iPad Pro M4 Review: The Ultimate Creative Tablet

iPad Pro M4 Review: The Ultimate Creative Tablet

Apple’s iPad Pro M4 represents the pinnacle of tablet computing, featuring the powerful M4 chip, stunning OLED display technology, and enhanced Apple Pencil Pro support. After extensive testing across creative and productivity workflows, here’s our detailed review.

Design: Thinner and Lighter

The iPad Pro M4 achieves remarkable thinness while maintaining durability:

Physical Specifications:

  • 11-inch model: 5.3mm thin, 444g weight
  • 13-inch model: 5.1mm thin, 582g weight
  • Available in Silver and Space Black
  • Premium aluminum construction
  • Flat edges with USB-C Thunderbolt port

Design Philosophy: The impossibly thin profile doesn’t compromise structural integrity. The device feels solid and premium, with excellent build quality throughout. The flat edges provide a modern aesthetic while improving Apple Pencil attachment.

Display: OLED Excellence

The new OLED display technology is transformative:

Display Features:

  • Tandem OLED technology for improved brightness
  • 1000 nits full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak HDR
  • True Tone and ProMotion up to 120Hz
  • P3 wide color gamut with exceptional accuracy
  • Nano-texture option available on 1TB+ models

Visual Impact: The OLED upgrade delivers perfect blacks, incredible contrast, and vibrant colors. HDR content looks stunning, and the improved brightness makes outdoor use more practical. Colors are accurate enough for professional creative work.

Performance: M4 Chip Dominance

The M4 chip provides desktop-class performance in a tablet form factor:

M4 Specifications:

  • CPU: 9-core or 10-core options
  • GPU: 10-core with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
  • Neural Engine: 16-core for AI tasks
  • Memory: 8GB-16GB unified memory options
  • Storage: 256GB-2TB configurations

Real-World Performance:

  • Video editing: 4K ProRes editing in LumaFusion runs smoothly
  • Photo editing: Large RAW files in Lightroom process instantly
  • 3D rendering: Blender and other 3D apps run remarkably well
  • Gaming: Console-quality games with ray tracing support
  • Multitasking: Stage Manager handles multiple apps effortlessly

Apple Pencil Pro: Enhanced Creativity

The new Apple Pencil Pro introduces several game-changing features:

New Features:

  • Squeeze gesture for tool switching
  • Barrel roll for rotating brushes and tools
  • Haptic feedback for tactile responses
  • Hover preview shows tool effects before touching
  • Find My support for locating misplaced pencils

Creative Experience: The Apple Pencil Pro feels natural and responsive, with virtually no latency. The new gestures speed up creative workflows significantly, especially in apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco.

Magic Keyboard: Laptop-Like Experience

The redesigned Magic Keyboard improves the laptop experience:

Keyboard Features:

  • Function row with brightness, volume controls
  • Larger trackpad with improved palm rejection
  • Cantilever design for better viewing angles
  • Backlit keys with adjustable brightness
  • Premium materials with aluminum palm rest

Typing Experience: The keyboard provides excellent tactile feedback with good key travel. The larger trackpad makes cursor control more precise, approaching MacBook-level usability.

Camera System: Professional Capability

The camera system supports professional workflows:

Camera Specifications:

  • Main camera: 12MP with Smart HDR 4
  • Ultra Wide: 10MP with True Tone flash
  • LiDAR scanner for AR and improved focus
  • Front camera: 12MP Ultra Wide with Center Stage

Professional Features:

  • ProRes video recording up to 4K
  • Document scanning with excellent quality
  • 3D scanning capabilities with LiDAR
  • Center Stage keeps you in frame during video calls

Battery Life: All-Day Performance

Battery performance varies by usage but generally excellent:

Battery Specifications:

  • 11-inch: Up to 10 hours web browsing
  • 13-inch: Up to 10 hours web browsing
  • USB-C charging with 20W adapter included
  • Fast charging: 0-50% in about 45 minutes

Real-World Usage:

  • Creative work: 6-8 hours with intensive apps
  • Media consumption: 8-10 hours video playback
  • Light productivity: Full day with moderate use
  • Standby time: Excellent power management

Software: iPadOS Capabilities

iPadOS continues to evolve toward pro-level functionality:

Key Features:

  • Stage Manager for advanced multitasking
  • External display support up to 6K resolution
  • Desktop-class apps including Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro
  • File management with external storage support
  • Universal Control for seamless Mac integration

Professional Apps:

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
  • Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro (iPad versions)
  • AutoCAD, Vectorworks for technical drawing
  • Microsoft Office suite with full functionality

Pros and Cons

Pros ✅

  • Exceptional M4 chip performance
  • Stunning OLED display with perfect blacks
  • Ultra-thin and lightweight design
  • Apple Pencil Pro with innovative features
  • Excellent build quality and materials
  • Desktop-class creative applications
  • Great battery life for intensive tasks
  • Professional camera capabilities
  • Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectivity

Cons ❌

  • Very expensive, especially with accessories
  • Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro sold separately
  • iPadOS still has some limitations vs. macOS
  • Limited RAM on base configurations
  • No headphone jack
  • Files app still needs improvement
  • Some professional workflows still require macOS

Who Should Buy This?

Perfect for:

  • Digital artists and illustrators
  • Video editors and content creators
  • Photographers needing portable editing
  • Students and note-takers
  • Business professionals wanting tablet flexibility
  • Anyone wanting the ultimate iPad experience

Consider alternatives if: You need full desktop software compatibility or have budget constraints.

Configuration Recommendations

For Students/Casual Users: 11-inch, 256GB, 8GB RAM ($999) + Apple Pencil Pro ($129)

For Professionals: 13-inch, 1TB, 16GB RAM ($1,899) + Magic Keyboard ($349) + Apple Pencil Pro ($129)

Comparison with MacBook Air

iPad Pro M4 Advantages:

  • Touch screen and Apple Pencil support
  • More portable and versatile form factor
  • Better for creative tasks and note-taking
  • Longer battery life for media consumption

MacBook Air Advantages:

  • Full macOS software compatibility
  • Better for traditional laptop tasks
  • More affordable with keyboard included
  • Superior multitasking for productivity

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.7/5 stars

The iPad Pro M4 is an exceptional device that pushes the boundaries of what a tablet can do. With desktop-class performance, a stunning OLED display, and innovative Apple Pencil Pro support, it’s the ultimate creative tablet. While expensive, it’s worth the investment for professionals and serious users.

Best for: Creative professionals, students, and anyone who wants the most capable tablet available and can utilize its advanced features.

Check Apple’s website and authorized retailers for current pricing, education discounts, and accessory bundles.