Apple iPad Pro Apple 13" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 256GB, Review
The iPad Pro M5 has the best screen on any tablet and performance that shames laptops. But its high price and iPadOS limits make it a tough sell for most people.
Overview
The new 13-inch iPad Pro with the M5 chip is basically a desktop computer in tablet form. It's got that stunning OLED screen and power to burn, making it feel like the future. But it's still running iPadOS, which means you're stuck in Apple's walled garden for software.
Performance
Performance is a monster. The M5 chip puts it in the 94th percentile for both CPU and GPU, so nothing you throw at it will slow it down. Creative apps and games fly. The screen is its star feature, hitting the 98th percentile with incredible brightness and color. The only real letdown is the battery life, which is just average at the 50th percentile. It won't last as long as you'd hope for a device this expensive.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That OLED screen is absolutely gorgeous and best-in-class. 100th
- The M5 chip delivers insane, desktop-level performance. 100th
- Incredibly thin and light for the power it packs. 97th
- Perfect for artists and designers with the Apple Pencil. 96th
Cons
- Battery life is just okay, not great for the price.
- You're still limited by iPadOS, not a full desktop OS.
- Very expensive, especially once you add the keyboard and pen.
- Weakest area is for business tasks compared to competitors.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Apple M5 |
| Cores | 10 |
| GPU | Apple (10-Core) |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| Expandable | No |
Display
| Size | 13" |
| Resolution | 2752 |
| Panel | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1000 nits |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Cellular | No |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
| Fingerprint Reader | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
| OS | iPadOS |
Value & Pricing
It's hard to call this a good value. Starting around $1200 for just the tablet, it's a huge investment. You get a phenomenal screen and unmatched power in this form factor, but you're paying a massive premium for the Apple logo and design. For most people, it's overkill.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, you get a much better screen and more raw power with the M5, but you lose the flexibility of Windows. The Samsung Tab S10 Ultra has a bigger screen and might be better for media, but its processor isn't as fast. If you need a true laptop replacement for work, the Surface is the better pick. If you live in Apple's ecosystem and want the ultimate creative tablet, this is it.
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro Apple 13" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 256GB, | Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung 12.4" Galaxy Tab S10+ 256GB Multi-Touch | Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | HP GPD Win MAX 2 2025 Handheld Gaming PC with AMD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M5 | Apple M5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, QCM8650 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 32 | 12 | 16 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 512 | 1000 | 256 | 256 | 2048 |
| Screen | 13" 2752x2064 | 11" 2420x1668 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 10.1" 1920x1200 |
| OS | iPadOS | iPadOS | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home |
| Stylus | true | true | true | true | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a professional artist, designer, or editor who needs a portable powerhouse and loves the Apple Pencil. It's the best creative tablet money can buy. For everyone else, especially if you need to do real business work, a Surface Pro or even a MacBook Air will give you more for your money.