The iPad Pro: Just a bigger iPad or a genre-defining productivity tool that’s challenging the status quo?
As one of two leading lights in the tablet/laptop hybrid arena, the iPad Pro improves on the conventional iPad in three ways: size, stylus (known as the Pencil) and raw power. But do these improvement amount to a laptop killer? Apple might like to think so, but the lack of a desktop OS will always place limitations on how well a device like this can challenge traditional PCs.
This is where Microsoft has done so well to corner this unique market - by building a device that can be both a PC and mobile device with things like a full-sized USB port, versatile OS and a clever design.
But you can’t dismiss the iPad Pro’s laptop killing credentials because, well, it’s made by Apple. And, in typical Apple fashion, it’s been made exceptionally well. The additional features -especially the Pencil- are great experiences, as is the device in general. Here’s why you should make the iPad Pro the cause of your next bout of Buyer’s Remorse.
If you’re not familiar with my buying guides, then check out yesterday’s Microsoft Surface Pro 4 run-down, as well as guides for the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, iPhone 6S, Nexus 6P and the Surface Pro 4.
Keyboard
The iPad Pro’s Smart Cover keyboard is a nifty bit of kit. The Smart Connector tech boils down to three small dots that connect the iPad to the keyboard, which, visually is minimalism at its finest.
The keys themselves are covered in a woven fabric that’s easy to wipe clean and surprisingly comfortable to type on. It registers keys well and delivers accurate results most of the time. Whilst it was a bit jarring coming from the Surface Pro 4’s more responsive keys, the soft-touch certainly surprised me by how much I liked typing on it.
But there are some potential drawbacks: the Smart Cover isn’t backlit and can only prop the iPad up at one angle. The hard base layer isn’t that robust- meaning you might find yourself looking for a hard surface to type on, rather than simply resting the keyboard on your lap. There’s also the price: you’re looking at paying $169, on top of the iPad Pro’s already expensive price-tag.
If, however, you don’t fancy forking out for the official keyboard, Apple has opened up its Smart Connector tech to third parties like Logitech.
Pencil
Costing $99, this might be the coolest -and most expensive- pencil you’ll ever own. With no buttons the stylus feels comfortable, like a regular pen. It’s also incredibly pressure-sensitive: it doesn’t rely on Bluetooth connectivity, rather the iPad Pro senses when the stylus is near the display, scanning for a “tip signal” 240 times per second. The rubberised tip of the stylus also detects pressure and tilt- meaning it can do shading like a real pencil. And it does all this with next to no lag.
Although, unlike the Surface Pro 4, the iPad Pro has nowhere to clip or attach the Pencil. And with that price, the Pencil is an expensive accessory to lose.
Display
In typical Apple fashion the iPad Pro’s LCD display is incredibly sharp, bright (the brightest of all iPads) and has good colour accuracy. The 2732 x 2048 resolution is also the highest yet on any Apple mobile device. But, that’s diluted by size of the screen, which gives the iPad Pro a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi). For reference, the iPhone 6S has a pixel density of 326 - because it’s much smaller.
But in day-to-day terms, you’re not going to notice the lower ppi because your eyes more likely to be further away from the display when you’re using the iPad Pro in comparison to the iPhone 6S. Also, the iPad Pro’s ppi is higher than both the 13-inch and 15-inch Macbook Pros - signalling Apple’s insistence that the Pro is the go to device for graphics work.
Elsewhere, the Pro’s giant, powerful display isn’t the power consuming behemoth you’d expect, that’s thanks to type of display technology used….
Battery life
While most Windows laptops will make it 5-6 hours on a charge, some of Apple’s laptops - like the Air - can mange 12 hours at peak. With the iPad Pro Apple has developed some fairly awesome display technology to make the claimed 10-hour battery life possible on the iPad Pro.
The screen runs at 60Hz peak, but to save power when there’s no animation happening on screen - scrolling through web pages for example - it can downclock itself to 30Hz which saves energy. The display also has pixels which stay “charged” (illuminated) for twice as long as other panels, again, saving power. Obviously, this battery life is simply a possibility, and relies on you not using particular features all day long: but there’s no denying the iPad Pro offers a lot of juice in particular occasions, if you’re on a long-haul flight for example.
Laptop replacement?
There’s definately justification for the iPad Pro replacing your laptop. You’ll need to spring for the optional keyboard, but once you have that it works just like any laptop does. For a start Google Docs, Microsoft Office are all here. And, with Split Screen mode, you can run two apps at once, having, for example, Slack and Gmail up side-by-side. Plus, when the work day is done there is a whole selection of games to play and video to watch on the gorgeous screen.
There are some situations when a full laptop might be preferable. I wouldn’t, for example, recommend a lot of Excel work. When you measure i0S 9 (rather than full OS X) on the iPad Pro against Microsoft’s work in building two OS’ into one, with Windows 10 on the Surface Pro 4, you can really see how far ahead Microsoft is in this area. But, on its own merit, the iPad Pro remains a very serviceable machine.
Not sure about the iPad Pro? Check out my review of its direct rival, Microsoft's Surface Pro 4.
