Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M4 Chip (Standard Glass, 1TB, Review

The 11-inch iPad Pro with the M4 chip is Apple's latest attempt to make a tablet that can replace your laptop. It's got that new OLED screen, which is stunning, and the M4 chip is ridiculously fast for a device this thin and light. But it's still running iPadOS, so you're stuck in Apple's walled garden for software.

The M4 chip is a monster. It scores in the 89th percentile for CPU performance and 88th for GPU, so it handles everything from 4K video editing to 3D modeling without breaking a sweat. The 11-inch OLED screen is gorgeous, hitting 1000 nits and a smooth 120Hz. The only real letdown is the battery life, which lands right in the middle of the pack at the 50th percentile. It's good, but not amazing for a device this expensive.

You're looking at a price range of $1499 to $1799 for this 1TB config. That's a lot of money for a tablet, even one this powerful. The value really depends on what you need. If you're an artist or designer who lives in Procreate, or someone who needs a super-portable video editing machine, it might be worth it. For everyone else, it's a tough sell. Shop around, because that $300 price spread means you can find a better deal.

Compared to the 13-inch iPad Pro, you're getting the same core experience in a more portable size, but you lose some screen real estate. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is its direct Windows competitor; you get a full desktop OS and more flexibility, but the Apple M4 chip will run circles around the Snapdragon X Elite in raw power. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has a bigger, amazing screen and better multitasking with Android, but its chip can't touch the M4. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, this is the tablet to get. If you need a true laptop replacement, the Surface is still the better bet.

Buy this if you're an Apple loyalist who needs the absolute best tablet performance and display for creative work, and you're okay with iPadOS limits. Don't buy it if you need a true laptop replacement, you're on a budget, or you just want a device for watching movies and browsing the web.