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For a long time, many tech enthusiasts, including myself, believed purchasing a new iPad at full price never made much sense. After all, you’re paying more than an equivalently spec’d MacBook, only to get less capability. It always seemed that iPadOS was the key limiting factor for the iPad, rather than the hardware itself. But after using the M4 iPad Pro for nearly nine months, my perspective has completely shifted. Here’s a closer look at what makes the M4 iPad Pro stand out and why itās worth considering for those on the fence about upgrading.
The M4 iPad Pro: A New Kind of Experience
What sets the M4 iPad Pro apart from its predecessors is the screen. While the M4 MacBook Pro has a high-quality 1000-nit mini-LED display, it still canāt match the OLED screen found on the M4 iPad Pro. The tandem OLED display is simply spectacular, offering better contrast, colors, and brightness than any MacBook can deliver. Though iPadOS hasn’t significantly changed over the past few years, the improved display makes the iPad far more enjoyable and easier to use daily.
Moreover, the M4 iPad Pro is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, making it more portable and easier to handle. The 11-inch model is just 0.6mm thinner and 20 grams lighter, while the 13-inch version is 1.3mm thinner and 100 grams lighter. When youāre holding a tablet for long periods, these slight changes really make a difference in comfort and usability.
Personal Experience: Simplicity Over Complexity
While experimenting with iPadOS features like Stage Manager, Iāve found that I prefer the simplicity of split-screen multitasking. Stage Manager can be useful for some, but I believe that the beauty of the iPad lies in its ease of use. The simplicity of the interface, especially in split-screen mode, helps me focus and be more productive.
Another standout feature of the M4 iPad Pro is its battery life. Despite Apple claiming 10 hours of web browsing, the actual battery performance on the M4 iPad Pro has exceeded expectations. Iāve experienced exceptional standby time, with the iPad holding battery life even after several days of not being used.
The M4 iPad Pro shines when used for lighter tasks like web browsing, social media, messaging, and photo editing. While it’s not a MacBook Pro and doesn’t aim to be one, it excels in the areas it’s meant for, offering a great experience within its own ecosystem.
Is the Price Justified?
When it comes to the cost, I must admit, I ended up buying a \$999 iPad (without any upgrades) primarily for the impressive display and the ability to handle basic tasks. While cheaper iPads are availableāsuch as the iPad Air for \$699, which offers a 60Hz LCD displayāthe M4 iPad Proās display is a major upgrade, making the extra cost worth it for those who prioritize screen quality.
However,
What Undercode Says:
From an analytical perspective, the key to understanding the M4 iPad Pro’s appeal lies in its display. The OLED screen on the iPad has raised the bar for tablet displays, something Appleās other devices, like the MacBook Pro, still lack. This makes the iPad Pro more desirable for users who prioritize screen quality for tasks like media consumption, content creation, or even casual web browsing.
The weight and thinness reductions are small on paper but significant in practice. A tablet’s portability is a crucial factor when deciding on a purchase, and these incremental improvements translate into a far more comfortable experience for prolonged use.
In terms of software, iPadOS still has some catching up to do in terms of multitasking features. Stage Manager, while promising, doesnāt yet offer the flexibility or efficiency of macOS, especially for power users who need more robust functionality. However, the simplicity of the system is something many users appreciate, and itās this aspect that likely explains the continued popularity of the iPad Pro despite the lack of software innovations.
The overall battery performance on the M4 iPad Pro is another key selling point. Users have been consistently reporting longer battery life, especially with standby time, making the iPad a reliable companion for day-to-day tasks. This improvement only adds to the deviceās allure as a highly portable and long-lasting option for people who want a more mobile computing experience.
Finally, while the iPad Pro and MacBook may seem like competitors, itās important to recognize that they serve different purposes. The iPad is ideal for light, mobile computing, while the MacBook excels in heavy-duty tasks. The combination of the two, rather than choosing one over the other, can be a powerful productivity setup.
Fact-Checker Results:
Appleās battery life claims of 10 hours for web browsing have been corroborated by user reviews, though the M4 iPad Pro has exceeded expectations with its impressive standby time.
The M4 iPad Pro display is indeed superior to the M4 MacBook Proās mini-LED screen, providing better brightness, color accuracy, and contrast.
Stage Manager remains a feature in need of refinement, with users preferring split-screen multitasking for simplicity and ease of use.
Prediction:
Looking ahead, Appleās plans to update iPadOS to be āmore like macOSā in the upcoming iPadOS 19 could bring major changes to the deviceās functionality. This shift may appeal to users who seek more advanced multitasking and desktop-like capabilities. However, for those who appreciate the iPadās current simplicity, this move could dilute what makes the device so enjoyable for casual use. As the line between iPad and MacBook continues to blur, the future may see users enjoying the best of both worlds, with each device complementing the other.
References:
Reported By: 9to5mac.com
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