TO understand what makes Apple’s newest iPad different from their other two models – and comparable devices made by its competitors – you just need to look at the name. It’s the iPad Pro, as in for professionals.
This is not a casual device for watching YouTube and Netflix (unless you have a lot of disposable income, of course). While it is a pleasant experience browsing the web and writing emails, you will not be utilising the iPad Pro to its fullest potential.
The people who this device is for (the aforementioned professionals) can use this tablet to replace their laptops – if not desktops – as their primary machine.
The power of a computer in a tablet
The iPad Pro can do that because it is powered by Apple’s M1 processor, the same chip that powers the latest versions of the MacBooks and the iMac. The tablet also comes with 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of disk space.
Apple says it is the most powerful chip in a tablet and you feel it as you use the device. Multitasking performance is better than ever, with it being possible to have three apps on the screen at the same time – though it takes some time to get used to the nuances of iPadOS. Despite the advances, it’s just easier to do on a computer.
In essence, that is one of the problems with the iPad Pro – it has the power of a computer, but has the limitations of a tablet. Yes, you can add the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, but the muscle memory from using computers needs to be unlearned to appreciate the iPadOS on its own terms.
After watching a few tutorials and the good ol’ trial and error, using gestures (either on the Magic Keyboard’s touchpad or the screen) becomes almost second nature, but it takes time. This is probably easier for someone used to Apple’s machines, instead of someone who is used to Windows-based hardware. File management, too, requires a bit of patience.
Simply the best screen on a mobile device
The iPad Pro comes in two sizes – 11 inches and 12.9 inches – both of which have comparable specs in terms of processor, camera and disk space. The big difference that warrants a major bump in price is the screen, with only the larger model equipped with the Liquid Retina XDR Display.
It is not hyperbolic at all to say that this is the best screen on any mobile device (its image quality is better than a lot of TVs). Make no mistake, when it comes to high-quality content – especially 4K HDR content – there is nothing better. Unfortunately, it’s not an experience that can be shared via screenshot or video capture.
Of course, the limitation with that is the relatively limited amount of 4K HDR content. Most new releases on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and AppleTV+ have the option, but it’s definitely not as widely available.
A simple explanation of what makes the Liquid Retina XDR Display special is that it’s a new design that provides an incredible amount of brightness, as well as capturing the brightest bright spots and the detail in the darkest images.
This benefits not just those interested in the latest shows and movies, but also creative professionals, such as photographers, videographers, and filmmakers, who can now view and edit HDR content on a tablet they can take anywhere.
A camera for the Zoom era
The video call has become almost a fact of life for many during the pandemic. Apps like Zoom, Teams and FaceTime, are more popular than ever.
An innovation the iPad Pro brings to the table is Centre Stage, a new way to experience video calls. The iPad’s front-facing camera comes with a wide-angle lens that has a larger field of vision, and the machine learning capabilities of the M1 processor allows the camera to recognise and keep users in the frame.
Basically, what this means is that you can move around and the camera will stay focused on you. If someone else joins you in front of the camera, Centre Stage will zoom out to fit everyone in the frame. This is very useful for calls in less than formal settings and is fun to experiment with.
In addition, unlike the iPad Air which uses Touch ID, the Pro model uses Face ID via the front-facing camera to unlock the tablet, to verify purchases and as a password for some websites.
Is it worth it?
There’s no question this iteration of the iPad Pro is a very impressive machine, with a best-in-class screen on top of very powerful internal hardware. But previous versions of this device were also impressive and were highly capable machines themselves.
Is the sticker price for this new iPad Pro – starting at RM3,499 for the 11-inch model and RM4,799 for the 12.9-inch model – worth these advancements?
Again, that depends on what type of user you are. This is very much a machine with creative professionals in mind. People for whom Lightroom, Photoshop, Procreate and other similar apps are in their regular workflow. It can do anything else just as well, but it still feels like scratching the surface.
An update for iPadOS is scheduled for release later this year. It will likely come with new features that will better take advantage of the M1 chip and hopefully remove some headaches for those used to full-sized computers. Even so, the iPad Pro has the distinction of being the most powerful tablet on the market. – The Vibes, June 22, 2021
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