Apple iPad Pro Apple iPad Pro 2018 (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) - Review

The 2018 iPad Pro is a weird one in 2025. It's a six-year-old tablet that still feels premium, thanks to that all-screen design and USB-C port Apple finally adopted. If you're looking at the $245 price tag for a renewed model, you're probably trying to decide between a brand-new budget tablet and this older, but once-flagship, Apple device. It's a classic case of buying into a past-generation ecosystem at a serious discount.

This thing is squarely for someone who wants the iPad Pro experience—the great screen, the solid build, the Apple Pencil support—but doesn't need the latest and greatest chip. Think students on a tight budget who just need a reliable note-taking machine, or artists who want a big, accurate canvas for sketching without dropping a grand. The benchmarks show its age, but for specific, focused tasks, it's still plenty capable.

What makes it interesting now is its position. It scored a 93 in the 'feature' percentile, which is wild for a device this old. That tells you the core experience—the design, the speakers, the Face ID—still holds up incredibly well against modern tablets. But then you look at the 29th percentile for storage and 32nd for RAM, and you see the compromises. You're buying a slice of 2018's high-end, with all the baggage that comes with.

Let's talk numbers. The A12X Bionic chip sits in the 40th percentile for CPU performance today. That means it's been passed by a lot of mid-range and budget chips in raw power. In practice, you'll notice this if you try to run several heavy apps at once or do intensive video editing. The 4GB of RAM (32nd percentile) is the real bottleneck here; you'll see more app reloads than on a modern iPad. But for single-threaded tasks like drawing in Procreate, browsing with a dozen tabs, or writing documents, it's still very smooth. The GPU is in the 42nd percentile, which is fine for casual gaming and drawing, but don't expect to push complex 3D models or high-frame-rate games.

The real-world takeaway is this: it feels fast for the basics, and it'll handle one demanding thing at a time just fine. Customers back this up. One 5-star reviewer specifically bought it for 'OS 18.5 upgradability' and found it great for movies and photos. But a 1-star reviewer complained about frequent freezing, which might be a sign of a worn-out renewed unit or that 4GB RAM limit hitting hard during multitasking. Your mileage will vary based on the unit's condition and how hard you push it.

At $245 for a renewed model, the value proposition is all about trading raw specs for premium feel. You're not getting a powerful chip or lots of storage. What you are getting is a design, screen, and feature set that demolished the competition in 2018 and still feels more polished than a $250 brand-new Android tablet. It's a gateway into the high-end iPad ecosystem for less than half the price of a new iPad Air.

The catch is the long-term cost. That 64GB storage might force you into paying for iCloud. You'll need to buy a first-gen Apple Pencil separately if you want to draw. And you're accepting the risk that comes with any renewed electronics—the one-star review about a sticky back and freezing is a stark reminder. But if you find a good unit from a reputable seller, you get a lot of tablet for the money.

The most direct competitor is the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro. For a similar price, you'd get a newer chip, more RAM (8GB), and a bigger 12.7-inch screen. But you'd lose the incredible app optimization of iPadOS, the seamless accessory ecosystem, and that polished, premium feel. The Lenovo is a better spec sheet; the iPad Pro is a better overall experience if you live in Apple's world.

Then there's the elephant in the room: a new base model iPad (10th gen). It costs more, but you get a newer A14 chip, more storage options, a front-facing landscape camera, and a full warranty. You also get stuck with a first-gen Pencil that charges awkwardly and a Lightning port. It's a tough call. The 2018 Pro has a vastly better screen and speakers, but the base iPad has a newer chip and peace of mind. For a student, the new iPad might be the safer bet. For an artist who values screen quality above all, the 2018 Pro could still be the pick.

If you're a student or casual user who just needs a reliable tablet for notes, streaming, and light work, and you're on a super tight budget, this 2018 iPad Pro is a compelling gamble. Prioritize buying from a seller with a strong return policy. Check that battery health is decent, and be prepared to live with 64GB. For this use case, the premium feel over a cheap Android tablet is worth the trade-offs.

However, if you're a power user, a digital artist planning heavy Procreate work, or someone who needs to future-proof their purchase, save up a bit more. The limited RAM and storage will become frustrating fast. Look at a newer iPad Air or even a certified refurbished newer Pro model. The 2018 Pro is a fantastic secondary device or a budget-conscious primary tablet for very specific, light tasks, but it's no longer a do-it-all powerhouse.