Apple iPad Pro Apple iPad Pro 10.5-inch 64GB WiFi Only, Gold Review

So you're looking at an older iPad Pro, specifically the 10.5-inch model from a few years back. It's a classic, and you can still find them on the used or refurbished market for a decent price. This thing was built for creatives and anyone who wanted a premium tablet experience back in the day, with that smooth ProMotion display and support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. What makes it interesting now is that it's a high-quality piece of hardware that's been left behind by software updates, so you're getting a lot of tablet for the money, but with some significant caveats.

The A10X Fusion chip inside still holds up okay for basic tasks. It scores in the 71st percentile for CPU and GPU performance, which means it can handle web browsing, streaming, and light creative work without too much fuss. You'll notice it in the interface, too—everything feels smooth thanks to that 120Hz ProMotion display. But that 4GB of RAM is a real bottleneck. It's only in the 31st percentile, and you'll feel it when you try to multitask or use more demanding apps. Things will start to reload in the background, and you might hit some walls with newer, heavier software.

At around $197, the value proposition is a mixed bag. On one hand, you're getting a tablet with a premium screen, great speakers, and solid build quality for a fraction of its original price. Compared to a new budget Android tablet at the same price, the iPad Pro's core experience feels much more polished. But on the other hand, you're buying into a platform that's essentially obsolete. The limited RAM, slow storage, outdated Wi-Fi, and lack of software updates are a high price to pay for that premium feel.

Let's stack it up against some obvious choices. The newer base-model iPad (10th gen) costs more new, but it gets you a modern chip, more RAM, longer software support, and USB-C. You lose the ProMotion screen and four speakers, but you gain a usable future. Compared to a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE or a Lenovo Tab P12, you're looking at Android tablets with modern specs, more RAM, and bigger screens for a similar price. They won't feel as polished as iOS, but they'll be supported for years and won't have the same performance bottlenecks. The older iPad Pro wins on pure 'feel' but loses badly on longevity and specs.

Here's who should buy this: You're on a very tight budget, you only need a tablet for media consumption, light web browsing, and maybe some old-school drawing with the first-gen Apple Pencil, and you're fully aware it's a dead-end device. It's a good screen with good speakers you can get for cheap. For everyone else, I'd steer clear. If you need it for productivity, the RAM and software limits will frustrate you. If you want a creative tool, the storage is too small. If you care about security, the lack of updates is a deal-breaker. Spend a bit more on a newer base iPad or a modern Android tablet. You'll thank yourself later.