Apple iPad Pro 11" 2020 Space Gray Review

The 2020 iPad Pro 11-inch is a tablet that still punches above its weight in some key areas. Its 256GB of storage lands in the 74th percentile, which is generous for a device this size, and the overall feature set sits in the 79th percentile. That means you're getting a lot of the Pro trimmings, like the LiDAR scanner, quad speakers, and USB-C, even if the core silicon is a few generations old now.

Where it starts to show its age is in the raw numbers. The A12Z chip's CPU and GPU performance land in the 40th and 41st percentiles respectively. That's fine for general tasks, but it's not going to keep up with newer Pro models or high-end Windows tablets. The 11-inch screen, while a great Liquid Retina panel, only ranks in the 30th percentile for size, which is something to consider if you're planning on doing serious art or split-screen work.

Performance is this iPad's mixed bag. The A12Z Bionic chip and 6GB of RAM get the job done for daily productivity and creative apps, but they're squarely in the middle of the pack now. You're looking at CPU and GPU scores that are about average compared to all tablets we track. That translates to smooth scrolling and app switching, but you might hit some limits with heavier video editing or 3D design workflows.

The 10-hour battery life is decent, sitting near the median at the 48th percentile. You'll get through a workday, but you won't be setting any endurance records. Where it shines is in the connectivity and accessory department. Wi-Fi 6 support and that full USB-C port give you plenty of options for hooking up drives, monitors, or other gear, which is a big plus for a tablet from 2020.

At around $368, the value proposition is interesting. You're getting a well-built tablet with premium features like Face ID, great speakers, and Pencil support for a fraction of the cost of a new iPad Pro. The trade-off is performance that's now several generations behind. For someone who needs a capable digital notebook, media consumption device, or secondary screen, it's a solid deal. But if your workflow needs cutting-edge speed, that money might be better spent on a newer base model iPad or a competing Android tablet with a faster chip.

Stacked up against the competition, it's a story of features versus raw power. The newer 13-inch iPad Pro with an M-series chip will run circles around it in CPU and GPU tasks, but it costs three or four times as much. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 offers a full Windows experience and likely better performance, but it's heavier and more expensive. Against something like a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, you lose out on the high-refresh-rate screen and probably some multi-window flexibility, but you gain the Apple ecosystem and accessory support. It's a capable device if your needs align with its specific strengths.

The 2020 iPad Pro 11-inch is a good pick if you find one at the right price and your needs are specific. Its high feature score and generous storage make it excellent as a portable creative canvas with the Pencil or a compact typing machine with a keyboard. But with CPU and GPU performance sitting at the 40th percentile, don't buy it expecting a speed demon. For students, note-takers, and casual creators who value the Apple ecosystem and premium build over having the latest silicon, it's a compelling option. Just know its limits going in.