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Verdict
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is a stunning machine in many ways. The speed and raw power on offer when doing pretty much any task on it can't be understated, and the upgrades to the screen are just beautiful at times.
The issue comes when comparing what's on offer to the cost – when you add up all the things you need to make the iPad Pro a real laptop competitor – the Smart Keyboard, Apple Pencil and the iPad itself – you're looking at around $900 / £900 / AU$1200, and that's verging on MacBook territory.
iOS 11 does help this tablet a lot, with Files and such really making a difference - we're not totally sold on the new interface, with elements moved around, but being able to drag and drop between apps is helpful. It's still not a full laptop replacement with the new software, but it's closer and more useful.
The camera, battery life, screen technology and audio output are all top-notch in the tablet world, and there's no doubting this is the best tablet on the market right now (with the only competitors being the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 4, a laptop that masquerades as a tablet).
Who's this for?
This depends on what you'll really use it for. If you're an on-the-go worker who needs powerful applications, and your company has an IT system that has vetted and understood the software you need (and you really value portability), then the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is unrivalled.
Or if you're someone that really likes to watch media on the go – whether that's over headphones (it has a headphone jack!), or just playing a movie or music when lounging around at home – the speakers and visual clarity on this tablet are excellent; they're really among the best on the market, if not the best, and you'll not want for anything if you're a movie buff.
In reality, the main reason to buy the 10.5-inch iPad Pro (or get your company to supply you with one) is the portability – this is power in a miniature form, and great for just slinging in a bag and pulling out anywhere you just need to work.
You'd still want a 'proper' laptop around, but for many day to day tasks the iPad Pro is a strong replacement... as long as you can afford it.
Should I buy it?
For the 'average' user – someone coming from the iPad Air 2 or just looking to upgrade another old tablet – it's hard to recommend the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
Most people won't need the raw power on offer, and won't want to spend the extra money on the accessories that make this a competent laptop replacement.
You'll have to be someone that really just loves what Apple is putting out there; the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is an exceptional device in many ways, but struggles at times to justify the price tag – although the addition of new features in iOS 11 helps mitigate that somewhat.
First reviewed: June 2017
- Compare prices on other iPad Pro deals or pay even less on a regular iPad deal.
Competition
Not convinced by Apple's newest iPad? How about these instead?
iPad Pro 12.9 (2017)
The 'big' iPad Pro has been given an upgrade to match the power inside the smaller 10.5-inch iPad Pro – you're basically getting that tablet, but super-sized.
The main differences with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro are more pixels on the larger screen, a better audio experience thanks to the bigger resonance chambers, and a higher price – but if you're going to spend big on a tablet, you might as well go for the largest option around.
- Read our full iPad Pro 12.9 (2017) review
iPad Pro 9.7
Technically this tablet is off-sale now, as Apple has ceased selling it, but you'll still be able to find it in plenty of shops for a while yet.
The screen on the 9.7-inch Pro is smaller (obviously) and less bright, and the bezels are more chunky. However, it's cheaper, and doesn't lose that much by not having the ProMotion display or the raw power.
If you're looking at an iPad Pro that will function as a cost-effective laptop as well, this is a great choice if you can find it.
- Read our iPad Pro 9.7 review
New iPad
Perhaps you know you want a new iPad, and have been entranced by the iPad Pro. Take a moment and think about what you want, though – is it just something on which you can browse the internet, watch the odd movie and maybe do some writing once in a while?
If so you should probably check out the New iPad Apple brought out this year to replace the Air range – it's not as powerful, but if you pair with with a third-party keyboard (Apple doesn't make one itself) you'll be able to perform a number of tasks as on the Pro... just not the really powerful ones.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Whisper it quietly, but there are some decent Android options out there, and Samsung's is the best of the bunch, with a great screen that offers HDR support.
However, you'd have to really not want an iPad to go for an Android device, or be heavily invested in the Android ecosystem – Apple tablets have a far better app ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is about as powerful as the iPad Pro 10.5 though.
That said, it is cheaper... but not by much.
- Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 review
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Anyone arguing about which 2-in-1 tablet is the best will always suggest the Pro 4 as a contender – and there are some valid reasons why.
It truly is a laptop 'replacement', insofar as it is a laptop with a removable screen. Windows 10 as an OS doesn't really work as well as iOS for touch input, however, and the iPad has more apps.
However, there's a wealth of Windows software out there, and the Pro 4 offers true multitasking... although the 10.5-inch iPad Pro will be more of a rival in that area when iOS 11 lands.
- Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review
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