iPad Pro 2018 review – the best tablet ever made and even BETTER than a laptop
This is probably the best tablet ever made
OWNING a computer used to mean sacrificing 80% of your desk to a hulking plastic box – and half a dozen cabled accessories.
Apple’s new iPad Pro is about the size of a mousepad, and it’s probably the best computer you’ll have ever owned. Here’s why.
iPad Pro 2018 – what is it?
Apple’s first iPad tablet launched in 2010, and everyone thought it looked like a ridiculous, oversized iPhone.
Then people actually used it, realised how great it was, and looked on as it became one of the world’s best-selling gadgets.
Some people loved it so much, they started using it as their main computing device. And for those people, Apple decided to build an even more powerful model – the iPad Pro, launched in 2015.
The new 2018 model is the third generation of iPad Pro, and marks the biggest change to the iPad series ever.
iPad Pro 2018 design and software
Like the iPhone, the iPad Pro no longer has a Home button.
Instead, Apple has fitted the gadget with a screen that spans almost all of the tablet’s front.
And there’s still enough of a bezel to allow for easy holding – which is important if you buy the larger 12.9-inch screen model.
There’s also a smaller 11-inch model, which I prefer for portability. But if you’re doing proper design work, you might want to invest in the larger version.
It comes in just two colour options – Silver and Space Grey – the latter of which is looks better. It’s a slightly different shade of Space Grey to the MacBook Pro, which niggles.
It’s lightweight, weighing less than half a kilo. And although there are scattered reports of iPads arriving “bent” in the box, it seems like a particularly rare problem.
The fact that there’s no Home button means the software design has had to change, too.
It now uses iPhone XS style gestures, with a swipe up from the bottom returning to you the home screen.
Multitaskers will love this revamp, as you can now swipe along the bottom of the screen to quickly switch between apps – one of the most overlooked quality of life changes Apple has made to the iOS software in years.
Apple has also introduced a new technology called Pro Motion.
Simply put, it makes the screen more responsive, and scrolling appears smoother. It’s definitely noticeable (particularly the scrolling), especially if you’re coming from an older iPad device.
The new iPad Pro also has a True Tone display, adjusting the brightness and colour temperature to match the ambient light around you.
It means you’ll always get the best image on screen, no matter where you are.
Apple’s new iPad Pro is the first to feature Face ID.
Previous iPad models used Touch ID to unlock – this was a fingerprint scanner built into the Home button.
But with the Home button now a distant memory, you’ll instead unlock the device using your face. It’s quick, easy and very tough for hackers to break.
You can also use Face ID to authenticate Apple Pay and App Store purchases.
New iPad Pro accessories
There are two main accessories you need to know about: the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard Folio.
The Apple Pencil – a stylus for the iPad – has been upgraded this year.
It now attaches to the side of the iPad magnetically, pairing it automatically – and even wirelessly charging it.
The pencil has a flat edge on one side, making it easier to hold and use. And it’s slightly more matte than before, which looks nice.
You can also double tap the Apple Pencil while using it to quickly toggle between pen and eraser tools when drawing.
Drawing with it is very easy, accurate, and surprisingly true to real life.
The only drawback is that the Apple Pencil isn’t included in the box – you’ll fork out £119 for the luxury.
But for anyone who draws for a living, the cost will be very easy to justify.
The second iPad Pro accessory worth its salt is the Smart Keyboard Folio.
It’s basically a case and a keyboard in one, magnetically attaching and drawing power from three flat pins on the back of the iPad.
The iPad Pro’s keyboard simply doesn’t compete with typing on a MacBook. It’s small and the keys are harder to press.
But this is a problem for all tablet keyboards, and Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio is about as good as it gets.
It takes a little time to get used to the key size and placement, but it’s the best solution for getting work done on an iPad.
And the fact that it snugly fits on the tablet as a case makes it easy enough to lug around.
Again, the downside is that you’ll have to pay for the keyboard: £179 for the 11-inch model, and £199 for the 12.9-inch version.
You can, of course, use the iPad’s on-screen keyboard and save the cash, but then you lose half of the display to keys – and you miss out on the natural feel of real keys.
I reckon it’s well worth upgrading with the keyboard if you’re going to use the iPad Pro to type up documents.
iPad Pro 2018 specs and features
Performance is probably the biggest advantage for anyone considering the iPad Pro versus a laptop.
The iPad Pro is blisteringly fast at everything it does – even editing images or videos.
It’s all thanks to the A12X chip on board, Apple’s most powerful processor to date.
Apple claims that it’s faster than most PC laptops, and extensive testing by tech sites has proved that to be true.
In fact, it’s even touted as being able to run a full version of Adobe’s Photoshop CC – although this won’t arrive until 2019.
On the back you’ve got a very decent 12-megapixel camera that can capture 4K video.
It can also scan documents thanks to iOS 12, and supports augmented reality experiences.
For the uninitiated, AR is when the iPad overlays computer-generated images onto the world around you – a bit like a Snapchat filter.
You can use this to play video games on your kitchen table, measure real-world objects using a virtual ruler, and overlay interesting information onto paintings or objects in a museum.
Apple has included its TrueDepth selfie camera on the front, which can be used for blurred-background Portrait Mode snaps.
It also supports FaceTime video calling, as well as animated Animoji and Memoji emoji.
The iPad Pro is available in four different storage size options, which include 64GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
How much you need really depends on your usage – only people doing significant video editing will probably need to stretch for the 1TB model.
For casual users, a 64GB or 256GB iPad Pro will work just fine, and save you a few hundred quid too.
The standard iPad Pro comes with Wi-Fi support only. But if you work on the move often, you might want to invest in the Cellular model, which supports a 4G SIM card – although you’ll need to buy a new data contract, too.
Battery life is mooted at around 10 hours, which reflects my own experience with the tablet. I used it extensively for gaming, web browsing and reading, and got away with charging it overnight.
It’s also worth pointing out that the iPad Pro no longer charges using a Lightning cable – that’s the same cable as your iPhone.
Instead, new models are fitted with a more versatile type of port called USB-C, which is the same one featured on new MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops.
Many gadgets – laptops and smartphones alike – are shifting to USB-C, and it’s likely (but not confirmed) that iPhone will eventually make the switch too.
So don’t fret about your old cables not working: soon, you’ll likely have half a dozen USB-C cables lying around the house.
iPad Pro 2018 review verdict – should you buy it?
The iPad Pro is a really fantastic device, and the best iPad ever made by some margin.
But it’s absolutely not for everyone – this is an expensive device aimed at people who want to get lots of work done on a tablet.
You’ll pay anywhere from £769 to £1,669 for the 11-inch model, and £969 to £1,869 for the 12.9-inch model.
If you want a tablet to play around with, the £319 entry-level iPad is a much more sensible buy.
But if you’re a student or office worker who wants a device for media, mobile gaming, and getting some work done, the iPad Pro is a great option.
And if you’re a creative type – someone who designs or illustrates professionally – then the feedback from the community is assured: the iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil is, for some, the best option out there.
For most, the iPad Pro can replace your tablet and laptop, and, in some rare cases, even a phone and TV.
So given the hardware on board, the ease of use, and the class-leading design, it’s actually decent value for money – despite the eye-watering price tag.
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The Sun says: The iPad Pro is exceptionally fast, packed with features, and visually stunning – and although it’s not for everyone, it serves its target market perfectly.
What do you think of Apple’s latest iPad Pro? Let us know in the comments!
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