This year, for the first time since 2010, Apple didn't update its flagship iPad. Except it did. Suddenly, the iPad Air 2 isn't Apple's classiest tablet any more. It's been overtaken by a more advanced, bigger brother.

The iPad Pro is not something you can review in a couple of days. That's not because it's a new product category or even a dramatic reimagining of one – we've all used iPads by now, and more or less understand what kinds of tasks they can do and apps they can run.

A pessimist might dismiss the iPad Pro as a "gamble," but to do so would be foolish. What the iPad Pro does and what it promises feel like inevitabilities, in many ways. Rather than a gamble, the iPad Pro is instead a bold statement from Apple about the future of computing.

The A9X chip is powerful and capable of anything you can throw at it; The 12.9-inch Retina display is gorgeous; and the new four-speaker array is welcome; Ultraportable form factor and 10-plus hours of battery life in a beautiful; svelte package; Smart Connector opens the iPad Pro to a world of new...

iOS 9 needs more consistent cross-app support and a easy file system to replace OS X for power users; Apps don't yet properly utilize the larger screen size; even some of Apple's own; Apple cheaped out with last-gen cameras and Touch ID

So, does iPad Pro do enough to replace a laptop (even a MacBook)? Some might be quick to say no, but we think it depends on the user. There are many out there who wouldn't wish to leave behind the extended power capabilities of OS X or Windows, and certain heavy laptop users may dismiss the notion...

A big, beautiful screen that improves many tablet experiences, including watching videos and looking at photos; Extremely fast; Very good, intelligent speakers for an unparalleled audio experience on iPad; Smart Connector opens up new accessory possibilities and adds to device's versatility.

Expensive; Can be unwieldy and uncomfortable to use at times; Accessories add to price, making it no less expensive than a laptop; Portability suffers due to larger size; Some apps look "off" on huge screen.

Apple may have reinvented the tablet for today, but it has plans to give artists a tablet for tomorrow, and it arrives in the form of the iPad Pro, Apple's biggest tablet yet. On the next page, you'll find out just why the iPad Pro has a Pencil, and it's not just because pencils are awesome.

The screen is freakin' spectacular; Same typical brilliant and sturdy design as the other iPad models; Comfortable to hold; despite its massive size; Great performance with little to no lag; Four speakers (woot!

Every accessory is optional; Nowhere to put the Pencil; Very expensive

Apple's iPad Pro: the WIRED verdict.

Phenomenal Retina screen; excellent stylus support; thin, light and adaptable

Relatively expensive; not quite a laptop; Pencil and keyboard complement Multi-Touch, but don't replace it

Apple has enjoyed, for several years now, how its iPad line cruised over the competition with ease – the iPad Air and iPad mini tablets were and remain among the best offerings in their respective categories.

Signature iPad design with premium built quality; Lightweight & svelte given its large footprint; True side-by-side multitasking with iOS 9; New features with on-screen keyboard; Impressive processing power; Best sounding speakers in a tablet

Pricey starting cost of $799; Few apps are optimized to take advantage of its larger screen; Not all apps are supported by its enhanced multitasking features; Battery life could've been longer; Extremely long recharge time

The iPad Pro is the natural choice if you want a tablet that can handle intensive office tasks and creative suites on the go, thanks to its spacious screen, impressive performance, precision control and all-day battery life.

Spacious; sharp screen; Impressive power; Well-designed accessories; All-day battery

Can iOS work for you? The 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro ($799 for 32GB, $949 for 128GB) looks like a very large tablet , but really, it's more like the first iOS laptop. It's easily as powerful as a midrange laptop, and it can do things that other laptops can't - not even the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 .

Laptop-level power; Surprisingly light; Pencil accessory is the best stylus experience on a mainstream tablet

Very expensive; Touch-centric UI with keyboard is awkward; Apps don't quite complete your workflow

Apple's souped-up iPad Pro is supposed to be a laptop replacement -yet as many have already pointed out, it just isn't up to the task . So I decided to use the iPad Pro as its namesake suggests: As a fucking huge iPad. To my surprise, I liked it. http://gizmodo.com/what-its-like-...