Apple has just unveiled its latest iPad Pro models, featuring the new M4 chip and groundbreaking display technology. But these cutting-edge tablets come with some significant trade-offs.
Unprecedented Power in an Ultra-Thin Package
The 2024 iPad Pro lineup introduces Apple's most advanced mobile chip yet - the M4. Early benchmarks suggest it outperforms even the M3 found in current MacBooks, with Apple claiming a 50% performance boost over the previous iPad Pro.
This raw power is packed into Apple's thinnest device ever. The 13-inch model measures just 5.1mm thick, while the 11-inch version comes in at 5.3mm. Remarkably, both are thinner and lighter than their iPad Air counterparts.
Revolutionary Display Technology
The headline feature is the new Tandem OLED display. This dual-layer OLED technology promises unparalleled brightness, contrast, and efficiency. Apple claims 1000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1600 nits peak for HDR content.
For users battling glare, there's an optional nano-texture glass finish. However, this anti-reflective coating is only available on the priciest 1TB and 2TB models.
Productivity Boost with New Accessories
A redesigned Magic Keyboard brings the iPad Pro closer to laptop functionality, featuring a full row of function keys and a haptic trackpad. The new Apple Pencil Pro also promises enhanced creative capabilities.
The Price of Innovation
All this cutting-edge tech comes at a steep cost. The base models start higher than previous generations, with fully-specced versions approaching the price of a used car.
More concerning is that battery life hasn't improved, despite the theoretically more efficient display technology. Apple still quotes the same up to 10 hours figure across its entire iPad lineup.
Is It Worth It?
The 2024 iPad Pro represents the pinnacle of tablet technology, but its sky-high price and unchanged battery life raise questions. For professionals and creatives who can leverage its power, it may be a game-changer. For average users, the improvements may be overkill.
The true potential of the M4 chip and these hardware advancements may not be fully realized until Apple releases iPadOS 18, expected to bring significant AI and multitasking capabilities. Until then, the 2024 iPad Pro remains an impressive, if somewhat impractical, piece of technology.