iPad Pro 12.9" (M2) Review: The Ultimate Tablet for Creators

Design and Display: Stunning Visual Experience

The iPad Pro 12.9" maintains Apple's signature premium design with flat edges, a thin aluminum chassis, and impeccable build quality. At just 6.4mm thin and weighing 682 grams, it's remarkably portable for a device with a 12.9-inch display. The design is functional and elegant, with Face ID embedded in the top bezel for secure authentication.

The true star of the iPad Pro is its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. This mini-LED backlit screen delivers absolutely spectacular image quality with 2732 x 2048 resolution, ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, and support for P3 wide color gamut. The contrast ratio and HDR performance rival professional reference monitors.

Peak brightness reaches 1,600 nits for HDR content, making this one of the brightest displays available on any tablet. Whether you're editing photos, watching movies, or creating digital art, the visual experience is unmatched. The ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, drawing, and animations incredibly smooth and responsive.

M2 Performance: Desktop Power in Tablet Form

The M2 chip inside the iPad Pro is the same processor found in MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, delivering genuine desktop-class performance. The 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration handles everything from 4K video editing to 3D modeling with ease. This is serious computing power in a tablet form factor.

Paired with 8GB or 16GB of unified memory depending on storage configuration, multitasking is seamless. You can run multiple professional apps simultaneously, edit RAW photos in Lightroom, render video in LumaFusion, and have dozens of Safari tabs open without any slowdown.

Battery life is excellent, delivering 10-12 hours of mixed use. Video playback can stretch even longer. The USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support enables fast charging, external display connectivity, and high-speed data transfer up to 40Gbps. You can connect professional storage drives, cameras, and monitors directly.

Apple Pencil: Precision Creative Tool

The iPad Pro supports the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to the side of the device for charging and pairing. The stylus offers industry-leading precision with tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, and virtually zero latency thanks to ProMotion technology.

For artists, designers, and note-takers, the Apple Pencil transforms the iPad Pro into a professional creative tool. Apps like Procreate, Affinity Designer, and Notability take full advantage of the precision and responsiveness. Drawing and writing feel natural and immediate, with no perceptible lag between pen movement and screen response.

The hover feature introduced with this generation allows you to preview where your pen will land before making contact with the screen, improving precision in detailed work. This subtle enhancement makes a real difference for professional illustration and design workflows.

Camera System and Audio

The rear camera system includes a 12MP wide camera and a 10MP ultra-wide camera with LiDAR scanner. While you probably won't use an iPad Pro as your primary camera, the quality is excellent for document scanning, AR applications, and occasional photography. The LiDAR scanner enables impressive augmented reality experiences and improves autofocus in low light.

The front-facing 12MP ultra-wide camera with Center Stage is particularly useful for video calls. Center Stage automatically pans and zooms to keep you in frame during video conferences, making the iPad Pro excellent for remote work and virtual meetings. The camera quality is sharp and handles various lighting conditions well.

Audio quality is outstanding with a four-speaker system that delivers rich, balanced sound with impressive bass for a tablet. The speakers automatically adjust based on how you're holding the device, ensuring audio always comes from the correct direction. It's genuinely enjoyable to watch movies or listen to music without headphones.

iPadOS: Power and Limitations

The iPad Pro runs iPadOS 16 (upgradeable to the latest version), which brings Stage Manager for improved multitasking, external display support, and enhanced desktop-class apps. You can now run multiple overlapping windows and connect to external displays at their native resolutions.

However, iPadOS remains the iPad Pro's most significant limitation. Despite having M2 chip performance, the software doesn't fully utilize the hardware capabilities. Professional apps are improving, but many workflows still require a traditional computer. File management, while better than before, still feels constrained compared to macOS or Windows.

For creative work within supported apps like Procreate, LumaFusion, Affinity Photo, and Adobe Creative Cloud mobile apps, the iPad Pro is phenomenal. For traditional productivity work requiring complex file systems, multiple displays, or specific desktop software, you'll hit limitations.

Specifications

Specification	Details
Display	12.9" Liquid Retina XDR, 2732x2048, ProMotion 120Hz, 1600 nits HDR
Processor	Apple M2 chip, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
RAM	8GB (128GB-512GB) or 16GB (1TB-2TB)
Storage	128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Rear Cameras	12MP wide (f/1.8), 10MP ultra-wide (f/2.4), LiDAR scanner
Front Camera	12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) with Center Stage
Battery	40.88Wh, up to 10 hours web/video
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, optional 5G cellular
Ports	USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4
Audio	Four-speaker system, spatial audio support
Authentication	Face ID
Dimensions	280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
Weight	682g (Wi-Fi), 684g (Cellular)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the iPad Pro come with Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard?

No, the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and Magic Keyboard are sold separately. The Apple Pencil costs $129, and the Magic Keyboard for 12.9" costs $349, significantly increasing the total investment.

Can the iPad Pro replace a laptop?

It depends on your workflow. For creative tasks like drawing, photo editing, and video editing within supported apps, it can absolutely replace a laptop. For traditional productivity work requiring desktop software, complex file management, or coding, a laptop remains more practical.

What's the difference between the 11" and 12.9" iPad Pro?

The main difference is the display technology. The 12.9" model features the superior Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, while the 11" uses standard Liquid Retina IPS LCD. The 12.9" is also larger and heavier but offers more screen real estate for creative work.

How much storage should I get?

For most users, 256GB offers a good balance. If you work with large video files or extensive photo libraries, consider 512GB or 1TB. The 128GB base model may feel cramped quickly, especially with iPadOS system files and apps taking up space.

Does it support external monitors?

Yes, the iPad Pro supports external displays up to 6K resolution via the Thunderbolt port. With Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 and later, you can extend your workspace to an external monitor, though app support varies.

Is the cellular version worth it?

The cellular model adds convenience if you frequently work away from Wi-Fi, but it costs $200 more plus requires a data plan. For most users who primarily use the iPad at home or in Wi-Fi environments, the Wi-Fi-only model is sufficient.

Who Should NOT Buy This Tablet

Budget-Conscious Users: Starting at $1,099 for just the tablet (before Apple Pencil or keyboard), this is an expensive device. If you don't need pro features, the standard iPad or iPad Air offer excellent value at significantly lower prices.

Traditional Desktop Workflow Users: If your work requires desktop applications like Final Cut Pro, full Adobe Creative Suite, or complex file management, a MacBook will serve you better. The iPad Pro's power is constrained by iPadOS limitations.

Casual Users: If you primarily browse the web, watch videos, and use social media, you're paying for capabilities you won't utilize. The base iPad at $329 handles these tasks perfectly well.

Those Wanting a True Laptop Replacement: Despite Apple's marketing, the iPad Pro isn't a complete laptop replacement for everyone. If you need versatility across all types of software and workflows, a laptop remains more practical.

Comparison: iPad Pro 12.9" M2 vs MacBook Air M2

Feature	iPad Pro 12.9" M2	MacBook Air M2
Display	12.9" Liquid Retina XDR, 120Hz	13.6" Liquid Retina, 60Hz
Processor	M2, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU	M2, 8-core CPU, 8/10-core GPU
Form Factor	Tablet with optional keyboard	Traditional laptop
Touch/Pen Input	Yes, Apple Pencil support	No
Operating System	iPadOS	macOS
Battery Life	10 hours	15-18 hours
Ports	1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)	2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), MagSafe
Starting Price	$1,099	$1,199
With Keyboard	$1,448 (with Magic Keyboard)	$1,199 (included)

The iPad Pro excels in touch and pen input, display quality, and portability as a tablet. The MacBook Air offers better battery life, a full desktop OS, and better value when you factor in the included keyboard. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize touch/pen input or traditional laptop versatility.

Alternative Options to Consider

• iPad Air (M1) ($599) - Offers 80% of the iPad Pro experience at nearly half the price, with M1 chip performance and Apple Pencil support. Great for most users who don't need the XDR display.
• MacBook Air M2 ($1,199) - If you need a full desktop OS and traditional laptop form factor, the MacBook Air delivers similar performance with better battery life and macOS versatility.
• iPad Pro 11" M2 ($799) - Same M2 performance and features in a smaller, lighter package. The display isn't XDR but is still excellent and more portable.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ($1,199) - Android alternative with a massive 14.6" OLED display and included S Pen. Better for Android ecosystem users.

The Verdict

The iPad Pro 12.9" with M2 is the most powerful and capable tablet available, period. Its combination of desktop-class performance, stunning XDR display, Apple Pencil precision, and premium build quality make it an exceptional device for creative professionals who work primarily in supported iPadOS apps.

For digital artists, photographers, video editors using mobile apps, and anyone who values touch and pen input, the iPad Pro is transformative. The display alone justifies the investment for HDR content creation and consumption. Combined with the Magic Keyboard, it can handle many laptop tasks with the bonus of being a phenomenal tablet.

However, iPadOS remains a constraint that prevents the iPad Pro from being a universal laptop replacement. You're getting incredible hardware that software doesn't fully unleash. For the right workflows and users, it's unmatched. For others, a MacBook or iPad Air makes more practical sense.

If your work centers on creative apps that leverage the Apple Pencil, you consume and create HDR content, or you want the most powerful tablet for a hybrid tablet/laptop setup, the iPad Pro 12.9" M2 delivers an experience no other device can match. Just understand its limitations before investing $1,500+ for the complete setup with accessories.