After using the M4 iPad Pro for approximately eight months, I've developed a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. While the overall experience has been positive, a few drawbacks surprised me. This review delves into my experiences, covering battery life, display quality, accessories, and the ongoing debate surrounding iPadOS and multitasking.
Battery Life: A Jekyll and Hyde Experience
One of my primary concerns with the M4 iPad Pro is its inconsistent battery life. Some days it performs admirably, while on others it drains surprisingly quickly. Despite having a 10,340 mAh battery, which is larger than its predecessor's, the iPad Pro's battery behavior can be unpredictable.
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In standby mode, the iPad Pro seems to lose battery more rapidly than my iPad mini, even when idle.
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The battery drains more quickly from 50-60% charge than it does from a full 100%.
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Even with minimal app usage, such as writing a script with background music, the battery can deplete noticeably within an hour.
While not inherently "bad," the battery life's reliability is less than I had hoped for. The powerful display might contribute to this.
The Stunning Display
The M4 iPad Pro's display is a major highlight. Its tandem OLED display surpasses other excellent displays I've used.
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It offers exceptional brightness and vividness.
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It delivers 1,000 nits of SDR brightness and 1,600 nits for HDR content.
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Although running at full brightness impacts battery life, its inherent brightness often allows me to lower the setting.
Due to its color accuracy, I now rely on the iPad Pro for color-critical tasks like editing thumbnails and reviewing video color grading.
Paperlike Screen Protector
I wanted to test the nanotexture display but was hesitant about the price. I discovered the Paperlike screen protector. It's a great alternative.
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It provides a realistic paper-like feel when writing or drawing.
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The NanoDots proprietary finish creates a tactile experience.
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It reduces glare and reflections and offers haptic feedback.
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It also protects the iPad from scratches and can be easily replaced.
I'm converted now and plan to get one for my iPad mini as well.
Nanotexture Display Considerations
I tried the nanotexture display but ultimately switched back to a standard screen. While effective at reducing glare, it may not be suitable for everyone.
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Visit a store to compare both options.
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Consider your specific use cases.
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The nanotexture display is currently limited to the 1TB and 2TB models, seemingly to push sales.
Design and Features
Aspect Ratio
The 4:3 aspect ratio doesn't bother me when watching content. The immersive display makes you forget your surroundings.
ProMotion Display
While I don't game, the ProMotion display (10Hz to 120Hz) is still smooth and responsive.
I/O and Storage
The M4 iPad Pro features a single Thunderbolt 4 port, providing data transfer speeds up to 40GB per second.
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This is sufficient for working with external SSDs.
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External SSDs provide a cost-effective alternative to purchasing larger internal storage.
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Consider the memory capacity: 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB of unified memory, while the lower capacity models have only 8GB.
While the single port is functional, an additional USB-C port would be a valuable addition, especially for a "Pro" device.
iPadOS and Multitasking
Multitasking on iPadOS is facilitated by Stage Manager and Split View/Slide Over. I prefer the latter for its simplicity.
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Stage Manager allows up to four windows, but I find it cumbersome.
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Split View allows easy reference.
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External displays and Sidecar enhance multitasking capabilities.
The OS
Many perceive that the limitations of iPadOS are due to developers not optimizing their apps for the iPad.
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Examples include YouTube Studio's lack of Split View support and Grammarly's clumsy integration.
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Multi-user login and a Finder-like Files app are also needed.
Accessories: Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
The Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard are almost essential accessories.
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The Magic Keyboard is a premium product, but its high price (£350) and added weight are drawbacks.
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The Pencil Pro works well and is useful to have.
Cost Comparison: iPad Pro vs. MacBook Pro
Comparing a similarly specced 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro (£1,599) to a 13-inch M4 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Pencil (£1,977) reveals the iPad is more expensive. Apple should offer incentives, like reducing the price of accessories when buying high-storage models with nanotexture.
Performance and Final Thoughts
The M4 chip makes the iPad Pro incredibly fast.
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It has a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
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Everything feels responsive, comparable to a Mac.
If my workflow wasn't so video-focused, I'd switch to the iPad. The iPad is finally coming of age as a true computing device. It will be different from a Mac but in a good way.