Last week, Apple announced the next-generation iPad Pro with the M4 chip, which is now available for pre-order. While the company says the new iPads will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, May 15, the new iPad has already been picked up by the press – with early reviews praising the new OLED display while criticizing things like the price and software.
Review of the new iPad Pro M4
The Verge review says the new iPad is “the best overkill.” The website notes that the OLED panel used by Apple produces “incredibly vibrant” and “significantly more vibrant” colors. However, the review also questioned whether a hardware upgrade was truly necessary, since the iPad still runs a “locked-down, overly simplified operating system.“
At the moment it's just an iPad. I think it's the best iPad ever – maybe even the best iPad you could reasonably ask for. But the story of the iPad—the “magic glass,” as Apple likes to call it—is actually all about software. The iPad's software has been let down by its hardware for years. Apple has us believing that this is about to change, that this year's WWDC will be a turning point for artificial intelligence, the iPad and everything in between. Let's see. For now, the iPad Pro is too good on its own.
Other reviewers who also got to try the iPad Pro M4 had similar opinions. Gizmodo said the new iPad is “beautiful and powerful” but needs better software. The review also describes the new OLED display as “sharper, brighter and more colorful.” However, the price increase was seen as a downside.
It's much nicer than previous versions, and that's as it should be, since it now costs $200 more than the one it had two years ago. It's the closest thing to my favorite Apple device, much more so than my iPhone, but for everyday tasks I'll inevitably have to use a Mac or PC first before thinking about this tablet.
- M4 iPad Pro vs M2 iPad Pro: What's new and improved?
- PSA: Upgrade to M4 iPad Pro? You'll also need a new Apple Pencil.
Engadget said the new iPad Pro is “very good and very expensive.” Once again, the OLED panel was praised, while the higher price and lack of accessory support for older iPads were criticized.
But when I think realistically about what I need and what I can reasonably justify spending on, I realize that the iPad Pro is too big for me. Too expensive, too powerful, perhaps too big (I really like the 11-inch model, though). If you're in the same boat, then luckily there's the iPad, which offers almost everything the iPad Pro does for significantly less money.
Jason Snell complained that iPadOS “remains essentially stupid.” despite major hardware upgrades.
Apple's hardware and chip design teams are truly at the top of their game. The new iPad Pro M4 is a sleek piece of concentrated processing power hidden behind an impressive OLED display. It comes with a set of impressively updated accessories, which is fitting given that the iPad is defined in part by its ergonomic adaptability.
As has seemingly been the case since the first iPad Pro, the challenge combines amazing hardware with ( relatively, compared to macOS) the limited flexibility of iPadOS and its app library. iPadOS has improved in many areas over the past few years, but it's hard to match the speed at which Apple's hardware is advancing.
Prices for the new iPad Pro start at $999. for the 11-inch version and $1,299 for the 13-inch version.
Video Reviews
You can also watch some video reviews below:
