Expert review Apple iPad Pro (2021)
First impression of the Apple iPad Pro (2021)
The Design of the iPad Pro (2021) is similar to that of its predecessor, the iPad Pro (2020). I tested the 12.9-inch version for this review, and I'm impressed. The screen is large, so I need 2 hands to hold this device. Thanks to the matte finish of the back and sides, I can firmly hold the iPad Pro 2021 and it doesn't slide out of my hands. Despite the size, the tablet isn't heavy. In the packaging, I find a 20W USB-C charger, a USB-C cable of 1m, and some booklets.
Suitable for the most demanding tasks thanks to the M1 chip
With the Apple M1 chip, any type of app opens in no time. Both creative apps by Adobe and Safari open instantly. You can effortlessly multitask with the iPad Pro (2021). With 16GB of RAM, the tablet smoothly switches from one app to the other. Another advantage of the large RAM is that apps that have been opened for a while don't have to restart completely. Thanks to this, I don't have to wait when I want to continue working in an app that's been open for a while.
Bright and sharp 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
The large 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is nice to look at. The colors pop on the screen when I watch movies and series via Netflix in Dolby Vision or HDR 10. Because everything is so sharp, the contrast is high. Even the smallest details catch my eye. Thanks to the mini LED technology, the tablet switches off various LEDs when necessary. As a result, black is really black. The screen of the 11-inch version of the iPad Pro (2021) doesn't have this technology.
Fast data transfer thanks to Thunderbolt
The USB-C connector supports Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4.0. Thanks to this, peripherals work even faster. You can import and export your files from and to an external hard drive in no time, for example. You can also connect a 4K screen. I was hoping to get extra screen space by connecting an external monitor. Unfortunately, I see the exact same image both on the iPad Pro (2021) and the external screen, just larger.
True Depth selfie camera with 'Center Stage'
The camera island on the back hasn't changed compared to the iPad Pro (2020). I spot the standard lens, wide-angle lens, and the LiDAR scanner. With the camera, I take reasonable photos. It's a bummer I can't take portraits with a depth-of-field effect, even though the tablet has a dual lens. The greatest change is the True Depth selfie camera. While making a video call, I notice the camera keeps me in the center all the time, even when I move around. Apple calls this function 'Center Stage'.
Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
Magic Keyboard is a nice addition to the iPad Pro (2021). The keyboard and trackpad work just like on my MacBook. A great advantage is that the Magic Keyboard works right away when I connect it to the smart connector. The Magic Keyboard also protects the back and the screen when I close the cover. With the Apple Pencil, I draw and make sketches in Adobe Fresco, for example. The stylus is touch-sensitive. This means I can switch between a pencil and eraser by tapping the Apple Pencil 2 twice.
Conclusion
The Apple iPad Pro (2021) is made for the demanding user that wants to get the most out of their iPad. With the M1 chip, the tablet has a lot of power that allows you to edit your photos and videos quickly. The large 12.9-inch screen is useful for multitasking. You can easily open 2 apps side by side. Do you want the iPad Pro (2021) as a replacement for your laptop? I recommend the Magic Keyboard. For creative people, the Apple Pencil 2 is a nice addition.
