The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) is just Apple showing off. The mini-LED screen is beautiful, and it's stunningly fast… it's the peak of tablets currently, no question. But it's also more than most people will need.

Stunning mini-LED HDR display, Extremely fast and powerful, 5G now available, Has the best tablet app ecosystem

No change in typical brightness, iPadOS can be limiting, Face ID is awkward at times

This iPad continues the Pro's transition to laptop - and is the closest replacement experience to date. The hardware is now there, the only holdback is the software situation.

Mini LED screen is better and brighter, Ease of use, Camera improvements, 5G connectivity

Center Stage (camera tracking) can be hit and miss, Software feels like it's holding it back

The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a solid upgrade for those who want the best possible movie watching and gaming experience on their iPad. This iPad Pro is also packing Apple's M1 chip and up to 18GB of RAM, making it the most powerful tablet to date...

Beautiful and large OLED-rivaling mini-LED display, Unparalleled performance, Best speakers on a tablet, Surprisingly thin and light for its size

iPadOS 14 doesn't take advantage of those specs, Expensive accessories

“The iPad Pro takes the previous-generation iPad, and gives it meaningful updates that will make what was already the best tablet even better.”

Incredible performance, Beautiful display on 12.9-inch model, Stunning design, Center Stage works great, USB 4/Thunderbolt 3 port

Nearly MacBook priced, No Mini-LED on 11-inch model

The iPad Pro 12.9 is more of a laptop alternative than ever, and it comes with a truly stupendous display

Brilliant Mini-LED display, M1 chip is very powerful, Battery life still great

Expensive once you add a keyboard, iOS still has its frustrations

It might be aimed primarily at creative types, but the new iPad Pro 12.9 is also the best tablet there’s ever been if portable cinema is your thing

Stunning picture quality, Great sound with headphones, Hugely powerful

Expensive for a tablet

Putting that aside for one moment, however, it’s quite clear that the iPad Pro 12.9in is a fabulous piece of hardware and categorically the best tablet you can buy. It’s as powerful as the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, it has great battery life for a device this compact and the new Mini-LED display...

Brilliant Mini-LED display M1 chip is very powerful Battery life still great

Expensive once you add a keyboard

The 2021 edition of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is just as powerful as a Mac, but its operating system keeps it so tightly leashed that much of its potential goes unrealized.

Gorgeous Mini LED screen, Desktop-level CPU, Excellent cameras and audio, Stellar 5G performance

No real multiple monitor support, iPadOS makes multitasking difficult, Major apps missing from the platform

The iPad Pro M1 is, simply, the best tablet you can buy. The screen is astounding, the M1 processor is truly a beast, and everything else is top-tier too. The only question is of value – whether you’ll make use of the new features, or whether Apple’s (excellent) cheaper tablets would serve you just...

Amazing HDR Mini-LED screen, Ridiculously powerful M1 chip, Extremely thin and well-made, Useful optional 5G connectivity

Screen is mostly still 600 nits, Just one port still