Apple iPad Pro Apple iPad Pro 10.5in - 256GB Wifi - 2017 Model - Review

A shockingly capable renewed iPad for artists and students on a budget. Its GPU is still top-tier, making it great for drawing, but the 4GB of RAM shows its age. At ~$220, it's a fantastic value if you manage expectations.

The 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch is a classic that's still kicking, especially if you find it renewed. It's a 256GB tablet that was a powerhouse in its day, and for basic art and productivity tasks, it still holds up surprisingly well. Our data shows it scores a solid 77/100 for art and design and 75/100 for productivity, which isn't bad for a seven-year-old device. Just know you're buying into an older ecosystem. It runs an old version of iPadOS, and some modern apps might start to feel the strain.

The performance story is a mix of 'wow' and 'whoa, that's old.' Its GPU performance lands in the 99th percentile for tablets, which is wild and explains why it's still great for drawing and light photo edits. The CPU is decent at the 72nd percentile. The lowlights are the battery, which is just average, and the 4GB of RAM sitting in the 34th percentile. That RAM is the main bottleneck. You'll notice it if you try to juggle too many modern apps or browser tabs.

At around $220 renewed, the value is hard to beat if your needs are specific. You're getting a premium-feeling tablet with a great screen and stylus support for less than a budget Android tablet. The catch is the aging internals. It's worth the money if you want an iPad for Procreate, note-taking, and media, and you're okay with it potentially being a 2-3 year device. If you need it to be your primary computer for the next five years, look elsewhere.

Stacked up, it's in a weird spot. It destroys basic tablets like the Lenovo Idea Tab on performance and screen quality. But against a modern base iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+, you're trading cutting-edge speed and updates for a much lower price. The newer models will feel snappier and last longer. Compared to a Microsoft Surface, this is a pure consumption and light-creation device, not a laptop replacement. It's the budget king for Apple Pencil users.

Skip this if you need a primary device for the next 4-5 years or rely on the latest software features. The aging OS and limited RAM mean it's on borrowed time. Also, avoid it if you need a laptop replacement; a Surface or modern iPad Pro with a keyboard is a better fit for real work.

Buy this if you're an artist on a tight budget, a student who needs a great note-taking tablet, or someone who just wants a premium-feeling iPad for media and light work without the four-figure price tag. The renewed warranty helps mitigate the risk. It's a brilliant stopgap or secondary device.