Apple’s refresh of the iPad Pro is the first since 2018. It’s also probably the best version of the iPad Pro yet.
Apple is aiming straight for productivity lovers who say it’s impossible to get anything done on a tablet. That’s because the iPad Pro 2020 feels more like using a laptop than ever.
iPad Pro Specs
- Screen: 11-inch IPS LCD screen with 120 Hz refresh rate
- OS: iPadOS 13.4
- Chipset: Apple A12Z Bionic
- RAM: 6 GB
- Storage: 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB/ 1 TB options
- Rear Cameras: 12 MP f/1.8 wide-angle, 10 MP f/2.4, 11mm ultra-wide, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner
- Front Camera: 7 MP f/2.2
- No microSD slot, no headphone jack
iPad Pro Look & Feel
The new iPad Pro 2020 loots much the same as the previous model. The new magic keyboard with its magnetic attachment helps the device feel more like a laptop. At launch, it’s still only available in Space Gray and Silver. No sign of the gorgeous red color from the iPad Pro 2015 generation.
There aren’t any significant design changes to Apple’s new tablet, but there are plenty of new features.
New Features
The biggest is the ability to use a real keyboard and trackpad with the device. The trackpad supports all the multi-touch gestures you use on a MacBook every day. Three fingers up to choose a different app, three fingers left and right to switch between apps.
The new LiDAR sensor on the iPad Pro camera brings the possibility of room-scale alternate reality. The sensor has a 16.4-foot range and can 3D mesh an environment.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many apps taking advantage of this cutting edge technology yet.
Trackpad
Trackpad support in iPadOS feels excellent, but also very first generation. There are still a few problems that Apple will likely refine with software updates.
One glaring example is that clicking and dragging the cursor isn’t always intuitive. Trying to select a specific bit of text sometimes resulted in the cursor moving instead. Little things like this remind you that you’re not working on a laptop.
Core apps like Pages, Numbers, and iMovie are updated to work better with trackpads. But third-party apps haven’t caught wind of the new feature yet. Google Docs is just one example of an app that doesn’t support trackpad editing.
It’s also worth noting that not all trackpad support may be equal. Apple is hoping you’ll opt for the Magic Trackpad accessory – which works best. Third-party trackpads still seem to hiccup more often than the Magic Trackpad.
Magic Keyboard
The new Magic Keyboard case for the iPad Pro adds considerable bulk to the setup. The case itself weighs around 600 grams, making it heavier than the tablet itself. That’s to be expected, though – the magnets needed to hold the tablet are hefty.
The floating cantilever hinge lets you choose the angle for the iPad Pro. There is also a good deal of key travel on the Magic Keyboard, which is an improvement over the Smart Keyboard Folio.
Pros
- Trackpad feels great to use
- Rear 3D room-scanning AR camera
- Base model upgraded to 128GB storage
- A true laptop replacement
Cons
- No design changes from iPad Pro 2018
- Additional accessories add to cost
- Very few AR apps on the App Store
- Only slight upgrade to performance
Is the iPad Pro 2020 worth it?
If you already have an iPad Pro, there may not be a reason to rush out an upgrade. The internal specs are mostly still the same, with minor camera and storage updates. The big draw here is trackpad support, but that will likely roll out to older iPad Pro devices.
First-time purchasers who are looking for a new productivity device will find a lot to love here. It’s the first tablet that die-hard laptop users won’t hate using.
Check out these apps to compliment your new iPad Pro!
