iPad Pro 12.9 M2 to the test, our impressions. Strange fate, that of this iPad Pro 12.9 with M2 processor. We got it right away because it is the most powerful computer of this generation of iPad, it has all the traits to be a real bomb (and indeed it is) but it was almost ignored simply because it is an update of the previous iPad Pro M1.
Apple renews and improves the iCloud.com interface
In fact, this in our opinion is a huge mistake of perspective. Of course, if you own an iPad Pro M1, taking another tablet that is virtually identical doesn’t make sense. But the reasoning must be aimed at those who do not have an iPad Pro and want to buy the best available on the market. That maximum must absolutely have an M2 processor and Apple has done the right thing to insert it without wasting time renewing a design that is destined to change but certainly not this year.
Features
M2 for iPad means CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 cores for efficiency, GPU with 10 cores and Neural Engine with 16 cores. Furthermore, the memory (8 or 16 GB) has a bandwidth of 100 GBps. These are substantial changes compared to the previous M1 which has a similar formal count of cores (CPU 8, GPU only 8, however, and NR 16) but does not have the same bandwidth. In addition, the M2 SoC media engine allows you to do many more things: H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration; video decoding engine; video encoding engine; ProRes encoding and decoding engine.
Battery performance is incredibly the same with at least a fifth of performance improvement.
The other novelty, which depends on the M2 chip and the software, is the Apple Pencil operating mode without contact, that is, it moves one centimeter and a few millimeters above the text, leaving a halo that the different software use for different functions ( brushstroke preview, watercolor effect etc).
The rest is all the same up to the weight and dimensions, which are identical. It is one of the cases in which one cannot complain at least that Apple has not messed with the compatibility of accessories and especially of the covers, since the keyboard with integrated support costs 429 euros.
Incredible display
One of the reasons to buy this iPad is certainly the processor which, backed by enough memory, is a bomb. But the display is the other reason: it does not change compared to the one with M1 but it is worth remembering how it is made.
Liquid Retina XDR with 12.9 ″ (diagonal) mini ‑ LED backlit Multi ‑ Touch with IPS technology, 2732 × 2048 pixels at 264 ppi, maximum SDR brightness at 600 nits, maximum XDR brightness: 1000 nits full screen, 1600 nits peak (HDR only), ProMotion technology, P3 (wide color gamut), True Tone.
Remember that USB-C is compatible with Thunderbolt / Usb 4, that the WiFi block is now Wi ‑ Fi 6E (and no longer 6) with 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax 2.4GH and 5GHz for have simultaneous dual band up to 2.4 Gbps (M1 stops at 1.2 Gbps) and that the cellular part has the limit that “cuts” the Gsm-Edge network. Bluetooth goes from 5.0 to 5.3.
Video recording goes up to ProRes up to 4K and 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps on models with 128GB of storage) which, on the other hand, with M1 stops at 4K 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps.
On the road for now
Putting this iPad on the road in the 1 terabyte SSD configuration is a thrill. The tablet is a real full-fledged computer. It weighs 684 grams more than the keyboard (it is almost a paradox but weighs slightly more than the iPad: 710 grams) that is a total of 1 Kg and 394 grams, but a MacBook Air M2 weighs “only” 1 Kg w 240 grams.
In everything we have made it do it has impressive performance. It is an ultra-compact and extremely balanced workstation if it can be used in a production chain that allows you to exclude traditional computers and take advantage of the hardware features and the iPad operating system.
It is certainly half a disappointment that the iPad Pro still has a 2018 design and that the device does not benefit from some features that the new 10th generation iPad has received, such as a horizontal FaceTime camera and a Magic Keyboard with function keys. The latter is certainly a function appreciated not only by those who often write but also by programmers, for example, who use the function keys (and the Esc key) more frequently than most other users.
What do we think?
The limitations of iPadOS are slowly refining, there are also those who argue that within a year or two there will be significant advances such as to bring iPadOS closer to macOS. Of course, for now on iPad Stage Manager, the new manager of the multitasking interface environment, is not yet ready to make a difference compared to other types of approach, such as the traditional one of overlapping windows on Mac and Windows. However, this iPad has all the right features and functions to keep going with what it has available for a long time, despite the design from four years ago.
The addition of the pen that “touches” the screen to activate images such as the preview of the effect of a drawing is considered by those who carry out artistic works a notable change and, waiting for Apple to present an iPad Plus for those who need less power and low cost but of a big screen, this is definitely the best solution for digital artists. Furthermore, with the arrival of other software for video and photo production, and thanks to the possibility of purchasing a model with even 2 Terabytes of space, the “large” iPad Pro has also become a tool for the productivity of photographers in the field. and videomakers who can count on important budgets and need the highest quality and versatility.
This iPad Pro 12.9 M2 is the tool on which we would feel we can count if we were to carry out a photographic set with high quality devices (which produce raw files of 100 and more megapixels) and we needed the maximum autonomy and flexibility, as well as the quality that iPad can deliver.
iPad Pro 2022, pricing and availability
The new iPad Pro 2022 can be ordered from October 18 through the Apple Store app in 28 countries and territories, including Italy; will be available in stores starting Wednesday 26 October. The new iPad Pro 11 “and 12.9” will be available in silver and space gray with capacities of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB starting from 1069 euros (VAT included) for the Wi-Fi model and from 1269 € (VAT included) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model;
iPad Pro 12.9 ″ is on sale starting from € 1469 (VAT included) for the Wi-Fi model and from € 1669 (VAT included) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.