TWO MONTHS with the 2021 M1 12.9in iPad Pro: A Review

This video was sponsored by DataCamp

This is the 2021 M1 12.9in iPad Pro. Apple most expensive iPad yet, with a starting price of $1099. And with that price tag, comes three major changes. The new Mini-LED display, thunderbolt port and the M1 Processor that it borrows for the Mac. I spent nearly two months with this thing. Is it any good? Is it worth your time and money? Let's find out with a little review.

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0:00 Introduction
0:29 Sponsor: Data Camp
1:43 Physical Features
2:40 New Features
3:42 How the Mini-LED Works
5:53 Personal Experience
7:38 Can the iPad Pro Replace your Computer?
9:47 Conclusion

The M1 iPad Pro comes with a USB-C charging cable and usb-c charging brick in either space gray or silver. It's the same design as the last 3 years with no noticeable difference there. There's now a white magic keyboard that is compatible and back-wards compatible with all the ipad pro's since 2018. This model still uses the 2nd generation apple pencil and the back and sides of the device are still the squared-off aluminum, and the speakers are still fantastic

Let's start off with the new center stage feature. Basically, using the ultrawide cameras on the ipad pro, whenever you move around on the screen during a video call, there's new software that keeps you the center of attention in video calling apps. There's a new Mini-LED display that's only on the bigger 12.9in iPad pro, which is why it went up $100 while the 11in stayed the same price. Here's how this display works. On a normal LED IPS display, like those on the Macbooks, other iPads and M1 iMacs, there is a backlight behind these pixels that can't be turned on or off. On screens like the iPhones where it's AMOLED, each individual pixel on your display is lit individually. For Mini-Led it's a nice middle ground. Everything is split into zones. Basically, the 12.9in iPad pro is split into 2,596 backlit zones that can individually be controlled for lighting. Meaning, black backgrounds will be truly black, but if there's an object on the screen, since there's no one to one match of pixel to backlight, you might see a little bit of blooming. This is what happens with the 2021 12.9 in iPad Pro in pure black backgrounds with a white moving object, there is some blooming that occurs and is noticeable starting at around 40% brightness all the way up to 100%.

The iPad Pro has a great buttery smooth 120hz display, has good speakers, minimal lag with the apple Pencil. The front camera and back camera are pretty good for a tablet. It’s super snappy as well, video editing on the iPad Pro is good, photo editing is good. It plays games better than pretty much any other iOS device. What enables this iPad to do these things so well, is that it utilizes the M1 chip that made its debut on the Mac Mini, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro. The M1 processor within the iPad Pro has been around since October 2020. We know what this chip is capable of. But to be honest, the iPad Pro doesn't take full advantage of all of it.

The iPad has gotten closer to replacing your computer since 2017. iPads have robust multi-tasking capabilities, a better file management system, bigger display sizes, mouse support, a USB-C port, you name it. But what's holding the iPad Pro back for some people is not usability. It's the apps. There's currently not many apps out there that can take advantage of all the power this iPad Pro can offer and software support is just a fraction of Windows or even Mac OS. However, each year the iPad is getting closer and closer and covering more and more use cases people had for computers.

The iPad Pro is meant to be the best iPad Apple sells. It has the highest specs, all the nicest features and of course the highest price tag. If you have an iPad Pro, from 2018 or later, or maybe even the 2017 one, or the new iPad Air. No. If you only use your ipad, as an entertainment device and for light computing? Get the iPad Air. It's a great little machine at almost half the cost. If you want the best iPad money can buy, need a larger display, or plan to keep your ipad for as long as possible before upgrading. Then I'd take a look at the 2021 iPad Pro. It's a fast machine, does anything you throw at it well, and at the release of this video, it's currently the best iPad out there.

[vipan]

English being my second language, now i know what your face smushed into display means.. perfect demonstration🤣🤣

[FastEddie]

Films look awesome. Black bars are inky black, speakers are stronger. 4k hdr is amazing.

[skaterandrew]

Just sold my 11’’ 2018 ipad pro for 2021 12.9” + Magic keyboard. Happy as hell. Haven’t used laptop for 2 weeks.

[MaxRovensky]

Most complaints I see about this iPad amount to "it's not a MacBook running macOS, therefore bad". It's baffling to me how many supposed tech reviewers completely misunderstand the point of the iPad

[EntrepreneurMommie]

Interesting review, I personally think every device has its usage and purpose, I feel much comfortable editing and working on a computer than in an iPhone or even an iPad pro. Currently have the iPad air and use it a lot but is mostly for my planning and organizing sometimes designing. The feature where the camera follows you I think Id like that but I’ve seen it already in other devices

[ThreeTwentyTech]

That wallpaper is AMAZING! 😍

oh and the review was great, too... 😅

[cowboi]

Welp, I'm bad with my own money and just panic bought one so thanks for the affirmation

[voodooblue]

I’ve been using my M1 12.9 for 3 weeks now. I have to charge mine 3 times everyday as I spend hours solving Calculus problems on it, I’m worried that the battery will die within 2 years.

[Twie]

I upgraded from my iPad Air 2 to the M1 iPad Pro and it’s insane how smooth it feels just switching apps or scrolling the Home Screen. Selling my iPad Air 2 so I can buy the Apple Pencil now, what’s a good asking price for very good condition?

[kittykatmaow]

Came for the curated advice, stayed for the commitment to showing us impractical uses of the iPad by modeling a tourist carting it around the take pictures 😹

[ignskeletons]

I bought this tablet for programming and digital illustrations and it kicks f*cking ass! It is so fast and with the keyboard and pencil it's the most productive tablet I've ever used, it borders on being a laptop replacement in all but a few tasks. It completely knocks Samsung's tablet out of the water for me personally and has great apps like Procreate.

[crZyMomof]

Just upgraded from iPad pro 12.9 inch 1st gen to the new 2021 iPad pro 12.9. So far I'm pretty impressed. The smaller size due to no home key, the c port, the display. It's a tad bit heavier than the 1st gen but so far all is good. Your review was spot on. Thank you!!

[ishwar]

If there’s Terminal on iPad Pro and runs Unix just like MacOS in backend, this is the ultimate computer…

[joshuaduca]

watching this with my ipad so far so good

[socialactivist]

Hi Jimmy, thanks for elaborated experienced review. A question? Which combo should I buy Macbook air with iPad 8 OR iPad Pro with magic keyboard?

[ktphan]

Keep up the superb content, Jimmy! Where did you get that lighted bookshelf from?

[markborao]

Good review Jimmy. Question - you mention that you have a 2018 IPad Pro in addition to the new 2021 M1 IPad Pro - how would you compare the screens on these two models ? I’ve heard the display outside in sunlight is significantly better with 2021 model - what is your assessment ?

[kermieiscool]

A bit torn between 11 and 12.9. I’m leaning towards the 12.9 since I will be using the Ipad pro for notetaking, reading textbooks, and split screen (I’m a medtech student btw). But I am a bit skeptical since the 12.9 seems to run out of battery faster than the 11inches. What do you guys think?

[damegamino]

Love your content and this video has really helped me make the jump to the iPad. Plus, I love the hilarious commentary. 😂

[alextanguay]

Hey you did a Ridge wallet review! Just bought this today! The screen is SICK