Review of iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ - a powerful tablet that can replace a laptop

Specifications

Dimensions (edit)	250.6 × 174.1 × 6.1mm
The weight	469g (without LTE module), 477g (with module)
Screen	10.5-inch, Oxide TFT, 2,224 x 1,668 pixels, 24-bit, True Tone display, ProMotion technology, P3 wide color gamut, anti-reflective coating, lamination
CPU	3-core Apple A10X Fusion @ 2, 36 GHz
RAM	4 GB, operating frequency - 1600 MHz
Built-in memory	64, 256 or 512 GB
Battery and run time	8 134 mAh, Li-Polymer, up to 10 hours of battery life
Cameras	Primary: 12 MP with OIS and 4K @ 30FPS and 720p @ 240FPS video recording. Front: 7 MP with autofocus and video recording 1080p @ 30FPS
Communication modules	All models: Wi-Fi a, b, g, n, n 5HZ, ac, 2x2 MiMo; Bluetooth 4.2. Models with LTE module: LTE, A-GPS and GLONASS

First glance

Standard kit: tablet, Lightning cable, power adapter, waste paper. At first glance, the new iPad hardly differs from previous models, it is given out by thin bezels on the sides and an elongated (relative to the 9.7-inch model) front part.

All connectors and buttons are located in their usual places. Four speakers with 12, 9 and 9.7 inch versions are also in place. It is noteworthy that, unlike the latest iPhones, Apple has left a 3.5mm headphone jack in the tablets. Like all Pro models, iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ is equipped with a Smart connector for connecting accessories, primarily keyboards.

The tablet weighs the same as the previous 9.7-inch model. In general, it feels about the same, there is not much difference in ergonomics.

I have a version in gold: the front panel is white, and almost all of the back, with the exception of the bands for the cellular antenna, is painted gold. Apple hasn't radically changed the design of its tablets with the iPad Air - it's still the same thin plate of aluminum and glass. The design has caught on, but does not look outdated.

Screen

Compared to the 9.7-inch model, the display has become larger, but the dimensions remain almost the same. The screen occupies almost 80% of the front surface of the tablet, but it cannot be called frameless. It may seem so if you have a Space Gray color model, in other colors where the screen has a black frame, there is no such effect.

I think that a tablet does not need to have a bezel-less screen, although this trend in smartphones is obvious, and Apple will soon introduce a new model with just such a solution. With a bezel-less screen on tablets, it is difficult to exclude accidental touches, and given the large working surface of the iPad, this is a very important point.

The screen itself is very nice. The colors are bright, saturated, the viewing angles are large, without yellowness, blueness and greenness. Pixels are not visible.

They say that the best screens are AMOLED, but with such an IPS you just don't know what to complain about.

The screen behaves well in the sun. And there is also a function of automatic adjustment to the color temperature of the environment, which works imperceptibly in the background. This is a handy and cool thing: you may not know about its existence, but the screen itself adapts to the lighting conditions.

The new iPad Pro uses Pro Motion technology on the screen. According to Apple, it provides a 120Hz refresh rate display. In practice, this means that everything works very smoothly, without jerking or tearing.

The difference is felt when flipping pages, scrolling (especially pages in Safari) and, of course, viewing photos and videos. For the latter, sound is critically important, and we'll talk about it.

Sound

As in the large 12, 9-inch model, four speakers are installed here, which automatically adjust the sound depending on the position of the tablet: if you hold it vertically, the upper pairs of speakers work, if horizontally, then the lower ones.

A tablet will easily rock a small room. It's nice to watch a movie on it, listen to music too. The sound is loud enough, the quality for the speakers is excellent.

Unlike the latest iPhones, a 3.5mm jack is installed here, so you can connect the tablet to regular speakers or listen to music through your favorite headphones. I've tried regular wired JBLs and wireless AirPods - all work well.

Iron

The iPad Pro 10.5 ″ has an A10X processor. It is likely to remain the most powerful mobile device on the market in 2017. There is no doubt that this performance will last for several years: buying an iPad Pro now, you can count on 3-4 years of work without serious performance problems. This lifespan is more typical for laptops than smartphones.

The iPad Pro 10.5 ″ has 4 GB of RAM. This helps not to reload applications in the background, quickly switch between them, and not to reload tabs in Safari.

There are models with and without LTE module. I advise you to take the version with the module: you will be very mobile and will be able to work from almost anywhere. You can find tariff plans for tablets with unlimited Internet from Russian mobile operators, and then you will be in touch almost everywhere.

Of course, you can distribute the Internet to a tablet from a smartphone, but this is not at all the same, and besides, drain the battery of the latter faster.

Cameras

The cameras are the same as in the iPhone 7. You can shoot on the iPad, especially if you have a tripod, and even editing pictures is a pleasure. The front camera can be used for any relevant task: selfies, video calls, vlogs. It records video at 1,080p resolution. It's the same good quality as the iPhone 7.

Here are some examples of photos taken from the iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ camera under different conditions.

Connection

I didn't notice any problems with Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. It always connects quickly and correctly, frequencies of 2, 4 and 5 GHz are supported. The level of cellular signal reception depends solely on the operator and the coverage area; the tablet does not interfere with the connection.

The fingerprint scanner

The iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. It is built into the mechanical button - the same as before. Unlike a tablet, the latest iPhones do not have a physical button - pressing it mimics the Taptic Engine.

Software

An interesting feature of the iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ is that in fact it was created for the new iOS 11 - it is she who maximizes the potential of the tablet. The new version of the OS is scheduled for release in September, and it has many interesting features. Apple believes that with their help, the iPad can replace the computer for most users.

iOS 11 will be released on September 12, but the public beta is already available and works well on iPad Pro 10.5 ″. I'll tell you about its features, which, according to Apple, should turn the tablet into a full-fledged replacement for a laptop:

1. New Dock. It accommodates more applications than before. In addition, the system offers three of the most commonly used programs. The Dock is always accessible by swiping from the bottom of the screen.

2. New multitasking window. IOS 11 introduces a new app switching screen, which also integrates a new Control Center with widgets for quick settings.

3. Opening applications over windows. On top of the two already open applications that split the screen in half, you can add another window with the program.

4. Drag-n-drop. My all-time favorite feature: it helps you copy and paste text fragments, pictures and links between apps using simple drag and drop.

5. Quick Notes for Apple Pencil. In iOS 11, you can create quick notes by simply touching the tip of the stylus to the screen, and take quick sketches in Mail, Notes, and other applications.

6. Updated keyboard QuickType. By swiping down the keys, you can quickly insert some symbols.

Memory

iPad Pro 10.5 ″ is available with three storage options: 64, 256 and 512 GB. I would not recommend going with the 64GB model: considering how much apps, games, music, photos and videos take up, this storage will quickly run out.

The best option is 256 GB. Here, the vast majority have enough room for both apps and content. 512 GB is a great option if you are going to use the tablet as your only work tool, work with all your files.

Battery survivability

The iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ has a 8134 mAh lithium polymer battery. Together with iOS, this gives 8-9 hours of work. The best results can be achieved by not using a cellular connection, dimming the screen, and using the tablet only for viewing content.

But even 8-9 hours is an excellent result. This will be enough for a full day with a tablet, and by the evening will be left to watch a movie or two episodes of your favorite TV series.

Accessories

Smart Keyboard

Increasing the screen to 10.5 inches and slightly increasing the height of the tablet allowed us to create a keyboard on which all the buttons fit. This prevents your fingers from piling up when you work behind it.

I don’t have the largest hands and fingers, so it’s quite possible that people with larger hands will have problems. Consider this and before buying, check whether it is convenient for you to type on such a keyboard.

The travel of the buttons is small, but distinct. Typing speed on a tablet is 80-85% of typing on a laptop.

Many built-in and third-party applications support hotkeys, which is convenient. Some work at the system level: for example, you can quickly turn on search and return to the home screen.

Using a keyboard reduces the need to constantly poke at the screen, but does not completely eliminate it. Some things, such as highlighting fragments of text, are more convenient to do on the screen than on the keyboard.

I would advise buying a keyboard for those whose work is related to writing large texts. If the most you write is a short note or post on Facebook, then use the software keyboard, that's enough.

Apple Pencil

At first I wanted to buy an Apple Pencil, but then I realized that I have practically no scripts when I need it. Yes, sometimes it is more convenient to use it to make some notes and sign documents, but I rarely do this and an ordinary finger and Multi-touch is enough.

I am not an artist, designer or illustrator. The most I do is edit photos in VSCO or Snapseed. If your work is not related to drawing, then I do not recommend taking a stylus.

Can iPad Pro replace a computer

I have been using iPad Pro for a month and a half, and here are the tasks in which it replaced my laptop:

1. Correspondence and calls. There are no problems here, all applications for instant messengers (Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Viber), e-mail (Mail, Spark, myMail, Outlook, AirMail) and calls (Skype, Zoom.us, Google Hangouts) are there. If your job is all about correspondence and negotiations, then the iPad Pro is for you.

2. Web surfing. Despite the fact that the built-in Safari does not have all the functions of the macOS version, it is convenient and allows you to comfortably browse the Internet. Thanks to extensions, you can quickly save a page in Pocket, Evernote, "Notes", share links to it with friends in social networks and instant messengers. I like the reading mode, which cuts off everything unnecessary on the page.

3. Uncomplicated photo and video processing. There is no Final Cut Pro here, of course, but there are iMovie and other good video editors to help you make a normal video and put it on the Web. For personal video blogs and simple videos for social networks - just right.

4. Creation of sketches, drawings and sketches. There are some cool artist apps on the iPad Pro: Procreate, Adobe Sketch, and more. They allow you to create drawings and sketches.

5. Writing draft articles. I use the Ulysses and Notes apps to create the basics of content and articles. For example, at Ulysses I wrote a draft of this review and then transferred it to Google Docs.

6. Create simple documents, spreadsheets and presentations. There are several office suites for creating and editing documents, tables and presentations on the iPad: iWork (Pages, Keynote, Numbers), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google (“Docs”, “Sheets”). For example, I made two presentations for my talks right on the tablet using Keynote.

The functionality of these applications does not reach desktop clients, but it is enough to write a simple document, edit a spreadsheet and make a presentation.

7. Creation of outlines and mind maps. The large iPad Pro display makes it easy to structure information. I use OmniOutliner 2 to break down an idea point by point and MindNode to make mind maps.

The iPad Pro can replace a computer in many ways. It is suitable for people who communicate a lot with colleagues and partners at work and for whom it is important to show something on the tablet screen: presentations, sketches, drawings, drafts.

Also, iPad Pro will become an assistant for a wide range of professionals: editors, designers, editors, illustrators, photographers, bloggers. A tablet will not replace a laptop or computer with a full-fledged operating system, but it will be a good help: you can do rough work on the tablet, and finally finish it on the computer.

The potential to replace laptops with a tablet rests solely on applications. The tablet itself and the operating system allow you to use it for work. Of course, you can always launch Safari and use the web versions of the services, but that's not quite the case.

If you are considering the iPad as a replacement for a laptop, then write down all the work scenarios in which you need it, and see if there are applications for them. If yes - then feel free to take it, if not - wait a little.

Believing in the future is, of course, good, but if you need a working tool here and now, then carefully study whether the iPad has the programs you need.

Another huge plus for the iPad Pro is that it is very compact and increases your portability. Let's just say that MacBooks are far from the most bulky devices, but the iPad Pro 10, 5 ″ with a keyboard is lighter than any of them (even the MacBook 12 ″). You might think that 300-400 grams does not solve, but believe me, when you carry a laptop with you every day, the difference is felt.

In addition, iPad Pro with a keyboard can be easily laid out on a table in an Aeroexpress train or on an airplane. If you wish, you can work with the tablet on your knees, but then you should have a comfortable support so that your back does not hurt or get numb.

If you have a cellular module, then you can solve urgent small tasks at any time: fix something, call, send a letter to someone. In this regard, the laptop is not so mobile, it still needs Wi-Fi.

The iPad Pro 10.5 ″ itself is very light and feels weightless for its size. If you value portability, then you will love this model.

No weak points?

I've been using Apple technology for seven years now, and it's hard to surprise me with anything. But the iPad Pro succeeded. I haven't used such a solid device for a long time without weaknesses in all components: there are things that work better somewhere, but there is not a single Achilles heel.

With all that stuff in it, it's a perfect tablet. It cannot be said that it will definitely replace a laptop or computer for work: everything is too individual and depends on the tasks and applications that you need. If you have the appropriate tools for your work tasks, then you can bet on the iPad Pro - you will love it.

What is missing

1. 3D Touch. It's scary to imagine how the user experience would be transformed with this thing. It would replace the right click when working with the application and would simplify a lot of things.

2. Moisture protection. To work with your iPad by the pond without fear of dropping your tablet into the water.

3. Taptic Engine. It would be great to use it for responsive typing with a built-in soft keyboard.