Apple launched the new iPad Pro this week, complete with a top-of-the-line (so fast it will blow your socks off) M2 chip.
But before we get into that, some context: last week saw not one, but two new iPads. The Pro model (that you see here) and an upgraded regular iPad.
The Pro got that fancy new chip. But the regular iPad; received an entire redesign. Yes, it did see a performance upgrade, too. But Apple also kitted it out with a gorgeous redesign and four new colours.
This prompted internet outrage namely in the form of statements like, “How DARE Apple re-invent the regular iPad and not spend any time on the Pro!!!”.
But Apple has long held onto the belief that if it isn’t broke, don’t mess with a winning formula; and the new iPad Pro is a stellar example of that.
The most significant change is the new chip. The design, price, screen, camera, storage options, and accessories are all unchanged. And that’s no bad thing; the iPad Pro was an excellent device, and this one is ever so slightly better.
The Liquid Retina XDR display Apple added to the 12.9-inch model last year is still a stunning screen. Although there are some new features, such as the Apple Pencil “hover”, feature and the ability to shoot video in Apple’s ProRes Codec, the iPad Pro isn’t targeted at those who purchased the M1 model.
It’s simply Apple trying to show off its power by creating the best, most powerful tablet it can.
The new iPad Pro really is responsive (significantly quicker than the pre-Apple silicon iPad Pro from 2020). This iteration can handle apps like Octane X and Davinci Resolve (these are power-hungry and processor intensive) and say, do a bit of 8K video editing on the fly.
Apple did give the Pro a nifty little trick too; Apple Pencil Hover. The iPad Pro detects when the Pencil is 12mm from the screen, and reacts accordingly.
If you hold the Pencil above the apps on your homescreen or dock, the Pencil will zoom in to help you see what you are targeting, for example. While that’s not the biggest use case for Hover right now, it will be interesting to see how developers integrate the feature into apps going forward.
The iPad Pro 2022 then is a solid upgrade to what was already a solid tablet in the first place. It’s speedy as heck, still looks great, and with the same Pencil and Magic Keyboard support can easily work as a laptop replacement.
And internet? Please don’t get angry at me please for saying that.