IPad Pro 2021 (12.9) Review: A Stunning Powerhouse
The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch is a significant upgrade, boasting the powerful M1 chip, a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, and 5G connectivity. Guys, if you're looking for a tablet that can truly replace your laptop, or just want the absolute best, this might just be it. Let's dive into a detailed review of this beast and see what makes it so special.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, featuring the same sleek, all-screen design with narrow bezels. It's still crafted from premium aluminum, giving it a robust and luxurious feel. You've got the same squared-off edges, which, let's be honest, look incredibly modern and stylish. The device feels incredibly solid in hand, and you can tell that Apple hasn't skimped on the materials. This iPad Pro comes in two classic finishes: Silver and Space Gray. While the design is familiar, the magic is in the details and, of course, under the hood. The minimalist design contributes to its premium appeal, making it a head-turner wherever you go. Its slim profile allows for easy portability, making it a great companion for on-the-go productivity and entertainment. The button placement is intuitive, and the overall ergonomics are excellent. Whether you're a creative professional or a casual user, the design of the iPad Pro 2021 is sure to impress.
Despite its slim profile, the iPad Pro feels incredibly sturdy and well-built. The precision-milled aluminum enclosure provides excellent rigidity, preventing any flex or creaking. The buttons are tactile and responsive, providing satisfying feedback with each press. The camera bump on the rear is minimal, allowing the device to lay relatively flat on a surface. The seamless integration of the display and the enclosure creates a cohesive and refined aesthetic. The design is not only visually appealing but also functional, enhancing the overall user experience. Apple has truly mastered the art of design with the iPad Pro 2021, creating a device that is both beautiful and practical. The build quality of the iPad Pro 2021 is exceptional, reflecting Apple's commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail. This tablet is built to last, withstanding the rigors of daily use while maintaining its pristine appearance. The design and build quality of the iPad Pro 2021 are a testament to Apple's engineering prowess, setting a new standard for premium tablets.
Display: Liquid Retina XDR is a Game Changer
The star of the show is undoubtedly the new Liquid Retina XDR display. This mini-LED display is a game-changer, offering incredible brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. We're talking about up to 1000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1600 nits of peak brightness, which means HDR content looks absolutely stunning. Colors pop, blacks are incredibly deep, and everything is just more vibrant and lifelike. The 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth, enhancing the overall responsiveness of the device. This is not just a display; it's an experience. Whether you're watching movies, editing photos, or playing games, the Liquid Retina XDR display elevates the visual experience to a whole new level. The Mini-LED technology allows for precise backlight control, resulting in exceptional contrast and dynamic range. The iPad Pro 2021's display is a true masterpiece, setting a new benchmark for tablet displays.
The Liquid Retina XDR display's impact on creative workflows cannot be overstated. For photographers and videographers, the accurate color reproduction and high brightness levels make it an ideal tool for editing and reviewing content on the go. Designers can take advantage of the wide color gamut and sharp resolution to create stunning visuals with incredible detail. The ProMotion technology ensures that every interaction feels fluid and responsive, reducing lag and improving overall productivity. Whether you're retouching photos, editing videos, or creating digital art, the Liquid Retina XDR display provides the visual fidelity and performance you need to bring your ideas to life. The display's ability to accurately reproduce colors is crucial for professionals who rely on color accuracy in their work. The high brightness levels make it easy to work outdoors or in brightly lit environments, ensuring that you can always see your work clearly. The Liquid Retina XDR display is a game-changer for creative professionals, empowering them to create and collaborate with unparalleled precision and efficiency. The combination of Mini-LED technology, ProMotion refresh rate, and wide color gamut makes the iPad Pro 2021 the ultimate creative tool.
Performance: M1 Chip Unleashes Unprecedented Power
Under the hood, the iPad Pro 2021 is powered by Apple's M1 chip, the same chip that's found in the latest MacBooks. This means insane performance. Everything is faster, smoother, and more responsive. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is a breeze, and even the most demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering are handled with ease. The M1 chip truly transforms the iPad Pro into a powerhouse, capable of handling anything you throw at it. This chip brings a level of performance that was previously unheard of in the tablet world. The iPad Pro 2021 can handle anything from basic tasks like browsing the web and checking email to more demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The M1 chip's efficiency also contributes to the iPad Pro's excellent battery life. The M1 chip is a game-changer for the iPad Pro, making it a true competitor to laptops.
The M1 chip also brings significant improvements to machine learning performance, enabling new possibilities for apps that utilize artificial intelligence. Apps can now perform complex tasks like image recognition and natural language processing much faster and more efficiently. This opens up new opportunities for developers to create innovative apps that take advantage of the M1 chip's powerful machine learning capabilities. The Neural Engine in the M1 chip is specifically designed to accelerate machine learning tasks, making the iPad Pro 2021 a powerful tool for AI-driven applications. The M1 chip also enables advanced features like Center Stage, which uses machine learning to automatically adjust the camera during video calls to keep you in the frame. The M1 chip's combination of CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine performance makes the iPad Pro 2021 a versatile and powerful device for a wide range of tasks. The M1 chip is a testament to Apple's engineering prowess, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a tablet.
Connectivity and Features
The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch comes with a range of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt / USB 4, which allows for blazing-fast data transfer speeds and support for external displays up to 6K resolution. Wi-Fi 6 ensures a fast and reliable wireless connection, and optional 5G cellular connectivity lets you stay connected on the go. Other features include Face ID for secure authentication, a LiDAR scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences, and support for the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Magic Keyboard. The Thunderbolt port is a game-changer for professionals who need to transfer large files quickly or connect to external displays and peripherals. The 5G connectivity ensures that you can stay connected even when you're away from Wi-Fi. The Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard transform the iPad Pro into a versatile productivity tool.
The iPad Pro 2021's connectivity options also extend to its audio capabilities, with support for high-quality audio playback and recording. The device features four speakers that deliver immersive stereo sound, making it great for watching movies, listening to music, or playing games. The built-in microphones are also excellent, capturing clear and crisp audio for video calls and voice recordings. The audio quality of the iPad Pro 2021 is impressive, providing a rich and immersive listening experience. The device also supports spatial audio, which creates a more realistic and engaging soundstage. The iPad Pro 2021's combination of connectivity options and audio capabilities makes it a versatile device for both productivity and entertainment. The device also supports the latest Bluetooth standards, allowing you to connect to wireless headphones and other peripherals with ease. The iPad Pro 2021 is a well-connected device that offers a wide range of options for connecting to the outside world.
Battery Life
Despite the powerful M1 chip and the bright Liquid Retina XDR display, the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch offers excellent battery life. You can easily get through a full day of typical use, including browsing the web, checking email, watching videos, and working on documents. Even with more demanding tasks like video editing and gaming, the iPad Pro can last for several hours on a single charge. The efficient M1 chip helps to conserve battery life, ensuring that you can stay productive or entertained for longer. The iPad Pro also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery when needed. The battery life of the iPad Pro 2021 is impressive, especially considering its powerful performance and stunning display. You can rely on the iPad Pro to last through a full day of work or play, without having to worry about running out of battery.
The iPad Pro 2021's battery life is also optimized by the iPadOS operating system, which includes features like Low Power Mode to further extend battery life when needed. Low Power Mode reduces the performance of the device to conserve battery, allowing you to squeeze even more usage out of a single charge. The iPadOS operating system also includes features like App Nap, which prevents apps from running in the background and draining battery life. The iPad Pro 2021's combination of efficient hardware and optimized software results in excellent battery life, making it a reliable device for on-the-go use. The device also supports smart charging, which learns your charging habits and optimizes the charging process to prolong the battery's lifespan. The iPad Pro 2021's battery life is a testament to Apple's engineering prowess, providing a balance of performance and efficiency.
Conclusion
The 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch is a remarkable device that pushes the boundaries of what a tablet can do. With its stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, blazing-fast M1 chip, and 5G connectivity, it's a true powerhouse that can handle anything you throw at it. If you're looking for the best tablet on the market, the iPad Pro 2021 is definitely worth considering. It's an investment, but one that will pay off in terms of performance, productivity, and overall user experience. Guys, this is the real deal!
