iPad Pro (2018) Review

Hear that? That was the sound of Apple snapping its fingers and killing half the bezels in its product universe. iPhone went first. Then Apple Watch. Then MacBook Air. Now, iPad Pro. (Somewhere out there, iMac is whispering, “I don’t feel so go…”)

Edge-to-curved-edge Liquid Retina display in 12.5- or 11-inches, Face ID and True Depth Camera, A12X Bionic notebook-crushing processor, new Apple Pencil, and new Smart Keyboard Folio — this is the new iPad Pro.

But is it any good?

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Quick note: It's fair criticism that I didn't do a software review or get into the limitations of iOS on what is, I think inarguably, massive hardware improvements: I felt like the only real differences were hardware and the new Pro changed nothing in terms of the software story, and I was already 30 minutes in. In other words, whatever you could do with iOS 12 on iPad 10.5-inch, Animoji-style stuff aside, you could do on iOS 12 on iPad 11-inch. If you were looking for that and I didn't give it to you, my bad. (I think it's safe to say that's what contributed to more negative points in other reviews.)

That said, I’m happy to cover iOS 12 and how Apple can move the iPad forward with iOS 13 and iOS 14 in a follow up video if anyone is interested?

(Avoiding nerdy niche quick fixes will be key.)

[bigtrev]

The fact Apple got and still gets ripped for the notch and yet every other company puts a notch on and nothing is really said I find crazy.

[wylde_karrde]

I'm hardly a power user. I bought the 1TB pro though. Netflix, facebook, a few games, music, stuff like that are all I use it for. The basic iPad would have been fine for me. But the massive screen, Face ID, ridiculous storage space for an iOS device, incredible speakers, and tap to wake were enough for me to want this one, as well as the utility of being able to charge my phone with the iPad itself, to keep both devices together around the house. It's an excellent device, blazing fast, and everything I have only filled a third of its storage. I got it with the pencil and smart cover for a total of around a thousand dollars less than retail from a spectacular ebay deal ($1200 for everything) and that was simply impossible to pass up. This thing will last me for years.

[lisajohnson]

No one reviews Apple products like you! I love your intellectual, yet humorous, in-depth reviews!! Thank you and I appreciate them so much!! Be well Rene! 🙂

[robertp]

Putting a Touch ID sensor on the back is much better than a notch and Face ID is a much more expensive solution for a problem no one had.

[Neoxon]

I may be biased, but I’m loving the Infinity War references sprinkled in the video.

[emmgeevideo]

I’ve had my 11” iPad Pro since launch day. I tried to hold back but in the end I couldn’t help myself. It’s my third iPad. I have had more fun with this than any of the others. I got Notability and am taking notes with it instead of my Moleskine. I’m editing photos on Lightroom CC. I’m using it as a portable whiteboard when talking to people at work. YouTube videos are great. I love the display size and tiny bezels. It’s fast! I love the new gestures. I have a laptop (Dell, Windows 10) and I keep using it for what laptops do best. I don’t need/want this to be a laptop replacement. I need/want it to be a fantastic tablet that does more than ever before. I do agree with many observers that an iPadOS that was more laptop-like would be good. I think a mouse is a must if you’re going to use a keyboard. That would make it an even better tablet. I also agree that letting the USB-C port do what USB-C ports are supposed to do (like the USB-C port on my Dell) would make a ton of sense. But for now I’m super-happy and I’m guessing Apple and third parties will make this even better over time.

[MIGerlag]

Giving it full desktop safari instead of a mobile version as well as the full Finder experience from macOS allowing you to connect external storage devices and work with them as you would on a Mac would go a long way to making this a traditional pc/Mac replacement. Also throwing in mouse support wouldn’t hurt either.

Until this happens it can never be a true pc/Mac replacement.

Apple is always so close but these things hold it back severely, I don’t understand why Apple can’t see the need to add such features, it’s all in the software, the hardware is perfect now, it’s all the way there, but the software just cuts its legs off.

[mueez.mp]

Rene, I'm an Apple fanboy and even I don't enjoy these one sided reviews. Please mention negatives like how every year Apple reduces the price of the previous gen iPad, but this year they didn't. Also, at this point I think Apple is going off the rails, trying to please investors. Not offering a non touch bar MBP with 8th gen CPUs just so that they could offer a MBA with what is virtually a re-branded Core M chip at the same price and not at the usual price of $999. Sure, they have no equal in so many areas, but I feel like they're really exploiting their customers at this point.

[Michael_Billig]

Watching on my old 10.5” iPad Pro. Love it... but I’m still excited for my new 11” Pro

[Kinpil]

Aw man. I was just convincing myself I didn’t need a new iPad. Now I want it again

[man-bagdammit]

Amazingly detailed video! Nice job Rene! Subscribed!

[themiguelpt]

I don't really get the need to remove bezels. I just don't care. But what I don't like is when companies decide to go with the notch trend just for the publicity stunt of having no bezels.

[brandond.miller]

Thanks for going so in-depth on this review! I already ordered an apple Ipad Pro 2018 for my profession as a graphic designer. I feel even better about my decision after hearing your review. You the man Rene Ritchie!

[paulsworldph]

Verge’s review is much better so much that MKBHD left a comment agreeing to it.

[garrettmineo]

Thanks for yet another great video. I just watched this on my perfectly fine 10.5 inch iPad Pro, and I won’t have my 12.9 inch iPad Pro until Christmas. Yes these IPads are getting expensive but at least Apple has done a good job of always having less expensive machines available, so it is hard to complain too much. My original iPad and IPad Air are still living productive lives in the hands of those who I have passed them on to, so I have no reason to think the new Pro won’t be productive for many years into the future. iPads are certainly the most advanced post computer devices, I find that they have taken away jobs from my PCs, IMac and MacBook. If I were trapped on a desert island somewhere (presumably with wi-fi, electricity and adult beverages) the iPad would be the only thing I need, except for maybe my iPhone X Max.

[badabing]

I take my iPad Pro off of the folio keyboard case when I just want to use it in tablet mode.

[coreycobain]

Every time I watch I enjoy it, but more than that I see the gaping chasm between RR’s content and the other tech reviewers. Always such a pleasure and always so informative. Thanks fella 👍🏻

[bryanmerton]

I love your reviews! I have the 9.7” iPad Pro and have loved it. I pretty much just use it for everything. I am an artist and love to create on it. I have always regretted not getting the 12.9” for all of the screen real estate. My new 12.9” will be arriving on the 7th! Thanks again for such an in-depth review of the hardware! I jumped right in and ordered and your review makes me glad I did!

[MisterChris]

They iPhone 5 was my favorite design. So the new iPad Pro design makes me happy