Video Review: Using the 12.9-Inch M1 iPad Pro for Two Months

Apple in May released the new M1 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, and they're the first iPads that use Apple's M-series chips designed for Macs instead of A-series iOS chips, and the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ has an all-new mini-LED display.


We did a hands-on video back when the ‌M1‌ ‌iPad Pro‌ first came out, but MacRumors videographer Dan has been using it daily since launch, and thought he'd revisit it to give an updated review on how it has fit into his workflow and with his other devices.

If you're still on the fence about one of the ‌M1‌ iPad Pros, Dan's video is worth watching to see how it performs in day to day usage over a period of time and whether it's worth picking up.

Top Rated Comments

IllinoisCorn Avatar
35 months ago
This is the same story 10+ years in.

"It's getting better but can't completely replace by laptop yet."

And it never will. Give it up. Let it go. It's okay to use a Mac.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
35 months ago
If you could include a text review as well it would be a better fit for many of us. I can scan text much more quickly to find interesting bits.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GuruZac Avatar
35 months ago

Well thought out and presented review Dan, I will be staying with the 2018 until IOS makes use of all that POWER!
Same same. The 2018 is still more powerful than iPadOS so whats the point in spending up. Apple threw the M1 in the iPad Pro for streamlining manufacturing not for any other grand scheme. If they wanted to make the iPad Pro equally capable they could.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eorlas Avatar
35 months ago
this is a brilliant idea for a review. i'll chime in another user anecdote as well:

have had mine since launch, i was already in the market for a pro and wanted that screen size.

obviously, it's a fantastic performing device. i absolutely cant help but feel like it's restrained from its full potential given the chip that's quarterbacking its whole operation. i also cant imagine that spending the extra $700 or so markup to get the 1TB for the sake of 16gb ram is helpful in this current iteration. at that point, one is better off getting a MBP that will be better off with the same chip, and the additional ram.

as far as ipads go, bottom line is i think if it's what you're in the market for, specifically for the other features the 12.9" tier offers, then it's hardly a bad buy.

if one specifically wants the performance of the M1, a 13" mbp is the cheaper buy as it has the M1, same amount of ram, the keyboard is attached and part of the cost. it doesnt have as nice a display though, so keep that in mind.

it's all about what specifically you're buying for. purely just to make sure you have a fast ipad....i think the preceding pros were hardly sluggish.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SonOfaMac Avatar
35 months ago
Well thought out and presented review Dan, I will be staying with the 2018 until IOS makes use of all that POWER!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cronbo Avatar
35 months ago
The reviewer is a videographer and didn't speak once about the 4K camera or video editing apps available like LumaFusion 3.0 ? It doesn't matter that you don't personally use the ipad for that, perhaps your readers/viewers do, and THEY would like to know if it's worthwhile? Missed the Titanic on this one...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation, GameCube, Wii, and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...