Apple 11" Space Black Review
Getting a flagship iPad Pro for less sounds great. We dug into the data on this Geek Squad refurbished M4 model to see if the trade-offs are worth it.
The 30-Second Version
A refurbished top-spec M4 iPad Pro. You get killer performance and a best-in-class OLED screen for less money. Worth it for Apple fans on a budget, but know you're buying last year's model with a short warranty.
Overview
This is a refurbished 11-inch iPad Pro with the M4 chip, 1TB of storage, and cellular connectivity. It's the top-tier iPad Pro from the last generation, now at a lower price point thanks to the Geek Squad refurbishment.
You're getting the same outrageous M4 performance and stunning OLED display as a brand-new model. The catch is you're buying a refurb, which means a shorter 90-day warranty and the fact that a newer M5 iPad Pro now exists.
Performance
The M4 chip is still a monster. It's in the 92nd percentile for CPU power, which means it's one of the best on the market and will handle any app or game you throw at it without breaking a sweat. The OLED screen is also a standout, with perfect blacks and vibrant colors. The weak spots are the battery life, which is just about average, and the connectivity. It lacks some of the newer ports and features you might find on competing tablets, which drags its feature score down.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong storage (94th percentile) 94th
- Strong cpu (94th percentile) 94th
- Strong gpu (92th percentile) 92th
- Strong ram (91th percentile) 91th
Cons
- Below average connectivity (20th percentile) 20th
- Below average feature (24th percentile) 24th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Cores | 10 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 1000 GB |
Display
| Size | 11" |
| Resolution | 2420 |
| Panel | OLED |
Physical
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| OS | Apple iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
At around $1000, the value proposition is a mixed bag. You're getting flagship-tier specs (M4, OLED, 1TB) for a mid-range price, which is great. But you're also buying a last-gen, refurbished device with a short warranty. If having the absolute latest specs isn't critical, this is a powerful way to get into the iPad Pro ecosystem for less cash.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up, it's interesting. Against the newer M5 iPad Pro, you're saving money but missing out on the latest chip and potentially better battery efficiency. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ offers a more desktop-like Android experience and often better multitasking. The Microsoft Surface Pro is a full Windows PC in a similar form factor, making it better for real productivity work. This M4 iPad Pro sits in a sweet spot for Apple fans who want pro-level power and that incredible screen without paying the brand-new premium.
| Spec | Apple 11" | Samsung Galaxy Tab S Samsung 14.6" Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra 1TB Multi-Touch | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft 13" Surface Pro Copilot+ PC (11th | Lenovo Idea Tab Lenovo - Idea Tab Pro - 12.7" 3K Tablet - 8GB RAM | HP WIN MAX GPD Win MAX 2 2025 Handheld Gaming PC with AMD | Xiaomi Pad 7 PRO Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro Ai WiFi Version Global (No Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | M4 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | MediaTek Dimensity | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | 3 GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 16 | 32 | 8 | 32 | 12 |
| Storage (GB) | 1000 | 1024 | 1000 | 256 | 2048 | 512 |
| Screen | 11" 2420x1668 | 14.6" 2960x1848 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 10.1" 1920x1200 | 11.2" 3200x2136 |
| OS | Apple iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 HyperOS |
| Stylus | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Battery (Wh) | - | - | 53 | - | 67 | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Screen | Battery | Feature | Storage | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple 11" | 93.5 | 92.4 | 90.8 | 90.5 | 46.1 | 24.4 | 94.3 | 20.2 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S 14.6" 10 Ultra Compare | 73 | 73.6 | 90.8 | 95.8 | 94.9 | 99.8 | 96.6 | 96.1 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Compare | 99.6 | 98.3 | 98.3 | 97.9 | 99.8 | 94 | 94.3 | 89.5 |
| Lenovo Idea Tab Pro 12.7" 3K Compare | 44.2 | 45.8 | 75 | 92 | 94.7 | 95.6 | 74.8 | 96.1 |
| HP WIN MAX GPD Win MAX 2 2025 Handheld Compare | 98.1 | 97.7 | 97.2 | 48.8 | 99.9 | 79.2 | 99.9 | 74.2 |
| Xiaomi Pad 7 PRO Pad 7 Pro Ai Compare | 82.1 | 82.3 | 84.9 | 99.1 | 46.1 | 53.2 | 88.6 | 54 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Geek Squad refurbishment reliable?
Geek Squad Certified means it's been tested and restored to like-new condition, and it includes all original accessories. Just be aware the warranty is only 90 days.
Q: How does the M4 chip compare to the new M5?
The M4 is still incredibly fast, in the 92nd percentile. For most tasks, you won't notice a difference. The M5 is about efficiency gains and future-proofing.
Q: Can I use this like a laptop with the Magic Keyboard?
Yes, but with limits. The Magic Keyboard turns it into a great typing machine, but iPadOS still can't run full desktop apps like a Mac or Windows PC can.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need a true laptop replacement for heavy work. Our data shows its productivity score is weak. Get a Surface Pro or a MacBook Air instead. Also, avoid it if a long warranty is a must-have; 90 days isn't much for a $1000 device.
Verdict
Buy this if you're an Apple user who wants a super-powered iPad for creative work, media consumption, and light tasks, and you're comfortable with a refurbished unit to save some dough. It's perfect for artists, students who edit video, or anyone who wants the best tablet screen money can buy, just from last year.