What are the "pros and cons" of the iPad Pro line? Is one the best iPad for me?

Only you can decide if a new or used iPad Pro is the best iPad for you.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad Pro - Hong Kong Skyline)

However, you definitely can review an objective "pros and cons" of the devices to determine whether or not your needs are met.

If you prefer a more in-depth evaluation, EveryiPad.com also provides detailed comparisons of each line, but the below should be ideal for those who prefer a quick summary:

Pros:

• Beautiful, extremely thin designs. The 9.7", 10.5" and 11" models weigh a pound or less and the 12.9" models weighs a little more than a pound and a half. Impressive.
• Bright, high resolution and crisp displays. Although all are high quality, each series is even better than the last with increased brightness and improved refresh rates.
• All displays have a helpful antiglare coating.
• Fast performance, even faster than some Macs.
• Excellent battery life.
• System-wide mirroring support. All iPad Pro 11" models and iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd Gen & 4th Gen) even support a second display.
• Cellular capable models support a wide range of cellular bands with each new model supporting more bands than the last. The current iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models support 5G.
• Quality rear cameras (especially iPad Pro 2nd Gen and later models).
• Usable onscreen keyboard and optional external Apple Smart Keyboard and Apple Magic Keyboard make productive use quite possible (larger keyboards for the 12.9" models is easier to use than smaller keyboards for the smaller models).
• Sold unlocked and without a contract in the US, and most other countries, with multiple wireless carrier options.
• Touch ID or Face ID authentication.
• Apple Pencil support (All iPad Pro 11" models and iPad Pro 12.9" 3rd and later models support the much better Apple Pencil 2nd Gen).
• USB-C support -- all iPad Pro 11" models and iPad Pro 12.9" 3rd and later models -- opens a world of more "computer-like" usage with storage, docks, and external display capability. The current iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models support even faster Thunderbolt / USB 4 via their USB-C shaped port.
• LiDAR scanner -- on iPad Pro 2 11" and later and iPad Pro 4 12.9" and later -- promises distant measurement and significant enhancements in AR experiences.

Cons:

• The 12.9" models are large and heavy enough that some users may find it unwieldy.
• The original 12.9" display is not as high quality as the 9.7" model and subsequent models.
• The original 9.7" model only has 2 GB of RAM unlike the original 12.9" model and subsequent models that have 4 GB of RAM or more. This likely means that the original 9.7" model will not be usable for as long and iOS support will be more limited in the future.
• The battery is glued in place and is not designed to be replaced by an end user.
• Internal storage cannot be upgraded and may be inadequate given increasingly large file sizes to display images and other content optimized for the high-resolution displays (not to mention recording 4K video on compatible models). However, recent iPad Pro models easily can support external storage via USB-C.
• Shooting photos and video with such a physically large device is awkward.
• No SD card slot for easy photo transfer.
• The original 9.7" model only supports USB 2 rather than USB 3 like the original 12.9" model and subsequent models, so data transfer is much slower on the 9.7" model.
• The original 12.9" model lacks 4K video support.
• Onscreen keyboard and even many of the external keyboard options are not as comfortable as typing on a "traditional" notebook keyboard with more "travel" for the keys (the Apple Magic Keyboard options finally get pretty close, though).
• No bundled headphones (a particularly miserly omission given the high price of the device).
• On all iPad Pro 11" and iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd & 4th Gen) models, there is no "Home" button and this may take some getting used to for those not already acclimated by recent iPhone models.
• All iPad Pro 11" and iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd & 4th Gen) models are not compatible with many older Lightning-based peripherals without adapters.
• Expensive compared to other iPad models, Android tablets, and even many full featured Mac and Windows notebooks.

 

So, which iPad Pro is best for me?

Ultimately, if you want an iPad, the iPad Pro models represent the best tablets that Apple has to offer.

The current iPad Pro 11" (3rd Gen) and iPad Pro 12.9" (5th Gen) models are without a doubt the best iPads Apple ever has made. They are (1) fast, (2) have great quality displays, (3) have advanced cameras, (4) have advanced, fast cellular connectivity including 5G support, and (5) Thunderbolt / USB 4 support offers a world of more computer-like capabilities.

Earlier iPad Pro models still support the current version of the iOS, iOS 14 (iPadOS), and remain well worth considering. They are not as fast or as advanced as the current models, but they still are quite fast and capable and have plenty of life left.

If you are the type of user who takes good care of hardware and plan to keep your iPad Pro for as long as possible, you might choose to avoid the original 9.7" iPad Pro model because it has less RAM and very well may not support the current iOS, or all features of the operating system, for as long as other models of the same age.

iPad Pro Purchase & Sale Options

There are no shortage of places to buy a new or used iPad Pro. However, buying your iPad Pro from a reliable company with extensive knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb iPad Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City may have used iPad Pro models in stock, as well. All Macs and devices are available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad Pro to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.