digital Trends

Video Reviews and Unboxings

Check out our complete roundup of iPad Pro unboxing videos.

The new iPad Pro became available to order starting April 30, and orders will begin arriving to customers on May 21.

Article Link: New iPad Pro Reviews: Mini-LED Display Looks Great, M1 Performance Held Back by iPadOS

 

[dantracht]

Here's hoping iPad OS 15 is the star of WWDC.

 

[supermacman1938]

With all this unused power, I wonder what the life cycle will be. Maybe a few extra years 6-7 years would be awesome. With a battery replacement or two.

 

[Pimmp]

I was truly hoping for a crossover to MacOS with this device. Unfortunately Apple does not agree leaving it to be a overkilled ipad stuck in wrong OS. It uses the same apps as my daughters ipad mini.

 

[mattopotamus]

Here's hoping iPad OS 15 is the star of WWDC.

I have to imagine they are setting the iPad up to use the power. Cannot wait!

 

[Razorpit]

some reviewers believe this impressive performance improvement is held back by the iPadOS operating system

Some of us were skewered for even suggesting that after the reveal.

 

[RavynArcadia]

Well apple did say it would need iPadOS 15 to take full advantage of the hardware.

 

[widestload]

My pre order has moved to preparing to ship. Roll on Friday

 

[adamjackson]

iPad is held up by software has been the issue for 4 years. It's powerful enough to run desktop class software but isn't running desktop class software.

 

[dmylrea]

I don't watch movies on my iPad so I guess my choice to keep my 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 that works perfectly and is as fast as anything in use, was the right choice.

It will be interesting to hear if the original Magic Keyboard works on the new 12.9. Has anyone seen anything on this yet? UPDATE: According to this video, it fits perfectly. So what was the issue that Apple said it was not compatible?

 

[HiVolt]

Here's hoping iPad OS 15 is the star of WWDC.

Here's hoping iPadOS / M1 iPad Pro can dual boot. I'd buy one in a flash, even if using MacOS requires an external keyboard & mouse and has no touch ability.

 

[RavynArcadia]

My pre order has moved to preparing to ship. Roll on Friday

Lucky. I’m hoping that a near by apple store may have some stock. Otherwise I’ll get my order next month.

 

[dmylrea]

Here's hoping iPadOS / M1 iPad Pro can dual boot. I'd buy one in a flash, even if using MacOS requires an external keyboard & mouse and has no touch ability.

Did you hear that? It's everyone on the internet saying to just buy a Macbook then.

I've thought the same thing, but never posted it knowing what the response would be...

 

[bidwalj]

The impressive screen is what I’m after. I’m spoiled by my lg oled tv and the iPhones display. Looks like the upgrade will be worth it.

 

[MrPresident]

It appears that the iPad hasn’t really increased its functionality since the 2018 update despite the hardware improvements. With the power it now harnesses it seems wasteful to limit its potential to iOS. Here’s hoping WWDC removes these limitations!

 

[IIGS User]

Of course the new iPad is hamstrung by the limitations of iPadOS.

My 2018 iPad Pro is hamstrung my IPadOS and it's two years old.

 

[dmylrea]

The impressive screen is what I’m after. I’m spoiled by my lg oled tv and the iPhones display. Looks like the upgrade will be worth it.

What do you primarily use your iPad for that the benefits of the mini-LED screen would make it worth it?

 

[robinp]

The embargo has lifted on reviews of Apple's new iPad Pro, providing a hands-on look at the device before orders beginning arriving to customers this Friday. Key new features include Apple's custom M1 chip for impressive performance improvements, a brighter mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model, Thunderbolt 3 support, and 5G on cellular models.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn said the mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a "dream screen" and functionally equivalent to a high-end OLED TV to his eyes:While the new iPad Pro is around 50% faster than the previous generation model with the A12Z chip, some reviewers believe this impressive performance improvement is held back by the iPadOS operating system.

Caitlin McGarry at Gizmodo:CNET's Scott Stein said iPadOS's limitations extend to the iPad Pro's new Thunderbolt 3 support:More Reviews

• Federico Viticci at MacStories
• Jake Krol at CNN Underscored
• Todd Haselton at CNBC

Video Reviews and Unboxings

The new iPad Pro became available to order starting April 30, and orders will begin arriving to customers on May 21.

Article Link: New iPad Pro Reviews: Mini-LED Display Looks Great, M1 Performance Held Back by iPadOS

My 2018 iPad Pro feels held back by iPadOS. No surprise that a machine 50% faster also feels that way.

 

[1258186]

Improving iPadOS is only part of the equation. They need to persuade developers to upgrade their apps so they have the same functionality as their Mac equivalent.

 

[antnythr]

I have a feeling there's going to be continued iOSification of MacOS or there will be some type of convergent UI. At some point iPadOS gets a developer / power user mode that enables MacOS UI.

 

[DanTSX]

False. It is empowered by the simplicity of iOS.
Give it a desktop OS and people will complain it’s not a tablet any longer.

Apple knows better than these reviewers making controversial statements for click revenue.

 

[robinp]

Did you hear that? It's everyone on the internet saying to just buy a Macbook then.

I've thought the same thing, but never posted it knowing what the response would be...

I hope the iPad Pro becomes the all purpose Apple platform that can run iOS apps with touch, can boot into macOS or similar modified UI when a keyboard and mouse / trackpad is attached.

iPad Pro becomes the pinnacle of all purpose computing that Apple makes. If you need specific super high performance there’s the Mac but that can only run macOS. If you only need a touch interface get an iPad Air or iPhone.

Or just need a cheap laptop, get the MacBook Air or mini.

At this point it’s ridiculous to expect consumers to buy an iPad Pro with M1 and then to also have to buy a MacBook Air if they need to do some macOS tasks.

 

[hagjohn]

Why buy 2 devices when the iPad can serve as an iPad and a Mac.

 

[DJTaurus]

1000$ for an iPad still not justified. iPhone and a MBA is more than enough.

 

[GuruZac]

This is expected which is why there’s a ton of anticipation about what iPadOS 15 brings. I imagine there’s going to be a lot of disappointment on the software side but I do believe the app developers will begin releasing pro level features that cater to the M1 iPad Pros. iPadOS still has to function well on 2GB iPads for which there’s a ton out there.

The 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros are overkill still for the OS and apps available. I think that’s why many people feel the M1 iPad Pros are so wasteful, but again, I believe we will see professional full featured apps finally making their way to iPadOS as the new iPad Pros have significant RAM boosts. I still remain skeptical that we see major changes to iPadOS functionality due to the reasons I’ve stated above.