For a long time, I was convinced that buying a new iPad at full price didn’t make much sense. In essence, you pay more than for a similarly equipped MacBook, yet receive less functionality. I always felt that iPadOS was the primary limitation for the iPad, rather than the hardware itself.
However, after nearly a year of using the M4 iPad Pro, my perspective has shifted significantly. This transformation in my opinion comes even before considering all the impressive features introduced in iPadOS 26.
What makes M4 iPad Pro special
The display is a major game-changer. You simply can’t find an OLED screen on a MacBook. While the M4 MacBook Pro offers a closer experience with its 1000 nit miniLED display, it still falls short of the stunning Tandem OLED display featured on the M4 iPad Pro.
Despite iPadOS’s relative stagnation over the years, there’s something about the display that makes daily use of the iPad much more enjoyable. Additionally, its thinner and lighter design enhances the overall user experience, making the M4 iPad Pro easier to pick up and utilize.
These improvements might seem minor when reviewing specifications. For example, the M4 11-inch iPad Pro is just 0.6mm thinner and 20 grams (0.05 pounds) lighter than its predecessor. However, in everyday use, these differences add up. The M4 13-inch iPad Pro is even more impressive, being 1.3mm thinner and over 100 grams (0.22 pounds) lighter than before.
When using a large tablet for hours, the way it feels in your hands becomes incredibly important.
Personal thoughts
I’ve tried out Stage Manager, but I’m still not fully sold on it. The iPad’s charm lies in its simplicity, and personally, I believe split-screen view aligns better with the screen size. It’s easier to maintain focus with fewer distractions on display.
Surprisingly, the M4 iPad Pro has offered some of the best battery life I’ve experienced on an iPad. Apple claims 10 hours of web browsing battery life for its devices, yet the M4 iPad Pro holds its charge exceptionally well. Leaving it idle for days doesn’t seem to diminish its battery at all.
In summary, the iPad shines brightly when not overcomplicated. Whether it’s light browsing, social media engagement, messaging, or photo editing, it performs well. It might not replace a MacBook Pro, but it fits smoothly into my device ecosystem.
Wrap up
Certainly, I did end up purchasing a $999 iPad (without any upgrades) primarily for its impressive display for basic tasks — and I have no regrets. There are more affordable models available; for instance, a 256GB iPad Air is priced at $629, saving you $370. However, that model features a 60Hz LCD display with half the brightness, which diminishes the overall iPad experience.
I don’t believe comparing the iPad with the MacBook is particularly helpful. I find joy in using my M4 MacBook Pro for tasks that macOS excels at, like multitasking and demanding workloads.
Both devices serve distinct purposes effectively, and utilizing them in tandem will likely offer a better overall experience than choosing one entirely over the other.
If you’re ready to dive into the wonderful world of the M4 iPad Pro, click here:
Are you an M4 iPad Pro user? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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