The iPad Pro is a line of tablet computers manufactured by Apple, targeted primarily at professionals and users who want high-performance capabilities in a portable device. The tablet features a sleek and premium design characterized by a thin profile, aluminum chassis, and a large touchscreen display.
The computer comes with a suite of useful applications written by Apple, and there are millions more available in the App Store. Apple sells two high-end accessories for the M4 iPad Pro: the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil Pro.
Plus, iPad Pro users can choose from a wide array of accessories made by third-party manufacturers. That includes multiple attachable keyboard cases with a trackpad to turn the tablet into a slim convertible notebook.
Overall, the tablet is positioned as a powerful and versatile computer suitable for a wide range of tasks, from content consumption to professional-level creative work, offering portability and convenience without compromising on performance.
Apple unveiled the first tablet in this product line on September 9, 2015. It featured an impressively large 12.9-inch screen. Apple released the original iPad Pro on November 11, 2015. A version with a 9.7-inch screen followed in early 2016.
Apple announced the second-generation model on June 5, 2017. Powered by an A10X Fusion processor, it came with three storage options: 64GB, 256GB and 512GB. A 10.5-inch model replaced the original 9.7-inch version; the 12.9-inch version stayed the same size. Both screen sizes employed better technology, with refresh rates up to 120Hz, better HDR and TrueTone white balancing. These were the last “Pro” models that came with a Home Button and a Lightning connector.
Apple announced the third-generation iPad Pro on October 30, 2018, in two screen sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch. Removing the Home Button enabled Apple to design the tablets with full-screen displays, with Face ID sensors on the top edge that worked in both landscape and portrait orientations. The third generation also replaced Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector with an industry-standard USB-C connector. These iPads worked with a new Smart Keyboard Folio as well as the previously launched Magic Keyboard.
Apple announced its fourth-generation premier tablets on March 18, 2020, with the same 11-inch and 12.9-inch screen sizes. A a redesigned camera module, with a LiDAR Scanner for capturing 3D objects and environments. Powered by an Apple A12Z processor, the iPad Pro 4 started at 128GB storage. Apple also sold a Magic Keyboard with a trackpad for this model iPad Pro.
Apple announced the fifth-generation model on April 20, 2021. It looked the same as the previous generation, but brought a powerful upgrade: Apple’s new M1 chip. It also offered Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 connectivity (up to 40 Gbps) and 5G capability for cellular models. The 2021 iPad Pro also supported external display output up to 6K resolution. The 12.9-inch model gained an XDR display with mini-LEDs that Apple dubbed “Liquid Retina XDR.”
Apple announced the sixth-generation iPad Pro on October 18, 2022. These models used the same design as previous generations, but the more-powerful Apple M2 chip offered a performance upgrade. These tablets also supported a new Apple Pencil Hover feature that let the display detect the stylus up to 12mm above the screen. The sixth generation also gained ProRes Video Recording (limited to 1080p for variants with 128GB storage but capable of up to 4K for 256GB-plus models). Plus, it supported Apple’s ProMotion adaptive display technology, which let the screen refresh at up to 120 images per second.
The latest model, the M4 iPad Pro released in May 2024, comes in two sizes: one with an 11-inch screen and a second with a 13-inch screen. Like all Apple tablets, it runs iPadOS. At its heart is a powerful Apple M4 processor. It also features what Apple calls a “tandem OLED” screen that delivers darker blacks and brighter colors. It’s maker says the tablet’s slim new design makes it the “thinnest Apple product ever.”
Samsung Display will reportedly start mass production of OLED panels for the next iPad Air in January 2027.
Unlike the iPad Pro, Apple will use a standard OLED panel in the iPad Air to keep costs down.
The charger that came with your iPad Pro or iPad Air is wasting your time. Your tablet could be charging almost twice as fast (up to three times as fast for the latest iPad Pro). Plus, the included charger is not well-designed for travel.
Here’s what’s going on, along with recommendations for better options.
Cable management is the invisible infrastructure of every beautiful desk setup. Do it well and your workspace looks effortlessly minimal, almost wireless. Do it badly and a tangle of cords swallows every other design decision you’ve made. Cult of Mac’s Setups section chronicled the most impressive Apple-centric workstations on the internet for years, and cable management — how to hide it, route it, tame it and sometimes eliminate it entirely — is a recurring obsession among Mac owners. Behold the best cable management in setups, below.
iPad aficionados should be excited that John Ternus could someday take over as Apple CEO. As the head of hardware engineering, he’s been a sort of cheerleader for Apple’s tablet, including urging the company to develop new capabilities that push the iPad beyond being just a big iPhone.
If Ternus becomes Apple CEO — he’s apparently the frontrunner for the position — he’d have the authority to ensure the iPad fulfills its enormous potential.
The M5 iPad Pro is the most powerful Apple tablet ever, with a chip many Mac models don’t have yet. There have been deals on it before, but it’s never been more affordable than it is right now. That’s because Amazon knocked $200 off the cost of the 11-inch version. And you can save on the 13-inch variant, too.
UPDATE: This deal was so successful that Amazon is currently sold out of the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro.
iPad Pro is a very capable computer for creatives and digital nomads, thanks to the M5 processor. And don’t overlook the gorgeous OLED display and Mac-like operation thanks to iPadOS 26.
iPad shipments worldwide shot up a whopping 16.5% in the last quarter of 2025, according to a market analysis firm. Apple set a new record — it shipped more tablets in Q4 than in any previous quarter.
Not only does iPad outsell every other competitor, but Apple’s tablet also beat its top four rivals’ combined shipments last quarter.
If you want a screaming-fast iPad Pro with a gorgeous, 13-inch screen, consider this refurbished M4 model. Released in 2024, it delivers the goods when it comes to working (and playing) at home, in the office or on the go.
Plus, it’s on sale for just $899.99 — while our limited inventory lasts.
Apple silently gave some Macs and iPads a Wi-Fi speed boost with macOS Tahoe 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The update enables 160MHz channel bandwidth support on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, eliminating a restriction that tamped down the maximum possible speeds.
The additional bandwidth should let your recent Mac or iPad benefit from higher throughput.
Using an aging iPad? Or maybe you’re thinking about getting your first tablet. Great news! Updated models with significantly more horsepower will hit store shelves soon.
Here’s what to expect from iPad in 2026.
Cyber Monday is officially here, and for iPad fans, the deals are looking good. Lots of iPads are on sale for their lowest-ever prices. Whether you’re hunting for a dependable workhorse, a powerful all-rounder, or a pro-level device, the iPad deals hitting the market shouldn’t be ignored.
The budget-friendly iPad is now 21% off, making it a steal for students, casual users, or families. Meanwhile, the sleek M3 iPad Air is discounted by an amazing 25%, bringing high-performance efficiency at an even more tempting price. And for creative pros, the brand-new M5 iPad Pro is also seeing an early discount — a rare opportunity to grab cutting-edge power and graphics capabilities without paying full retail.
With Apple’s M5 chip appearing in more devices, it’s time for an M5 vs. M4 chip smackdown. Apple unveiled its new M5 chip in October, marking a significant leap forward in on-device artificial intelligence performance over its predecessor. So let’s compare the M5 chip to the M4 chip.
While maintaining the same core architecture as the M4 chip, the M5 delivers dramatic improvements in AI processing, graphics capabilities and memory bandwidth that position it as Apple’s most AI-focused silicon to date. But it enough to temp would-be upgraders?
November 11, 2015: Apple’s first iPad Pro goes on sale after months of speculation about the giant-size tablet.
With its much larger screen, professional-oriented targeting and dreaded (optional) stylus, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro represents Apple CEO Tim Cook’s cleanest break yet from Steve Jobs’ vision for iOS devices.
And it turned out all the better for it!
The next-generation iPad Pro will almost certainly get an Apple M6 processor for better performance, but Apple will go beyond a new chip to make its next premium tablet even faster: it’ll build in a vapor chamber cooling system, according to a reliable source of insider information.
The change will especially benefit graphic designers who push the GPU in current iPads to its limits.
★★★★★
The 2025 iPad Pro is the best high-end tablet Apple’s ever made. Don’t make the mistake of dismissing it as a “chip and ship” upgrade because the major change is the new M5 processor. Plenty of other enhancements make the tablet better than the M4 model. It moves files much faster, charges more quickly, offers better Wi-Fi and more.
If you’re still using an older model like the M1 iPad Pro, you’ll see really huge changes for the better if you upgrade to Apple’s latest tablet.
Based on my time with the M5 iPad Pro, here are seven new features that make the tablet really stand out.
Apple’s new M5-powered MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro hit store shelves Wednesday, and shoppers who preordered the devices began receiving them as well.
Many early reviews of the 2025 iPad Pro with Apple’s new M5 processor share a general theme. The new chip makes the device faster, and paired with the major redesign of iPadOS 26, the tablet might just rival a MacBook.
Read on for M5 iPad Pro reviewers’ comments.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: With the M5 chip, Apple silicon blows our minds once again with its insane combination of performance and efficiency. How does Apple keep pulling this off?
We discuss all the lustworthy new hardware that the M5 powers: MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro.
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Apple’s newest M5 iPad Pro might look the same as its predecessor, the M4 iPad Pro. But when you compare the two tablets’ internals, you realize a lot has changed. It’s not just a minor processor upgrade.
If you’re on the fence about upgrading or plan to buy a new iPad, here’s how the M5 iPad Pro stacks up against the M4 model.
Apple just revealed the 2025 iPad Pro, which gets a speed boost from the new M5 processor, and some variants get 50% more RAM. The premium tablet includes an OLED screen in both the 13-inch and 11-inch versions.
“Powered by the next generation of Apple silicon, the new iPad Pro delivers our most advanced and versatile iPad experience yet,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “iPad Pro with M5 unlocks endless possibilities for creativity and productivity — with a huge leap in AI performance and a big boost in graphics, superfast wireless connectivity, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, it pushes the boundaries of what iPad can do yet again.”
Apple’s new M5 chip packs more power than predecessors, with advanced performance for Apple Intelligence and pumped up GPU performance boosting graphics processing, among other incremental improvements across the chip.
“M5 ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads.”
“Combined with a big increase in graphics performance, the world’s fastest CPU core, a faster Neural Engine, and even higher unified memory bandwidth,” he added, “M5 brings far more performance and capabilities to MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Apple Vision Pro.”
Apple’s SVP of Marketing, Greg Joswiak, teased the imminent launch of the M5 MacBook Pro on X today.
“Mmmmm… something powerful is coming,” Joswiak said on X, with his post accompanied by a short clip giving a quick glimpse at the upcoming MacBook Pro.
Supplies of iPad Pros and 14-inch MacBook Pros powered by M4 chips are running low across Apple Stores. This indicates the imminent arrival of M5-powered models.
While reports of an M5 iPad Pro refresh surfaced before, this marks the first solid indication that Apple could launch an M5 MacBook Pro this year as well.
Apple isn’t done lunching new products this year, even though the iPhone 17 family and Apple Watch Series 11 reached customers in September. There are so many new products coming out of Cupertino this fall that rumors point to an Apple October event.
For some Apple fans, the best is yet to come: the Apple M5 processor, a new iPad Pro and (hopefully) the next MacBook Pro. And there could be more.
Apple guards its upcoming products with extreme secrecy. However, a major leak in October 2024 saw the Russian YouTuber Wylsacom unboxing the M4 MacBook Pro weeks before its official release.
The same story now unfolds with the upcoming M5 iPad Pro. Wylsacom unboxed and showcased the device a few days ago, again weeks before launch. And another Russian YouTuber did the same the next day. So how do Russian YouTubers manage to grab unreleased Apple products so early?
The Federal Communications Commission accidentally exposed Apple’s plans for several unreleased products, including an updated Vision Pro headset, new MacBook Pro models and refreshed iPad Pro tablets, on Tuesday. The FCC leaks of Apple products mark the latest in a series of premature disclosures from the regulatory agency that have frustrated Apple’s typically secretive product launch strategy.