Buzz
In this discussion, I'll delve into the disparities between my trusty iPad Pro M1 12.9' of 2021 and its predecessors from 2018 and 2020. I've been an avid user of the iPad Pro 12.9' since 2018, skipping the minor upgrade of 2020. Fundamentally, the 2021 iteration brings forth a plethora of innovations, worthy upgrades for enthusiasts to consider.
The iPad Pro M1 11' variant shares most of its internal hardware upgrades with the 12.9' counterpart, save for the screen size, which remains unchanged. This is a regrettable aspect. I personally opt for the 12.9' version to immerse myself in the unparalleled experience offered by Apple's flagship tablet and to peruse magazines on Apple News+.
1 - Design, Finishing, Exterior Materials
Essentially, the iPad Pro 2021 remains unchanged from its 2018 and 2020 counterparts. It retains the 4:3 aspect ratio, encased in a seamless aluminum body. Each edge is meticulously crafted, with balanced corners and gentle curves, ensuring a comfortable hold without any sharp edges.
On the left is the iPad Pro M1 2021. On the right is the iPad Pro 2018.Having experimented with various tablets on the market, it's safe to say that Apple's iPad Pro stands uncontested. Apple's decision to maintain the 4:3 aspect ratio ensures the most sensible tablet experience overall.Hence, if you're only buying an iPad to flaunt, as some Anti folks like to say, then there's no need to invest in the iPad Pro 2021 because it's essentially no different from the iPad Pro 2018.2 - Software Platform
iPadOS, even in its latest iteration, receives updates on older iPad Pro models like the 2018 version, so fundamentally, there's no distinguishing factor. Users will experience the same apps on both the iPad Pro 2021 and the iPad Pro 2018. Of course, other aspects like smoothness and display differences will be discussed below.
My iPad Pro M1 is currently running iPadOS 15 beta. Apple is sure to continue supporting it with software updates for many more years.However, the difference may arise when Apple eventually releases a new version of iPadOS that no longer supports devices with chips older than the M1. It may introduce features exclusive to M1 chips. At that point, purchasing an iPad Pro would be a forward-thinking decision.As I plan to use my iPad for more than 3 years, I tend to make my purchase during major upgrade cycles rather than mid-lifecycle upgrades.3 - Hardware Platform
Considering both the 11' and 12.9' versions, this marks the most significant upgrade for the iPad since its inception. For the first time, the iPad boasts a hardware platform even more powerful than that of MAC computers. It's now among the most potent computing devices globally.All of this is made possible by the M1 chip, with Apple offering choices of 8GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 2TB.
The hardware of the iPad Pro M1 ranks among the most robust in the world of laptops and tablets today.
In my opinion, Apple is unlikely to alter the hardware platform of the iPad in the next 3 years. The potency of this hardware can ensure a seamless iPadOS experience, as well as productivity and entertainment software usage, for another 5 years without issue.
In my experience, I use the iPad Pro 12.9' with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage to handle RAW images captured from a Fujifilm GFX Medium Format camera with a 100MP resolution. It performs admirably, akin to a Mac running on the M1 platform with 16GB RAM, and even smoother than my previous Intel Core i9-powered MacBook Pro 16'. Video editing tests and benchmarking with various software indicate its superiority over previous iPad models and its standing among current top-tier computing devices and tablets.4 - Liquid Retina XDR Display
Talking about this display is apt for the iPad Pro M1 12.9' version, as it features what Apple calls the Liquid Retina XDR Display. Meanwhile, the 11' version still sports the Liquid Retina display. The difference lies in the fact that the M1 12.9' iPad Pro is equipped with an LCD panel using Mini-LED for enhanced brightness, while the others utilize traditional edge-lit LED LCDs.
Beautiful colors, high contrast. Provides an excellent content viewing experience.Mini-LED Display
The integration of mini-LED brings immense value to user experience. The iPad Pro M1 12.9' becomes a highly luminous mobile device, rivaling the brightness of Apple's desktop Pro XDR Display. From technical specifications to measured results, the iPad Pro M1 12.9' display boasts full-screen brightness of up to 1000 nits and peak brightness of 1600 nits, accounting for up to 40% of the screen. No other tablet or laptop display of this size achieves such brightness.
The Mini-LED display is extremely bright, perfect for outdoor use or viewing content that requires high brightness.
With 10,000 mini-LEDs underneath, divided into 2500 controllable brightness zones, the iPad Pro M1 12.9' display achieves incredibly deep blacks, surpassing LCD screens on tablets and laptops in the market, and even outperforming previous iPad Pro models by a significant margin.
The excellent brightness and deep blacks make the iPad Pro M1 12.9' display ideal for showcasing HDR content. Everyday apps with high contrast images display content with clarity, even in brightly lit environments.
Blooming phenomenon on the iPad Pro M1 12.9' display occurs when content lies within bright zones. While this may cause discomfort for some users, it's not as severe as portrayed on social media. I've conducted an in-depth analysis of this phenomenon here for further reference. Displays with mini-LED backlighting may exhibit this phenomenon, but it doesn't affect user experience in practice.iPad Pro 120Hz Display
Apple has equipped the iPad Pro with a 120Hz display from very early on, and naturally, it persists in the 2021 model. With 120Hz, the image experience on the iPad Pro display is excellent. Wrapping up the discussion on the display aspect, the iPad Pro M1 12.9' surpasses its predecessors' displays by a significant margin. Considering the experience on a mobile device, I find no other display that offers a better experience. For me personally, the Liquid Retina XDR display of the iPad Pro M1 12.9' is the most worthwhile upgrade. As the current hardware platform already exceeds software capabilities, its value will only increase further when iPadOS receives more upgrades.5 - Connectivity: 5G, Thunderbolt
5G is the future, but Thunderbolt is something you can experience right away. With a USB-C port supporting both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4.0 protocols, the iPad Pro's sole connection port is the most modern, high-speed, and versatile port on any laptop or tablet.
Transferring large amounts of data between Thunderbolt drives and the iPad is a breeze. Very fast.
You can easily connect the iPad Pro M1 to high-resolution 5K, 6K monitors to expand your workspace. You can also attach high-speed SSD drives to this Thunderbolt/USB4.0 port for work or content viewing.
The inclusion of Thunderbolt also allows some users who use high-speed external SSD drives with Macs to now use them with iPads as well. Previously, iPads only supported USB drives, so users who bought high-speed Thunderbolt SSD drives couldn't use them with iPads. Now, it's a breeze.6 - Camera
The most notable and impactful difference in my experience related to the camera on the iPad is the feature called center stage. When using the iPad for video calls (currently Facetime, with Zoom soon to support it...), if the user moves around or if two or three more people enter the frame, it will automatically adjust by panning or zooming in or out...
Quick test of the iPad Pro M1 camera.
The rear camera has significantly improved in quality, equipped with LiDAR sensors and all, but it's not a priority for photography anymore. Smartphones and dedicated cameras are more than enough. However, in my experience, if you need to capture documents or materials, the iPad's camera and its screen as a viewfinder are excellent.7 - Accessories
The 2021 iPad will have an advantage as it can use higher-speed accessories, with larger bandwidth and expanded connections, thanks to the inclusion of Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4.0 ports, whereas previous iPads only had USB 3.0.
Connect iPad Pro M1 to a Thunderbolt Hub and from there connect to 5K monitors, keyboards, mice, and other accessories.
Accessories from previous generations of iPad Pro are also compatible with the new iPad Pro, so overall, the iPad Pro M1 is more versatile in terms of accessories.Conclusion: Worth buying to use for another 3 or 5 years, ideal for photography and video editing.
iPad Pro M1 boasts powerful hardware, and the 12'9 variant adds an exceptional display. However, its price is quite high, so users need to carefully consider. If you plan to keep it for another 3 or 5 years, investing a bit more may be acceptable. Moreover, iPads depreciate relatively slowly over time, so there's less concern about resale value.
However, if you're considering purchasing the 11' model and already own the 2020 iPad Pro 11', upgrading might not be necessary.For those heavily involved in image-related work, such as editing photos in Lightroom, importing and processing images on this iPad Pro M1 can often be faster and smoother than on your laptop, while offering greater mobility.Special thanks to Thế Giới Di Động for supporting me with this article. Below, I've included promotions related to iPad Pro M1 from TGDĐ. Wishing everyone a joyful experience.
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