IPad Pro 2021 (12-inch, 256GB): Review & Should You Buy?

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Apple iPad Pro 2021 (12-inch, 256GB): A Deep Dive

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Apple iPad Pro 2021 (12-inch, 256GB). This isn't just another tablet; it's a powerhouse designed to blur the lines between a tablet and a laptop. If you're on the hunt for a new device that can handle everything from creative tasks to everyday browsing, keep reading. We'll break down everything you need to know, from its stunning display and blazing-fast performance to its pros, cons, and whether it’s the right choice for you.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Okay, let’s start with the unboxing experience. Apple always nails this part, and the iPad Pro 2021 is no exception. Inside the sleek box, you'll find the iPad Pro itself, a USB-C charging cable, and a power adapter. The first thing you'll notice is the premium build quality. The aluminum casing feels solid and refined, and the thin bezels around the display give it a modern, edge-to-edge look. Holding it in your hands, you immediately sense that this is a high-end device. The 12-inch display is a game-changer, offering so much screen real estate for multitasking, drawing, and watching videos. The weight is well-distributed, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods, though it might feel a tad heavy for some, especially if you're used to smaller tablets. The initial setup is smooth and straightforward, as you would expect from any Apple product. The iPad Pro walks you through connecting to Wi-Fi, setting up Face ID, and customizing your settings. Within minutes, you're ready to start exploring all that this tablet has to offer.

Display: Liquid Retina XDR

The display on the iPad Pro 2021 is truly something special. It's a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, and it's absolutely gorgeous. The mini-LED technology allows for incredible brightness and contrast, making colors pop and blacks appear deep and inky. Whether you're watching movies, editing photos, or just browsing the web, everything looks vibrant and lifelike. The ProMotion technology, with its adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth. It dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on what you're doing, saving battery life when high refresh rates aren't needed. The display also supports P3 wide color gamut, ensuring accurate and consistent color reproduction. This is crucial for creative professionals who need to work with color-sensitive content. With a peak brightness of 1600 nits in HDR mode, the iPad Pro can handle even the brightest outdoor conditions. This means you can comfortably use it on a sunny day without struggling to see the screen. The anti-reflective coating further enhances visibility by minimizing glare and reflections. Overall, the display is one of the standout features of the iPad Pro 2021, providing an unparalleled viewing experience that's perfect for both work and play.

Performance: M1 Chip

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 2021 is powered by Apple's M1 chip. This is the same chip that's found in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, and it brings a whole new level of performance to the iPad. The M1 chip features an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, delivering blazing-fast performance and incredible graphics capabilities. Whether you're editing 4K videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or multitasking between multiple apps, the iPad Pro handles it all with ease. The M1 chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks. This enables features like on-device Siri processing, advanced image processing, and real-time language translation. The 256GB of storage provides ample space for your apps, files, and media. If you need even more storage, you can opt for models with up to 2TB of storage. The M1 chip also brings significant improvements to battery life. The iPad Pro can easily last through a full day of typical use, and even longer if you're not pushing it too hard. This makes it a great device for travel or working on the go. In benchmarks, the iPad Pro 2021 consistently outperforms its predecessors and many other tablets on the market. It's a true powerhouse that can handle anything you throw at it.

Camera and Audio

The camera system on the iPad Pro 2021 is surprisingly capable. It features a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera on the rear, as well as a LiDAR scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences. The image quality is excellent, with vibrant colors and sharp details. The Ultra Wide camera is great for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos. The LiDAR scanner enables features like improved low-light autofocus and more realistic AR experiences. The front-facing 12MP Ultra Wide camera is perfect for video calls and selfies. It also supports Center Stage, a feature that automatically keeps you in the frame as you move around during video calls. The audio quality on the iPad Pro is also impressive. It features a four-speaker audio system that delivers rich, immersive sound. The speakers are well-balanced, with clear highs, mids, and lows. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the audio quality is top-notch. The iPad Pro also has five studio-quality microphones that capture clear and crisp audio for recordings and video calls. Overall, the camera and audio capabilities of the iPad Pro 2021 are excellent, making it a great device for both content creation and consumption.

Software and Features

The iPad Pro 2021 runs on iPadOS, which is specifically designed for the iPad. iPadOS is intuitive and easy to use, with a focus on multitasking and productivity. It supports features like Split View and Slide Over, which allow you to run multiple apps side-by-side. The Files app provides easy access to your files stored on the iPad, iCloud Drive, or other cloud storage services. The App Store offers a vast selection of apps optimized for the iPad, including productivity apps, creative apps, and games. The iPad Pro also supports the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which is a must-have accessory for creative professionals. The Apple Pencil allows you to draw, sketch, and take notes with precision and accuracy. It also supports features like palm rejection and tilt sensitivity, making it feel like you're writing on paper. Another standout feature of the iPad Pro is its support for Thunderbolt / USB 4. This allows you to connect to external displays, storage devices, and other peripherals with speeds up to 40Gbps. The iPad Pro also supports Wi-Fi 6, the latest generation of Wi-Fi, for faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. Overall, the software and features of the iPad Pro 2021 are well-designed and optimized for productivity and creativity.

Pros and Cons

Let's break down the pros and cons of the iPad Pro 2021 (12-inch, 256GB) to give you a clear picture of what it offers:

Pros:

  • Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display: The mini-LED technology delivers incredible brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
  • Blazing-fast M1 chip: The M1 chip provides unparalleled performance for demanding tasks and multitasking.
  • Ample storage: The 256GB of storage offers plenty of space for your apps, files, and media.
  • Excellent camera system: The 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide cameras, along with the LiDAR scanner, deliver excellent image quality and AR experiences.
  • Immersive audio: The four-speaker audio system provides rich, balanced sound.
  • Long battery life: The iPad Pro can easily last through a full day of typical use.
  • Support for Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard: These accessories enhance productivity and creativity.

Cons:

  • Price: The iPad Pro is expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of accessories.
  • iPadOS limitations: While iPadOS is powerful, it's not as versatile as macOS or Windows.
  • Weight: The 12-inch model can feel heavy for some users, especially when holding it for extended periods.
  • No headphone jack: The lack of a headphone jack can be inconvenient for some users.

Who is This For?

So, who is the iPad Pro 2021 (12-inch, 256GB) really for? It's ideal for:

  • Creative professionals: Photographers, video editors, graphic designers, and artists will appreciate the stunning display, powerful performance, and support for the Apple Pencil.
  • Students: The iPad Pro is a great tool for note-taking, research, and studying.
  • Business users: The iPad Pro can be used for presentations, document editing, and communication.
  • Anyone who wants a premium tablet experience: If you're looking for the best tablet on the market, the iPad Pro is a great choice.

Alternatives to Consider

If the iPad Pro 2021 isn't quite right for you, here are a few alternatives to consider:

  • iPad Air (5th generation): A more affordable option that still offers great performance and features.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: A high-end Android tablet with a large display and powerful performance.
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 8: A versatile 2-in-1 device that can be used as a tablet or a laptop.

Final Verdict

The Apple iPad Pro 2021 (12-inch, 256GB) is a fantastic tablet that offers a premium experience. Its stunning display, blazing-fast performance, and excellent features make it a top choice for creative professionals, students, and anyone who wants the best tablet on the market. While it's expensive and iPadOS has some limitations, the iPad Pro is still a powerful and versatile device that can handle anything you throw at it. If you're willing to invest in a high-end tablet, the iPad Pro 2021 is definitely worth considering. Just make sure to weigh the pros and cons and consider your specific needs before making a decision.