Apple M4 iPad Pro Review

Apple has once again redefined what a tablet can be, blurring the lines between consumption device and professional workstation. The new iPad Pro isn’t just an iterative update; it’s a statement piece powered by next-generation silicon. This device feels like a glimpse into the future of personal computing, impossibly thin yet bewilderingly powerful.

The first thing you notice is the design. At just 5.1mm for the 13-inch model, it’s thinner than an iPod Nano, an absurd engineering feat that feels almost unreal in the hands. This radical thinness doesn’t compromise its structural integrity; the aluminum enclosure feels rigid and impeccably premium. The front-facing camera has finally been moved to the landscape edge, a long-overdue change that makes video calls feel natural when the iPad is docked in a keyboard. The true star, however, is the new Ultra Retina XDR display. Apple’s “Tandem OLED” technology, which stacks two OLED panels, achieves a level of brightness and dynamic range that is simply jaw-dropping. Blacks are absolute, HDR content pops with specular highlights up to 1600 nits, and the ProMotion refresh rates keep everything buttery smooth. It is, without exaggeration, the best display ever put into a portable device.

At its heart is the new M4 chip, which leapfrogged an entire generation to debut here before any Mac. This silicon is a monster. In real-world use, it slices through 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, handles complex layers in Procreate, and runs console-quality games without breaking a sweat. Apple is clearly positioning the M4 as an AI powerhouse with its beefed-up Neural Engine, but the tangible software benefits of that are still more of a future promise than a present-day reality. For now, what you get is headroom—so much performance that no app currently available can truly max it out. This raw power is both a strength and a source of friction.

The experience is elevated by a refreshed accessory lineup. The new Magic Keyboard is a fantastic improvement, featuring an aluminum palm rest, a full function row, and a larger, more responsive trackpad that makes the iPad Pro feel more like a futuristic laptop than ever. The Apple Pencil Pro adds a new layer of interaction with a squeeze gesture for tool palettes, haptic feedback, and barrel roll for more nuanced brush control. For digital artists and note-takers, these are meaningful, workflow-enhancing upgrades.

Ultimately, the M4 iPad Pro exists in a class of its own, but it’s one defined by a critical paradox. The hardware is a masterpiece, a marvel of engineering with performance that rivals high-end laptops. Yet, it remains constrained by iPadOS. While the operating system has become more capable, its sandboxed app environment and limited file management still prevent it from being a true laptop replacement for many professionals. This makes the value proposition complex. When optioned with a Magic Keyboard and Pencil Pro, its price soars well into MacBook territory, forcing a difficult choice.

For a specific user—the digital artist, the mobile video editor, the creative professional who values a touch-first interface, or the tech enthusiast who simply wants the absolute best tablet money can buy—the M4 iPad Pro is an unparalleled triumph. It is the pinnacle of tablet technology, offering a glimpse of a computing future that is more portable, versatile, and powerful than ever. For everyone else, its phenomenal power and staggering price tag may be a solution in search of a problem that a MacBook or a less expensive iPad already solves.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon