If you're looking for a tablet that can outperform a laptop, the iPad Pro M2 is one of the strongest candidates. Apple hasn't changed much of its appearance from the M1 version, but the internals have been made much faster. Let's dive into what makes this tablet exciting.
1. Design and Display that Pleases the Eyes
Physically, the iPad Pro M2 is identical to the previous generation. It remains premium, thin, and comfortable to hold. The screen comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 12.9 inches.
The difference in display quality is quite significant:
- 12.9-inch variant: You get a Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED) display with deep contrast and blacks. Perfect for those who enjoy color grading videos or watching HDR movies.
- 11-inch variant: Still uses the standard Liquid Retina display, but it has a 120Hz (ProMotion) refresh rate, making scrolling feel incredibly smooth.
2. "Overkill" M2 Chipset Performance
This is the star of the show. The M2 chipset makes this tablet feel overkill or too fast if only used for browsing or watching YouTube. This tablet is designed for heavy work.
Some heavy tasks it handles effortlessly include:
- Opening heavy graphic design apps (like Procreate).
- Rendering 4K video in LumaFusion or DaVinci Resolve.
- Playing graphics-intensive games at max settings.
Exclusive Feature: Apple Pencil Hover
One exclusive feature brought by this chipset is Apple Pencil Hover. The screen can detect the Apple Pencil from 12mm away before the tip touches the display. This feature greatly helps illustrators preview strokes before actually drawing.
3. Camera and Battery Life
Cameras on tablets are usually mediocre, but on the iPad Pro M2, it's different:
- Rear Camera: Already sharp enough for document scanning or taking emergency reference photos, complete with a LiDAR sensor for Augmented Reality (AR) purposes.
- Front Camera: Features Center Stage, where the camera automatically follows your movement during video calls.
For battery, Apple claims it can last about 10 hours for normal usage (watching videos or browsing on Wi-Fi). If used for rendering or heavy gaming, it will drain faster, but overall it's still solid for a full day's work.
4. Complete Specifications of iPad Pro M2
For more clarity, check the detailed specs in the table below:
| Specification | iPad Pro M2 (11-inch) | iPad Pro M2 (12.9-inch) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple M2 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | Apple M2 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU) |
| Display | 11" Liquid Retina (LED), 120Hz ProMotion | 12.9" Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED), 120Hz |
| RAM | 8 GB / 16 GB | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP (Wide) + 10 MP (Ultrawide) + LiDAR | 12 MP (Wide) + 10 MP (Ultrawide) + LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12 MP Ultrawide with Center Stage | 12 MP Ultrawide with Center Stage |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Optional 5G | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Optional 5G |
| Battery | 28.65 Wh (Claimed up to 10 hours) | 40.88 Wh (Claimed up to 10 hours) |
| Port & Others | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4), Face ID | USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4), Face ID |
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
If you're currently using an older iPad or don't have an iPad at all and need a tablet for professional needs, the iPad Pro M2 is very worth it. Its performance will remain relevant for years to come.
However, if you happen to already have an iPad Pro M1, upgrading to the M2 might not feel significantly different, unless you really need the extra GPU power or the Hover feature for drawing.
Written by
Wilan
A regular contributor to Bali Island Tekno who actively shares knowledge about technology, programming, and the world of software engineering.