Apple iPad Pro Apple iPad Pro (2017) 10.5in 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet, Review

So you're looking at a refurbished 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch. It's a classic, and for good reason. This is the model that really cemented the Pro line as a serious tool, not just a big iPad. It's got that gorgeous 10.5-inch Retina display, support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, and it runs the latest iPadOS. For under $250, it's a tempting way to get into the Apple ecosystem or grab a secondary device. People often ask if an older iPad Pro is still worth it, especially for drawing or note-taking. The short answer is yes, but with some important caveats we'll get into.

Powering this iPad is Apple's A10X Fusion chip. In our benchmarks, its CPU and GPU performance both land in the 71st percentile against all tablets, which is impressive for a seven-year-old device. In practice, that means it still feels snappy for everyday tasks. You can browse the web, stream video, and jump between apps without much lag. It handles light photo editing and drawing in apps like Procreate just fine. But, and this is a big but, that 31st percentile RAM score means it can't keep as many apps open in the background as newer models. You might find apps reloading more often if you're a heavy multitasker.

At around $241, the value proposition is clear. You're getting a premium iPad Pro build, a fantastic screen, and Apple Pencil support for less than the price of a new base model iPad. The 1-year Apple warranty on the refurb is a huge plus. The main trade-off is future-proofing. It's already seven years old, so major iOS updates might not last much longer. If your budget is tight and you need Pencil support now, it's a steal. If you can stretch to a newer base iPad or a used iPad Air, you'll get more life out of your purchase.

Let's stack it up against some obvious alternatives. The modern base iPad (10th gen) costs more but gives you a newer chip, USB-C, and longer software support. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a strong Android competitor in this price range, often with more storage and a high refresh rate screen. Compared to the newer iPad Pros on the list, like the 13-inch M4 model, it's not even a contest on raw power or screen tech, but those cost over ten times as much. The real competition for this 2017 Pro is other used or refurbished iPads, like the 2018 iPad Pro or the iPad Air 3, which might offer a bit more performance or storage for a similar price if you shop around.

Should you buy this 2017 iPad Pro? It depends entirely on your needs and budget. If you're an artist on a tight budget who needs Apple Pencil support right now, or you just want a great secondary screen for watching videos and browsing, this refurbished model is a fantastic deal. The experience is still premium where it counts. But if you need this as your primary, do-everything device, plan to use it for several more years, or need more than 64GB of storage, you'll likely regret not spending a bit more for something newer. For the right person, it's a little slice of iPad Pro history that still works great.