Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 1TB, Review

This 11-inch iPad Pro with the M5 chip is basically a desktop computer that forgot how to be a laptop. It's incredibly powerful, but you're paying a premium for that power in a form factor that still runs iPadOS. The one thing you need to know? If you're an artist or designer, this is your new digital canvas. It's nearly perfect for that. For everyone else, it's a fantastic tablet that might be overkill.

The M5 chip is a monster. Everything feels instant. Apps launch before you finish tapping, and you can have a dozen design apps open without a stutter. The GPU lands in the 94th percentile, so rendering complex illustrations or 3D models is smooth. The real star is that OLED screen. At 1000 nits, colors pop with an intensity that makes other tablets look washed out. It's stunning.

It's not worth it for most people. At around $1500, you're buying a luxury item. You're paying for the best possible screen and chip in a tablet, but the software holds it back from being a true laptop replacement. The value is only there if your work absolutely requires that specific combination of power and portability with a stylus.

Compared to the 13-inch iPad Pro, you're trading screen real estate for portability. If you draw or design on the go, the 11-inch is the better pick. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the real competitor for productivity. It runs full Windows, has a kickstand, and similar performance, but its LCD screen can't touch this OLED. The Samsung Tab S10 Ultra has a bigger, beautiful screen for media, but its software and app ecosystem for creatives isn't as polished as Apple's.

Buy this if you're a digital artist or designer who needs the ultimate portable studio. The screen and pen experience are unmatched. For general productivity or entertainment, it's hard to recommend over a laptop or a cheaper tablet. You're buying a Ferrari to drive in a school zone.