IPad Pro 12.9 (2021): Review, Specs, And More!

Hey everyone! Let's dive deep into the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021). This isn't just another tablet; it's a powerhouse that blurs the lines between a tablet and a full-fledged computer. We're going to explore everything from its stunning display to its blazing-fast performance, and whether it's the right tool for you.

Unboxing the Beast: What's in the Box?

Okay, so you've just got your hands on the shiny new iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021). What goodies await inside? Besides the iPad itself (obviously!), you'll find a USB-C charging cable and a power adapter. Apple keeps things minimal, which is typical. Don't expect any fancy extras like headphones. If you're coming from an older iPad, you might need to buy a new charging brick since Apple switched to USB-C a while back. The unboxing experience is sleek and straightforward, just like you'd expect from Apple. The packaging is compact and mostly recyclable, which is a nice touch for the eco-conscious among us. The device is cradled securely, ensuring it arrives safe and sound. Once you peel off the protective film and hold the iPad Pro for the first time, you immediately notice the premium build quality. It feels solid and substantial, a testament to its high-end construction. This initial impression sets the stage for the powerful experience that awaits. One thing to note is that, depending on where you purchase it, deals can vary slightly. Some retailers might offer bundles including accessories, but the standard Apple packaging remains consistent. So, while it's simple, it screams quality. Be sure to check for any promotional offers when purchasing to get the most bang for your buck. Ultimately, the unboxing is more about the anticipation of using this powerful device, and Apple does a good job of building that excitement right from the start. The minimal approach also reinforces Apple's focus on the device itself, letting its features and performance speak volumes.

The Stunning Display: Liquid Retina XDR

The display on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) is genuinely something to behold. Apple calls it the Liquid Retina XDR display, and it's not just marketing hype. This mini-LED display boasts incredible brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. We're talking about a peak brightness of 1600 nits in HDR mode! What does this mean for you? Whether you're editing photos, watching movies, or just browsing the web, everything looks vibrant and lifelike. The blacks are incredibly deep, and the colors pop with stunning clarity. The mini-LED technology allows for precise control over backlighting, resulting in exceptional contrast ratios. This is especially noticeable when watching HDR content; the dynamic range is simply amazing. Details in shadows and highlights are rendered with incredible fidelity, making images and videos look incredibly realistic. The 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate also contributes to the smooth and responsive user experience. Scrolling is fluid, animations are seamless, and everything feels incredibly snappy. This is particularly noticeable when using the Apple Pencil; the latency is so low that it feels just like writing on paper. For creative professionals, the color accuracy of the display is a major selling point. It covers the P3 wide color gamut, ensuring that your photos and videos look exactly as they should. Whether you're a photographer, video editor, or graphic designer, you can trust that the colors you see on the screen are accurate and consistent. The anti-reflective coating also helps to minimize glare, making it easier to use the iPad Pro in bright environments. This is a welcome addition, as the large screen can otherwise be prone to reflections. The combination of high brightness, contrast, color accuracy, and refresh rate makes this one of the best displays you can find on any tablet. It truly elevates the viewing experience, making everything from casual browsing to professional content creation more enjoyable and immersive. The Liquid Retina XDR display is a key feature that sets the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) apart from its competitors.

M1 Power Unleashed: Performance and Speed

Under the hood, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) is powered by Apple's M1 chip. This is the same chip that you'll find in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. What does this mean for the iPad Pro? It's incredibly fast! Everything from launching apps to editing 4K video is lightning-quick. The M1 chip is a system on a chip (SoC), which means that it integrates the CPU, GPU, and other components onto a single chip. This allows for greater efficiency and performance. The 8-core CPU delivers up to 50% faster performance than the previous generation iPad Pro, while the 8-core GPU provides up to 40% faster graphics performance. These are significant gains that translate into a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience. Whether you're multitasking, playing graphics-intensive games, or editing large files, the iPad Pro can handle 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 and faster image recognition. The iPad Pro also supports Thunderbolt and USB 4, allowing you to connect to a wide range of external devices, including high-resolution displays, external storage, and more. The increased bandwidth of Thunderbolt also enables faster data transfer speeds. The combination of the M1 chip and Thunderbolt support makes the iPad Pro a powerful and versatile tool for creative professionals. You can easily connect to external displays for a larger workspace, transfer large files quickly, and even connect to professional audio and video equipment. The M1 chip also allows the iPad Pro to run demanding apps like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. These apps were previously limited to desktop computers, but now you can run them on the iPad Pro with impressive performance. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for creative professionals who want to work on the go. The M1 chip delivers desktop-class performance in a tablet form factor, making the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) a truly powerful and versatile device. It's capable of handling anything you throw at it, from everyday tasks to demanding creative workflows.

Camera and Audio: A Multimedia Powerhouse

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) isn't just about raw power; it also shines when it comes to multimedia capabilities. The camera system is surprisingly good for a tablet. It features a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera. The Ultra Wide camera enables features like Center Stage, which automatically pans and zooms to keep you in the frame during video calls. This is a great feature for video conferencing and online learning. The image quality is excellent, with good detail and color accuracy. The cameras also perform well in low-light conditions. The iPad Pro can record video in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. The video quality is also excellent, with good stabilization and dynamic range. The audio quality is equally impressive. The iPad Pro features a four-speaker audio system that delivers rich and immersive sound. The speakers are well-balanced and provide good stereo separation. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the audio quality is excellent. The iPad Pro also has five studio-quality microphones, which are great for recording audio and video. The microphones capture clear and crisp audio, even in noisy environments. This is a great feature for content creators who need to record high-quality audio on the go. The combination of excellent cameras, high-quality audio, and a stunning display makes the iPad Pro a multimedia powerhouse. It's perfect for watching movies, listening to music, playing games, and creating content. Whether you're a casual user or a creative professional, you'll appreciate the multimedia capabilities of the iPad Pro. The Center Stage feature is especially useful for video calls and online meetings. It automatically keeps you in the frame, even if you move around. This makes it easier to stay engaged during video calls and presentations. The iPad Pro is also great for editing photos and videos. The large display provides plenty of screen real estate, and the M1 chip provides plenty of power for demanding editing tasks. You can easily edit photos and videos on the go, without having to rely on a desktop computer.

Accessories: Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard

To truly unlock the potential of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021), you'll want to consider investing in some accessories. The two most popular accessories are the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and the Magic Keyboard. The Apple Pencil is a must-have for creative professionals and anyone who likes to take handwritten notes. It's incredibly responsive and accurate, and it feels just like writing on paper. The Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly. It also supports features like tilt and pressure sensitivity, allowing you to create a variety of different brushstrokes. The Magic Keyboard is a keyboard case that attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro. It features a full-size keyboard, a trackpad, and a built-in stand. The Magic Keyboard provides a comfortable and efficient typing experience. The trackpad supports multi-touch gestures, allowing you to navigate the iPad Pro quickly and easily. The Magic Keyboard also has a USB-C port, which you can use to charge the iPad Pro or connect to other accessories. The Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are both expensive accessories, but they're well worth the investment if you plan to use the iPad Pro for creative work or productivity tasks. They transform the iPad Pro into a powerful and versatile tool. The Apple Pencil is great for drawing, sketching, painting, and taking handwritten notes. The Magic Keyboard is great for typing documents, writing emails, and browsing the web. Both accessories are well-designed and integrate seamlessly with the iPad Pro. They're also very portable, making it easy to take the iPad Pro with you on the go. If you're serious about using the iPad Pro for work or creative projects, I highly recommend investing in the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. They'll significantly enhance your productivity and creativity. They truly elevate the iPad Pro experience, making it more like a laptop replacement than just a tablet.

Who is it for?

So, who is the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) really for? It's not a cheap device, so it's important to consider whether it fits your needs and budget. This iPad is ideal for creative professionals such as graphic designers, photographers, video editors, and musicians. The powerful M1 chip, stunning display, and support for accessories like the Apple Pencil make it a great tool for creating content on the go. Students and educators can also benefit from the iPad Pro. It's great for taking notes, reading textbooks, and collaborating on projects. The Apple Pencil makes it easy to annotate documents and diagrams, and the Magic Keyboard makes it easy to type papers and reports. Business professionals who need a portable and versatile device for work will also appreciate the iPad Pro. It's great for checking email, attending video conferences, and working on documents. The Magic Keyboard makes it easy to type emails and reports, and the long battery life ensures that you can work all day without needing to recharge. Gamers who want a high-performance gaming device will also enjoy the iPad Pro. The M1 chip provides plenty of power for demanding games, and the 120Hz ProMotion display provides a smooth and responsive gaming experience. Casual users who just want a large-screen tablet for browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games might find the iPad Pro to be overkill. There are other, more affordable tablets that can handle these tasks just fine. However, if you value performance, display quality, and features like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, the iPad Pro is worth considering. Ultimately, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) is a premium device that's designed for users who need a powerful and versatile tablet for work, creativity, or entertainment. If you fall into one of these categories, it's definitely worth checking out.

Final Verdict: Is it Worth the Hype?

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) is undoubtedly a top-of-the-line tablet. It boasts a stunning display, blazing-fast performance, and a versatile design. But is it worth the hefty price tag? For creative professionals, the answer is a resounding yes. The combination of the M1 chip, Liquid Retina XDR display, and support for accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard makes it a powerful and versatile tool for creating content on the go. For students and educators, the iPad Pro is also a great choice. It's perfect for taking notes, reading textbooks, and collaborating on projects. The Apple Pencil makes it easy to annotate documents and diagrams, and the Magic Keyboard makes it easy to type papers and reports. For business professionals, the iPad Pro is a great choice for staying productive on the go. It's perfect for checking email, attending video conferences, and working on documents. The Magic Keyboard makes it easy to type emails and reports, and the long battery life ensures that you can work all day without needing to recharge. For casual users, the iPad Pro might be overkill. There are other, more affordable tablets that can handle everyday tasks just fine. However, if you value performance, display quality, and features like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, the iPad Pro is worth considering. Overall, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) is a fantastic tablet that's well worth the hype. It's a powerful and versatile device that can handle anything you throw at it. If you're looking for the best tablet on the market, the iPad Pro is definitely worth considering.