The New iPad Pro Before It Goes To 11
Some thoughts on the 10.5" iPad Pro
I’ve owned every single iteration of the iPad since its release in 2010. That includes, most recently, the 12.9" iPad Pro and its smaller sibling, the 9.7" iPad Pro. To that end, I get asked quite often which I prefer. The answer has always been fairly clear in my head, but with caveats: the bigger screen is nice for some things, like watching video (obviously), but for most things, I find that screen almost comically large. And yet, the larger iPad was also faster… So when pressed, my answer was that for most people, the 9.7" iPad was probably the one to get.
With the latest iterations of the iPad Pro, I think the answer is now much more clear: the new 10.5" variety is the one to get.
The screen size gap has been closed a bit. The speed gap has been completely erased. The 10.5" iPad Pro is absolutely amazing.
I’ve been using the device as not just my main iPad for the past couple of weeks, but as my main computer (well, beyond the iPhone, of course). And while most of the immediate reviews were quick to note that the new iPads were good, but it was iOS 11, with its new iPad-specific power features, that would make the devices great. But I wanted to see what this device was like before upgrading to 11. Because I know and loved the 9.7" iPad Pro so much.
And yes, the 10.5" variety is above and beyond better. Even before iOS 11.
Without using them side-by-side, it may be hard to tell just how much larger the screen is on the 10.5" iPad versus the 9.7". This is a testament to the work Apple has done to fit a 20% larger screen in a footprint that is very similar to the one that housed the 9.7" screen. It’s a tad wider and a little longer. But again, it’s hard to tell without doing a side-by-side comparison.
And it’s definitely one of those things where when you start to use the 10.5" and then try to go back, you cannot. The 9.7" iPad feels short and stubby in a way similar to how the 3.5" iPhone felt after using the 4" variety. The smaller one now feels like a clown iPad.
In a weird way, I almost feel like the 10.5" iPad seems more like a smaller 12.9" iPad versus a larger 9.7" one.
Size aside, the screen with its much touted 120Hz refresh rate is incredible. Again, it’s one of those things you have to either be a hardcore iPad user or use a newer iPad Pro versus an older iPad side-by-side to truly appreciate. Everything is just so much smoother.
At first, it’s a little weird. It almost makes some iOS animations like swiping through your app screens feel like how pan-and-scan used to feel on old non-lettered-boxed VHS movies. But this feeling goes away quickly and now it just seems normal. And old, non-120Hz animations now just feel janky.
Further, the hype around the new refresh rate with the Apple Pencil is for real. I won’t go so far as to say it’s like writing/drawing on paper. But it’s finally real time with regard to responsiveness.
Speaking of, the entire system feels so much more responsive in a way you might not normally expect these days when moving from one generation to the next. I assume a lot of this can be chalked up to the fact that this 10.5" iPad Pro has been given the same 4GB of RAM that the 12.9" had previously. Obviously, a big part is the A10X chip as well. But again, I don’t recall a speed jump this noticeable in regular usage since maybe the jump from the iPad to the iPad 2. It’s impressive.
Pre-iOS 11, the place you’ll notice this most is simply app switching. You can now go back-and-forth between apps fast and smooth every time now. The same is true with opening apps.
Given that I’ve been using this iPad as my main computing device, I bought the new keyboard case as well. I know some people are not fans of Apple’s soft keyboard take, but I quite like it. I still think I like an old Logitech Bluetooth one I used to use before Apple made their own iPad keyboards, a bit more, but that’s mainly due to their iOS-specific keys.¹ Given the slightly longer size of the iPad (versus the 9.7"), the keyboard is apparently a bit longer (and, as much, more “full-sized”) but, to be honest, I haven’t noticed a huge difference. And I’ve been typing on it, a lot — including this review!
A few other tidbits:
- Using this iPad outdoors in direct sunlight is a substantially better experience thanks to the new nits Apple has added to the screen.
- I find myself using both cmd-tab more and the four-finger swipe gesture (to switch between apps) more. Maybe it’s a combo of the larger keyboard and the larger screen, not sure. Or maybe it’s just because switching between apps really does feel that much faster…
- You really can read text now as you’re scrolling through it thanks to the new refresh rate. Very cool.
- The swipe-down to get to notifications is so much smoother.
- I opted to get the white (silver) variety because I previously had a black (space gray) one and I thought this new color would really call out the difference in the size of the bezels. It does, but again, only when viewed side-by-side with the older iPad. In general, the smaller bezels look natural, and don’t make the device awkward to hold — undoubtedly thanks to Apple’s smart detection system (knowing not to trigger a touch if you’re holding the thing with part of your hand resting on the screen).
- While the weight is apparently the exact same as the 9.7" iPad Pro, the 10.5" version almost feels lighter. I’m sure this is an illusion due to the slightly longer size (the weight is more distributed).
- It’s a little weird that 3D Touch still isn’t a part of the iPad, right? I mean, I sort of get it, in a way. But also not…
As has now become an annual tradition (if not more often), the whole debate around whether or not the iPad can replace your Personal Computer (capital “P” capital “C”) is making the rounds once again. It remains silly because it’s almost entirely predicated around what you do for a living and/or if you grew up using a “regular” computer. Even though I go out of my way to try to use the iPad for everything I do, I’m still only 90% of the way there.
And unfortunately, that last 10% matters, really matters, at least for me.
At the same time, I’m sure that the combination of this new iPad Pro plus iOS 11 (when it’s fully baked) will get me closer than ever to the threshold. It’s a threshold I used to want to hit simply because I find the iPad to be more of a joy to use than a “regular” computer. But now I also want to hit it because this new iPad is really fucking fast.
¹ I still don’t know why Apple hasn’t included such keys… Other than they probably want you to continue to use the touch screen for certain things…
